The Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom (A Resorts Gal Guide)
The Hall of Presidents is an attraction in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park. It was not only an original opening-day experience but also one of Walt Disney’s ideas. Walt Disney initially created an audio-animatronic of Abraham Lincoln, which debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This audio-animatronic figure went on to become a part of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which opened at Disneyland in 1965, one year before he died.
Today, The Hall of Presidents entertains and educates guests 365 days a year at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with its 45 presidents of the United States in animatronic form. The latest president, Joe Biden, was added as the 45th president when he took the oath of office.
Of course, one would think that the attraction featured 46 presidents, given how many presidents have served this great nation. However, Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, making him the 22nd and 24th president.
Below, we’ll discuss the specifics for experiencing The Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom. If you’ve never taken the time for a performance, I encourage you to do so on your next visit. It’s a wonderful film that inspires a rupture of applause from the audience. Plus, it’s not the worst place to cool off in the heat of the day.
Here is a quick reference chart with information about The Hall of Presidents.
| The Hall of Presidents | Magic Kingdom |
|---|---|
Location: | Liberty Square |
Height Requirement: | None |
Lightning Lane: | No |
Early Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | No |
Duration: | Approx. 25 minutes |
Ride Type: | Show |
Seats Per Vehicle: | Theater Rows |
Rider Switch: | None |
Good For: | Inclement Weather Taking a Break |
Scare Factor: | None |
Must-Do List: | Low Priority |
Perfect For: | Nostalgia Patriots |
Special Mention: | This is a Walt Disney-inspired attraction. |
Accessibility: Guests may remain in a wheelchair or ECV to experience this attraction. Assistive listening devices and handheld captions are available. See a cast member at the entrance for details.
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The Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents is one of the first buildings you’ll see when you enter Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park. The building’s brick facade was designed to resemble the original Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
An attraction poster sits outside the entrance. It reads, “A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders.” The Hall of Presidents runs continuously throughout the day between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. No food or drinks are allowed inside the theater.
When you first enter the theater, you’re greeted by a large waiting area with presidential artifacts, including several outfits worn by first ladies.
The Great Seal of the United States is prominently displayed on the museum’s carpet. From my understanding, it took an act of Congress to have the seal displayed here.
If you have any interest in history, you’ll likely enjoy browsing the displays. One contains a key to Disneyland.
Richard Nixon was given this honorary key to Disneyland in 1955. To this day, he holds the record for the most visits to the park by any United States President.
A fishing reel with a box owned by Franklin D. Roosevelt is also part of the display.
President Roosevelt served an unprecedented four terms in office as he guided the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. He never missed a chance to cast a line, even from the decks of naval warships or his presidential yacht, the Potomac.
Several portraits of former presidents hang in the lobby.
A dress worn by Caroline Harrison, wife of President Benjamin Harrison, makes up part of the display.
Caroline made history when she gave the first speech recorded by a sitting First Lady.
Of course, we wouldn’t have The Hall of Presidents if it weren’t for Walt Disney.
This portrait of him with the statue of Mr. Lincoln, one of his personal heroes, is endearing.
“To this day, President Lincoln remains a favorite figure at The Hall of Presidents and holds the special honor of being the world’s first realistic human Audio-Animatronic.”
A cast member will invite everyone into the theater when it’s time for the next performance.
It’s a beautiful theater with 700 seats, three digital projection screens, and a proscenium stage.
After everyone is seated, the film begins, and the narrator takes us back to the early days of democracy, when Americans fought for a different type of future.
That’s when “The Idea of a President” was formed.
The film proceeds to share details specific to the office of the president.
George Washington served two terms as our nation’s first president. He then stepped down to allow someone else to take the office.
Abraham Lincoln’s animatronic is the first to appear, sharing his famous Gettysburg address.
Toward the end, former presidents like Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are featured. During this scene, the screen lifts to reveal all the presidents in animatronic form.
A roll call of sorts is performed as each president nods in respect to the one being highlighted. The White House sits behind them. At one time, it was a place that most of them called home.
After the roll call, a few presidents provide brief commentary.
The curtains then begin to lower as the performance comes to a close.
It had been a couple of years since I last saw the Hall of Presidents. Obviously, it isn’t something we would do on every park visit. But I had forgotten how inspiring the show was and was happy to see it.
Fun Facts about The Hall of Presidents
- This attraction underwent a significant refurbishment in 2009. Since it reopened, Abraham Lincon recites the Gettysburg Address. An original voice recording featuring the voice of Royal Dano was used. Walt Disney directed this recording.
- Disney artist Blaine Gibson sculpted the first 43 animatronics featured in the attraction.
- Award-winning actor David Morse voices President George Washington. Other narrators have included J.D. Hall, Morgan Freeman, and Maya Angelou.
- Every time a new president is elected, the Hall of Presidents closes so an animatronic figure representing the new president can be installed.
The Resorts Gal Spin on The Hall of Presidents
We give this attraction the red light. While we love it, it’s important to consider how much time you have to spend at Magic Kingdom. This is an attraction we would do on a second or third visit or when we needed an extensive break from the sun or rain.
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
Final Thoughts
If you have time, The Hall of Presidents is an interesting and inspiring attraction that’s worth a visit every now and then. Additionally, if you’re visiting Epcot, you’ll want to make sure to see the American Adventure attraction in the World Showcase.
Both of these films are historical but focus on unique aspects. They have also both been revamped in recent years, bringing them up to date with more modern times. For more attractions in the nearby area, you might like these:
- Liberty Square Riverboat at Magic Kingdom
- Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion Ride
- Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Or you can preview the complete list of rides at Magic Kingdom.
Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts, Characters, and Dining. You may enjoy some of our resources, like our list of Disney World Resort Reviews. That article provides every single resort-related review on the site.
For the Magic Kingdom Resorts, you might consider one of the following reviews:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review
- Bay Lake Tower Review
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort Review
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Review
- Grand Floridian Resort Review
Additionally, familiarize yourself with how to use the transportation at Disney World. You might enjoy these articles:
- Disney World Monorail Guide
- Skyliner Routes with Travel Times
- Friendship Boats Guide
- Disney Springs Transportation Options
Lastly, our most popular reviews include the best restaurants at Disney Springs and our guide to finding the best character restaurants at Disney World.
In the Comments
What are your thoughts about the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom? Are you a history buff? Is this sort of attraction your thing or not? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts.
