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From Pennsylvania Avenue to Main Street, U.S.A., President Obama at Magic Kingdom

Jennifer Fickley-Baker

by , Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

“I am glad to be at Disney World, the Magic Kingdom!”

Speaking to a crowd at Walt Disney World Resort, President Barack Obama unveiled plans to increase international visitation and make the United States the world’s top travel destination.

This was the spirited welcome President Barack Obama delivered earlier today as he stood on Main Street, U.S.A., with the iconic Cinderella Castle glittering behind him.

Tourism was the topic of this official visit, and the President said the natural place to discuss efforts to make it easier for more international guests to visit the United States was Walt Disney World Resort.

“It’s rare that I get to do something that Sasha and Malia envy me for,” the President joked, referring to his young daughters. “Maybe they’ll actually ask me at dinner how my day went.”

'America is open for business,' President Barack Obama told an audience at Walt Disney World Resort. The president visited Magic Kingdom Park to unveil a comprehensive plan to attract more international visitors to the United States.

While the President’s remarks were for an invited audience and necessitated closing a portion of Main Street, U.S.A., for a few hours, guests at Magic Kingdom Park enjoyed a unique day of their own, with special entertainment throughout the park to keep things magical.

Instead of venturing down Main Street, U.S.A., to access the park, guests were ushered from the main entrance through a special backstage area that was lined with scores of colorful banners and parade floats and live musical entertainment. Once inside the park, guests could enjoy additional entertainment, character meet-and-greets, supplemental showings of the Frontierland Hoedown and character dance parties at the Diamond Horseshoe Review and the Rockettower Plaza Stage.

A capacity crowd of guests who wanted to hear the President’s speech even watched a live broadcast of his remarks in the most appropriate of settings – The Hall of Presidents attraction in Liberty Square.

Back on Main Street, U.S.A., President Obama finished his remarks, then turned to look at the “Partners” statue in distance. The President gave a friendly wave to Walt and Mickey, then exited the stage to end this historic day at the Magic Kingdom.

Comments

  • Agree with President Obama or not like is policies or not Successful in the office in which he holds or not. Walt Disney World is an American Icon known the world over.

    I believe that it is a good thing that the president makes a speech and enjoys Walt Disney World. It is truly a Special Place and I am sure that Disney did a great job making everyone enjoy their time at the Magic Kingdom and the rest of the parks during his visit. I hope Michelle Obama allowed Sasha and Malia have some cotton candy, cookies and a Mickey Mouse Ice cream Bar. I hope that the First family truly were able to experience the magic that is Walt Disney world.

    It’s not every day someone can say Hey I was there when the president was as well.

    Ill be making another trip with my family in the next few months, as a DVC member and as a Disney Premier Passport Holder.

    That’s how much we Love Walt Disney World. why shouldn’t the President experience that.

  • I’m envious of anyone who has a job that takes them to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. What a lucky guy the President is. 😉

  • Disney should put the remarks on continuous loop at the Hall of Presidents for all visitors.

  • can you guys share a video of it for those of us West Coast folk that were still sleeping during this?? Thanks

  • It should be mandatory that the president make an annual speech from Walt Disney World! I hope that President Obama was able to enjoy himself the greatness of a Dole Whip Float. I’m just sayin’…

  • Obama said that Mickey greeted him when he arrived… nobody took a picture of it?

  • A great speech and a great setting for it!
    Four more years!

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