When was the last time a US President visited WDW?

metscool

metscool

Active Member
Simba1 said:
George W. Bush - for a convention at the Contemporary Resort. This was around President's Day of this year.
Click to expand...
You are right. I was there that day. I didn't like it. Too many people there that day. You weren't aloud to park in the parking lot to eat at Chief Mickeys.
 
Chape19714

Chape19714

Well-Known Member
Will you please park your car silently!? Geez!

President George W. Bush was the most recent, but Ronald Reagan was visited Epcot more than once. Disneyland has had a huge amounts of not only US presidental visits, but international presidents as well (one of whom wasn't allowed to enter!). He wasn't allowed to enter for security reasons. Or should I say aloud to enter? :lol:
 
boo52

boo52

Active Member
MMP said:
I've heard that Nixon gave his "I am not a crook" speech from the Contemporary. Anyone know about that?
Click to expand...
Yes he did. He did it in the Ballroom Of The Americas on Nov 17, 1973. There is a picture of the event backstage near the cast cafeteria. Here is a snipet I found on an encyclopedia site quoting him:
"I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well I'm not a crook." November 17, 1973 Televised press conference at Walt Disney World, Florida.
 
DonaldDoleWhip

DonaldDoleWhip

Well-Known Member
I was at WDW the day George Bush arrived (Friday, 17th of February, 2006). Even worse, I was walking around the CONTEMPORARY when I found out he was coming (I was staying at the Beach Club, and wanted to return to my hotel and sleep).

After a while, they began to give warnings that they were going to stop all transportation involving the Magic Kingdom resort area at about 4 pm (boats, buses, monorails, etc). I began to freak out because it was 2:30, and got onto the monorail as quickly as possible. My goal was to return to MK and catch a bus to Beach Club (I thought walking to MK would be a bad idea).

There was one problem with my plan. At ALL of the monorail stops, the monorail stopped for about 10-15 minutes, and I still have no idea why. It took me almost an hour to get back to the Magic Kingdom. It was 3:25 when I got off the monorail.

Anyway, I didn't see any buses for YC+BC, so I hopped onto a BoardWalk bus and walked. Police and security were stationed ALL OVER the main road that leads to the Magic Kingdom area (it's the road that runs along the Epcot monorail line). Although it was an exciting experience, it made me very nervous.
 
MissDiznee66

MissDiznee66

Member
Yep, GW at the Contemporary, Feb of this year. My friend was there and they just got on the bus from MK and that bus had to wait, because he was just leaving with his entourage (sp). Not for long though. Doubt if he actually went into the parks. Though not sure? :lol:
 
B

betahawk

New Member
HW there in May of '04

I saw George HW Bush with Barbara riding in golf carts with their security people through Epcot. I believe he was speaking to a convention. I saw him twice that day. And I waved...

He seemed to dig the fact that he was going through the park and surprising people. If you're at an event where a individual is expected to appear, it is not a surprise. If he rides by you, five feet away, it catches you off-guard.
 
Frank Stallone

Frank Stallone

New Member
DonaldDoleWhip said:
I was at WDW the day George Bush arrived (Friday, 17th of February, 2006). Even worse, I was walking around the CONTEMPORARY when I found out he was coming (I was staying at the Beach Club, and wanted to return to my hotel and sleep).

After a while, they began to give warnings that they were going to stop all transportation involving the Magic Kingdom resort area at about 4 pm (boats, buses, monorails, etc). I began to freak out because it was 2:30, and got onto the monorail as quickly as possible. My goal was to return to MK and catch a bus to Beach Club (I thought walking to MK would be a bad idea).

There was one problem with my plan. At ALL of the monorail stops, the monorail stopped for about 10-15 minutes, and I still have no idea why. It took me almost an hour to get back to the Magic Kingdom. It was 3:25 when I got off the monorail.

Anyway, I didn't see any buses for YC+BC, so I hopped onto a BoardWalk bus and walked. Police and security were stationed ALL OVER the main road that leads to the Magic Kingdom area (it's the road that runs along the Epcot monorail line). Although it was an exciting experience, it made me very nervous.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, they had to close off the EPCOT/TTC Monorail for that time frame since the Presidential motorcade used the stretch of road that runs parallel to the monorail. Secret Service required the closing of the monorail.
 
Buried20KLeague

Buried20KLeague

Well-Known Member
bgraham34 said:
I would hate to be president just because it would be so hard to spend a few days in the park.
Click to expand...

Actually, for him it couldn't be any better than it is. HE'S not doing all the waiting around and adjusting of schedule... YOU are.

By the time he gets where he's going, everything is already stopped for him. He swoops in, does his thing, and swoops out. It's all timed so he never has to wait for anything. That's the way it is no matter where he goes.

I saw him throw out the first pitch at the Cardinals game a couple seasons ago, and it was the same thing. Security was tight for about 2 hours before the game, then he showed up about 10 minutes before the first pitch, watched about an hour of the game, and off he went. His entourage passed right by me. It's quite interesting that these teams are always a few days ahead of him, securing the areas so that everywhere he goes, he's safe. It's amazing, actually.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom