Hall of Presidents: Technical Questions

[KLeigh]

Hi Everyone!

I have some technical questions about this attraction and the AAs, and I'm hoping some of you will be able to answer them for me.

When a new president is added:

• Is the former president AA moved to whatever open space is available, or do the imagineers rearrange all/some of the former presidents to make a more pleasing picture?

• Will the Obama AA keep his current "body" once he is relocated? Or will the head essentially be transplanted onto a simpler/less complex AA body, as his movements will be more minimal in nature (like the other former presidents), and then imagineers would repurpose the more complex AA frame? (With all of the advancements in AA tech since Obama took office, I see the repurposing option less likely, but I'm curious.)

• Do all former presidents get reanimated when another joins their ranks? (Ex: their small movements when Lincoln, Washington, and the sitting president are speaking.)

• Will a new speech be written for the next president? (I'm 99% sure the answer is yes, but confirmation would be appreciated.)

• Morgan Freeman will remain as the narrator, right? Or will he be replaced during this next refurb? (I wish Morgan Freeman narrated my life, so I'd be sad to see him be replaced on this attraction.)

Thanks!

 

[Siren]

Eww. Some of these questions are totally creeping me out. There is no way that I can work with animatronics -- transplanting heads to different bodies is just way too terrifying. I don't think they do that anyway because all the bodies are shaped differently.

Disney is going to have to rearrange everything to make room for Hillary. It goes without saying, that as the first female President of the United States that she will need a brand new animatronic with a female body and totally flawless hair & make up.

This should be really exciting for the animatronic team and they are going to have to pay very close attention to the details like makeup, earrings, jewelry and polished, manicured nails, etc. I totally want her in heels (please Disney - no flat loafers) and that red pant suit she wore the other night really stands out, even though I prefer skirts and dresses.

Also, for the first time in American history we have a married couple who were both elected for President -- it brings a very unique dynamic to the table. So, maybe Disney can be creative and have Bill and Hillary next to each other or something.

If Trump wins -- he's a big tall guy and very huge in stature so again, he will need a brand new animatronic. That hair will most likely be the biggest challenge for the animatronic team to get right, though.

And, I totally agree that Morgan Freeman should continue on as narrator.

 

[KLeigh]

Thanks @Siren for your opinions, but that doesn't exactly answer my questions. I'm familiar with how they go about building new animatronics, but I'm really interested in figuring out these particular elements of this attraction as far as past presidents are concerned.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Hi Everyone!

I have some technical questions about this attraction and the AAs, and I'm hoping some of you will be able to answer them for me.

When a new president is added:

• Is the former president AA moved to whatever open space is available, or do the imagineers rearrange all/some of the former presidents to make a more pleasing picture?

• Will the Obama AA keep his current "body" once he is relocated? Or will the head essentially be transplanted onto a simpler/less complex AA body, as his movements will be more minimal in nature (like the other former presidents), and then imagineers would repurpose the more complex AA frame? (With all of the advancements in AA tech since Obama took office, I see the repurposing option less likely, but I'm curious.)

• Do all former presidents get reanimated when another joins their ranks? (Ex: their small movements when Lincoln, Washington, and the sitting president are speaking.)

• Will a new speech be written for the next president? (I'm 99% sure the answer is yes, but confirmation would be appreciated.)

• Morgan Freeman will remain as the narrator, right? Or will he be replaced during this next refurb? (I wish Morgan Freeman narrated my life, so I'd be sad to see him be replaced on this attraction.)

Thanks!

The only one I think that any one of us can answer with 100% certainty is that a new speech will be written for the new president, and that person will record it in their own voice.

 

[Princess Leia]

Regardless if it's the GOP or Dem candidate, I'm pretty sure they're going to have to build a new AA. Trump's larger than Obama, and Hillary is smaller. I'm sure they'll have to do some moving, because I highly doubt President Obama would be stuck in a corner somewhere, and I don't think they'll put him next to Jackson.
For reference, this was the HoP in 2007 (on top) and the current version is below.

What I think could happen (and this is a big maybe), is that if Hillary is elected, Obama could keep a small speaking role. Both Obama and Hillary are 'firsts', and I could see it being added to the show. Maybe.

 

[KLeigh]

Regardless if it's the GOP or Dem candidate, I'm pretty sure they're going to have to build a new AA. Trump's larger than Obama, and Hillary is smaller. I'm sure they'll have to do some moving, because I highly doubt President Obama would be stuck in a corner somewhere, and I don't think they'll put him next to Jackson.
For reference, this was the HoP in 2007 (on top) and the current version is below.

What I think could happen (and this is a big maybe), is that if Hillary is elected, Obama could keep a small speaking role. Both Obama and Hillary are 'firsts', and I could see it being added to the show. Maybe.

Thank you!!! Those pictures show exactly what I was looking for - former presidents are/will be rearranged, which means they will also need to be (slightly) reanimated based upon their new positions.

 

[Nausicaä]

Eww. Some of these questions are totally creeping me out. There is no way that I can work with animatronics -- transplanting heads to different bodies is just way too terrifying. I don't think they do that anyway because all the bodies are shaped differently.

Disney is going to have to rearrange everything to make room for Hillary. It goes without saying, that as the first female President of the United States that she will need a brand new animatronic with a female body and totally flawless hair & make up.

This should be really exciting for the animatronic team and they are going to have to pay very close attention to the details like makeup, earrings, jewelry and polished, manicured nails, etc. I totally want her in heels (please Disney - no flat loafers) and that red pant suit she wore the other night really stands out, even though I prefer skirts and dresses.

