The Hall of Presidents attraction has reopened at Magic Kingdom following a 5-month refurbishment. As is tradition when the Presidency changes hands, the attraction closed on January 20, 2025, and reopened earlier today at Magic Kingdom. The attraction is expected to be largely unchanged from the previous version, with the only major change being the return of Donald Trump. Walt Disney World quietly reopened the attraction, giving no advance notice that it would open today. Disney also did not return requests for comment. Disney simply listed the attraction operating hours when the clock struck 9am this morning. Hall of Presidents Attraction Reopens with Donald Trump The Hall of Presidents is an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom, and it features all of the country’s Presidents in audio-animatronic form. The show is mostly a video presentation about the history of the Presidency and how different men have approached the job, including the challenges they faced and the changes they made. During the show, an audio-animatronic version of Abraham Lincoln takes the stage to deliver the Gettysburg Address. The finale of the show finds the curtain lifting to reveal all of the Presidents of the United States, past and present. Most of the Presidents have non-speaking roles, giving the audience a nod as they are introduced, one by one. George Washington and the current President have speaking roles. Donald Trump gives the Presidential oath of office, as he did during his first term as President. The Hall of
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UPDATE (9:15am): The Hall of Presidents has reopened. Our original article continues below, unchanged. A recent update to the Walt Disney World website confirms that Donald Trump will have a speaking role when the Hall of Presidents attraction reopens at Magic Kingdom. Disney says that the attraction is currently closed for refurbishment. A message about it opening “later this year” has been removed from the Walt Disney World website, which could indicate that the reopening is imminent. Disney says that Trump’s robot will recite the Presidential oath of office, as his robot did during his first term. Here’s the statement from Disney. Donald Trump Returning to the Hall of Presidents Watch the curtain rise to reveal startlingly realistic Audio-Animatronics replicas of every President of the United States—together for the very first time. Hear a speech delivered by George Washington and a recorded performance of the oath of office by President Donald Trump.Walt Disney World website Take your seat in the stately theater, home to 3 massive digital projection screens and a grand proscenium. Watch an original film—developed by a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian—that tells the dramatic story of the nation’s founding.Learn about the formation of our Constitution and the hard-fought struggles along the way—such as the American Revolution and the Civil War. Listen to the stirring words of John F. Kennedy echo through the theater and watch Abraham Lincoln—in attendance on stage—deliver his Gettysburg address. The Donald Trump audio-animatronic appeared to be “fixed”
Eye in the sky and friend of the site Bioreconstruct has flown over Magic Kingdom, giving construction watchers the best look yet at early work associated with the Cars-themed expansion of Frontierland, and the upcoming Villains Land. In this article, we’ll take a look at the latest photos, and how this work ties into the draining and demolition of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Magic Kingdom Expansion Project Laydown Yards Land Clearing We’ll start with one overview photo to give you an idea of what we’re looking at and what we’re talking about when discussing construction laydown yards. As you can see in the photo below, there is a massive amount of land clearing happening west of Magic Kingdom, just beyond the edge of the current theme park space (plus backstage support buildings). The land clearing is happening “behind” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. So, what is this land clearing for? Right now, it is for support areas for the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom in the park’s history. As you may know, Disney is draining the Rivers of America and demolishing Tom Sawyer Island to make way for a Cars-themed area and a Villains Land. In order for that to happen inside the park, Disney is preparing land outside of the park for construction staging areas and construction trailer offices. We’ve been covering the work since the first trees were knocked down in late April. Since that late
Construction walls are up in the Japan Pavilion, and a seldom-used pair of kiosks have been removed from the area. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, the kiosks were used to sell bagged snacks and other items. Admittedly, we don’t go “deep” into the Japan Pavilion often, but we haven’t seen the kiosks used in some time. Now, new construction walls are up, and we might have a hint as to what is coming. Construction Underway in Japan Pavilion at EPCOT During a recent visit to EPCOT, we noticed that the kiosks had been removed (I think it was down to just one kiosk in recent years), and construction walls were installed. According to data from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District address database, this area is labeled the “Gashapon Kiosk” and the address was created earlier this year, perhaps signaling what is to come. Gashapon is a Japanese capsule toy, sold via vending machines. I’m assuming that whatever is created for this space will be a little bit more robust than just a vending machine, but we’ll have to keep an eye out as construction continues. Here’s a look around the area. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
