One of Disneyland’s oldest shows and one of its most popular stores are BOTH set to CLOSE for a long time.
Walt Disney, left, examines a life mask of Abraham Lincoln as sculptor Blaine Gibson looks on. [The Walt Disney Company]While it may not be a favorite of many younger Disneyland guests, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is arguably one of the most important accomplishments in Disney Imagineering history. In addition to being a personal passion project of Walt Disney, the show starring an audio-animatronic version of the 16th president proved the viability of that technology for human figures, leading directly to classic rides from Pirates of the Caribbean all the way to the stunning Shaman of Song in Na’vi River Journey. After originally debuting at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the show has been a mainstay at the Disneyland Opera House since 1965. However, Mr. Lincoln won’t be orating for the majority of 2024.
The show, currently known as The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, is closing for a planned refurbishment on April 16th, and does not have a reopening date scheduled.
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
In addition to the closure of the attraction itself, the refurbishment and renovation of Lincoln’s show will also necessitate the closure of one of Disneyland’s most popular shops, The Disney Gallery, which shares space with the show. The shop dates back to 1987, when it opened in the space above Pirates of the Caribbean that was once earmarked to be an apartment for the Disney family before Walt’s death. The shop sold collectibles and art, as well as displaying work from the Disney Imagineering library. The original Disney Gallery closed in 2007 to make room for the Disneyland Dream Suite, with the current Main Street location opening in 2009.
©Disney | The Disney Gallery
While at this moment it’s unclear when Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln and The Disney Gallery will be back, we have no reason to believe these iconic pieces of Disneyland history are gone forever. Stay tuned to AllEars for more updates on when they’ll reopen.
The 1964 New York World’s Fair Changed Disney History FOREVER
What are your thoughts on Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln? Do you miss the original Disney gallery? Let us know in the comments below.
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