We don’t know if he officially said the line, but President Obama is “going to Disney World”. He’ll be on Main Street U.S.A. this Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, to be exact. But unfortunately park guests won’t be able to see him without a ticket from the White House. (Except for his animatronic version in the Hall of Presidents attraction, pictured above.)
The President is expected to unveil a new policy to boost tourism in a speech on Main Street sometime between noon and 2 p.m., but Main Street U.S.A. and the shops along it will be closed to guests from the time the park opens until he leaves. Guests will be directed to other areas of the park via an alternate route.
Because of the guest impact, Disney has added some Extra Magic Hours and entertainment options, including fireworks and dance parties. Here’s a look at the changes and additions for Thursday only:
Park Hours
Animal Kingdom: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Epcot: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Magic Kingdom: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Extra Magic Hours
Animal Kingdom: 8 – 9 a.m.
Hollywood Studios: 7 – 10 p.m.
Epcot: 9 p.m. – Midnight
Extra Entertainment
Hollywood Studios
• Rock the Night! Fireworks Spectacular at 7 p.m.
Magic Kingdom
• Celebrate a Dream Come True parade time changed to 3:30 p.m.
• Club 626 Character Dance Party: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Tomorrowland
• Diamond Horseshoe Character Dance Party: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
There are no road closures planned and Disney transportation will run as normal. The baby care center and first aid stations at Magic Kingdom will be moved next to Space Mountain while Main Street is closed.
UPDATE: You can watch the President’s speech below strting at 12:35 p.m. Disney resort guests may tune in to Channel 36 on any on-property television.
Here’s a look at President Obama’s animatronic in the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom:
Well at least Disney is trying to make the guest experience better despite the political maneuvering of a President who has crashed the economy! Glad i’m not going to WDW that week!!!
George W. Bush crashed the economy, not Obama! Do your research!
Thanks Mr president for limiting our access to the park when you save to go somwhere and then to find out the same guy ruining our lives at home us going to be there ruining our trip also. Hey but no problem we will just stay over in the corner till you leave hope you have a good time. I would think you could have had your time in front if the media out front if the park so you didn’t bother with peoples vacation or if that was your decisionthen let the people come by where you are quit being a chicken Lol but then again u guess gooffy needed a break so they put you out there.
I really dislike the use of the park as a backdrop for a political speech. Has this ever happened before? I sure hope a character doesn’t walk him out. I feel like that would be the ulitmate scam. Have they given a reason to why he couldn’t give the speech before park opening? I don’t get why they couldn’t have done it during those daylight hours without affecting the guest experience.
So a little girl who is fulfilling her Make A Wish visit (after treatments for cancer) will be denied her opportunity to enjoy the park because of political grandstanding! This is wrong on so many levels. I’m sorry little Kaleigh.
Thank you Mr. President for ruining our country and our vacation too!
Not so! It was George W. Bush who ruined our country, not Obama! Go do your homework!
Only Main Street is closed off but it will open later today. Nothing else has changed or will impact your guest experience. Actually, more entertainment was added and the park is offering tickets to the other parks to single day ticket holders.
If anything, this is great for those still visiting the Magic Kingdom today. The park is going to be dead! You will be able to get everything done by noon. Then hangout til Main Street opens at 2. Don’t hate on Disney because you don’t care for the President.
Just as I said, the Magic Kingdom is empty right now. The President is already done with his speech and Main Street/Castle Hub will open soon. If anyone’s day or vacation was ruined, its because those people let it happen. You really cant have a bad day at the Magic Kingdom.
I don’t care for using Disney Parks as a political tool either. I understand it’s “just politics”… but I still don’t appreciate it.
Obama did not ruin the country! George W. Bush did!