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The American Adventure (Attraction)

1,125 bytes added, 21:34, 8 August 2014
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image= Twainfranklin.jpg
| caption='''Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin, the hosts of host The American Adventure'''
| land=American Adventure
| duration= 28:30
| theme=American History
| type= Audio Animatronic showShow
| park= Epcot
| host= Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain
==Attraction History==
While the American Adventure attraction had always been a part of the plans for EPCOT Center, its location and design changed frequently during the park's planning. Initially, Imagineers wanted to use the American Adventure pavilion as a bridge between Future World and World Showcase. The pavilion would have been two stories tall, with the American Adventure attraction located on the building's second floor. By 1979 however, Imagineers had decided that keeping America apart from the rest of the countries in World Showcase, would seem elitist and thus the whole pavilion was moved to the far side of the World Showcase promenade.
The American Adventure attraction had always been a part of Like the plans for EPCOT CENTERpavilion itself, however it's location and design changed frequently during the park's planning. Initially, Imagineers wanted to use the American Adventure pavilion as attraction also went through a bridge between Future World and World Showcaseseries of changes. The pavilion would have been two stories tall, with When development began on the American Adventure attraction located on the building's second floor. By 1979 however, Imagineers had decided knew that keeping America apart from they wanted to tell the rest story of the countries in World ShowcaseAmerica, would seem elitistbut they were not sure how to do it. Five different attraction ideas were disregarded, and before the whole pavilion show’s final form was moved to accepted. Rejected ideas for the far side of the World Showcase promenade. American Adventure attraction included:
The American Adventure attraction similarly 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. Five different attraction ideas were disregarded, before the shows final form was accepted. Ideas that were rejected for the American Adventure attraction include:
 
* An idea, which would have made the American Adventure pavilion look like the top half of the Statue of Liberty.
* An idea for the attraction to only feature Audio Animatronics
* A ride through attraction featuring short vignettes.
* An attraction, which focused on the characters of American folklore (ie. Paul Bunyan)
Imagineers, (including show producer Randy Bright, ) eventually came up with the idea of using a Magic Theater“Magic Theater”. Imagineers The theater was designed the Magic Theater, so that it would be able to combine: Audio Animatronics, video, audio, Audio Animatronics, and moving sets to tell the story of America. According to Bright, once Imagineers came up with the idea of the theater, wring writing the script for the American Adventure was much easier.
The story that Imagineers came up with, involved Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, taking guests through In order to help set the history of America. Initiallyvarious scenes which were to be depicted in the American Adventure, Imagineers wanted the attraction to have three hosts for the pavilion, one for which each century host representing one of America’s existencethe centuries that America had existed for. In addition The three men chosen to guide guests through the story of America were Benjamin Franklin (18th century) and , Mark Twain (19th century), Imagineers initially wanted to have and Will Rogers host the attraction (20th century). Although promoted in concept art by Disney, it was eventually decided that Will Rogers would not appear as a representative from one of the attraction’s hosts (although he would appear in Audio Animatronic form in the 20th century. After finding out howeverscene), leaving the duo of Franklin and Twain as the sole narrators. This decision was made after Disney discovered that only 5 out of every 150 college students knew whom who Will Rogers was.  Although never seen by the public, they decided to stick with just the two narrators. The script for the beginning of the American Adventure with Will Rogers as a one of the third host, hosts has been discovered. This version would have featured Rogers, begun with Franklin and , Twain reflection and Rogers reflecting on America’s the countries’ past:
{{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>
'''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 tomorrow’stomorrows, 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:''' 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.}}
Despite technical problems and changes to the shows plot, Imagineers completed the American Adventure was completed on time. The show opened with the rest of the pavilion for EPCOT Center’s opening day on October 1, 1982 (EPCOT CENTER's opening day). The show then remained unchanged until 1993, when all new Audio Animatronics were added. The (which featured more fluid movements) and the attraction’s Golden Dream's montage, which features famous Americans was also updated. In 2007, the montage was once again updated, so that it now including included footage of the firefighters who raised the American flag at Ground Zero (after the September 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks).==Attraction Plot=====Hall of Flags and Preshow===
After exiting entering the American Adventure pavilion(and listening to the Voices of Liberty Perform), guests leave the main rotunda and enter the Hall of Flags. Here, 44 different flags from American history are showcased. Flags located here, include Revolutionary War era flags, Colonial flags, and even foreign flags, from the countries that first came to America. Following the Hall of Flags, guests enter the main theater. In the theater, 12 life size statues can be seen on the left and right walls. The statues represent the "Spirits of America". The statues located in the main theater areand they include:
* '''Spirit of Individualism'''- A cowboy
* '''Spirit of Adventure-''' A sailor
 
