The Hall of Presidents Reopens at Walt Disney World on December 19th After Year-Long Transformation

Following a year-long transformation, The Hall of Presidents will officially reopen at Magic Kingdom Park on Tuesday, December 19, with enhancements that will bring the story of the American presidency to life as never before. The epic theatrical production was envisioned by Walt Disney himself to honor the country by honoring the presidents of the United States.

This endeavor began with a single animated figure of President Abraham Lincoln that was developed for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. In 1971, advances in technology made it possible for Imagineers to make Walt Disney’s vision a reality by including every chief executive who ever served the United States of America.

The history of innovation at The Hall of Presidents continues to this day. In addition to updating the show’s content, Imagineers have incorporated the latest in theatrical design and Audio-Animatronics technology. Landmark moments in history come alive on a panoramic 180-degree screen that transports guests across more than 200 years of the American story. High-impact projection, sound, lighting and other enhancements take guests into rare and indelible moments in history that helped define a nation.

As has been the tradition with every new president since the attraction debuted, an Audio-Animatronics figure of President Donald J. Trump has been added to the show and features the latest advances in technology that enable smoother and more lifelike movements. President Trump personally recorded remarks exclusively for The Hall of Presidents, just as each sitting president has done for the attraction since the early 1990s.

Rich in innovative storytelling and tradition, The Hall of Presidents carries a legacy and passion for American history that has been part of Disney Parks for more than 50 years.

From The Disney Parks Blog

Magic Kingdom to Begin 2017 with Some Refurbishments

The Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom will be the first to close when it shuts down for its annual refurbishment.

The attraction is scheduled to be closed from January 3rd through January 12th of 2017.

The Magic Kingdom’s Walt Disney World Railroad will also be closed for refurbishment in early 2017.

The refurbishment of the railroad will begin on January 9th and last through to February 16th.

As what usually happens when the United States elects a new president, The Hall of Presidents will be closing for a long refurbishment, which will presumably see the show updated to include the new president.

The closure is planned to begin on January 17th and last until June 29th.

The last time there was an election that gave the country a new president, in 2008, the attraction was closed for 8 months that involved installation of Barack Obama and a rework of the show.

‘The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History’ Debuts October 2 in Magic Kingdom

Great news for all you Muppets fans out there! Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and The Great Gonzo arrive at the Magic Kingdom on October 2nd for the opening of their all-new, live show “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.” Hosted by James “J.J.” Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, and Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, this wacky new show is set to take place several times daily, just outside The Hall of Presidents.

Throughout the day, J.J. and the Muppets share their own unique take on the founding fathers as they recount the tale of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, complete with an original song and plenty of humor. At other times, you may catch the Muppets’ version of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, presented in hysterical fashion as only they can.

If you like some hijinks with your history, be sure to check out “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” this fall at Walt Disney World Resort!

The Muppets Are Coming to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall in an All-New Show

Beginning this fall, the Muppets will be visiting Magic Kingdom Park, where they’ll take part in an all-new live show, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.”

Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, will join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical fashion as only they can. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets appear throughout the day to share with Guests, their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America.

Featuring an original song and plenty of wacky Muppets humor, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” will make its debut in October 2016.

Liberty Square Riverboat Closing in August for Short Refurbishment

liberty-square-riverboat

The Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom will be closing for a short refurbishment in August.

The refurbishment will begin on August 4th and end on August 10th, reopening to guests on August 11th.

Liberty Tree Tavern Closing for a Lengthy Refurbishment

liberty-tree-tavern

The Liberty Tree Tavern restaurant will be closing for an extended period in the second half of 2015.

The restaurant will be closed July 6th through to November 20th, with a planned reopening to guests on November 21st.

Disney has not made any announcement about any upcoming changes.

WDW’s Haunted Mansion Closing for Refurbishment in December

WDW Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion is schedule to close for a refurbishment from December 1 – 19, reopening on December 20th of 2014.

In related news….The Yankee Trader, which will be home to a new Haunted Mansion gift shop has been pushed back to the end of the year.

The refurbishment  will be transforming the Liberty Square shop into a dedicated Haunted Mansion gift shop and on-ride photo pickup, now will run through  December 31, 2014, nearly a 3 month extension to the originally scheduled September 30th completion.

Haunted Mansion Themed Gift Shop Opening this Fall in the Magic Kingdom

Haunted Mansion Gift Shop

As it turns out, Madame Leota and the 999 happy haunts from the Haunted Mansion attraction have also received your sympathetic vibrations. This fall, they are gathering to open a new merchandise destination in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida.

The new merchandise shop will be located in the current Yankee Trader shop, which had its last day of operation on July 27th. Inspired by Madame Leota, the new location will carry select items from the upcoming Haunted Mansion Authentic program including apparel, home goods, souvenirs, and more.

Magic Kingdom Refurbishment Update

Liberty_Square_Riverboat

The Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom will be closing for a short refurbishment in August.

The refurbishment will begin on August 4, through to August 8, reopening to guests on August 9 2014.

In other refurbishment news….

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover refurbishment that was scheduled for May 3 to June 30 has been moved back.

The new dates are June 2 to August 4, reopening to guests on August 5 2014.

Following the TTA news, the originally scheduled refurbishment of the Astro Orbiter at the Magic Kingdom has been moved back later into the summer.

The new dates are June 2 to September 19, reopening on September 20 2014. The previously scheduled dates were May 3 through to August 20.

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