“One Nation Under God ” was the original idea for Walt Disney World’s Hall of Presidents. Walt Disney envisioned it as part of Library Street, a proposed expansion to Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. This new area, shown on 1958 park maps, would have included Edison Square and The Hall of Presidents.
Initially, the plan featured wax figures of every U.S. President. Eventually, those early ideas led to something even more groundbreaking—animating the figures. This concept gave rise to Disney’s first human-form Audio-Animatronic: Abraham Lincoln.
The Birth of a Classic: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
That Lincoln figure debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair in the Illinois Pavilion and later moved to Disneyland as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Today, guests can still enjoy an updated version of the attraction in California.
Walt’s Vision Realized in Liberty Square
With the construction of Walt Disney World in 1971, technology had progressed enough to complete Walt’s original vision. Disneyland’s unbuilt Liberty Street became Liberty Square in Florida’s Magic Kingdom, with the Hall of Presidents as its centerpiece. At the opening, the attraction featured all U.S. Presidents, including Richard Nixon, who was then in office. For 22 years, the show focused primarily on early American history.
The Attraction Evolves
1993 Disney updated the attraction to reflect more recent presidents and modern issues. Presidents Clinton, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush were added. George W. Bush joined the lineup in 2001.
In 2009, Barack Obama not only appeared as an Audio-Animatronic figure but also lent his voice. That version brought technical upgrades and reintroduced Lincoln’s original speech. It also added George Washington as a speaking figure.
2017 to 2021: The Trump Era
In 2017, Donald Trump was added to the Hall of Presidents. Like Obama, he recited the Oath of Office and gave a brief speech.
What’s Next for the Hall of Presidents?
This version of SamsDisneyDiary captures the attraction’s 2017–2021 era. Historically, the Hall of Presidents closes for refurbishment after each election and reopens by July 4. However, the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered timelines.
Still, this type of refurbishment is routine. Don’t be alarmed by headlines like “Hall of Presidents Closes”—it’s all part of the cycle. Subscribe to SamsDisneyDiary for updates as this historic attraction evolves once again.
