Changes

|custom_label_2= FastPass Disney Genie +

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. InitiallyAs early as 1976, in the 1978/79 EPCOT Center there were plansfor 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>. The 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 had decided that keeping America apart from to place the rest of the countries in American pavilion within World Showcase, would seem elitist and thus . By placing the whole pavilion was moved to at the far side back center of the World Showcase promenade 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>. Rejected These discarded ideas for the American Adventure attraction included:

With a goal of creating a venue that would be “alive and moving” <ref name="vid1"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT8dbXhN1G8</ref>, Imagineers eventually came up with the idea of using creating a “Magic Theater” <ref name= "mouseplanet"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/9905/Will_Rogers_and_the_American_Adventure </ref>. The theater was designed so that it would be able to combine: Audio Animatronics, video, audio, and moving sets to tell the story of America <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. According to Bright, once Imagineers came up with the idea of the theater, writing the script for the American Adventure was much easier<ref name= "mouseplanet"/>.

In order to help set With the various scenes which were to be depicted in infrastructure and form of the American Adventureattraction now settled on, Imagineers initally wanted Randy Bright and his team set about writing the attraction to have three hostsshows script. Early on, with each host representing one Bright proposed the idea of focusing on “dreamers and doers”, an ethos that would guide the centuries that America had existed for show's development <ref name= "Korkisvid2"/>. The three men chosen to guide guests through the story of America were Benjamin Franklin (18th century), Mark Twain (19th century), and Will Rogers (20th century). Although promoted in concept art by Disney <ref> httphttps://progresscityusawww.youtube.com/page/57/ watch?v=u8WTTQzuDZge</ref>, it was eventually decided that Will Rogers would not appear as one . Bright and professor of the attraction’s hosts (although he history at UCLA D. Allen Yarnell would appear in Audio Animatronic form in meet late at night at Imagineering to work on the 20th century scene), leaving the duo show. One of Franklin and Twain as the sole narrators. This decision was made after Disney discovered theme that only 5 out of every 150 college students knew who Will Rogers they hoped to portray was the overcoming of adversity, while also not wanting to whitewashing the country's history <ref name= "mouseplanetvid2"/> and they could not come to a consensus . Bright further noted that the show focused on a replacementseries of individuals using their own words. [[Image:RandyBright.jpg|400px|thumb|American Adventure producer and show writer Randy Bright later contemplated that the events of the 20th Century were too current to properly find a representative for <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>]]

Although never seen by In order to help set the publicvarious scenes which were to be depicted in the American Adventure, Imagineers initially wanted the script attraction to have three hosts, with each host representing one of the centuries that America had existed for <ref name= "Korkis"/>. The three men chosen to guide guests through the beginning story of the American Adventure with America were Benjamin Franklin (18th century), Mark Twain (19th century), and Will Rogers (20th century). Although promoted in concept art by Disney <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/page/57/ </ref>, it was eventually decided that Will Rogers would not appear as a one of the attraction's hosts has been discovered. This version (although he would have begun with Franklinappear in Audio Animatronic form in the 20th century scene), Twain 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 who Will Rogers reflecting was <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>, and they could not come to a consensus on a replacement. Bright later contemplated that the countries’ past:events of the 20th Century were too current to properly find a representative for <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>

