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Happy Fourth of July - Which is your favorite 'American' theme park show?

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Published: July 3, 2011 at 9:01 PM
Happy Fourth of July to all our American readers! It's Independence Day in the United States, so let's honor the day with an American-themed vote.

Here are three popular theme park attractions devoted to American history. Which is your favorite?

The American Adventure at Walt Disney World's Epcot, a 30-minute review of Amertican history, hosted by animatronics of Ben Franklin and Mark Twain.

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland - The latest iteration of the original human-themed Audio-Animatronic show offers a few moments with the nation's 16th president, along with a filmed review of notable events in U.S. history.

Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom takes those great moments with Mr. Lincoln and throws in the rest of the U.S. presidents, too. Ever since Bill Clinton, the current U.S. president also gets a say in the show.


If anyone remembers Disney's long-gone American shows, including America Sings and the two Circle-Vision 360 shows, American the Beautiful and American Journeys, please share your recollections of those in the comments, too. (Or share a few thoughts about the never-built Disney's America theme park, too.)

Readers' Opinions

From cynthia henisey on July 3, 2011 at 9:18 PM
Love the Flag Retreat Ceremony at Disneyland. Such a reverent time. Do not miss it.
From 24.143.124.222 on July 3, 2011 at 10:29 PM
AA is possibly the best Disney stage show of all time.
From Manny Barron on July 3, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Hall of Presidents. That roll call at the end is good stuff.
From Tom Rigg on July 4, 2011 at 5:42 AM
Being from Virginia, it always makes me sad to think about the missed opportunity that was Disney's America. The main reason it wasn't wanted was the locality (just over an hour south of D.C.) feared traffic issues. Since that time the traffic has come any way. From what I understand about the idea it would have been more like a living history park rather than a theme park.

My vote went for the American Adventure as well. Between the amazing animatronics and the song at the end, you can't beat it.

From 98.21.197.196 on July 4, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Can I say none of these? I don't mean this as un-American (I'm proud to be an American and I believe it is important to be educated on the past)..... but when I am at an amusement park.... none of these sound like what I'd like to do with a portion of my time that I just paid like 80 bucks to get in for.

I have never seen any of these, don't care if I do. If I want to learn about history I will take a history class or go to the library (which is free.... not 80 bucks). I pay amusement parks to amuse and entertain me.

From David Sutter on July 5, 2011 at 5:05 AM
I went for American Adventure one of my favorites. As for the Disneys America in Northern Va. Everyone was behind it at the start. Then the Disney demands came into play. ANd as wanted was a portion of the Manassas Battke Field. Which as ANy native Verginnia will tell you is a big no no.
From 174.107.187.21 on July 5, 2011 at 6:53 AM
I've always loved Hall of Presidents. I agree, the rollcall at the end is great, especially when you have a new President joining the rollcall.
From Rob P on July 5, 2011 at 9:55 AM
As an "outsider" my vote doesn't really count but the American Adventure is such a good attraction I had to tick the box.
The Guide is extremely informative and makes it so interesting that the whole experience is one not to be missed. I like the animatronics as well but it's the excellent Guide that makes me return to see it on every visit to EPCOT.
From Adam Dodds on July 5, 2011 at 11:37 AM
For the person who doesn't want to see these shows. I find it strange that these high tech presentations are in your mind un-amusing as a boring history lesson. What makes these shows amazing is that it isn't just a boring history lesson. Honestly, they don't take much time out of one's day, and at least some people find them pleasant places to cool off for a bit.

They are quality shows and attractions, I think you must be afraid to watch them because of the subject matter, not because they are bad quality or truly boring. If the same technology was applied to anything else, you probably would like them.

Watching Disney and Universal movies are cheap too but you are spending 80 dollars to watch theme park presentations of them too.

From Sylvain Comeau on July 7, 2011 at 2:32 PM
I picked Adventure, but Lincoln is a close second. That is just a great AA.

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