Update: video of President Obama as he records his lines for the show.

“I [name] do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States”

Click to view larger image. Photo courtesy Kevin Yee

When it came time to add one more Audio-Animatronic figure to the famous Hall Of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the Imagineers could have chosen the easy path and just added one more AA figure with a new speech. Instead they spotted a weakness in the attraction with how it duplicated much of the same American history as the much more involved American Adventure attraction at EPCOT Center and then somewhat abruptly switched tracks to a Presidential roll-call.

So they set to work to refocus the attraction on the story of what it means to be an American President. Along the way they’ve changed the attraction’s message, given more time to the Audio-Animatronic Presidential figures, plussed the exterior with a marquee, and spruced up the lobby area as well. As I said in my previous post, the overall change is certainly a good one.

The lobby looks largely the same, but the addition of a new display case that features dresses, and more, from some of America’s First Ladies adds balance to the attraction. They had to ditch a couple Presidential portraits for that. But if they rotate the portraits like they plan to rotate the dresses, all should be good.

Inside the theater very little has changed. The show opens with the familiar ‘We The People’ silhouettes, and the group recitation of the Constitution’s pre-amble, but there is very little visual connection there. It seems like guests are expected to remember the symbology from the previous show?

Once the show gets going and the sonorous voice of Morgan Freeman kicks in as narrator, you know you’re in for a treat. We still get our American history lesson, but now it ties in much closer to the story behind the American Presidency starting with George Washington

Pay attention to the Presidents Disney selected to highlight in the script and you’ll see a trend. All the Presidents were very popular, either as they were elected, or grew in popularity during the course of their term.

The theme of populist politics is the thread that holds the Presidential tapestry together. It’s summed up in the frequently repeated line “One of Us” meaning that the President comes from the people and not at the tip of a sword or via a hereditary line, unlike any other nation on Earth at the time.

This switch to populism is the biggest shift of the attraction. Previously the political message was decidedly neutral. Neither left nor right. Populism is neither left nor right as well, but it can lead to fascism if not kept in check. So I’m personally left feeling just a bit uneasy by it. There is much more to the Presidency than them being potentially ‘one of us’.

The planning for this new attraction began long before the November election results were in. So were Disney’s Imagineers just lucky or are they savvy readers of politics and able to detect the popular groundswell that swept Barack Obama into office? I hope to ask them more about that this Friday.

(Aside: That’s a lot of political talk for The Disney Blog, I know. Please don’t read anything about my personal politics into it. I’m not sure Disney wants you to either, so come see for yourself and make up your own mind.)

There’s a great little bit of staging during the Civil War section. We knew that the Abraham Lincoln figure would give the Gettysburg Address, but I didn’t know that he would appear alone on the stage while doing so. A crafty bit of curtain design hides the other AA figures during this portion of the show and then the audience is returned to the screen portion of the attraction.

It’s a great break from what is basically a slide show, albeit a very well produced slide show, up to that point. The address doesn’t go over the top nor slow the show down. The Lincoln figure’s movements range from grand to intimate, the best AA performance I’ve ever seen, so far. I also want to ask the show producers if this is a little nod to Walt Disney, who was known for his ability to recite the Gettysburg Address in grade school.

From the Civil War we jump from national crisis to national tragedy. Very little time is spent celebrating what makes America strong, but then America’s Presidents are not remembered for the peaceful times, they’re cemented in our memories for how they deal with the difficult times we find ourselves in. It’s nice that Disney did not skip over these patches, but by the time we get to the real stars of the show, the AA figures, we’re definitely ready.

My chief complaint with the attraction is the distance the audience is set from the stage. Short of reconfiguring the raked seating (an expensive proposition) there hasn’t really been a way to resolve that. However, the new show only uses three of the five screens in the auditorium. Could the two end screens be used to show closer view of which ever audio-animatronic is performing? Yes, the flaws of the figures will be more apparent. But so will the technical wizardry of the performance.

