Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at age 100. In memory of his legacy, we’re looking back at President Carter’s connection to the Disney Parks.
Carter, the39th President of the United States of America, has a bit of a history with the parks — though, perhaps not quite as headline-worthy as Nixon giving his infamous “I am not a crook” speech at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Visiting Walt Disney World
President Carter visited some of the Disney Parks during the span of his political career. While serving as Governor of Georgia, he visited the Magic Kingdom. He was photographed riding in the Main Street Jitney alongside Mickey Mouse, as seen in the post below shared by author Aaron H. Goldberg.
During his term as President, According to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Carter and his family stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. They viewed a preview of EPCOT — the documentation of the visit reads, “The Presidential party viewed an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.” On this visit, he met Card Walker, Donn Tatum, Richard “Dick” Nunis, and Robert Allen.
It was on this trip that he gave a speech at the International Chamber of Commerce conference, which was held inside the Magic Kingdom, as pictured above.
Visit to Disneyland Park
In 1982, President Carter attended a convention at the Disneyland Hotel. Disney shared a photo of the President out for a jog through the park in the morning before it opened for guests.
Honoring Walt Disney
In 1980, President Carter issued a proclamation honoring the memory of Walt Disney. Read it in its entirety below, courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.
Honoring the Memory of Walt Disney
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In the world of entertainment no name is more widely known than that of Walt Disney. For nearly fifty years, his creations brought us laughter and love, joy and gladness. The products of his imagination will enthrall and delight many more generations of children of all ages in every country on earth.
The House of Representatives, by a joint resolution of February 13, 1980, has requested the President to issue a proclamation honoring the memory of Walt Disney for his contributions to the American dream.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIMMY CARTER, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the people of this Nation to recall the accomplishments of Walt Disney and to honor his memory on February 19, 1980.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereinto set my hand this nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourth,
Jimmy Carter
The Hall of Presidents
In 1977, an animatronic figure of Jimmy Carter was added to the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom following his inauguration. His figure was one created by Imagineering Legend Blaine Gibson. D23 notes that, “Our master sculptor studied him so well during the presidential debates, that he didn’t make his usual sketches before sculpting; Blaine ‘already had a strong mental image.’ He developed a particular interest in the strength of Carter’s eyes.”
President Carter’s animatronic is still part of the attraction. Watch our video of The Hall of Presidents below to spot him among the other former Presidents.
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