8 Ways to Celebrate America At Walt Disney World

July 4, 2017

With Independence Day officially upon us, you can definitely feel the patriotism in the air! Did you know there are many ways that you can pay homage our Nation’s history and these amazing 50 States while making a visit to Walt Disney World? Here’s just a few of the ways that you can celebrate America during your next visit to Walt Disney World.

1. The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History – Here to make American History fun for boys and girls of all ages, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, the Great Gonzo, Sam the Eagle and James Jefferson (Liberty Square’s Town Crier) appear in Liberty Square near the Hall of Presidents several times a day to bring key moments in our nation’s early history to life from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the midnight ride of Paul Revere. You won’t want to miss this hilarious romp through some of America’s finest moments with a hefty dose of Muppet shenanigans thrown in.

2. Liberty Tree Tavern – Referencing Colonial America, this Liberty Square eatery has become a Magic Kingdom favorite for offering up tried and true American favorites. Guests can indulge in classic dishes like clam chowder and roast turkey served with traditional trimmings like stuffing, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. However, what really makes this restaurant a delightful demonstration of Disney Americana is the six dining rooms drawing their inspiration from Colonial Williamsburg and packed with Revolutionary-era furnishings. Guests will dine in one of 6 rooms commemorating important figures in US history including: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere and Betsy Ross. The waitstaff also delight visitors in their Colonial costumes. Those on the dining plan can enjoy a meal at Liberty Tree for 1 Table Service Credit. Visitors paying out of pocket should expect to pay $15.99 -$34.99 depending on the dishes. Reservations can be made 180 days in advance via My Disney Experience or by calling 407.WDW.DINE.

3. Flag Retreat – With the daily hustle and bustle at Magic Kingdom a lot of guests don’t realize that at 4:30pm each day a delightful tribute takes place to honor America as well as former and current Military Personnel. The Flag Retreat ceremony takes place at the foot of Main Street each afternoon and centers around a retiring of the colors ceremony where the American Flag, rising high above the theme park, is taken down for the evening. It is a 15 minute event that really pulls at your heart-strings. Children are selected to guide guests through the Pledge of Allegiance, the philharmonic will take you through an amazing performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” and the Dapper Dans are often on hand as well as members of the Color Guard to guide you through moving renditions of patriotic tunes such as “God Bless America.” But by far, the most emotional aspect of this daily event is the fact that the stars of the show are the veterans selected by Disney each day to take part in the ceremony.

4. Wilderness Lodge Flag Family – Speaking of flags, for this one you must actually be staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort which is in and of itself a breathtaking bit of Americana. Opened in 1994 this Deluxe Themed resort pays an amazing tribute to the grand forest lodges of the American Northwest and was based on Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. From the geyser that erupts every 20 minutes to the breathtaking 8 story wooden lobby, it’s hard not to feel imbibed with the pioneering spirit after even just a pit stop at this resort that many Disney regulars will agree just feels like “home.” So much so that each day one family is selected to be the “Flag Family” at Wilderness Lodge. This is quite the responsibility as a cast member takes you to the roof where your family has the amazing task of raising the five flags atop this massive resort. The flags are said to represent America, Florida, Walt Disney World and Wilderness Lodge. Getting chosen for this coveted role can be tricky. A good starting point would be to ask about being the Flag Family as soon as you check in to Wilderness Lodge.

5. Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour– Taking us back to the rise of the great American railroad, this delightful and often overlooked tour embarks at 7:30 each morning from Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Station. Visitors will learn about Walt’s lifelong passion for Turn-of-the-Century trains in this 3 hour tour that provides visitors with a birds-eye view of the two-story roundhouse that stores both the steam trains and monorails at Walt Disney World. Walt’s connection with trains is a connection with the American past. Whether you’re an avid Disney fan, a train enthusiast or just curious. there is much to love and see. Visitors get the inside scoop on what it’s like to run one of Disney’s four steam trains that shuttle visitors around the Magic Kingdom as well as the iconic monorails both of which and are said to transport more passengers than Amtrak. The cost of the tour is $54.00 per person. Bookings can be made at 407. WDW.TOUR.

