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Liberty Square

1,613 bytes added, 15:13, 15 January 2023
/* Shopping */
==History==
The concept of Liberty Square began as an expansion idea for Disneyland known as Liberty Street. Spearheaded by Walt Disney, Liberty Street was to be a road that ran parallel to Main Street USA <Ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. The new area was to be set during the era of the Revolutionary War and it would have featured colonial architecture and a cobblestone road. In fact, some designs for the street featured 13 buildings, one representing each of the original colonies <Ref name= "hill"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2005/03/15/563.aspx </ref>. After walking down Liberty Street, guests would arrive at Liberty Square. In the square, guests would be able to see a blacksmith shop, a glassmaker, a weaver, a print shop, Paul Revere’s silversmith shop and a cabinetmaker <ref name= "mouseplanet"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/8167/The_Liberty_Street_Story_1959 </ref>.
[[Image:hauntedmansion10.jpg|400px|thumb| The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. Photo Disney|alt= Haunted Mansion Liberty Square.]]
The real draw of Disneyland's Liberty Square however, was to be Liberty Hall (also called Independence Hall in some concept art). This colonial meeting hall was to house two major attractions. The first was to be found in The Hall of The Declaration of Independence. Here, guests would see the dramatic story of America’s struggle for independence come to life. The second attraction was to be found in The Hall of American Presidents. This attraction was to be titled [[One Nation Under God]] and it would have been a presentation of “the mighty cavalcade of American History" <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. Also found in Liberty Square would be a recreation of the Liberty Bell and the Liberty Tree, complete with the 13 lanterns <ref name= "hill"/>. Although initially advertised as opening in 1959, Liberty Street would never reach fruition, as much of the company’s resources ended up being used to update Tomorrowland <ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/a-look-back-liberty-street-at-disneyland-park/ </ref>.
===Changes Since Opening Day===
[[Image:LibertyHall.jpg|400px|thumb| The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square. Photo by tcwmatt.]]
Liberty Square opened with the rest of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. Besides the aforementioned [[Hall of Presidents]], Liberty Square also opened with the [[Haunted Mansion]], the [[Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat]] (which actually opened one day later than the rest of the land) and the Mike Fink Keel Boats <ref> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/disneyworldgrandopening.html </ref>.
Unlike the many of the lands in the Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square has only had a few major changes since opening day. The first of these was the addition of the [[Richard F Irvine Riverboat]] in 1973 <ref name="dated"> http://waltdatedworld.com/id141.htm </ref>. Unfortunately, the Joe Fowler was damaged in 1980 and never returned to active duty <ref name= "dated"/>. In 1996, the Richard F. Irvine Riverboat was renamed the [[Liberty Belle ]] <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/761/Walt-Disney-World/Magic-Kingdom/Liberty-Square/Liberty-Square-Riverboat </ref>.
The next change in Liberty Square came with the closure of the [[Mike Fink Keel Boats]]. The Mike Fink Keel Boats were free floating boats based on the popular Disney television show Davy Crockett. The Keel Boats allowed guests to take off from Liberty Square and circle around [[Tom Sawyer Island]]. In 1997, one of the Disneyland Mike Fink Keel Boats capsized with guests on board. After the accident, both the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World versions of the attraction were permanently eventually closed <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id184.htm </ref>.
The only other changes to occur in Liberty Square have happened in The Hall of Presidents. In 1993 President Bill Clinton was added to the attraction and the show received a new narration which focused more on slavery and other issues of race relations then it had in the past <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id223.htm </ref>. The attraction was once again changed in 2009 with the election of Barack Obama. At this time the attraction was once more given a new narration. Another addition during the refurbishment was the inclusion of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address and a montage of Presidential speeches <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/hall-of-presidents/news/27jun2009-hall-of-presidents-offically-reopens-july-4.htm </ref>.
On October 2, 2016, [[The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History ]] opened in Liberty Square <ref name= "parks"> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/09/the-muppets-present-great-moments-in-american-history-debuts-october-2-at-magic-kingdom-park/ </ref>. The new interactive show takes place primarily above the Heritage House at various times throughout the day. The Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History, actually consists of two different shows which are performed at different times. One show features the Muppets telling guests the story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, while the second show involves the midnight ride of Paul Revere <ref name= "parks"/>. On October 6, 2019, [[The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History]] closed <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/the-muppets-present%e2%80%a6-great-moments-in-american-history/news/13sep2019-entertainment-cuts-coming-across-walt-disney-world.htm </ref>.
==Attractions==
==Past Attractions==
[[Image:MikeFink.jpg|300px|thumb| The Mike Fink Keel Boats were located in Liberty Square from 1971 until 1997]]
'''The [[Mike Fink Feel RiverboatsKeel Boats]]'''- These free floating boats allowed guests to travel the Rivers of America and go around Tom Sawyers Island before returning to Liberty Square. '''[[The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History]]'''- Performed throughout the day above the Heritage House, The Muppets Present...Great Moments in American History featured the Muppets telling guests the story of either the signing of The Declaration of Independence or the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Great Moments in American History opened on October 2, 2016 and closed on October 6, 2019.
==Restaurants==
==Shopping==
[[Image:MomentoMori.jpg|thumb|400px|Momento Mori sells Haunted Mansion merchandise in Liberty Square.|alt= Momento Mori Liberty Square]]
 
'''Heritage House'''- Located near The Hall of Presidents, the Heritage House sells America memorabilia and souvenirs.
'''Memento Mori'''- Located near the Haunted Mansion, this store sells Haunted Mansion themed merchandise.
===Former Shopping===
'''Olde World Antiques'''- This store was a one-of-a-kind antique shop located in Liberty Square. Opening in March of 1972, this shop sold unique antiques imported by Disney from Europe. Olde World Antiques closed on January 30, 1996 and incorporated into the new Ye Old Christmas Shoppe.
 
'''Mademoiuselle Lafayette's Parfumerie'''- This shop allowed guests to create their own custom perfume fragrances as well as purchase famous brand perfumes. Mlle. Lafayette's Parfumerie opened with the rest of the land in 1971 and closed in 1996. At this time the shop was combined with the Silversmith and Olde World Antiques to create Ye Old Christmas Shoppe.
 
'''Yankee Trader Gourmet Shop'''- Located near the Haunted Mansion, this store sold (sometimes unusual) cooking and serving accessories. The Yankee Trader Gourmet Shop closed on July 27, 2014.