Walt Disney World Resort removed President Barack Obama’s basketball from the Hall of Presidents lobby the same week it announced it would extend George W. Bush’s painting exhibit at EPCOT through the Fourth of July weekend.
On February 18, Disney Dining reported that Obama’s basketball disappeared from a display case where guests wait for the Hall of Presidents show. The artifact sat beside a photo of Obama playing basketball and a plaque describing his passion for the sport. While the photo and plaque remain, a picture of President John F. Kennedy with White House pony Macaroni now fills the basketball’s former location.
Disney World Recalls Obama Artifact
The basketball was loaned from the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Center opens in Chicago this summer and will feature its own basketball court, potentially explaining the artifact’s recall for display there.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t commented on removing the basketball from Magic Kingdom Park.
Bush Paintings Stay Through Summer
Disney Parks Blog announced on Wednesday that “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” continues at EPCOT’s American Adventure Pavilion through the Fourth of July weekend. The George W. Bush exhibit debuted in June 2024 with an initial extension through early 2026.
Disney extended the Republican president’s collection of over 60 post-9/11 veteran paintings as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Other anniversary programming includes expanded Fourth of July fireworks and the new Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park.
Awkward Optics
The timing creates an uncomfortable perception: Walt Disney World Resort removed a Democratic president’s personal artifact while extending a Republican president’s exhibit during the same week. Though likely coincidental—the basketball was loaned property the Obama Library could recall at any time—the juxtaposition invites political interpretation that Disney probably didn’t intend.
Have you ever visited “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” at EPCOT? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
