Rumor Hall of Presidents Replaced by Muppets American History Show???

[The Leader of the Club]

I still don't get it. Muppet-Vision 3D is apparently on the chopping block because the Muppets seemingly aren't popular anymore. But the Muppets, despite their supposed unpopularity, are being considered for a Hall of Presidents replacement?

I think Muppets are too popular for Disney to get rid of, but not popular enough for their current representation. That courtyard in DHS has enough real estate to become a mini-land for an IP that moves more merch than Kermit & the gang.

If Disney got rid of Muppets completely, fans would be very upset. It would be like getting rid of Figment.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

If Disney is actually interested in making money, they should double down on the Americana within the parks. That is what the people actually want.

Is it? I don't know that I've ever seen a guest in MK wearing a Davy Crockett hat, even though they're for sale in the trading co. I don't anticipate Tom Sawyer t-shirts selling anywhere near as much as Lightning McQueen.

Even aside from merch, I don't know if people are going to book trips to Disney because of new "Americana Rides." A new Louis & Clark raft ride replacing TSI wouldn't have as many parents booking trips as the Cars experience will.

 

[GenChi]

Think a lot of these posts ignore that Disney has legitimate reasons they would want to remove HOP, that isn't tied to politics

• One of the lowest rated attraction in the entire Magic Kingdom
• Low to moderate interest these days, with very little core kid demographic interest
• No distinguishable IP that Disney owns and can promote
• No real way to merchandise the attraction
• No Lightning Lane
• A mandatory renovation every 4-8 years that requires alterations to include a new president which includes significant downtime and cost
• The resort has become more of an international destination; this topic doesn't resonate much as it did when it was all domestic guests
• A strange break in the fantasy escapism from the real world that the rest of the resort provides
• Located in prime real estate

And this is before just how hostile reaction has become to the nature of the attraction. When they remove it it's because they have many reasons they want it gone, not only because they hate an elected official.

 

[Consumer]

Is it? I don't know that I've ever seen a guest in MK wearing a Davy Crockett hat, even though they're for sale in the trading co. I don't anticipate Tom Sawyer t-shirts selling anywhere near as much as Lightning McQueen.

Even aside from merch, I don't know if people are going to book trips to Disney because of new "Americana Rides." A new Louis & Clark raft ride replacing TSI wouldn't have as many parents booking trips as the Cars experience will.

I'm not talking about rides, I'm talking about environment.

 

[dennis-in-ct]

Think a lot of these posts ignore that Disney has legitimate reasons they would want to remove HOP, that isn't tied to politics

• One of the lowest rated attraction in the entire Magic Kingdom
• Low to moderate interest these days, with very little core kid demographic interest
• No distinguishable IP that Disney owns and can promote
• No real way to merchandise the attraction
• No Lightning Lane
• A mandatory renovation every 4-8 years that requires alterations to include a new president which includes significant downtime and cost
• The resort has become more of an international destination; this topic doesn't resonate much as it did when it was all domestic guests
• A strange break in the fantasy escapism from the real world that the rest of the resort provides
• Located in prime real estate

And this is before just how hostile reaction has become to the nature of the attraction. When they remove it it's because they have many reasons they want it gone, not only because they hate an elected official.

All really good and fair points.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Think a lot of these posts ignore that Disney has legitimate reasons they would want to remove HOP, that isn't tied to politics

• One of the lowest rated attraction in the entire Magic Kingdom
• Low to moderate interest these days, with very little core kid demographic interest
• No distinguishable IP that Disney owns and can promote
• No real way to merchandise the attraction
• No Lightning Lane
• A mandatory renovation every 4-8 years that requires alterations to include a new president which includes significant downtime and cost
• The resort has become more of an international destination; this topic doesn't resonate much as it did when it was all domestic guests
• A strange break in the fantasy escapism from the real world that the rest of the resort provides
• Located in prime real estate

And this is before just how hostile reaction has become to the nature of the attraction. When they remove it it's because they have many reasons they want it gone, not only because they hate an elected official.