Speaking of technical wizardry, I am really impressed with the way the George Washington and Barack Obama figures interact. At that moment it feels like two actors up on the stage. These are two more very impressive Audio-Animatronic figures. President Washington’s words provide a wonderful message that drives home the importance of the role of President. They also ties naturally into the quote I started this article with, the oath of office.

Barack Obama recites the oath and then is announced as President by the narrator. This moment received applause at all three shows I attended. It does feel a little bit like you’re there on the frozen tarmac of the Washington Mall waiting for the inauguration speech. A very nicely captured moment.

I’m a little sad to say that President Obama’s speech is not memorable. But perhaps that’s as it should be. The institution of the Presidency is showcased here, not one individual president. The much anticipated Robobama lives up to all its hype, even with the unfortunately prominent ears. Clearly a new level in audio-animatronic wizardry.

The show then hurries to a patriotic conclusion, and I do mean hurries. With the show running at almost exactly 20 minutes I would have liked to see a bit more care taken with this moment. Another 15-20 seconds to let it all sink in would be appreciated.

While the Hall of Presidents usually gets hardly a glance from the average theme park guest, they really do themselves a dis-service to walk by without experiencing this uniquely American story. Walt Disney’s Imagineers have done a spectacular job updating this attraction and it will continue to be a frequent stop on my families visits. I hope it is for yours as well.

While we’re all still absorbing the news of the untimely death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, I thought we’d take a little retrospective tour through his Disneyland history.

Back in 1974 he and his brothers appeared in a Disneyland TV special featuring Sandy Duncan (see longer clip here). Here is a snippet where the Jackson 5 perform a medley including their smash hits ‘ABC’ and ‘I want you back’ wearing sailor outfits and dancing on the sailing ship Columbia.

Previously: Michael Jackson, aka Captain EO, Dead.

The Hall of Presidents update to include President Obama and otherwise update the attraction is just about done. We’ve known for some time about details like the new narrator and speaking lines by George Washington, but yesterday Orlando Sentinel writer Dewayne Bevil got a sneak peak of the attraction and has been able to share many more elements of the show.

The Hall of Presidents officially reopens on July 4th. But AP holders and DVC members can get an early look on June 28th from 11am-9pm. Just show your valid pass/member ID and photo ID at the attraction.

Southern California animation fans take note:

Don Hahn will be giving a talk and signing the new 2-volume collection of Walt Stanchfield notes entitled “Drawn to Life” tonight Thursday May 28th at 7:00 PM at the Barnes and Noble at Glendale Americana. Here is the address and phone number:

Barnes & Noble
Glendale Americana
210 Americana Way
Glendale, CA
818-545-9146

(via Seven Camels)

We’ve known for sometime that the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom was getting a fairly large makeover. A new film, new narrator, and, of course, a new President. But the details as laid out in today’s NY Times are really impressive.

The exhibit will open with the new film, narrated by the actor Morgan Freeman. At a certain point, the Abraham Lincoln figure will rise and speak to the audience, as it always has, but now it will deliver the Gettysburg Address in its entirety.

“And this is the first time George Washington will have a speaking role,” said Kathy Rogers, a senior show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, the unit that oversees the creative side of the theme parks.

But the emotional high point is intended to be the introduction of the Obama figure, who will yet again be heard taking the oath.

Apparently the Imagineers working on the project have taken to calling the animatronic version of President Obama, Robobama. Cute.

July 4th, the official re-opening of the Hall of Presidents, can’t get here soon enough.

I’ve never claimed to be an expert in Walt Disney World history, but I’m trying to learn. So I’m going file this one under learn something new every day.

Class is in session and Professor Disney Shawn regales his students with the story of the forgotten “Star Today” program from Disney-MGM Studios.

