Just wondering because of security if the president's daughters or entire family for that matter will get to have a family vacation at WDW? I doubt it unfortunately, but wonder if anyone has some insight.
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Will Obama's daughters get to go to WDW?
- Thread starter durangojim
- Start date
cblodg
Member
Interesting. I honestly don't know. I would imagine that if they were to, then the park would have to be shut down. I was watching a program about the Secret Service on National Geographic and the Secret Service would like to only have the president out of the White House once a year and that's it (he was joking of course but there is some truth behind it).
You nailed it right on the head when you said security. That would be an absolute logistical nightmare for the Secret Service. So it would be my guess that they would have to close the park down to allow the first family the chance to go to WDW or DL.
Can you picture a Secret Service agent having to go on It's A Small World then having it break down. I would imagine those little AIs would become target practice for them eventually. :lol:
You nailed it right on the head when you said security. That would be an absolute logistical nightmare for the Secret Service. So it would be my guess that they would have to close the park down to allow the first family the chance to go to WDW or DL.
Can you picture a Secret Service agent having to go on It's A Small World then having it break down. I would imagine those little AIs would become target practice for them eventually. :lol:
SamnDawn060304
New Member
I was wondering that also. They are young and I am sure just like other children who dream abiut a trip the Disney World. 
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
I suspect they could go so long as it wasn't advertised in advance. The Secret Service would have nightmares for weeks beforehand, but security people always worry. They wouldn't need to close the parks, but you can bet entry security would be more stringent.
It's been a while since there were kids as young in the White House. Amy Carter was 9 when they moved in. Before that I think John Jr. and Caroline Kennedy were the most recent young children. So there may be no set 'protocols' in place for what to do if Obama's kids want to go to Disney. I don't think they would be denied Disney for security reasons, but the planning would be very complex. Lots of famous people's kids go to Disney, I can't imagine it couldn't be worked out for them.
It's been a while since there were kids as young in the White House. Amy Carter was 9 when they moved in. Before that I think John Jr. and Caroline Kennedy were the most recent young children. So there may be no set 'protocols' in place for what to do if Obama's kids want to go to Disney. I don't think they would be denied Disney for security reasons, but the planning would be very complex. Lots of famous people's kids go to Disney, I can't imagine it couldn't be worked out for them.
disneyliv85
New Member
On the show Hogan Knows Best the Hogan family got a complete make-up job and disguises so they could go around Universal unnoticed. Maybe they could do that! Then the secret service guys could dress up as tourists :lookaroun
pacochran
Active Member
If the President came I think it would be a little tough, but if it was just the First Lady and the kids it might not be as bad (at least for them) maybe the park.
It would be kind of neat to have the President their for the unvailing of his figure at the Hall of Presidents this Spring.
It would be kind of neat to have the President their for the unvailing of his figure at the Hall of Presidents this Spring.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
The kids are doomed to never have a normal life, unfortunately. This includes things like vacations, but also mundane things like friends and just doing normal kid things.
As far as going to a Disney park, it wouldn't be as far fetched as some of you are saying. Using backstage, and just closing down the ride they are on for a few minutes to usher them on and off the attraction would probably suffice. Now, outdoor rides like Dumbo would be a bit tougher, but something like Pirates wouldn't be too much of a concern.
As far as going to a Disney park, it wouldn't be as far fetched as some of you are saying. Using backstage, and just closing down the ride they are on for a few minutes to usher them on and off the attraction would probably suffice. Now, outdoor rides like Dumbo would be a bit tougher, but something like Pirates wouldn't be too much of a concern.
I wouldn't say that...unlike most of our past presidents, the Obamas are fairly normal people who do normal middle class to upper middle class things. The kids will be fine. Making friends will undoubtedly be a little harder, but since they are so young they will at least be able to make friends at their new school.
I agree, while you won't see them skipping down Main Street arm in arm, it isn't inconceivable that they could go to Disney. I would imagine that security at the park they are visiting would be higher, but they wouldn't shut it down, and while I'm sure they would use backstage areas to maneuver through more crowded areas, I doubt they would utilize it for the entire visit.
hcswingfield
Active Member
I was wondering the same thing myself as I watched the inauguration yesterday. I hope they can figure out a way to go and have some fun, just like any other kid.
yankspy
Well-Known Member
It would be extremely difficult. Having witnessed a few secret service operations myself, there are so many details for even the simplest of activities. I am not saying that it could not happen, it would just be a logistical nightmare. However, as others have said, it would be far easier, but still hard, if the President were not with them.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
Making friends is not what I'm referring to. They will never be able to go to friends houses, have friends over. Have sleepovers, go to the movies with friends, hang out at the mall, etc. Just not gonna happen. Yes, they are young now, but by the time he leaves office in 4 or 8 years, the older one will definitely be interested in boys. Her 'normal' teenage years are effectively gone.