6. The American Adventure – No trip to Epcot is complete without a stop at America’s delightful World Showcase Pavilion. Housed within the walls of this amazing colonial brick building is a 30 minute show that offers visitors a CliffNotes version of American History. Capitalizing on the same amazing animatronic technology seen at the Hall of Presidents, visitors will watch life-like representations of key figures such as Mark Twain, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as they take you through key scenes in American’s short but rich history. With rousing interpretations of characters like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., it is hard to not walk away moved by how far the United States has come. Like the Hall of Presidents, there is vast auditorium that seats large numbers of guests so wait times are typically at a minimum.

Those planning a visit however should try to co-ordinate this with one of the performance times for the Voices Of Liberty Choir. Meeting in the Rotunda of The American Adventure, this a cappella group brings patriotic music to life in a way you’ve never experienced before. Dressed in circa 1800 period costumes the 8 piece group takes visitors through moving renditions of staples such as “American the Beautiful”, “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “This Land is Your Land”. The show lasts around 15 minutes with performances happening every 45 minutes. Guests should consult My Disney Experience for a list of times during your visit.

7. Liberty Square Riverboat – Guests in Liberty Square looking to steal a quiet moment should look no further than a cruise on the Liberty Square Riverboat. This 3-tiered riverboat is a reproduction of the historic boats that shuttled guests up and down the Mississippi River. A 17 minute journey aboard the ship will take visitors on a slow and gentle journey around Tom Sawyer Island and along Magic Kingdom’s River’s of America. Visitors travel back in time to a gone-by era as they pass a Native American Village, Harper’s Mill, an Early American settlement and unique views of Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion. Steamboat enthusiasts will delight in the craftsmanship of the ship including the Pilothouse with its Captain’s Quarters, the Promenade Deck with a collection of memorabilia and the main deck where you can see the boilers and pistons that run the magnificent paddle-wheel. Ships embark regularly from Liberty Square.

8. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort- No where on Disney Property is the Great American Outdoors more celebrated than at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Hidden away in a 750 acre Cyprus and pine forest this Wilderness Outpost is not only home to rustic cabins and nearly 800 campsites but also a wide range of amazing activities that take you back to the camping trips of your childhood and to simpler time in American history where that frontiersman attitude still prevailed. There’s a wide range of activities from horseback riding to Segway tours that make it worthy of a day trip. Chip ‘n’ Dales Campfire Sing-A-Long is a free event the occurs nightly at Fort Wilderness where guests have an opportunity to sit around a campfire, make S’mores and have a bit of a hootenanny with their favorite chipmunk friends. And speaking of American history, the Dinner Show Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue is reported to be the longest running musical in America and shows diners a rip-roaring good time with a vaudeville style act during a dinner filled with classic American Favorites like fried chicken and BBQ ribs. And speaking of BBQ, it doesn’t get more American than Mickey’s Backyard BBQ. A favorite with many Disney World veterans, this all-you-can eat buffet is done in an American picnic-style theme. So pile your plates high with chicken, hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob, baked beans and watermelon and enjoy a wide range of activities from midway games, dancing, storytelling and a guest appearance from much-loved Disney Characters. Advanced dining reservations for both dining experiences is strongly recommended with Mickey’s BBQ setting visitors back anywhere from $39.00 – $59.00 and Hoop De Doo costing over $60.00 per person. Both events take 2 dining credits. Call 407.WDW.DINE to book or visit My Disney Experience.

So next time you’re at Walt Disney World, why not take time away from the thrill rides and the hustle and bustle of headlining attractions for these simpler patriotic pursuits. Enjoy that feeling of bygone era in a way that only Disney can produce.

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