I’m purposely avoiding this conversation but to be clear here: it is a company priority to remove the Hall of Presidents. It’s not an if. It’s a when.

 

[LittleBuford]

I’m purposely avoiding this conversation but to be clear here: it is a company priority to remove the Hall of Presidents. It’s not an if. It’s a when.

The timing (or rather the perception of it) is going to be tricky.

 

[ToTBellHop]

The timing (or rather the perception of it) is going to be tricky.

Oh, I think it will reopen next year with 47.

And then if I were a betting man, I’d bet they close it at some point while all of RoA is being demolished. It’s pretty easy to save face by just including it in that work. I highly doubt they will make a statement like, “in this highly politicized environment, we’ve decided to transition the Hall of Presidents to a new activation.”

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Oh, I think it will reopen next year with 47.

And then if I were a betting man, I’d bet they close it at some point while all of RoA is being demolished. It’s pretty easy to save face by just including it in that work. I highly doubt they will make a statement like, “in this highly politicized environment, we’ve decided to transition the Hall of Presidents to a new activation.”

I don't see Disney having lengthily overlapping closures of BTMRR, the RoA and HoP at the same time, but maybe you're right and they decide to just rip the band aid off and do everything at once.

 

[britain]

Oh, I think it will reopen next year with 47.

And then if I were a betting man, I’d bet they close it at some point while all of RoA is being demolished. It’s pretty easy to save face by just including it in that work. I highly doubt they will make a statement like, “in this highly politicized environment, we’ve decided to transition the Hall of Presidents to a new activation.”

Do you think they’d want to bulldoze the whole thing for that precious space? Or will they simply come up with a new show for the theater?

 

[Drdcm]

Oh, I think it will reopen next year with 47.

And then if I were a betting man, I’d bet they close it at some point while all of RoA is being demolished. It’s pretty easy to save face by just including it in that work. I highly doubt they will make a statement like, “in this highly politicized environment, we’ve decided to transition the Hall of Presidents to a new activation.”

I agree. I think when it closes, they will do so mid term to avoid the inevitable outcry of political bias. That’s what I would try to do at least… but I’m not in charge.

 

[Tha Realest]

Will it really cost them that much to circulate 45 over as 47? And replay the existing speech?

 

[The Leader of the Club]

I'm not talking about rides, I'm talking about environment.

Environment doesn’t generate revenue.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

Do you think they’d want to bulldoze the whole thing for that precious space? Or will they simply come up with a new show for the theater?

They won’t bulldoze it. It’s the same building as Peter Pan’s Flight, Philharmagic, and Columbia Harbor House.

 

[Moth]

I'm of the opinion that when it's time for the HOP to meet Horizons, World of Motion, Dinosaur, Splash Mountain amongst others in Disney Theme Park Afterlife, the space will be utilized as another show unless they want to gamble hard on using Haunted Mansion and give it a flat or something or something akin to Sleepy Hollow.

Hmm. I don't think 47 will be given a full four years in HOP, I suspect the ROA construction will give them good cover to take it down early.

 

[The Mom]

It appears that many posters don't seem to be able to follow the "no politics" forum rules, so I'm just going to lock this until tomorrow morning, as I don't want to log in and have to deal with dozens of reported posts.

 

[wdwmagic]

Please remember the forum rules.

Terms and rules

 

[FigmentFan82]

I vote for the muppets, but the show is a Sam the Eagle fever dream where he plays every president.

I want to watch this now!!

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

I like the idea of just reverting to Great Moments with Mr Lincoln or Walt Disney: A Magical Life

 

[FigmentFan82]

I'm also very curious as to what people think could actually fill this space when the eventual closer happens.
Obviously this thread began as a discussion of the rumor that HoP could be rethemed to Muppets HoP, keeping the overall theme of presidential history, but as told through Muppets.
If they decide to not keep the HoP theme and change it to something completely different, what could that be? Has anyone here ever given that some legitimate thought before?
Since it's a theater could you use it for some live shows (Mini Main St Theater?)
Perhaps some type of Headless Horseman attraction?

If it's not long for this world, and it's not Muppets HoP, then what could it be?