{{Quotation| '''Ben Franklin:''' America has been settled The soundtrack for the American Adventure attraction was carefully created by the people of all nations. We are not a narrow tribe of mencomposer Buddy Baker, no. Our blood is as the flood of the Amazonwho combined known, made up of 1period specific songs,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 with new show called tunes written specifically for the American Adventure. It also seems that we three have been asked to be the central figures in the show.attraction<brref name="vid2"/>'''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. music was then recorded by the Philadelphia Symphonic Orchestra before being mixed by engineer Bob Zalk <brref name="vid2"/>'''Will Rogers:''' Now, now, Mr. TwainIn total, you know that’s not true. <br>it took 18 months to mix the attraction'''Twain:''' Whys music, Mr. Rogerssound effects, you know truth is and narration into the most valuable thing I have. final score <brref name="vid1"/>'''Rogers:''' Well, I guess that’s why you use it so sparingly. <br> Like the attraction'''Franklin:''' Gentlemens score, gentlemen, we are not addressing the issue at hand: The artwork used in the American Adventurewas specifically curated. <br>'''Twain:''' Frankly, I’m sick and tired about all the grousing about what’s wrong with America. We should make it fashionable again Bright noted that they did not want to talk about all use "modern art" in the things that are right about this country. <br>Franklin: I agree. The time has come to make an optimistic statement about America 18th and her people. 19th century scenes <brref name="vid1"/>'''Rogers:''' Well, sir, not just about the days gone by, but about today’s world and tomorrows, too. Don’t forgetInstead, we passed Disney created new artwork that was stylized to look like it was from the scene a long time agocorrect period. <br>'''Franklin:''' Mr. Rogers, I’m sure that if anyone can offer In a new perspective on America’s challenges for tomorrowsimilar fashion, we can. I may have invented these bifocals I’m wearing but I can assure you they’re photographs and motion pictures were not rose colored. Don’t forget, that between used until the three of us there is scenes set in a lot of first-hand experience during the first two centuries. We were there. time where these technologies had been invented <brref name="vid1"/>. '''Twain:''' Two-hundred years, that’s an awful lot of ground Despite technical problems and changes 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 s plot, the American frontier. <br>'''Rogers:''' I sorta guess things have been kinda crazy Adventure was completed in the 20th century. Changes faster than any of us could keep up. time for EPCOT Center’s opening day on October 1, 1982 <brref>'''Twainhttp:''' Just look around us//thisdayindisneyhistory. Decaying cities, pollution, crimehomestead. I’d rather put my crystal ball in reversecom/epcotgrandopening. html <br/ref>'''Franklin:''' Now, stop that nonsense. Those good old days that everybody speaks ofThe show then remained unchanged until 1993, they when all new Audio Animatronics were no utopia either. Mr. Twain, those Mississippi shores you walked as a boy were also walked by slaves. And Mr. Rogers, how about added (which featured more fluid movements) and 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 attraction’s Golden Dream montage was the present ageupdated <ref name= "Martin"/>.’ Mr. Twain, if you want to go back, go right ahead, but from what I’ve seenIn 2007, the 20th Century has an incredible amount of positive things that are simply taken for granted. montage was once again updated <ref name= "mouseplanetMartin"/>}}.

Despite technical problems and changes to the shows plotIn January 2018, the American Adventure was completed in time attraction closed for EPCOT Center’s opening day on October 1a major renovation. At this time, 1982 the attraction's films were converted to an all-digital projection system, and a new screen, as well as new speakers, were instilled<ref> httphttps://thisdayindisneyhistorydisneyparks.homesteaddisney.go.com/epcotgrandopening.html blog/2018/02/epcots-american-adventure-attraction-will-add-new-american-icons-this-month/ </ref>. The show then remained unchanged until 1993Furthermore, at this time, when all new Audio Animatronics were added (which featured more fluid movements) and the attraction’s attraction's Golden Dream montage was re-recorded and updated to include new American icons. The attraction reopened on February 14, 2018 <ref name= "Martin"/>https://www. In 2007, wdwmagic.com/attractions/the montage was once again updated -american-adventure/news/14feb2018-video---the-new-american-adventure-golden-dream-finale.htm <ref name= "Martin"/ref>.

