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/* Hall of Flags and Preshow */
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image= Twainfranklin.jpg
| caption='''Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin host The American Adventure'''
| land=American Adventure
| duration= 28:30
| theme=American History
| type= Show
| park= Epcot
| host= Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain
| custom_label_1 = Theater Capacity
| custom_value_1 = 1000 guests
| audio-animatronics=35
| opened=October 1, 1982
|custom_label_2= Disney Genie +
|custom_value_2= No
}}
The American Adventure is an attraction located within the [[American Adventure]] pavilion in [[Epcot]]. If you are looking for the pavilion that houses the attraction see: [[American Adventure (Pavilion)]]
==Attraction History==
While an attraction inside the America pavilion had always been a part of the plans for [[EPCOT Center]], its location and design changed frequently during the park's planning. As early as 1976, there were plans for an American attraction to be one of Epcot Center's major draws <ref name= "vid1"/>. By 1978, Imagineers wanted to use the American Adventure pavilion as a bridge between Future World and World Showcase <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2009/06/27/a-visit-to-epcot-center-1979/ </ref> <Ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=218 </ref>. This version of the pavilion would have been two stories tall, with the American Adventure attraction located on the building's second floor <Ref name= "allears"> http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_adv.htm </ref>. Eventually however, Imagineers decided to place the American pavilion within World Showcase. By placing the pavilion at the back center of the land, Imagineers not only put America amongst the other countries, but they also created a "weenie" to draw guests back into the land <ref name= "allears"/>.
[[Image:amricanadventureryman.jpg|500px|thumb|Herb Ryman concept art for the American Adventure pavilion,]]
Like the pavilion itself, the American Adventure attraction also went through a series of changes. When development began on the attraction, Imagineers knew that they wanted to tell the story of America, but they were not sure how to do it. Six different attraction ideas were disregarded, before the show’s final form was accepted <ref> http://2719hyperion.blogspot.com/2007/01/lost-imagineering-happy-fun-american.html </ref>. These discarded ideas included:
Following the Corridor of Flags, guests enter the main theater. Here, 12 life size statues can be seen on the left and right walls. The statues represent the "Spirits of America" and they include: * '''Spirit of Knowledge-Individualism''' - A woman holding a book and a scrollcowboy
* '''Spirit of Innovation-''' A scientist
* '''Spirit of Tomorrow-''' A woman holding a baby
* '''Spirit of Self-RelianceIndependence-''' A farmer holding a shovelAn American colonial solider
* '''Spirit of HeritageCompassion-''' A Native American woman. female doctor
* '''Spirit of IndependceDiscovery-''' An American patriot from the Revolutionary War. A mountain man
* '''Spirit of Freedom-''' A male pilgram. pilgrim
* '''Spirit of DiscoveryHeritage-''' A Frontierman. Native American woman
* '''Spirit of CompassionPioneering- ''' A female doctor.male aviator
* '''Spirit of PinoneeringKnowledge- ''' A male avaiator. female teacher
* '''Spirit of AdventureSelf- Reliance-''' A sailor.farmer holding a shovel
===Opening Scene===
The American Adventure begins in complete darkness; , as guests can however hear the voice of Ben Benjamin Franklin, as he quotes quoting John Steinbeck. As the first scene rises, guests see Ben Franklin sitting behind a desk reading , with Mark Twain seated off nearby. As Twain begins to doze off, Franklin concludes quoting his Steinbeck quote by saying:
{{Quotation| Stained and tinted with all colors, a seeming ethnic anarchy.<br>
In society, not great, but fitted by our very thoughts for greatness.|Ben Franklin}}
===New World Bound===
At this point, the attractions attraction's first song, “New World Bound” begins to play. As the songs song play, images of pilgrims coming to the new world are shown. The song tells the story of the troubles that the pilgrims faced, both coming to America and then subsequently surviving there. The lyrics to New World Bound are:[[Image:AdventurePilgrims.jpg|thumb|500px|The Pilgrims crossing the Atlantic Ocean.]]