I'm sure they will talk to other kids at school. But its everything besides school that is gone. Even small things like being on a sport team of some sort won't be possible. I really feel bad for them.
yankspy
Well-Known Member
They will be able to do most of those things, they will just have a huge entourage with them. It will not necessarily be normal, but they will at least be able to do a lot.
Buried20KLeague
Well-Known Member
HA!
Where in the world do you get this information???
"First Children" have it a little differently than most, but they don't miss out on essential experiences like having sleepovers or being on sports teams. To think so would be awfully naive.
The Carter, Bush, and Clinton kids had sleepovers all the time at the White House, and stayed at friends' houses, too.
During the Carter admin I think it was, they even had their high school prom in the East Room.
The kids will do fine. And they're going to be kept with their "feet on the ground" as much as possible, according to their mother... Who I tend to believe on the topic.
I see it completely opposite... They're going to have a childhood filled with opportunities that literally only a handful of people in our country's history have been given. Life is meant to be lived, and experienced. I'm quite sure they will do that... Probably more than any of us could ever imagine. I see them as a couple of the luckiest kids in the world.
As for the parks... Like someone else said... Using back stage areas and so forth, I bet it could be done pretty easily. The Secret Service deals with much worse on a daily basis. GW Bush was at WDW 3 or 4 times during his presidency... I wonder if he ever made it to a park with his family. :shrug:
EDIT TO ADD: Chelsea Clinton AND the Bush twins went to colleges WITH THE GENERAL STUDENT POPULATION. If that's not "normal", I don't know what is.
hwdelien
Member
LOL, I can just see them trying to ride splash mountain, talking into to their sleeves at the top of the last hill to let the outside forces know that they'll be coming in view. I can't stop laughing!!!:ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Yes, if the Obama girls want to go to WDW, they will. It's no more complicated for them to go around WDW than it is to go ANYWHERE in public, and the girls are certainly not going to be locked up in the White House (though it's a very cool house to bring your friends back to). As for the rubbish about them not having a "normal" life--they had a sleepover with their best friends last night, watched movies, probably bowled, had a White House scavenger hunt, and got to meet the Jonas Brothers with their friends. If anything, they will have a better life than most kids and I don't see them having any trouble making friends--the issue would be them making TOO many friends, but I think they are young enough that they don't have to worry about people just being friends with them b/c they are the First Kids.
Long and the short of it is--if the President and/or First Family want to do something, the Secret Service will make it happen. That's their job.
Long and the short of it is--if the President and/or First Family want to do something, the Secret Service will make it happen. That's their job.
snakeislandboy
New Member
I would imagine if they did go that Obama would be the most sought after character picture in Disney history.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
When past Presidents and their families have gone on vacation, the Secret Service usually wears slightly more "casual" clothing to blend in a bit better. So while they're wearing polos and khakis, it's still easy to pick out who they are. They just don't stand out as much as they would in dark suits.
I think a good comparison would be when Princess Diana visited WDW with William and Harry. (Remembering that Prince William is second-in-line for the throne, he's probably a bit higher up on the security factor than the President's daughters) They went on the trip with family friends who also had a couple young children.
But apart from being backdoored onto the attractions and watching the parades from the secluded VIP viewing area at the Liberty Square bridge, Disney didn't shut the parks down.
There's a photo out there somewhere showing the whole group in a log on Splash Mountain, including their security person sitting in the back row of the log wearing a polo shirt, and Diana d__________g down to avoid the splash.
EDIT: I was a little off in my memory... I found the photo, and it's just Diana and Harry. Harry's in the front row, Diana in the back corner, and the rest of the log filled with their friends and their security entourage.
-Rob
I think a good comparison would be when Princess Diana visited WDW with William and Harry. (Remembering that Prince William is second-in-line for the throne, he's probably a bit higher up on the security factor than the President's daughters) They went on the trip with family friends who also had a couple young children.
But apart from being backdoored onto the attractions and watching the parades from the secluded VIP viewing area at the Liberty Square bridge, Disney didn't shut the parks down.
There's a photo out there somewhere showing the whole group in a log on Splash Mountain, including their security person sitting in the back row of the log wearing a polo shirt, and Diana d__________g down to avoid the splash.
EDIT: I was a little off in my memory... I found the photo, and it's just Diana and Harry. Harry's in the front row, Diana in the back corner, and the rest of the log filled with their friends and their security entourage.
-Rob