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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:
Despite technical problems and changes to the show's plot, the American Adventure was completed in time for EPCOT Center’s opening day on October 1, 1982 <ref> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/epcotgrandopening.html </ref>. The show then remained unchanged until 1993, when all new Audio Animatronics were added (which featured more fluid movements) and the attraction’s Golden Dream montage was updated <ref name="Martin"/>. In 2007, the montage was once again updated <ref name=Show "Martin"/>. In January 2018, the American Adventure attraction closed for a major renovation. At this time, the attraction's films were converted to an all-digital projection system, and a new screen, as well as new speakers, were instilled<ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/epcots-american-adventure-attraction-will-add-new-american-icons-this-month/ </ref>. Furthermore, at this time, the attraction's Golden Dream montage was re-recorded and updated to include new American icons. The attraction reopened on February 14, 2018 <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/the-american-adventure/news/14feb2018-video---the-new-american-adventure-golden-dream-finale.htm </ref>. ==Attraction Plot=====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> 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 Individualism'''- A cowboy * '''Spirit of Innovation-''' A scientist * '''Spirit of Tomorrow-''' A woman holding a baby * '''Spirit of Independence-''' An American colonial solider * '''Spirit of Compassion-''' A female doctor * '''Spirit of Discovery-''' A mountain man * '''Spirit of Freedom-''' A male pilgrim * '''Spirit of Heritage-''' A Native American woman * '''Spirit of Pioneering-''' A male aviator * '''Spirit of Knowledge-''' A female teacher * '''Spirit of Self-Reliance-''' A farmer holding a shovel * '''Spirit of Adventure-''' A sailor<ref> https://www.disneydocs.net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf</ref>
===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.}}