'''♫ There's a land cross this ocean,''' <br>
===The Deceleration of Independence===
After New World Bound ends, Ben Benjamin Franklin informs guests that America was not an easy place for settlers. Franklin He then continued goes on to explain that in the future decades , America would face a new problem, - a growing separation from Great Britain. Colonists are then shown on the screen, rallying against Britain British rule and debating what to do. Franklin informs guests that:[[Image:JeffersonIndpedendce.jpg|400px|thumb|Thomas Jefferson writing the Deceleration of Independence. Photo by Lauren Javier.]]
{{Quotation| First we spoke out with our voices, then we spoke out with action, with a growing defiance, that led to the Boston Tea Party.|Ben Franklin}}
At this point in the attraction, the screen goes dark, and a large glass scroll comes down from the ceiling. The scroll is proclamation from King George III, telling the colonists that in response to the Boston Tea Party, Boston Harbor will be closed. As colonist’s colonists debate the merit of revolution, Franklin tells explains to guests that finally it was time for action. As the glass scroll is removedraised back up, guests see it reveals Thomas Jefferson sitting in his loft, working tirelessly. As the young Virginian continues his work, Benjamin Franklin then climbs up the stairs into to enter the loftroom. After an exasperated Jefferson then proclaims that John Adams should have been the one to write the Declarationof Independence, Franklin reassures him that he is the only man for the job. After some reassurance from making a joke about Franklinfalling asleep during the last session of the Continental Congress, Jefferson announces explains that the Continental Congress was able to ratify a final version of the Declaration of Independence. He then reads:
{{Quotation| We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
===In the Days of '76===
'''♫ In the days of '76, my boys,'''
'''we never must revere'''
'''But it's getting tough, I fear... ♫ '''
''' ♫ In the days of Valley Forge,'''
'''Along the victory trail! ♫ '''
At the conclusion of "In the songDays of ‘76", the images of the revolutionary war Revolutionary War stop. Guests are then shown an image of the 13 united colonies, as Benjamin Franklin comments:
{{Quotation|In the end, we the people, prevailed and achieved perhaps our greatest dream.
===Westward Expansion and Slavery===
[[Image:ChiefJosephAmerican.jpg|400px|thumb|Chief Joseph in the American Adventure. Photo by Rain0975]]Following the end of the Revolutionary warWar, Mark Twain takes over as the show's primary host. Twain announces that subsequent to its establishment, America is was Westward bound, and heading to new frontiers. As images of horses, Indians, frontier men, and a panhandler flicker across the screen, Mark Twain tells Ben Franklin:
{{Quotation|Yes sir, Dr. Franklin, you founding fathers gave us a pretty good start, don't ya know.<br>
Folks like Frederick Douglas.| Mark Twain}}
At this point, Frederick Douglas Douglass is shown on a raft, floating down the Mississippi River. Douglas Douglass then speaks to Twain directly saying:
{{Quotation|Even amidst the cricket song here along Mark Twain's beloved Mississippi, I hear the noise of chains and the crack of the whip. Yet there's hope. <br>
It has grown too abundant to be snuffed out, like a lantern.|Fredrick Douglas}}
As Douglas Douglass drifts away, the screen once again goes dark. Then, a A family getting their portrait is shown, as taken in Matthew Brady's studio then rises to the stage. The two brothers are heard arguing over the merits of southern Southern successionfrom the Union. As their father tells them not to ruin their mother's birthday, their mother tells them states that she is just happy they are that the whole family is all together. As a camera flashes, (taking the families families’ picture, ) the song Two Brothers “Two Brothers” begins to play.
===Two Brothers===
As images showing the Civil War are shown on the screen, the song Two Brothers is playedcontinues in the background. The song tells the story of brothers who end up fighting on opposite sides in the warCivil War. It is inferred that the song is talking about the family who was previously shown getting their family portrait taken. The lyrics to Two Brothers are:[[Image:AAFamily.jpg|400px|thumb|The family that is featured in the Two Brothers scene.]]
''' ♫ Two brothers, on their way.<br>'''
'''Two brothers on their way,<br>'''
'''all on a beautiful morning... ♫'''
At the end of the song the family portrait shown earlier is shown again. This time however, one of the brothers fades away, due to the fact that he died in the war.