Also, for the first time in American history we have a married couple who were both elected for President -- it brings a very unique dynamic to the table. So, maybe Disney can be creative and have Bill and Hillary next to each other or something.

If Trump wins -- he's a big tall guy and very huge in stature so again, he will need a brand new animatronic. That hair will most likely be the biggest challenge for the animatronic team to get right, though.

And, I totally agree that Morgan Freeman should continue on as narrator.

But what about Trump? Should he be wearing a Hugo Boss suit or Hart Shaffner Marx? What color should it be? What tie shall he wear with it?

It is 2016, certainly we can move on from inconsequential minutiae such as hair, nails, shoes and make up of the female candidate?

 

[Princess Leia]

Thank you!!! Those pictures show exactly what I was looking for - former presidents are/will be rearranged, which means they will also need to be (slightly) reanimated based upon their new positions.

I'm still hoping for a new Lincoln AA. He needs some TLC.

 

[ScottKC]

I wish they would go back to not having the current President speak, we get enough of that in daily life on TV, why must we be subjected to that on vacation?

 

[KLeigh]

I'm still hoping for a new Lincoln AA. He needs some TLC.

Agreed. Hopefully they will give him and Washington some refurb love - both were looking a bit shabby earlier this month when I was there.

 

[EOD K9]

If Hillary is elected, I doubt she would be standing next to Bill.

 

[The_Jobu]

I'm still boycotting until they add Jed Bartlet.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

But what about Trump? Should he be wearing a Hugo Boss suit or Hart Shaffner Marx? What color should it be? What tie shall he wear with it?

It is 2016, certainly we can move on from inconsequential minutiae such as hair, nails, shoes and make up of the female candidate?

I think the comment about the hair, shoes, and nails for a female candidate in this case was more of a point about that Disney would have to pay attention to those details to best represent the person and make it accurate not necessarily a comment about fashion.

 

[WEDwaydatamover]

I like the idea of not having to endure a sitting President speaking as well. It alienates crowds, people boo and can really sour your day if you have a great disdain for the person.

I have not enjoyed sitting thru Bill, George or Barack. People get nasty in the audiences.

If they do need a replacement AA for the newcomer I hear The Great Movie Ride might be closing as well as Energy Adventure. Use your imagination.

 

[zakattack99]

I have not enjoyed sitting thru Bill, George or Barack. People get nasty in the audiences

This is just frustrating, people need to have respect for the office and for the people in the show around them. I work in politics and I understand strong feelings, I have them for most of these people both good bad and indifferent. However I would never feel the need to express that at WDW, I go there to get away for all of that!

That being said however it will be interesting to see who does the narration should Trump win. Morgan Freeman has been a very active member of the Clinton and Obama campaigns, even introducing Hillary at the DNC. I find it hard to believe that he will want to introduce a President Trump. I could be wrong but I expect a change in that situation.

 

[flynnibus]

Hi Everyone!

I have some technical questions about this attraction and the AAs, and I'm hoping some of you will be able to answer them for me.

When a new president is added:

• Is the former president AA moved to whatever open space is available, or do the imagineers rearrange all/some of the former presidents to make a more pleasing picture?

• Will the Obama AA keep his current "body" once he is relocated? Or will the head essentially be transplanted onto a simpler/less complex AA body, as his movements will be more minimal in nature (like the other former presidents), and then imagineers would repurpose the more complex AA frame? (With all of the advancements in AA tech since Obama took office, I see the repurposing option less likely, but I'm curious.)

• Do all former presidents get reanimated when another joins their ranks? (Ex: their small movements when Lincoln, Washington, and the sitting president are speaking.)

• Will a new speech be written for the next president? (I'm 99% sure the answer is yes, but confirmation would be appreciated.)

• Morgan Freeman will remain as the narrator, right? Or will he be replaced during this next refurb? (I wish Morgan Freeman narrated my life, so I'd be sad to see him be replaced on this attraction.)

Thanks!

Disney reused AAs all the time. Repurposing, etc. The Presidents are re-arranged slightly to make room for the new guy. (Disney has gotten lucky with more two term presidents than single term ).

The speech and narrator questions are not 100%, because they've done both minor and major refurbs with both outcomes The current format with the president speaking is of course would need to be changed after the election at some point.

I would expect Obama to be regulated to some stripped out AA while the Hiliary bot will be constructed from retrofits of new+repurposed parts.

 

[KLeigh]

Thanks @flynnibus!

 

[RScottyL]

I am sorry to say, but both times I have been to WDW, I have not been in the HOP!

That being said, it would depend how they are organized. Are they currently organized in the order they were elected President, or of their importance in American history?

I assume the next elected President will take front center stage or very close to it!

 

[Princess Leia]

I'm okay with them removing the current POTUS speech or keeping it. I wish

I am sorry to say, but both times I have been to WDW, I have not been in the HOP!

That being said, it would depend how they are organized. Are they currently organized in the order they were elected President, or of their importance in American history?

I assume the next elected President will take front center stage or very close to it!

I posted pictures of the past two arrangements earlier in the thread. The presidents are organized pretty randomly. The only 3 that are up front and in the center are Washington, Lincoln, and the current POTUS.

 

[LadyBelle]

I'm still boycotting until they add Jed Bartlet.

That would have made for a hilarious scene in the show getting him to record his piece.