Ultimate Photo Tour of The American Adventure
I’ll admit it: I skip the American Adventure on most of my visits to Epcot. I’ve seen the show enough times over the years to feel confident enough to give a synopsis to any first timers, and given it’s 30-minute run time, I usually feel that my time could be better spent elsewhere.
Back in February, Disney closed the attraction for a few weeks’ worth of refurbishment work that promised new additions to the end film and brand new orchestrations backing the iconic finale song upon completion. Curious about the new additions to the film, I decided to head inside of the pavilion for the first time in awhile…and what I found knocked me off my feet.
I was greeted by the Voice of Liberty’s pure tone reverberating around the massive domed structure that houses The American Adventure. From the outside, the architecture of the Pavilion is clearly inspired by the colonial era and although the same themeing in design is apparent throughout the interior, I can’t help but notice nods to the Capitol and the White House on the inside.
I’ve been in the pavilion and seen the show plenty of times, yet it took me until this most recent visit to stop and look at the artwork. The paintings are a gorgeous representation of Americana from its earliest days. From Ellis Island, right on through to the space era.
On closer inspection, though, the brush work and detailing in the paintings ranks right up there with paintings you’d find hanging in the Met. Even more interesting, most of the paintings hanging in the Pavilion were painted by Imagineers!
Make sure to stop and read some of the famous quotes beautifully laid in metal along the gallery walls. If the words themselves don’t inspire you, the backlighting and artistry of their displays certainly will!
My wait for the next showing of The American Adventure flew by and before I had even finished my slow tour of the pavilion, the doors were open seating! I won’t lie: it’s lengthy, and if you aren’t totally immersed in American history or eager to learn about how our country began, the passing minutes will feel like eternities.
The best way to keep yourself engaged is to listen to the stories being told onstage. Also, pay attention to the fantastic stagecraft and animatronics figures that tell the story of our nation!
The ending film’s new score and added historical figures made for a very nice finale. There was a boy behind me who whispered the names of some of the newest additions to his mom! John Williams, Misty Copeland, and the gold medal-winning US women’s gymnastics team are a few of the famed faces flitting across the screen.
Photos are truly the best way to tour this Pavilion. Its artistry and attention to detail is difficult to imagine if you’ve never been inside. As you exit the show, the flag gallery hanging overhead is a fitting way to end your “American Adventure”. Have you seen the new finale film yet? Who is your favorite new addition? Let us know in the comments below!
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