===Late 19th Century===
Following the end of Two Brothers, Franklin tells guests that the Civil War had finally ended. With and with the country rebuilding, immigrants began to pour into the United States. As Franklin states begins to comment that there "Seems there was a new dawn coming for the American Adventure", he is cut off by Chief Joseph. The Indian chief emerges from below the stage, and responds to Franklin's claim, saying:[[Image:Rrambell.jpg|400px|thumb|Alexander Gram Bell at the Centennial International Exhibit of 1876. Photo Lauren Javier]]
{{Quotation|Enough! Enough of your words!<br>
Let your new dawn lead to the final sunset on my people's suffering. <br>
As Chief Joseph disappears, the sunset behind him turns into a starry night. Mark Twain then returns to the stage, telling guests that "The wisdom of the Great Chief Joseph, reminded us once again of our long painful journey through the frontiers of human liberty".
As the scene changes, guests see the Great Hall in Philadelphia, which is hosting the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. In front of itthe hall, four booths rise up. On stage are housing: Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell, Andrew Carnegie, and Susan B. Anthony. As Susan B. Anthony gives a short speech advocating for women's suffrage, Mark Twain informs guests that they are back in Philadelphia again, and that America is a hundred years old today. Carnegie, Twain and Graham Bell then discuss the latest inventions of the day, with Carnegie summing up that it is the age “age for grand ideasideas”. Graham Bell and Anthony chime in that it is also an era for innovation , and a dawn of new awareness. As the booths descend, guests are shown dioramas which feature the latest technological achievements. Among the inventions featured are:the light bulb, the trolley, and the moving picture. Twain the states that America was flying into the 20th century on the wings of invention and the winds of change, and that since we were facing these new changes, we needed people like Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir to lead us.
{{Quotation| Then start it here and now. <br> Make this valley a part of Yosemite National Park. |John Muir.}}
'''♫ Once I built a tower to the sun,'''<br>
'''Once I built a tower, now it's done.'''<br>
'''Brother, can you spare a dime? ♫ '''
[[Image:AdventureDepression.jpg|400px|thumb|A gas station during the Great Depression]]
As the song finishes, the men discuss the state of the country, joking about how millionaires in New York are selling apples just like they are. As the storm around them begins to let up, the gas station owner hopefully suggests that Sunday drivers might now venture out for gas. In the middle of their conversation, one of the men shushes the others, so that they can listen to Franklin Delano Roosevelt being inaugurated on the radio.
{{Quotation| But ya know, it seems to me, that we was a mighty cocky nation.
We had begun to believe that the height of civilization was an automobile, a radio, and a bathtub.
Ya know, it seems to me like we're the only nation in the country, that waits 'til they get into a war, before we start getting ready for it.|Will Rogers}}
As Will Rogers finishes, another Radio Announcer radio announcer speaks, saying that:
"Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and ground forces..."
===World War II===
[[Image:Rosie.jpg|350px|thumb|Rosie the Riveter repairing a WWII battleship]]
As the gas station fades away, a shipyard is shown. Here Rosie the Riveter is welding a piece of a battleship as "I'll be Home for Christmas" plays over the radio. After the conclusion of the song, the radio announcer says:
{{Quotation |Yes, that was dedicated to you, Rosie, tens of thousands of you across the face of America working tonight to keep our boys in the fight. <br> We wish all of you out there, a very Merry Christmas.}}
Following the radio announcement, Rosie and a sailor discuss the state of the battleshipship, before another worker emerges on a lift. She says, that it's no wonder their they are all working double shifts of on Christmas, before Rosie tells her to cheer up, and that maybe they will all be together next Christmas. As the battleship disappears, the screen turns purple and an eagle flies across it. At this point, the Golden Dream montage starts.
===Golden Dreams===
Following the World War II scene, the Song Golden Dream montage begins to play. As During the song plays, images and video of famous American's Americans from the 20th and 21st century are shown. The lyrics for Golden Dream are:
'''♫ Male Singer:'''<br>
'''Sail on freedom's wind, across the sky.'''<br>
'''Great bird, with your golden dreams'''<br>
'''flying high, flying high.'''<br>[[Image:AAwalt.jpg|400px|thumb|Walt Disney's image in the Golden Dream montage.]]
