President Barack Obama moves into the Hall of Presidents

President Barack Obama is going to be hanging out at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in a starring role for at least the next four years. No, not the real flesh and blood president, but an amazing Audioanimatronic likeness. President Obama is just about ready to become the latest star in Disney’s Hall of Presidents, which re-opens in July. In addition to adding the current president, Disney gave the attraction a little spiffing up.

President Obama joins many recent presidents in actually taking on a speaking role in his own voice. In this incarnation of the Hall of Presidents, he will be joined vocally by “George Washington” and “Abraham Lincoln.” While seeing him in Audioanimatronic form might not be as exciting as meeting him in person, at least you won’t have to go through Secret Service clearance. With the talent of Disney’s Imagineers in recreating lifelike gestures, you might just feel like you’re in the president’s presence.

Above, Imagineer Joe Cutry programs the President in preparation for his debut, which isn’t much more than a month away. He’ll remain in his starring role at the Hall of Presidents for his entire term before giving up the starring role to a future leader.

Renovations to bring Disney World’s Hall of Presidents into 21st century

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that in order to make room for a new, Animatronic version of the 44th president of the United States, Disney will close the 37-year-old Hall of Presidents after today for an extended refurbishment. The show will stay shuttered for more than eight months so Disney can update the hall’s aging light, sound, mechanical, projection and show systems, just as the company has done in recent years with other “classic” Magic Kingdom attractions such as It’s A Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. Read more and see video here.