The American Adventure is a pavilion located within World Showcase in Epcot. It is located between [[Italy]] and [[Japan]]. If you’re looking for the attraction housed within the pavilion see: [[The American Adventure (Attraction)]].
==Pavilion History==
Although an American pavilion was always going to be a part of [[EPCOT Center]], Imagineers were initially not sure where they wanted to place the pavilion. When EPCOT's Master Plan 5 was revealed in the 1977 Walt Disney Company Annual Report, the U.S.A The American Adventure pavilion was to be the bridge between Future World and World Showcase <ref name="progress"> http://progresscityusa.com/2010/04/20/epcot-origins-1977-master-plan-5/ </ref>. Promoted as the "gateway between the world of today and tomorrow", this version of the pavilion's first floor would have served as the walkway between the park's two sections, while the second story would have housed the American Adventure attraction<ref name="progress"/>.
[[Image:HerbAmericanAdventure.jpg|400px|thumb|An early rendering of the American Adventure pavilion by Herb Ryman]]
By 1979, plans for the U.S.A The American Adventure pavilion had changed<ref name="progress"/>. At this point, Imagineers decided to place the pavilion in the back center of World Showcase <ref name="Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?s=American+Adventure </ref>. This move served multiple purposes for the new park. First off, this was done to make sure that Disney did not give the impression that America was "elitist" and apart from the rest of the world <ref name= "Martin"/>. By placing the pavilion in the center of World Showcase, Imagineers were also able to represent the fact that America was the host to the other countries around the lagoon <ref name= "Martin"/>. Finally, putting The American pavilion Adventure in the back of World Showcase served as a "weenie" to draw guests back into the land. At the time of the pavilion's move, its basic design was also changed. As opposed to being a sleek and futuristic looking pavilion (which would have helped it blend in with Future World), the pavilion was instead given a traditional colonial design <ref name= "Jack"/>.
As the host of World Showcase, the American Adventure pavilion was built higher up than the other pavilions. Also differentiating the American Adventure, was the fact that unlike many of the other pavilions in World Showcase, the America pavilion was not designed with the goal of making people feel like they were visiting the country<ref>http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/12/the_american_adventure_part_1_1.html </ref>. Instead, Imagineers wanted to focus on the fact that America was the host of World Showcase, while also showcasing the country's history. With this goal in mind, the pavilion was named The American Adventure as opposed to the “United States”, "America" or “U.S.A” pavilion <ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/12/the_american_adventure_part_1_1.html </ref>.
Construction on The American Adventure pavilion began in early 1980 <ref name= "Martin"/>. The pavilion was designed by architect George Terpatsi, who wanted the exterior to resemble a Georgian mansion<ref name="Jack"/>. The design also took inspiration from buildings in Williamsburg, Virginia, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Old State House in Boston, and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home <ref name= "Jack"/>.
The American Adventure pavilion opened on October 1, 1982. When the pavilion opened it was sponsored by Coca-Cola and American Express <ref name= "Martin"/>, and it featured the [[American Adventure (Attraction)]], the American Gardens Theatre, Manor Gifts and the [[Liberty Inn]]. The pavilion was officially dedicated on October 11, 1982. On hand for the festivities were Disney CEO Card Walker, American Express CEO Jim Robinson, and Coca-Cola President Don Keough. At the ceremony the Voices of Liberty performed the Star Spangled Banner as doves were released <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QsXXdGhma0</ref>.
Since its opening, the American Adventure pavilion has seen a relatively few number of changes. The pavilion's attraction was updated in 1993, 1997 and again in 2018 <ref name= "Martin"/> <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/epcots-american-adventure-attraction-will-add-new-american-icons-this-month/ </ref>. Also in 1993, a small Victorian ship named the Golden Dream was docked on the pavilion's coastline <ref name= "Martin"/>. In November 1994, the American Gardens Theatre was partially enclosed for the debut of the Barbie's Birthday Party show<ref name= "Martin"/>. Original sponsor Cola-Cola ended its sponsorship in 1998, while sponsor American Express ended its sponsorship in 2002 (when Disney switched to Visa) <ref name= "Martin"/>. Finally, when the [[Liberty Inn]] initially opened , it did not have walls or windows (although it did have a roof). Subsequently, the restaurant has been altered so that it is entirely indoors <ref name= "Martin"/>.
In 2007, the quick service [[Fife and Drum Tavern]] opened in The American Adventure pavilion <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/fife-and-drum-tavern.htm </ref>. On September 27, 2014, the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Crops ceased performing in the pavilion <ref> https://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/spirit-of-america-fife-drum-corps </ref>.