'''Female Singer: <br>
'''Facing new frontiers. ♫ '''
Some of the American's Americans shown during the Golden Dreams montage include:
{| style="border-width: 0px"
|-
|
*Neil Armstrong
*Lenoard Leonard Bernstein
*Johnny Carson
*Walt Disney
*Dwight D. Eisenhower
*Judy Garland
*Chief Dan GeorgeIron Eyes Cody
*Alex Haley
*Jim Henson
|
*Bob Hope
*Magic Johnson
*Sally Ride
*Jackie Robinson
|
*Eleanor Roosevelt
*Frank Sinatra
*Frank Lloyd Wright
*Tom Brokaw
*Oprah WInfreyWinfrey*Willie NelsonBarack Obama
*Bill Clinton
*George Bush
*Firefighters raising the United States flag at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks.
|}[[Image:AAFrankLouie.jpg|500px|thumb|Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra in Golden Dream montage.]]After the montage has endedends, guests see the Apollo 11 rocket blasting off to the moon. Following the launch, Golden Dreams commences:
'''♫ Female Singer: '''<br>
'''Flying high, flying high! ♫ '''<br>
===Finale===[[Image:AdventureFinale.png|400px|thumb|Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain atop the Statue of Liberty]]Following the Golden Dreams montage, guests are taken to the New York Harbor. Here, where Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin have reconvened on top of atop the Statue of Liberty. The Here, the two American's Americans look back on the countries country’s history, and look forward at it's its future. While Franklin is optimistic about the future, Twain seems to be more cautious. To make his point, Twain quotes John Steinbeck (just as Franklin did at the beginning of the show) saying:
{{Quotation|"We now face the danger, which in the past has been the most destructive to the humans: Success, plenty, comfort and ever-increasing leisure. No dynamic people has ever survived these dangers.}}
After a little more banter, Twain and Franklin eventually both agree that they see America lasting for llong a long time. As the show concludes, Golden Dreams plays one more time:
'''♫ America, you must keep dreaming now'''<br>
'''America!'''<br>
'''Keep on flying high! ♫'''<br>
==Songs==
The American Adventure features five songs, they are:
'''New World Bound'''- Played during the scene depicting the pilgrims. “New World Bound” was written by X. Atencio and Randy Bright, with music by Buddy Baker <Ref> http://themacgyverproject.blogspot.com/2015/10/47-new-world-bound.html </ref>.
'''In the Days of '76'''- This traditional song is played during the Revolutionary War scenes.
'''Two Brothers'''- Written by Irving Gordon and performed by Ali Olmo, “Two Brothers” is played during the Civil War scene <ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/12/the_american_adventure_part_2.html </ref>.
'''Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?'''- Written by E.Y. Harburg, with music by Jay Gorney <ref> http://www.npr.org/2008/11/15/96654742/a-depression-era-anthem-for-our-times </ref>, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” is played on the radio during Great Depression scene.
'''Golden Dream'''- Played during the attractions final montage, Golden Dram was written by Randy Bright and Lynn Hart, with music by Robert Moline <ref name= "Jack"/>. The song was re-recorded for the 2018 update under the supervision of producer Harvey Mason Jr in Los Angeles<ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=153&v=8SJde5SkS_U </ref>. Golden Dream is now performed by Tim Davis and Sophia Pizzulo <ref> https://wdwnt.com/2018/08/new-2018-update-version-of-golden-dream-from-the-american-adventure-at-epcot-now-available-on-itunes/</ref>.
==Will Rogers Script==
Although Will Rogers was eventually dropped as the host of the 20th Century, a script featuring Rogers as a host still exists. Below is the first scene in an early version of the American Adventure.
