President Barack Obama, in a visit Thursday to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., joked it was nice to meet a world leader "who has bigger ears than me."

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It was Obama's first trip to the Florida theme park, press secretary Jay Carney said of the visit.

With Cinderella's castle as a backdrop, Obama spoke to an audience of about 150 people, including Disney employees, members of several unions and local politicians on Disney's Main Street.

"It's always nice to meet a world leader who has bigger ears than me," said Obama, of a planned meeting with Mickey Mouse.

He added it was rare for him to do something that would make his daughters jealous.

Obama spoke about tourism and travel initiatives he planned to implement by executive order to make the United States "the top tourist destination in the world" and to signal "America is open for business."