Magic Kingdom Closes 53-Year-Old Attraction in Response to DeSantis Policies

Disney is following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent order to fly flags at full staff in recognition of Donald Trump’s inauguration, and the company has plenty of other developments on the horizon.

The governor issued the directive as a temporary pause in the ongoing half-staff order that had been in place to honor the late President Jimmy Carter. While Disney’s compliance with the order is standard protocol, it’s still generating buzz due to the company’s often complicated relationship with political matters.

At the same time, speculation is swirling around Disney’s handling of The Hall of Presidents attraction at Magic Kingdom. The attraction, which traditionally updates to include the newly inaugurated president, is currently closed for refurbishment.

What’s raising eyebrows is the updated signage, which no longer states that the attraction is “being prepared to welcome the new President,” a phrase that has appeared during past closures.

This omission has led to rumors that Disney might be considering a shift in the attraction’s format—potentially excluding Trump entirely.

If Disney were to make such a move, it could spell trouble for the company. Over the years, Disney has faced backlash for taking stances—whether intentional or not—on political and cultural issues.

The company’s involvement in Florida’s legislative battles with Governor DeSantis already led to heightened tensions, and any decision to change The Hall of Presidents format to exclude Trump could deepen the divide.

You could also argue that Disney complying with this order would also mean the company isn’t getting prepared to make a statement against Trump with Hall of Presidents refurbishments.

Looking back, Disney has been criticized for both action and inaction when it comes to political matters. The company’s handling of cultural issues has led to both praise and criticism from various groups.

Altering a long-standing tradition like The Hall of Presidents could potentially result in significant backlash, especially considering the support Trump enjoys among his base. Many guests view the attraction as a tribute to the history of the presidency, rather than a statement on any single leader.

Ultimately, if Disney decides to move away from its traditional format and exclude Trump, it risks facing consequences that will absolutely affect its bottomline. Disney has been dubbed “woke” by many of its opponents, and this type of change — particularly in this timing — would lead to yet another round of backlash for the company.

For now, Walt Disney World Resort has not made any official statement regarding the future of The Hall of Presidents, leaving fans and critics alike waiting to see what’s next.