Independence Day always brings to mind one of my favorite Walt Disney World attractions, the Hall of Presidents. This patriotic show opened with the rest of Walt Disney World in October of 1971. However, Walt Disney had long wanted to create the show for Disneyland back in the 1950s, but technology hadn't advanced enough for him to do what he wanted to do. By the time of the 1964 New York World's Fair, the show had been scaled back to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. But during the creation of Walt Disney World, it was decided to go ahead with the entire show for the Magic Kingdom. A new land, Liberty Square, was created to be the home of this ambitious presentation.

The exterior of the Hall of Presidents

After walking through Liberty Square past the Liberty Tree, a large oak tree, guests entered the Hall of Presidents through a building that resembles Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The date above the door is 1787, which was the year the United States Constitution was written. In the lobby, guests could view paintings that were used in the movie they were about to see. A large version of the presidential seal was included in the carpet.

Upon entering the main theater, guests saw a large, blue curtain that curved around, forming a semi-circle around the seating area. The show began with a film presentation which started on three screens, then eventually expanded to the full five screens. The main focus of the film presentation was on the relationship between the American presidency and the United States Constitution. The film emphasized that the Constitution sets forth the principles that this country was founded upon, the principles that the president and the American government must strive to uphold.

At the conclusion of the film, the screens parted to reveal all the American presidents together on a stage. A roll call was made with each president acknowledging his name. After the roll call, George Washington, who had been standing, sat down, and Abraham Lincoln stood up and gave a speech. In his speech, Lincoln spoke of America's love of as what has made the country a great nation. Of interesting note is that Lincoln's speech is made up of portions of speeches he actually gave. The stirring speech ended as the Battle Hymn of the Republic played and the curtain went down.

Some of the Colonial architecture around the Hall of Presidents, including the Columbia Harbor House Restaurant

When the attraction opened, all the presidents from Washington to Nixon were included. Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush were added as each became president.

After Bill Clinton was elected, the show was changed somewhat. President Clinton was given a speaking role, along with Lincoln. Bill Clinton actually recorded his remarks in the White House, and I have heard that it only took one take. But this time around, instead of focusing on the Constitution, the show seemed to focus mainly on the Civil War and the issue of slavery.

Currently, the George W. Bush figure is being readied for the Hall of Presidents. As with Clinton, Bush will speak along with Lincoln. It will be interesting to see what the main point of this version of the show will be, and to hear what Bush's remarks are.

During the design of EPCOT Center, the decision was made to have the United States as the host nation of World Showcase. The American Adventure show gives a brief overview of American history. Of course, they couldn't include everything, but they did include most all of the significant events which have shaped our nation in the 29 minute show.

Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, the hosts of the American Adventure

A closeup of Benjamin Franklin

The ambitious presentation, which includes Audio Animatronic figures and filmed images, features as its hosts Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. They take us from the arrival of the Mayflower, through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and World War II, up to recent events which are seen in film. The show also is an amazing technical achievement, with sets that rise from below the stage, a walking Benjamin Franklin, and a wonderful musical score.

Alexander Graham Bell and Andrew Carnegie in the American Adventure

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir (sorry about the blur)

The different moments portrayed in the attraction show that the main characteristic of America is its spirit. The American people have had the spirit to keep pressing on, whether in good times or bad, in peace or in war. Along each side of the theater are statues representing these spirits of America: adventure, compassion, discovery, freedom, heritage, independence, individualism, innovation, knowledge, pioneering, self-reliance, and tomorrow.

In these two Walt Disney World attractions, we are encouraged to search through history for the spirit, the freedoms, and the challenges that have created our country and have made us Americans. Walt Disney himself apparently had a deep love for his country, shown in part by the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show, and he wanted to share with others the ideals and principles that America was founded upon, knowing that we should all have a sense of what we are about as a nation. Imagineers are working on a new Lincoln show at Disneyland, scheduled to open in the next few weeks, as well as the previously mentioned upgrade to the Hall of Presidents coming this fall. Even though Disney is now unquestionably an international organization, fortunately they still see the importance of preserving and promoting the history of America.

- Story and Photos by Steve Burns
Posted

Steve is a three-time Disney Store National Trivia finalist and webmaster of BurnsLand, home of Steve's Disney Railroad Adventures.

E-mail Steve at steve@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this article in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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