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Credit: DisneyThe Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom has lost an important piece of memorabilia. The basketball belonging to former President Barack Obama, which had been on display since the last major update, is no longer there. Its disappearance raises questions about where it went and why Disney removed it without any explanation or replacement.
The basketball, featuring the presidential seal and on loan from the Barack Obama Presidential Library, was prominently displayed alongside a photo of Obama playing basketball and a plaque honoring his love for the sport. As of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the basketball is completely gone, leaving only the photo and plaque behind. The photo has been moved to the basketball’s former spot to fill some of the empty space.
The removal of the basketball coincides with the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, set to open this summer. This suggests the ball may be moved to the center, which will include a basketball court, rather than being permanently removed from public display. Obama’s recent catch of a basketball at the NBA All-Star Game also highlights his ongoing connection to the sport. Disney hasn’t confirmed the ball’s new location.
What’s Missing and What Remains
The Hall of Presidents lobby at Magic Kingdom features displays that highlight the personal lives of U.S. leaders with artifacts and photos that humanize them beyond their political legacies. A notable part of this effort was the Obama basketball display, which carried the presidential seal and was on loan from the Barack Obama Presidential Library, adding authenticity.
Although the basketball has been removed, a photo of Obama playing basketball remains, relocated to maintain the display’s visual balance. In its place is a photo of President John F. Kennedy with Macaroni, the White House pony, which continues to focus on the personal aspects of presidential lives. It’s unclear if the Kennedy photo was added to fill the gap or simply moved from another location.
The Hall of Presidents Context
The Hall of Presidents underwent a refurbishment that began January 20, 2025, after the attraction closed following the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term. The full show has reopened since that closure in early 2025.
That kind of refurbishment isn’t unusual for the Hall of Presidents. The attraction typically closes for updates whenever a new president is sworn in, requiring Disney Imagineering to create a new presidential figure and potentially update the show’s script, narration, and presentation to incorporate the new president into the historical narrative it presents.
After President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, Disney closed the Hall of Presidents and reopened it that August with Biden’s animatronic and a recorded message. Similarly, during Trump’s first term, the show closed in January 2017 and returned that December, featuring Trump delivering a speech. The current closure following Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025 followed that established pattern.
The President Lobby Reopening
In June 2025, Disney reopened the Hall of Presidents lobby, allowing guests to explore exhibits, artwork, and presidential portraits while enjoying a cool respite from Florida’s heat of Florida.
Although the lobby retains most of the previous displays, the Obama basketball has been removed. With benches and shaded seating available, it provides a peaceful spot to relax, especially during peak midday temperatures. For those interested in presidential history, the lobby offers educational opportunities that do not require viewing the main attraction.
Why the Basketball Matters
The removal of a single basketball from Disney’s Hall of Presidents might seem minor, but it represents a loss of a connection to President Obama’s personal interests, particularly his love of basketball. The Obama Presidential Library loaned the basketball to enhance public access, allowing millions of Magic Kingdom guests to engage with a significant artifact without traveling to Chicago.
With the upcoming opening of the new Presidential Center, the basketball will return to the Library for a permanent display. This decision supports better collection management and ensures the artifact is presented alongside a comprehensive view of Obama’s life and legacy.
What Guests Can See of The President
The Hall of Presidents lobby remains open with its full collection of displays, portraits, and artifacts, minus the Obama basketball. Guests visiting Liberty Square can still access the air-conditioned space, view the historical exhibits, and enjoy the seating areas and the show.
The photo of Obama playing basketball and the plaque describing his love of the sport remain on display, maintaining some representation of that aspect of his presidency even without the physical basketball artifact. The addition of the Kennedy photo with Macaroni the White House pony fills the visual gap in the display case while continuing the lobby’s focus on personal aspects of presidential lives.
For guests specifically interested in seeing the Obama basketball, it will presumably be on display at the Obama Presidential Center when it opens in Chicago this summer, though the Presidential Center hasn’t released complete details about its exhibits and artifact displays.