Disney's Hall of Presidents Closes for Refurbishment, New Sign Sparks Debate

22 days ago in "The Hall of Presidents"

The Hall of Presidents closed for refurbishment - January 2025
Posted: Monday January 20, 2025 9:04am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As of today, January 20, 2025, the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is closed for refurbishment.

The sign at the closure sign at the entrance says, "The Hall of Presidents is Closed for Refurbishment." This is a notable change from the last time the hall was closed in 2021, when the sign said, "The Hall of Presidents is Currently Being Prepared to Welcome the New President"


This temporary closure was previously announced and aligns with the tradition of updating the attraction to reflect the newly inaugurated president.

Guests visiting Liberty Square will find the Hall of Presidents closed, with no specific reopening date provided by Disney at this time. Historically, past closures for similar updates have lasted between six and eight months, but the timeline for this refurbishment may vary depending on the scope of work being completed.

The refurbishment is expected to feature the animatronic figure of President Donald Trump following his return to the presidency in the 2024 election.

During the last presidential update, the Hall of Presidents closed on January 20, 2021, to add President Joe Biden and reopened on August 3, 2021. Similarly, in 2017, the attraction was closed from January 17 to December 18 to incorporate Donald Trump's animatronic and speech.

The Hall of Presidents has long been a centerpiece of Liberty Square, offering an overview of American presidential history through lifelike animatronics and a theatrical presentation.

What's Next for the Hall of Presidents?

While the focus of this refurbishment is presumed to be the addition of President Trump, Disney has not confirmed whether the current president will deliver a speaking role, as has been customary since Bill Clinton's inclusion in 1993. In addition to updating the show for the new administration, Disney may also take this opportunity to refresh the attraction's technology and make other improvements.

Speculation continues about whether Disney might also make more significant changes to the format of the show, such as integrating The Muppets into the attraction, perhaps to appeal to evolving guest expectations.

Read More: What's Next for Disney's Hall of Presidents After Trump Wins 2024 Election?

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

View all comments →

Nobody nobody12 hours ago

It shouldn’t strike mission space! It REALLY REALLY shouldn’t strike mission space! I would be VERY “unhappy” if it HIT MISSION SPACE.

BrerFoxesBayouAdventure12 hours ago

It would be so bad if lightning struck (insert attraction I don't like)

Basil of Baker Street12 hours ago

HOP is an attraction that pulls on peoples heartstrings like COP. And I'm sure it was great tech 50 years ago and got plenty of ooh's and aah's but in today times, it just doesn't belong. If I go to the parks yearly, I may drop in on HOP every 5 years? maybe. I can't imagine I'm the only one. It's taking up prime real estate and something else needs to go there. It would make an fine Smithsonian attraction though.

Nobody nobody18 hours ago

It could happen! Remember, 20,000 leauges closing was an actual inside job by maintience and management. They were out to get the rides shut down, so they gave the execs the worst ride possible. With destination d23 coming up, I think at least one or two minor attractions at wdw are going to “catch fire” in a sense. but that is just me.

ToTBellHop18 hours ago

I know what video they can post of the AAs.

Disstevefan118 hours ago

FIFY ;)

Nobody nobody18 hours ago

It would be TERRIBLE if lighting struck princess fairytale hall! Or even worse, the imagination pavilion! I do hope and plead LIGHTNING never strikes either of those! Or some FIRE!

EagleScout61018 hours ago

Or a torch.... For legal reasons I must point out this a joke.

ToTBellHop18 hours ago

All it takes is one lightning strike and they can claim it was irreparably harmed by fire. Then BAM! Mufasa—The Lion King LIVE! As Walt intended.

Disstevefan118 hours ago

reimagining : This word is used by Disney to "destroy and replace" long standing attractions in order to create new IP based attractions that they can sell Lighting Lane for. History does not matter, theme does not matter, sightlines does not matter. The only two things that matter is that the new attraction is that its IP based and it must generate LL sales.

TheMaxRebo18 hours ago

And the opening of Cars Land and Villains Land could be good timing to make the change as part of an "overall reimagining of the entire area" vs just closing it in a vacuum

Disstevefan119 hours ago

It is all about MAKING MONEY in todays Disney (them park) business. Their movie and streaming business not so much, but I digress.. The really want to destroy this and replace this with something they can SELL LLs to!

Nobody nobody19 hours ago

HOP has been on “we’ll cross that bridge later”, for a while now, and I think that the clock is 100% ticking. HOP no longer fits with the direction MK is heading. It’s just from a different time. MK is also the most crowded park at wdw, and kinda the world, and it has been VASTLY underperforming for the size and capacity of the space for years now.

Tony the Tigger19 days ago

All they need is a Time Machine to go back to before the internet existed.