Prior to the end of the fall semester, I discussed the dismal, rather-ineffective presidencies of Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant during the Reconstruction Era in my APUSH classes (the presidency fell into a lackluster state following Abe Lincoln's assassination in April 1865). I persuade my students to learn about the characters that once held the highest office in the land so that they will have a clearer visual timeline on American history (this categorization will assist them- and hopefully eliminate tricky chronological issues- during the AP exam). Also, since the presidents represented the attitudes and personalities of a majority of Americans during their time in office, it is easier to analyze the identities of the nation. To boot, learning about the presidents is fun and rather amusing (did you know that Andrew Jackson received a 1,200 lb lump of cheese from a New England diary farmer as an inauguration gift in 1828?). At the start of the Reconstruction lesson, I talked about one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World, the Hall of Presidents (a cheery subject to examine before teaching the depressing events of the post-Civil War period, including A. Johnson's impeachment and the numerous scandals in U.S. Grant's administration).
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| The 1956 proposal for Liberty Street at Disneyland, CA, included thirteen buildings (taverns, print shop, blacksmith, show-buildings, and a harbor with a large boat). Concept art on Disney Blog. |
I thoroughly enjoy the Hall of Presidents every time I visit Walt Disney World. Not only is it an attraction on a staple in American history and government - two academic passions of mine- the ride provides its audience a refreshing, air-conditioned break from Florida's yucky humidity. An original Walt Disney idea, the Hall of Presidents opened on October 1, 1971, along with the rest of Disney's Magic Kingdom on Lake Buena Vista in Orlando. The ride is housed in a building resembling Philadelphia's Independence Hall (where the first and second Congress met to sign the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution), and suitably located in Liberty Square, a Colonial America themed-land (which includes a few replicas of the Liberty Bell and Tree). The audience is treated to a 25-minute movie on the history of the United States, which includes brief examinations on some of our greatest leaders, before introducing Disney's robotic collection of the presidents (there are 45 animatronics, depicting the men who have ascended to the Oval Office- Disney definitely did their research since some of the presidents' likeness are on point!). While each president moves their head, blinks their eyes, and makes slight hand gestures, only 3 get an opportunity to speak. Abraham Lincoln delivers his famous 1863 Gettysburg Address; the inaugural oath-taker, George Washington, repeats the 1789 oath of office; and the current president (in this 2021 case, Joe Biden) speaks on America's bright future and economic promise. In my class, I showed my students a few photographs of Disney's presidential animatronics, and we compared them with photographs of the actual presidents (some were eerily similar).
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| A replica of Independence Hall would be located at the end of Liberty Street and house the themed-land's main attraction (a ride similar to the current Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World). Concept art on Disney Blog. |
The Hall of Presidents is a fantastic experience, and I wish we had more of this attraction. Although I can only dream of this, it is worth noting that Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, was going to have its own version of Liberty Square. Walt Disney had always been interested in history (Main Street USA was based on historical relics from his hometown while the American frontier provided the inspiration for Frontierland). The animator-turned theme park developer created a plan to include a colonial-inspired street next to Main Street USA called Liberty Street. When this was announced in 1956, one year after the Disneyland park opened, the expansion seemed like a perfect tribute to our nation's beginnings. The concept art showcased thirteen colonial-style buildings, paying tribute to the original 13 colonies- merchants and traders in costume would loudly greet guests to another world. Guests would also have an opportunity to practice colonial crafts (such as weapon-molding and newspaper printing) before purchasing their creations from the blacksmith and print shop. At the end of the cul-de-sac, guests would enter Independence Hall and be treated to a movie presentation titled The Hall of Presidents (similar to the current attraction at Walt Disney World). Since the animatronic technology was not yet invented, the presidents were planned to be non-moving wax figures. There was also another proposed attraction- The Hall of Declaration of Independence- which told the dramatic story of the birth of the United States through 3 famous paintings.
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| Liberty Street was going to be placed next to Main Street USA (today, this is an area used by crew members). Notice another planned land called Edison Square was going to be located next to Tomorrow Land, but that proposal was also shelved (Edison Square was going to highlight America's top inventors). Concept art on Disney Blog. |
The colonial street idea was amazing, and gathered much attention among the Disneyland Park stakeholders, however, plans went astray when other attraction projects took the spotlight. Walt Disney helped create and publicize several new attractions at the California theme park in the late 1950s, including the "highway in the sky" Monorail System, bumpy Matterhorn Bobsleds, and innovative yet costly Submarine Voyage (these were the first E-ticket rides at the original Disney park). When Walt Disney's Liberty Square opened in Florida, the plans for a Liberty Street in California were shelved (although the original park has a movie-animatronic attraction today featuring our 16th president titled Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which I too thoroughly enjoy). Despite the Liberty Street plans never coming into fruition, I am glad that thousands of guests are able to learn, enjoy, and celebrate the lives of our nation's formidable leaders at Walt Disney World today. God bless America!
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| Despite the Liberty Street plans being scrapped at the start of the 1970s, Disneyland currently has a Main Street USA attraction featuring a lifelike robot of our 16th president titled Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. This is one of my favorite attractions at Walt's original theme park (it was a successful part of the 1964 World's Fair). Photograph from MickeyBlog.com. |
*If you are interested in learning more about the history of Walt Disney's theme parks, I would recommend checking out the DisneyParks Blog:
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/
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| Our first president, George Washington, stands tall and speaks in a dignified manner during the Hall of Presidents attraction (I wonder if this robot Washington has wooden teeth?!). Presidents James Monroe and Barack Obama are in the background. Photograph by Touring Plans. |
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| An animatronic of Donald Trump, our 45th president, looks on as his successor, Joe Biden, talks during the Hall of Presidents show at Walt Disney World. Trump made a speech during his time in office, 2017-2021. Photograph from MickeyBlog.com. |
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| Joe Biden joins the 44 other 'robot' presidents at Walt Disney World's Hall of Presidents attraction. Biden makes a speech during the show. Note that the incumbent is surrounded by some of his predecessors, including Ulysses S. Grant, James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce, and Andrew Johnson. Photograph from USA Today. |
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