==Show Plot==
 
===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 Steinbeck 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}}
Franklin and Twain The two men then begin to banter about humility, before Twain says that the American Adventure should begin with Franklin. Franklin corrects him, saying that the story of America began even before him. As he speaks, images of ships crossing the ocean, and then a picture of the Mayflower reaching America are shown.
===New World Bound===
At this point, the attractions first song, “New World Bound” begins to play. As the songs 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:
===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 and debating what to do. Franklin informs guests that:
{{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 then 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 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 IndependenceDeclaratio. He then reads:
{{Quotation| We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
===In the Days of '76===
As Following the reading of the Declaration of Independent, scenes of the American Revolution are shown on the screen, as guests hear the traditional song In “In the Days of '7676”. The song begins:
'''♫ In the days of '76, my boys,'''
'''But it's getting tough, I fear... ♫ '''
As the first verse ends, pictures of patriot soldiers at Valley Forge are shown on the screen. The soldiers are heard complaining about the lack of food and supplies, as In the Days of '76 song concludes:
''' ♫ 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===
Following the end of the Revolutionary war, Mark Twain takes over as the show's primary host. Twain announces that following 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>
It has grown too abundant to be snuffed out, like a lantern.|Fredrick Douglas}}
As Douglas drifts away, the screen once again goes dark. Then, a family portrait is shown, as and two brothers are heard arguing over the merits of southern succession. As their father tells them not to ruin their mother's birthday, their mother tells them that she is just happy they are 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:
''' ♫ Two brothers, on their way.<br>'''
'''The fife and drum began to play<br>'''
'''all on a beautiful morning.<br>'''
[[Image:AAFamily.jpg|thumb|The family that is featured in the Two Brothers scene of the American Adventure.]]
'''One was gentle, one was kind <br>'''
'''One was gentle, one was kind <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:
{{Quotation|Enough! Enough of your words!<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 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, and the airplane. Following these achievements, Mark Twain the states observes that America the country was flying into the 20th century on the wings of invention and the winds of change, and that since we were facing these new . Because of the changeshappening in the country, Twain observes that we needed people like Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir to lead us.
===Early 20th Century, WWI and the Great Depression===
The next scene in At this cue, the American Adventure shows Teddy Roosevelt and John Jon Muir standing are shown on stage standing in a rock, debating forest. The two men are discussing the need for national parksbalance between industrial progress, and conservation of the environment. Muir is eventually able to impress upon the president President that Roosevelt needs to stop the massive destruction of America's national parks. After Roosevelt says he agrees that they need to protect the countries resources, Muir says:
{{Quotation| Then start it here and now. <br> Make this valley a part of Yosemite National Park. |John Muir.}}
As Following the proposal, the rock that Roosevelt and Muir are had been standing on, lowers into the stage, . Mark Twain then comments that that "Ready or not, we were soon thrust into the hectic role of a world leader and into the war to end all war". Following this proclamation, footage of World War I is shown, including a picture video of the Sopwith Camel, with the caption, "Another enemy airplane falls to America's gallant ace Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.” After this, the scene changes to a parade being held in honor of Charles Lindbergh. A news report is then heard, during which the newscaster tells guests that Lindbergh successfully made a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, aboard his plane, the Spirit “Spirit of St. LouisLouis”. As the newscast finishes, guests hear a second newsman who tells them, that on October 29, 1929 the stock market has crashed.
As Following the newscast finishesnews, a scene depicting a 1929 gas station in 1929 appears on stage. Four men are shown sitting on the front porch, listening to the radio. A a banjo player can be heard signing Brother “Brother Can you Spare a Dime?, singing:”.
'''♫ Once I built a tower to the sun,'''<br>
'''Brother, can you spare a dime? ♫ '''
As the song finishes, the men discuss the state of the country, joking about how thing seem millionaires in New York are selling apples just like they are. As the storm around them begins to be getting betterlet up, before the gas station owner hopefully suggests that Sunday drivers might now venture out for gas. In the middle of their conversation, one of the explains men shushes the others so that they can listen to Franklin Delanor Roosevelt has been being inauguratedon the radio.
At this point in the scene FDR then appears to the left of the gas station, behind a presidential podium(with his unique seal on it). Franklin Roosevelt gives a short speech, concluding with "Let me assert my firm belief, that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. As ” After hearing this, one of the men comments that America could use some prosperity, before they quietly listen to Will Rogers can be heard , who is now on the radio.  As he continues to speak, Will Rogers can be seen on the right side of the stage. He stands , twirling his lasso and standing behind a studio mike and microphone. Rogers says:
{{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===
As the gas station fades away, a ship yard is shown. Here Rosie the Riveter is welding a piece of a battleship. Over the radio as "I'll be Home for Christmas" is playingplays over the. 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 battleship, before another worker emerges on a lift. She says, that it's no wonder their all working double shifts of Christmas, before Rosie tells her to cheer up, and maybe they will all be together next Christmas.  As the battleship disappears, the screen turns purple and 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>
'''Facing new frontiers. ♫ '''
Some of the American's Americans shown during the Golden Dreams montage include:
[[Image:AAwalt.jpg|thumb|Walt Disney's image in the 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>
===Finale===
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>
The American Adventure features five songs, they are:
'''New World Bound'''- Played during the scene depicting the pilgrims. New “New World Bound Bound” was written by X. Atencio and Randy Bright, with music by Buddy Baker.
'''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 “Two Brothers” is played during the Civil War scene.
'''Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?'''- Written by E.Y, . Harburg, with music by Jay Gorney, Brother“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. The song is performed by Richard Page and Siedah Garrett.