Walt Disney World – The Hall of Presidents (a brief history)

A brief history of Walt Disney’s Hall of Presidents

A brief history of Walt Disney’s Hall of Presidents
“One Nation Under God”.  That was the original idea for what would become Walt Disney World’s Hall of Presidents.  The original concept would have been an addition to Disneyland’s Main Street USA.  Library Street would have featured Edison Square and The Hall of Presidents, as seen on 1958 Disneyland park maps.   The original concept was wax figures of all the US Presidents, which lead to the idea of animating the models.  Those thoughts and beliefs lead to the first Audio-Animatronic figure in human form: Abraham Lincoln.That figure was the most advanced ever produced and featured in the Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 world’s fair.  The attraction relocated to Disneyland as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and guests can still experience an updated version of that original.
With Walt Disney World’s construction in 1971, technology had advanced enough to complete Walt’s Original vision of the “Hall of Presidents.”  The plans from Disneylands Liberty Street and Edison Square were revised and reworked to become The Magic Kingdoms Liberty Square.  The original Hall of presidents featured all US Presidents through Richard Nixon, the sitting President when Walt Disney World Opened in 1971.
[embedded content]

A brief history of Walt Disney’s Hall of Presidents
The show remained unchanged, focused on the early history of the United States for 22 years.  In 1993 the show was completely updated and focused on more current issues.  In addition, Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush were addicted to the Presidential lineup, bringing us up to date.  Since then, the Hall of Presidents has been updated for each new administration.  In 2001 George W Bush was added, and in 2009 Barack Obama lent his voice to the attraction recording a short speech and reciting the Oath of office of the Presiden to the United States.  The 2009 version also included an extensive update to the lighting and projection systems, the original Abraham Lincoln speech was restored, and George Washington became the third speaking President.  In 2017 Donald Trump was added, reciting the Oath of Office and a short speech.
This edition of SamsDisneyDiary features the 2017-2021 version of the attraction.  Presented for Historical reference, if history serves correctly, the Hall of presidents should see a scheduled refurbishment sometime in late January 2021 and reopen in time for the 4th of July 2021 with a new President.  But, the Covid-19 Pandemic has us living in uncertain times; either way, look for The Hall of Presidents to be on the refurbishment list at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom soon.  The refurb is a standard procedure and nothing out of the ordinary, though I’m sure we will see some attention-grabbing headlines “Hall of Presidents Closes.”  Be sure to subscribe to SamsDisneyDiary and we will have the latest updates as soon as possible.

Read more

ALL NEW! Must Do Disney Resort TV (July 2021) No More Stacey?

Must Do Disney July 2021

You made it, You’re here at the Walt Disney World Resort.  And if you like me, the first think you do is turn on that resort TV and tune to the Must Do Disney Channel.   The channel looks a lot different these days, in fact, completely different.   This is how the channel looks in July 2021.  Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort.
You made it, You’re here at the Walt Disney World Resort. And if you like me, the first think you do is turn on that resort TV and tune to the Must Do Disney Channel. The channel looks a lot different these days, in fact, completely different. This is how the channel looks in July 2021. Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort.
[embedded content]

Read more

The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song Part 2 (1993)

The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song Part 2 (1993)

Hosted by Glenn Close, this special television special is introduced by the then CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Michael Eisner.   This is part two of a two-part special first televised May 21, 1993
Hosted by Glenn Close, this special television special is introduced by the then CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Michael Eisner. This is part two of a two-part special first televised May 21, 1993
[embedded content]

Read more

Captain EO – Full Show 1986 (Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disneyland)

Michael Jackson is Captain EO

In 1986, Captain EO made its world premiere at Disneyland Park and soon after Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center. The movie stars Michael Jackson was written by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film included in-theater effects and returned to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World as a tribute to Michael Jackson after his passing. The film featured two songs, “We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me”, both written and performed by Michael Jackson. Captain EO is regarded as one of the first “4D” films, a 3D film incorporating in-theater effects including lasers, smoke, and movement synchronized to the film. This is the complete film
In 1986, Captain EO made its world premiere at Disneyland Park and soon after Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center. The movie stars Michael Jackson was written by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film included in-theater effects and returned to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World as a tribute to Michael Jackson after his passing. The film featured two songs, “We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me”, both written and performed by Michael Jackson. Captain EO is regarded as one of the first “4D” films, a 3D film incorporating in-theater effects including lasers, smoke, and movement synchronized to the film. This is the complete film
[embedded content]

Read more

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular (Star Wars Fireworks 2017)

