Its been confirmed today by the White House that President Obama will be visiting Walt Disney World on January 19, 2012. He will be there to discuss the economy and tourism.
Guests visiting Walt Disney World on Thursday can see changes in Park hours, entertainment, and traffic and transportation delays.
Disney has extended evening Extra Magic Hours from 7pm to 10pm at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and also at Epcot from 9pm to 12am. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also be performing ‘Rock the Night! Fireworks Spectacular’ on Thursday night at 7pm. This is a rare show which isn’t normally regularly performed. At the Magic Kingdom, the afternoon parade start time has been moved to 3:30 p.m.
UPDATE: More information has come out about President Obama’s visit to Walt Disney World on Thursday. Air Force One is expected to land at Orlando International Airport late-morning Thursday, with the president’s motorcade taking him directly to Disney World. He is to leave Central Florida less than three hours later. Guests will not be able see the President or his speech, without an official invitation to the event. The whole of Main Street USA, including shops will be closed from park opening through Obama’s departure. Guests will be using backstage areas to bypass Main Street USA. Guests who have a single-day ticket for the Magic Kingdom will be offered access to another of Walt Disney World’s three theme parks if they’re unhappy about the situation. Guests who have dining reservations should be prepared to adjust their plans, however they’re still happening. Parking restrictions have been put in place at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which will be used as a staging area for news media.