Universal Orlando Resort has announced another original concept haunted house for the upcoming 2025 Halloween Horror Nights event. In Gálkn: Monsters of the North, guests travel to a remote northern village and face off with fjord demons, monsters, and other fiends as they try to escape the belly of the beast. Here’s the announcement! Gálkn: Monsters of the North In a remote northern village, a wicked being rises from the dead, bringing a horde of monsters and demons from the fjords to wreak havoc on the townspeople. You’ll face icy, horned, winged and wolfish fiends that gradually merge into one giant horror. Then you’ll try to escape the belly of the beast. Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is an adult-focused haunt event that takes place at Universal Studios Florida. HHN is an after-hours event that requires a separate ticket to attend. Completely different than Magic Kingdom’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, HHN is a true haunt event, complete with scary themes not suitable for children.In total, there will be 10 haunted houses, a number of scare zones throughout the park, live entertainment, themed food & drinks, and even attractions available to enjoy during the event.For information on tickets, visit the official Halloween Horror Nights webpage. For more on Halloween Horror Nights 2025, check out our dedicated event page below! Halloween Horror Nights at Universal OrlandoGet the latest news, photos, and info about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida in Orlandoblogmickey.com As always, keep checking back with us here
Cast Member previews of Test Track 3.0 have begun at EPCOT and videos have been posted online. The video that we’ll share has a walk-through of the queue as well as the full ride itself. The video was posted by The Concrete Wanderer YouTube channel. It’s unclear if the video was leaked from the preview or if filming was allowed. Test Track 3.0 Full Ride Video As expected, the ride and queue experience feel completely new. The queue has been redesigned, completely removing the build-your-own car experience from Test Track 2.0. Instead, guests walk through showrooms of cars of the future before reaching the ride itself.As for the ride, the vehicles will feel very similar, with a new coat of paint. The ride track appears to be unchanged, although many of the scenes feel fresh and new. There are a couple of scenes that have very little change to them. Without actually riding ourselves, we can’t give a verdict on the ride. Test Track 3.0 officially opens July 22nd at EPCOT. Walt Disney World has previously announced that they will have preview opportunities for Annual Passholders, DVC Members, and other affinity groups, but exact dates and details have not yet been shared. Cast Member previews run through July 10th. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
According to Walt Disney World, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid will close for a brief refurbishment in late July at Magic Kingdom. Here’s the latest. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid Refurbishment | July 2025 Starting July 21st, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid will be closed for refurbishment. The Fantasyland attraction is expected to reopen on July 26th following a brief refurbishment. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
The Astro Orbiter has reopened at Magic Kingdom today following a 5-month refurbishment. During the downtime, the Tomorrowland attraction was removed and rebuilt as part of an extensive effort to refresh the ride. The refurbishment began in mid-January, and Walt Disney World has hit a previously announced Summer reopening timeframe. Astro Orbiter Reopens at Magic Kingdom There are no announced changes to the ride. Guests can expect to climb into refreshed, but largely unchanged rockets to take a spin high above Tomorrowland. Here’s a look at the ride before it closed earlier this year. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
According to Walt Disney World, the Prairie Outpost shop will reopen on June 30th as a new Chapel Hats location in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. Previously, this shop was home to grab-and-go sweets and treats. Prairie Outpost Reopening in Frontierland The new merchandise location invites Guests to shop for wide-brimmed hats, classic fedoras, customized headwear and more from Chapel Hats at this stylish shop in Frontierland. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
Walt Disney World has announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closed starting August 4th as the attraction receives a number of upgrades. Previously, Walt Disney World had announced an August closing, but now we have a specific date. Here’s the latest! Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Closing Date The last day to experience the current version of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is August 3rd. Starting August 4th, the attraction will be closed for a number of upgrades, including a new show scene, new character, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay updates. Here’s what we know! Brand New Scene As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team. As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy. New Ride Vehicles Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time