A basketball belonging to President Barack Obama disappeared from Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents this week as Walt Disney World Resort announced it’s extending a George W. Bush painting exhibit at EPCOT through the Fourth of July weekend.
Disney Fanatic reported on February 18 that Obama’s basketball vanished from a display case in the Hall of Presidents lobby, where guests wait for the audio-animatronic show. The basketball sat beside a photo of Obama playing and a plaque about his love for the sport. The photo and plaque remain, but an image of President John F. Kennedy with White House pony Macaroni now occupies the basketball’s space.
Basketball Returns to Obama Library
The basketball was on loan from the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Center, opening in Chicago this summer, will include its own basketball court and may display the artifact there.
Walt Disney World Resort has not commented on the removal of the basketball.
Bush Exhibit Extended Through Summer
Disney Parks Blog announced on Wednesday that “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” will remain at EPCOT through the Fourth of July weekend. The George W. Bush paintings debuted in the American Adventure Pavilion in June 2024 and were initially extended through early 2026.
The exhibit features over 60 Bush paintings of post-9/11 veterans. Walt Disney World Resort extended it as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, which also include expanded Fourth of July fireworks and the new Soarin’ Across America attraction at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park.
Coincidental Timing, Not Politics
The timing appears coincidental rather than political. Obama’s basketball was a loaned property that the Barack Obama Presidential Library could recall at any time. Its removal is likely related to the Obama Center’s opening rather than Walt Disney World Resort making a political statement.
However, the optics of removing a Democratic president’s artifact while extending a Republican president’s exhibit certainly create an awkward perception.
Do you support Walt Disney World Resort extending the “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” exhibit? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