The idea behind “Star Today” was that Studios Guests would be guaranteed to run into a celebrity during their visit, adding to the glamour and allure of the Hollywood experience. Every day, a celebrity was scheduled to make appearances in the park. Typically, these would include a Star Motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard, a Handprint Ceremony in front of the Chinese Theater, and a Star Conversation at the Theater of the Stars where Guests could actually ask questions of their favorite celebrity. Throughout the day, the stars would also make surprise appearances at the start of Studios attractions like Superstar Television or the Monster Sound Show.

This is a program I’d like to see return today. Not just Disney-list celebrities (although they’re good) either. Perhaps they could add two or three other month long festivals like Star Wars Weekends. (ESPN The Weekend is the right idea, but too short.) Any nominations for who you would like to see at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

Learn more and see some of those famous handprints over at Disney Shawn’s blog.

Two great new fan made DVDs about Disneyland have just been released. One reveals many of the parks secrets and the other is an in depth look at the famous attraction’s history.

The Secret Tour of Disneyland: An Independent Travel Documentary

Join us on a fun-filled tour through Disneyland. Your tour guide, Lauren, will show you some little known things to see and do at the park. There will even be some side trips along the way. Over two and a half hours of Disneyland fun, facts and trivia are packed into this dual-layer widescreen DVD. Tons of seldom seen retro images, animation, and interviews help tell the story. Running Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

On sale now at the LaughingPlace Store for $21.00 (click for discount)

Disneyland in the Fifties Documentary (1955-1959)

This fan made DVD captures the history of Disneyland in the fifties, with video footage and photo from that era adding to the essence and magic of the Happiest Place on Earth. Enjoy the nostalgic town of Main Street, U.S.A., with its antique vehicles and Victorian shops. Explore the tropical forest of Adventureland as you cruise through the jungle discovering dangerous animals at every turn. Travel to the western wonderment of Frontierland and enjoy the island of Tom Sawyer and the dusty terrain of the old west. Fly the skies with Peter Pan and Dumbo and enjoy the whimsical land of Fantasyland. And see the world of tomorrow, today, in the futuristic world of Tomorrowland.

This DVD is 72 minutes of magical fun and shares the story of Disneyland and its attractions with original photos and video footages.

For sale now on the LaughingPlace Store for $20.00 (click for discount)

ArtDaily, the web’s original Art newsletter, has a story about the Walt Disney Family Museum scheduled to open this fall in San Francisco. Since we already know how I feel about that, let me give you another reason to click through. A glorious 960 pixel wide look at Disneyland in 1963 taken from high in the air somewhere over what is Ball Road today.

1963 was an exciting time in the history of Disneyland. Across Harbor Blvd is the recently constructed Grand Hotel and Melodyland with the last Orange Grove in the area right behind it. The low rent district hotels that Walt so despised had already sprung up on all the property Walt couldn’t afford to buy when he first started construction on his magic kingdom.

The original Marquee still sits on Harbor along with the original parking lot entrance. The Monorail already expanded to it’s 4 kilometer length ran the new four car Mark II monorails back and forth to the Disneyland Hotel (off screen to the right).

In Tomorrowland the infamous Flying Saucer attraction sits in its oval glory, probably waiting for maintanence to come and turn the air back on. The House Of The Future is perched unsuspecting that the wrecking ball awaits its famous bounce just a few years away.

Notice the original Fantasyland and how there is no walkway to Frontierland. Instead the Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland occupy’s a large swath of the park. You’ll also notice how Toontown is cleverly camoflauged like a giant lot of dirt, still waiting to be opened to the public for the first time. On that dirt you can see the original yellow farm house that eventually became Van Arsdale France’s school for ‘Cast Members’, a term France coined, where most famous Disney traditions came to be.

But the most exciting is the construction underway on what would become New Orleans Square. In 1963 all construction had stopped while Walt and the Imagineers prepared to open 6 full attractions for the 1964 World’s fair. When they came back Pirates and the Haunted Mansion had changed from walkthroughs to ride throughs requiring new show buildings, as yet unbuilt in this photograph.

Can you imagine the howls of protest on various Disney internet fan sites if the company pulled that trick today.