[[Image:WillRogers.jpg|400px|thumb|Will Rogers as he appears in the final version of the American Adventure]]
{{Quotation| '''Ben Franklin:''' America has been settled by the people of all nations. We are not a narrow tribe of men, no. Our blood is as the flood of the Amazon, made up of 1,000 noble currents all pouring into one. We are not a nation so much as a world.” Excuse me, Mr. Twain, Mr. Rogers. I am sure you recognize those inspiring words from Herman Melville. It seems they are going to preamble a new show called the American Adventure. It also seems that we three have been asked to be the central figures in the show.<br>
'''Mark Twain:''' The three of us star in a show together? I can see it now. Hmm! I just bet Mr. Rogers would love to step on my lines. <br>
'''Will Rogers:''' Now, now, Mr. Twain, you know that’s not true. <br>
'''Twain:''' Why, Mr. Rogers, you know truth is the most valuable thing I have. <br>
'''Rogers:''' Well, I guess that’s why you use it so sparingly. <br>
'''Franklin:''' Gentlemen, gentlemen, we are not addressing the issue at hand: The American Adventure. <br>
'''Twain:''' Frankly, I’m sick and tired about all the grousing about what’s wrong with America. We should make it fashionable again to talk about all the things that are right about this country. <br>
Franklin: I agree. The time has come to make an optimistic statement about America and her people. <br>
'''Rogers:''' Well, sir, not just about the days gone by, but about today’s world and tomorrows, too. Don’t forget, we passed from the scene a long time ago. <br>
'''Franklin:''' Mr. Rogers, I’m sure that if anyone can offer a new perspective on America’s challenges for tomorrow, we can. I may have invented these bifocals I’m wearing but I can assure you they’re not rose colored. Don’t forget, that between the three of us there is a lot of first-hand experience during the first two centuries. We were there. <br>
'''Twain:''' Two-hundred years, that’s an awful lot of ground to cover. <br>
'''Franklin:''' We can each take the period we’re the most familiar with. I should host the show right through the birth of a new nation. <br>
'''Twain:''' I can cover the growing expansion of the American frontier. <br>
'''Rogers:''' I sorta guess things have been kinda crazy in the 20th century. Changes faster than any of us could keep up. <br>
'''Twain:''' Just look around us. Decaying cities, pollution, crime. I’d rather put my crystal ball in reverse. <br>
'''Franklin:''' Now, stop that nonsense. Those good old days that everybody speaks of, they were no utopia either. Mr. Twain, those Mississippi shores you walked as a boy were also walked by slaves. And Mr. Rogers, how about the lawlessness and violence of your glorious West?…And in my time, few children lived to be adults. If I may quote you from my own Poor Richard’s Almanac: ‘The golden age never was the present age.’ Mr. Twain, if you want to go back, go right ahead, but from what I’ve seen, the 20th Century has an incredible amount of positive things that are simply taken for granted. <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>}}.
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
[[Image:AmericanAdventureimagineer.jpg|400px|thumb|Imagineers working on the Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain and Will Rogers figures]]
* Randy Bright, the American Adventure's producer, helped write the song Golden Dream. <ref name= "Korkis"/>
* There are 35 Audio Animatronics in the American Adventure.
* There are 1,024 seats in the American Adventure theater.
* Some of the Audio Animatronics in the American Adventure have wigs made of human hair <ref name= "eyes"> http://allears.net/ae/issue435.htm </ref>.
* Each wig costs $13,000 <ref name= "eyes"/>.
* The furniture in many of the scenes in the American Adventure are actually antiques<ref name= "eyes"/>.
* The American Adventure marks the first time that the Audio Animatronics voices come out of individual speakers, not the theaters main speaker system <ref name= "eyes"/>.
* Disney asked the Library of Congress for permission to recreate FDR's unique presidential seal <ref name= "eyes"/>.
* Imagineers researched old magazines to find appropriate ads to use in the Great Depression scene <ref name= "eyes"/>.
* Disney Imagineer Jeff Burke portrayed the brother who fights for the Union in the Two Brothers scene <ref name= "brothers"> http://www.ravenswood-manor.com/jeffburke.html </ref>.
* Imagineer John Olson portrayed the brother who fights for the Confederacy in the Two Brothers scene <ref name= "brothers"/>
* The farmer Spirit of Self-Reliance was based on Blaine Gibson's father. When WDI asked him to make the farmer less stoic, Gibson refused saying, "that's how I remember him" <ref> http://www.fromscreentotheme.com/FunFindFridayAmericanAdventure3.aspx </ref> <ref> https://twitter.com/BrianPMiles/status/625826938423222272 </ref>
*Walter Tyler designed the sets for The American Adventure <ref name= "Sklar"> Sklar, Marty. Dream It! Do It!: My Half-century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdoms. Disney Editions, 2013. Print. </ref>.
*The shoes for the banjo player in the Great Depression scene were found in an old condemned relief mission in Los Angeles <ref name="vid2"/>.
*The Ben Franklin animatronic has 52 different movements <Ref name="vid1"/>
==References==