One of the things we love most about visiting Disney World is all the details you can spot around the parks. And one of our favorite places to look for historical details is at Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom.
From the oldest tree in the park to the replica Liberty Bell cast from the original mold of the REAL Liberty Bell to the pavement which is painted to look like it has a stream of sewage flowing down it (which, yes, is historically accurate), Liberty Square is chock full of cool historical details. But there’s a NEW piece of Disney history here now, too.
The Hall of Presidents, which resides in Liberty Square, is an attraction dedicated to the history of the American presidency.
Once you step inside, there’s a display case inside the lobby with a few important artifacts, including an American flag, which was added recently.
But that isn’t just any American flag — this flag is an important part of Disney history, which we learned about today while attending a media event for Destination D23.
According to a member of the Walt Disney Archives, this flag flew over the White House on October 1st, 1971, the opening day of Disney World. President Richard Nixon later sent it to Roy O. Disney, where it was raised in Magic Kingdom’s Town Square on October 25th, the day of Disney World’s dedication. “May it represent our faith in the American Dream,” Nixon wrote. This is the first time a President had ever done anything like that.
After Disney World’s Dedication Day, the flag was sent to Dave Smith, the founder of the Walt Disney Archives, where it’s been tucked away ever since, until recently. And now it’s on display with several memos that passed between Roy Disney and President Nixon.
The flag and the memos were recently dug up from the Archives for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, and these pieces of American AND Disney history are available now for all guests to see at The Hall of Presidents.
It’s these kinds of details that we’re always looking for at Disney World, so stay tuned because we’ll share everything we see and learn about.
We’re at Destination D23 in Disney World — Here’s What It’s Like!
What’s your favorite detail at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
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Disclosure: We were invited by Walt Disney World to attend a media event for Destination D23. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.
I know that President Nixon had visited Disneyland as VP. This is special that a US President would take the time to send this Flag and note. I look forward to viewing it.
Thank you for the information.