Star Wars Fireworks at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular was a nighttime show at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios that debuted in 2016.  Based on the Star Wars franchise, the spectacular featured fireworks, projection mapping, fire, lasers, fog effects, searchlights, and more.  The Hollywood Studios Chinese theater is the background for the projections along with some surrounding buildings.  As the show evolved and the Star Wars franchise grew, the show was quietly updated with scenes from Rogue One, the Last Jedi, Solo, and The Rise of Skywalker.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular was a nighttime show at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios that debuted in 2016. Based on the Star Wars franchise, the spectacular featured fireworks, projection mapping, fire, lasers, fog effects, searchlights, and more.
The show begins with a brief narrated prologue of the 1977 premiere of Star Wars at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. The main show is divided into segments dedicated to battles, heroes, creatures, romance, and villains.
The dramatic opening shot from A New Hope begins the sequence showing various battle scenes from Takodana, Hoth, Jakku, the Death Star, and Starkiller Base.
The next segment, dedicated to the series’ heroes, features Rey, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and the Millennium Falcon escape scenes.  Three brief segments follow; a cantina segment dedicated to the creatures and aliens, a segment devoted to the Force with Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a romance segment with Han Solo, Leia Organa, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala.
A darker sequence follows, recreating the fiery lightsaber battle between Anakin and Kenobi on Mustafar. The scene segues into a segment dedicated to the series’s villains, including Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Palpatine, Supreme Leader Snoke, and Kylo Ren. The trench run attacks on the Death Star and Starkiller Base, Paying off as the finale sequence. The show concludes with a montage of all nine original Star Wars film poster art collaged across the Chinese Theater.
This version of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is from 2017.  Thanks for watching, subscribe for more.
[embedded content]

Read more

Snow White Live On Stage: Radio City Music Hall (1981)

Snow White Live on Stage at Radio City Music Hall 1981

A Stage adaptation of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was first performed in 1969 at The Muny in St Louis.  The production was reprised at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on October 18, 1979.  The show closed, November 18, 1979, after 38 performances for the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  Snow White re-opened on January 11, 1980, and performing 68 times until March 9 of the same year, a total of 106 performances at Radio City Music Hall.   A VHS and Betamax of the concert was released in 1981; this is that recording
Tonight, a very special television event as World Champion and Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan skates to the epic music of Walt Disney’s newest animated feature, Mulan. It an evening of Spectulacor entertainment plus an exclusive look at the movie as stars of the movie and skating world celebrate the adventures of Mulan, the brave young girl who saved her family honor.
[embedded content]

Read more

That’s no Hotel, That’s a Galactic Star Cruiser (The Star Wars Hotel that isn’t a Hotel) All The details

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Concept Art

We first learned about a planned “Star Wars Hotel” for Walt Disney World at the 2017 D23 Expo, and again at the 2019 Expo.  We were introduced to the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser – NOT a hotel but a two-day, two-night, Star Wars adventure.  An adventure where you become the Hero of your own Star Wars experience, then the star cruiser has shown up on Walt Disney World Maps, and in my Disney experience– Let’s take a closer look at everything we know so far.
Disneyland is OPEN!! Avengers Campus opens June 4th, updated to Haunted Mansion and King Arthurs Carousel and more details on the latest Disney Cruise liner. The Disney Wish
[embedded content]