===Hall Corridor of Flags and Preshow===[[Image:AmericanAdventureStatues3.jpg|thumb|400px|The Spirits of Adventure, Self-Reliance, and Tomorrow ]]After entering the American Adventure pavilion (and listening to the Voices of Liberty Perform), guests leave the main rotunda and enter the Corridor of Flags. As visitors move the pavilion's second floor, 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 <Ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/12/the_american_adventure_part_1_1.html </ref>

After 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 <Ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/12/the_american_adventure_part_1_1.html </ref>[[Image:AmericanAdventureStatues.gif|thumb|250px|The Spirits of America statues]]Following the Hall Corridor of Flags, guests enter the main theater. In the theaterHere, 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 Self-RelianceIndependence-''' A farmer holding a shovelAn American colonial solider

* '''Spirit of HeritageCompassion-''' A Native American woman female doctor

* '''Spirit of IndependentDiscovery-''' An American patriot from the Revolutionary WarA mountain man

* '''Spirit of DiscoveryHeritage-''' A frontiersman * '''Spirit of Compassion-''' A female doctorNative American woman

The American Adventure begins in complete darkness, as guests hear the voice of Benjamin Franklin quoting John Steinbeck. As the first scene rises, guests see Franklin sitting behind a desk reading, with Mark Twain seated nearby. As Twain begins to doze off, Franklin concludes quoting his Steinbeck quote by saying:

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 himhis time. As he speaks, images of ships crossing the ocean, and then a picture of the Mayflower reaching America , are shown.

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.]]

As At the end of the first verse ends, pictures a painting of patriot soldiers at Valley Forge are is shown. At this point, two Revolutionary War soldiers and George Washington rise to the stage. The two soldiers are heard complaining commiserate about the lack of food and suppliesdifficult conditions at Valley Forge, as and the luxuriously lifestyle the British troops are living in Philadelphia. The song concludesthen continues:

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 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 Franklin:

As Douglass drifts away, the screen once again goes dark. Then, a A family getting their portrait is shown and taken in Matthew Brady's studio then rises to the stage. The two brothers are heard arguing over the merits of southern Southern succession from the Union. As their father tells them not to ruin their mother's birthday, their mother states that she is just happy that the whole family is all together. As a camera flashes (taking the families’ picture) the song “Two Brothers” begins to play.

As images showing the Civil War are shown on the screen, Two Brothers continues in the background. The song tells the story of brothers who end up fighting on opposite sides in the Civil 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.]]

As the booths descend, guests are shown dioramas which feature the latest technological achievementsadvancements. Among the inventions featured are the light bulb, trolley, moving picture, and the airplane. Following these achievements, Mark Twain observes that the country was flying into the 20th century on the wings of invention and the winds of change. Because of the changes happening in the country, Twain also observes that we America needed people like Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir to lead usit.

===Early 20th Century, WWI , and the Great Depression===[[Image:MuirRoosevelt.jpg|400px|thumb|Jon Muir and Teddy Roosevelt. Photo by Lauren Javier]] At this cue, Teddy Roosevelt and Jon Muir are shown on stage standing in a forest. The two men are discussing the need for balance between industrial progress, and conservation of the environment. Muir is eventually able to impress upon the 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 country's resources, Muir says:

Following the proposal, the rock that Roosevelt and Muir 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 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 again, this time 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 of St. Louis”. As the newscast finishes, guests hear a second newsman who tells them, that on October 29, 1929 , the stock market has crashed.

Following the news, a scene depicting a gas station in 1929 during the Great Depression appears on stage. Four men are sitting on the front porch, listening to a banjo player signing “Brother Can you Spare a Dime?”.

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. At this point in the scene , FDR appears to the left of the gas station, behind a presidential podium (with his unique seal on it). Roosevelt gives a short speech, concluding with "Let me assert my firm belief, that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” After hearing this, one of the men comments that America could use some prosperity, before they quietly listen to Will Rogers, who is now on the radio. As he continues to speak, Will Rogers can be seen on the right side of the stage, twirling his lasso and standing behind a studio microphone. Rogers says:

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 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.

'''flying high, flying high.'''<br>[[Image:AAwalt.jpg|400px|thumb|Walt Disney's image in the Golden Dream montage.]]

*Lenoard Leonard Bernstein

*Chief Dan GeorgeIron Eyes Cody

*Oprah WInfreyWinfrey*Willie NelsonBarack Obama

'''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 Richard Page Tim Davis and Siedah GarrettSophia 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>.

==Fun Facts and TriviaWill 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"/>}}.