Disney adds robotic Obama to attraction (HUGE BARF ALERT)

CNN.Com/travel ^ | 7/3/2009 | By Rob Marciano and John Murgatroyd CNN

[F15Eagle]

ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- He looks like President Barack Obama, speaks like him, and even gestures like him, but he is not exactly the president of the United States.

This president is an audio-animatronic Obama surrounded by the 42 other U.S. presidents at Walt Disney World's newly revamped Hall of Presidents in Orlando, Florida.

Disney gathered a team of what it calls "Imagineers," each trained in various disciplines such as artistry, design and engineering, to update the attraction that has been around since 1971.

It's hard to believe the figures are not real people and, according to Disney officials, that's the goal.

"The magic of the show is actually being able to see all of the presidents throughout history on this stage together," said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering. "We have to use our magic to bring that together to make that happen." Watch the animatronic Obama in action »

Disney calls the new President Obama figure "the most dynamic figure Disney has ever created." "We're very proud of the technological advances that allow this to make him come to life so realistically," Jacobson said.

Imagineers traveled to the Washington, D.C., to record Obama's voice for the show. They also worked with White House staffers to make sure his wardrobe, hair and mannerisms were portrayed as accurately as possible.

[F15Eagle]

Just in time for your Disney vacation, the TOTUS Meets I, Self-Serving Robot

"the most dynamic!!!" (exclamation marks mine)

(you may now comment when ready)

[Doogle]

boycott

[John123]

They also worked with White House staffers to make sure his wardrobe, hair and mannerisms were portrayed as accurately as possible.

Don't forget the teleprompter...

[pray4liberty]

They could replace him with his Disney counterpart and no one would notice the difference.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I guess this explains George Washington’s legs sticking out of the Disney dumpster. You can’t have one robot saying one thing and another saying exactly the opposite.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Is there a Reagan?

Did any other sitting President get the robotic Disney treatment?

[bareford101]

I would bet the farm that the robot has more sense.

[jerry557]

I’ll be staying clear of that attraction.

[madison10]

So...are they requiring that attendees bow down to the robot, or do they just have to blow kisses for now?

[RegulatorCountry]

He looks like President Barack Obama, speaks like him, and even gestures like him, but he is not exactly the president of the United States.

What do they call this particular display, O-bam-a-rama? I'm sure the Obamatic Bam is eerily indistinguishable from the fleshly Obama. Neither is real, though.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Ever since the attraction opened new Presidents have been added as soon as possible after their inauguration.

[F15Eagle]

The President Obama audio-animatronic figure "speaks" at the Hall of Presidents exhibit at Disney World.

[SpaceBar]

And it’s smarter than him.

[HighWheeler]

I didn’t realize Zer0 was working at Disney on weekends. He looks almost real.

[parsifal]

What does Robobama do? Sign checks, turn his head, give the evil eye, and then turn back and sign more checks?

parsy, who figures there is no way he can win in this mess

[F15Eagle]

I don’t know. Good question.

[Cicero]

Does its head swivel rapidly left and right as it reads from the teleprompter? If not, then it’s not an Obamabot.

[RegulatorCountry]

new Presidents have been added as soon as possible after their inauguration.

The same was said a few weeks ago, about a gigantic Obama head rolling through St. Louis on a flatbed truck.

Can't honestly say I recall ever having heard of such before, and I've been quite the political junkie since the first Clinton administration.

The whole thing has an alarming banana republic feel to it, to me.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

The dummy does not talk but there’s a teleprompter that does!

[Artemis Webb]

Disney has always added new presidents as quickly as possible. They certainly did with GWB.

For those who are GENUINELY pissed off that Disney added Obama, you need to grow up.

[rightwingcrazy]

“He looks like President Barack Obama, speaks like him, and even gestures like him, but he is not exactly the president of the United States.”

OK, I give up: what’s the difference?

[SERKIT]

"We have to use our magic to bring that together to make that happen."

More magic from the Magic Negro. He's magical. There is no truth to the rumor that Disney Imagineers were working on a "Barry's Wild Gurnee Limo Ride". It could have been like Rockin' Roller Coaster, but it would have required half the participants to be on their knees. Early critics of the idea said "It blows!", and some said "It sucks!".

[RegulatorCountry]

That actually looks more like Arthur Ashe.

[The Wizard]

no more visits to hall of the presidents until Sarah is inducted...

[HighWheeler]

That animatronics makes him look almost real.

[thefrankbaum]

Hear hear.

[Tarpon]

I detect that Colonel Obama’s robot is getting stale. All shuck and jive acts get old after you see them a few times.

[The Wizard]

you beat me to it...

[Stosh]

Does Soros run this one too?

[Salgak]

The wonders of modern technology: A Barack Obama that does not NEED a teleprompter to speak. . .

[steve-b]

The exhibit includes all the presidents, and newly inaugurated ones are added as soon as they finish putting all the finishing touches on the new robot.

This is a non-story.

[F15Eagle]

Last time I saw the exhibit was in the 1980’s. I don’t remember who was in the lineup.

[windsorknot]

Disney is considering moving the Obama robot to Fantasyland.

[SERKIT]

The audioanimatronics figure of Barry Soetoro started out at Disney’s Animal Kimgdon, Kenya Exhibit.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Does he read aloud from the “Communist Manifesto” ??

[HighWheeler]

Soros runs TOTUS.

[F15Eagle]

One article I read said Bush (I think they meant x43) was the first sitting President to be added to the display.

[CaptRon]

surrounded by the 42 other U.S. presidents Geez. Well, it is CNN.

[CaptRon]

surrounded by the 42 other U.S. presidents Geez. Well, it is CNN.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Marine_Uncle]

"...but he is not exactly the president of the United States."
I would differ. It really is zero. An empty suit who has a talent of reading teleprompter screens, and pretending to be knowledgeable in world and domestic affairs.

[Mister Muggles]

"What does Robobama do? Sign checks, turn his head, give the evil eye, and then turn back and sign more checks?"?

Even better, he craps LOADS of Dollar bills 24/7.

[chiefqc]

And it lies all the time also.

[F15Eagle]

ohhh ... good catch!!

[ETL]

Obama himself is a robot. He came pre-programmed by his commie left mentors. Additional programming from his current advisers is added when needed. That is exactly what Obama is: an empty suit robot of the hardcore commie left.

[musicman]

[Brilliant]

If Gore had been elected we would still be wondering which one was real.

[Schuck]

Having seen this attraction in person (annual passholder preview last weekend), forget the Obamabot—by the way, W got more or less the same treatment, as did Slick Willie.

The highlight by far tho is an animatronic Abe Lincoln who stands up and delivers the Gettysburg Address. Whole audience, Obama lovers and haters, all cheered. This more than makes up for the 30 seconds of robo-BHO you’ll have to endure.

[Recovering_Democrat]

It’ll be a happy day when a new, conservative President takes Hussein’s place...and people visiting the Hall don’t have to hear his voice again.

If the Republic survives.