Obama joins Hall of Presidents

Last week Magic Kingdom's Hall of Presidents attraction re-opened with an animatronic President Barack Obama making a speech recorded by President Obama earlier this year for this special exhibit.

There are several notable changes to the Hall of Presidents since it was closed for renovations in November. There is a film narrated by Morgan Freeman with video clips of presidents making speeches during some of our nation's darkest hours, such as Lyndon Johnson after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9-11. The animatronic Abraham Lincoln recites the entire Gettysburg address, and a speech has been added for George Washington.

Other changes include a slower roll call of presidents, and the figures have been reorganized so that they are grouped by the historical era in which they served their terms in office. Disney's annual passholders got a sneak preview of the refurbished Hall of Presidents before the official reopening last Saturday.