Before we get to the experience, it’s crucial to understand how our adventure fits the Star Wars Universe and timeline.  Our voyage begins when Galaxy’s Edge exists on the Star Wars timeline in Walt Disney World (and Disneyland).   Between the theatrical events of The Last Jedi (Episode 8) and The Rise of Skywalker (Episode 9).  In the year 35 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin), that battle that saw the original Death Star Destroyed, in Star Wars (a New Hope).
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Time Line… Between Episode 8 & Episode 9
The resistance are attempting to rebuild, and Kyle Ren is trying to destroy them.  The events of the Star Wars Resistance animated series are happening.   And we arrive in Batur just after the events of The Black Spire Novel.  A time when General Leia Organa has dispatched her agents across the galaxy in search of allies, Sanctuary, and firepower – and Vi Moradi, her top spy, has just found all three on a secluded world at the galaxy’s edge called Batuu.
Through a series of adventures detailed in the Novel, Vi Moradi is confronted by Crime Boss Oga Garra.  She gets a job at Savi & Son’s Salvage and does everything she can to establish a resistance base when she learns that Kylo Ren and the 709th Legion of First Order Troopers are in route to Batuu.  That is the time line of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Kylo’s shuttle has just landed, he and the 709th are searching for the resistance spy, all while Vi is recruiting for the resistance and sending to the top-secret base on the edge of the forest.
That’s no Hotel, That’s a Starcruiser.
And as you board the Starcruiser along with all of the other passengers, you are stepping into the story; you have a front-row seat in this Star Wars Adventure.  This isn’t a hotel, this is a galactic cruise, and you are about to be immersed with your fellow travelers into the Star Wars universe
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser in my Disney Experience Halcyon
We are cruising aboard the Halcyon, a glamorous Starcruiser, on a two-day, two-night voyage – boarding and depart with your fellow passengers – Just like a Disney Cruise Line voyage. It’s a first-of-its’-kind vacation experience when guests become the heroes of their own stories.  Disney is touting the experience as “Storyliving,” where everything is connected, and you are transformed into the Star Wars universe.  The Halcyon is known for its impeccable services and exotic destinations.  Guests will stay in well-appointed cabins, experience exquisite dining and out-of-this-world entertainment with an excursion to the planet Batuu.    This isn’t a hotel; you check-in for two days, two nights and live the adventure.  It’s important to understand, this is a 2-day Star Wars Adventure, not a Walt Disney World Vacation.  There is no bus to the magic kingdom, no swimming pool, no transportation to Epcot, no “visiting” the hotel to see the decorations; think of this as a cruise ship; that’s exactly what it is. Just like the Disney Wish, without a reservation for a cruise, you can’t get inside, you can’t “resort hope to the Star Wars hotel – because it isn’t a hotel.  And once inside, you don’t leave until it returns to its dock back at Walt Disney World two days later.  This is a two-day cruise experience.
Based on the timeline I previously outlined. “I have a bad feeling about this” something is going to go wrong.  It’s going to be up to us to become the Hero of our adventure and save the day.   Every experience onboard, from dining to activities and the crew are all part of the experience.
Our choices will determine our adventure; how we interact with characters, crew, and other passengers will become part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga. The individual decisions guests make will determine how their stories unfold and potentially impact the fate of the galaxy.
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Concept Art
The adventure begins when guests arrive at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser terminal at Walt Disney World and check-in for their two-night experience.   From there, we enter a Launch Pod to begin our adventure.  Through the windows above, we will see ourselves leave the world behind and jump into hyperspace and draw closer and closer to the massive and magnificent Halcyon Starcruiser.
When the Launch Pod docks with the Starcruiser, the airlock opens, and we step aboard the ship’s main deck and Atrium.
There we will go through a “pre-show” of sorts, meeting the crew, including the Captain, The Cruise Director, the ships Mechanic, and other “Heroes of the Resistance.”   Disney has already begun recruiting cast members for these and other positions aboard the ship.   Some of the others include. The Fixer, Saber Trainer, First Order Lieutenant, The First Time Cruiser, and Galactic Superstar, and maybe most important, Rey and Kylo Ren (As I said, I have a bad feeling about this)
According to Disney, Adults and children will learn the ancient ways of the lightsaber, facing off against a training robot, with the help of the Saver Trainer and some fantastic technology Disney showcased at a recent media event.  The first fully retractable light saber available only on the Star Wars Starcruiser.
Hang out in the Dojo, or visit the Star Cruisers Bridge to learn how to operate the navigation and defense, which may come in handy during the adventure.  While the Halcyon is a peaceful vessel that doesn’t anticipate any Galactic Conflict, with Kylo Ren and a First Order Lieutenant on the cast list, something is sure to go wrong, and it will be up to us to save the galaxy.  You may even find some hidden spaces aboard.
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Concept Art
As you would expect, dining is part of the adventure with a supper club in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room.  The Dining hall will offer breakfast and lunch daily, transiting into a lavish multi-course meal for dinner.  With one of the nights featuring a live performance from a galactic superstar – Note the galactic superstar job description.  A Twi’lek who commands respect – who is operating a world of galactic intrigue while fighting for her race’s integrity and freedom.
The journey also includes an excursion to Batuu; You board a shuttle that will take you to the planet’s surface to continue your adventure on Black Spire Outpost in search of the resistance base and more.
Keep in mind, during the entire experience, every window, on the Starcruiser, inside the cabin, the transport, they all have views of the galaxy and beyond.  There is no window to the real world, everything is designed present the illusion of space travel.   All of the windows will have changing vistas as you progress from destination to destination.
You can expect to be entirely immersed into the Star Wars universe, no longer at Walt Disney World, no Longer on Planet Earth.  You are aboard the Halcyon!  The cabins aren’t the biggest; even with some First-Class cabins, you need to compare these to Cruise Ship cabins, not hotel rooms.  Everything onboard has a purpose. Every room from the Engineering Room, the Bridge, DOJO, Courtyard – are all connected to your Star Wars story.   From the concept art we have seen, we can see the Galactic Superstar on stage in the dining room, what is maybe the fixer helping on a quest in the engine room, and more.
One thing is sure; this will be an of this word two-day adventure fit for any Star Wars fan!!  And I can’t wait to give it a try!

Read more