How To Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at a Disney Park

Disneyland has always been steeped in U.S. history since it first opened in 1955. As the park grew, it both continued and expanded, reflecting America’s rich and vibrant heritage in a nostalgic and idealized way.

Although not every land features such historical attributes (Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland), Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, and New Orleans Square represent different places and eras in the American landscape.

In Walt Disney World, these connections continue in the Magic Kingdom. This park has its own Main Street and Frontierland , as well as Liberty Square, a land modeled after the American colonies in the late 1700s. Not to be left out, EPCOT also features a section dedicated to American history in its World Showcase.

For those who love visiting a Disney Park and are looking for ways to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, there’s no shortage of attractions, entertainment, and dining options that are perfect for the occasion. And we’ve got your handy guide for Disneyland and Walt Disney World guests looking for a day steeped in Americana nostalgia.

 

Created especially to celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial, Soarin’ Across America is a brand-new film that showcases the diverse landscapes and landmarks that make the U.S. unique and beautiful. Like every version of this beloved attraction, passengers will feel as if they’re gliding through the air, feeling wind and mist, and smelling luscious scents, creating a sense of awe and euphoria.

In Soarin’ Across America, guests will see numerous locations, including the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, the Ozark Mountains, Denali National Park, Waikīkī, the Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign.

Soarin’ Across America debuted on May 26 at EPCOT and will open at DCA on July 2.

 

Every day, in the late afternoon before sunset, park guests can watch the Flag Retreat Ceremony at Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Something near and dear to Walt Disney’s heart, the Flag Retreat has occurred since opening day, but has changed over the years.

Initially, no formal ceremony was held, but rather a simple lowering of the flag and folding it out of tradition and necessity to keep in line with the United States flag code of conduct. However, it later evolved into a more involved ceremony where park security officers, the Disneyland Band (Main Street Philharmonic at Magic Kingdom), and the Dapper Dans all participate in the ceremony that honors active service members and veterans.

Guests and cast members who fit into that category are always asked to be part of the ceremony too, making it incredibly special. The pride and American spirit are on full display during the Flag Retreat, and it is not to be missed on a day celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

 

Since 1964, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln has moved and inspired guests with its depiction of America’s 16th President. The show runs approximately 15 minutes, begins with a film about Lincoln’s life, and ends with an audio animatronic figure of Lincoln, combining a few of his most famous speeches, including the Cooper Union Address.

The Lobby of the Main Street Opera House also features a short film about the relationship between Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas, highlighting the joint venture to end slavery during the Civil War.

The show has evolved, and the animatronic has improved over the years, but the spirit and emotions that Lincoln evokes remain the same.

 

Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary can include numerous attractions and activities, one being time spent on Main Street U.S.A. Modeled after Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, there’s a nostalgic charm and beauty to Main Street that remains unmatched.

With a slower pace, ragtime music, and turn-of-the-century architecture, time spent on Main Street brings a sense of Americana to all who take the time to enjoy it. Peruse the various shops, ride a Main Street vehicle like the Omnibus, Fire Engine, or Horse-drawn streetcar, or find a bench to relax, listen to the music, people-watch, and have a snack. Main Street U.S.A. has a beauty all its own.

 

While Main Street features numerous musical acts, no other feels like quintessential turn-of-the-century Americana more than the Dapper Dans. The four-man a cappella group delights guests with their four-part harmonies and nostalgic renditions of Disney classics and songs from or inspired by early 20th-century music.

The Dapper Dans rotation of songs can include anything from “It’s a Small World” and the 1910 standard “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” to “Lida Rose” from The Music Man. So, in honor of a bygone era and a slower-paced time in America, a viewing of a Dapper Dans show is a must-do.

 

 

 

Much like Main Street, a ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat evokes a sense of nostalgia with its slower pace and peaceful surroundings. Indeed, the authentic steamboat feels quintessentially American with its distinctive style, warm narration, and views of the Rivers of America.

Guests feel transported back in time on this 12 to 14-minute ride that offers passengers a view of New Orleans Square, Frontierland forests, and the Disneyland Railroad as it chugs by on a majestic trestle.

With the loss of the comparable Liberty Belle Boat in Magic Kingdom, the Mark Twain has become even more precious for many Disney Parks fans.

 

Another nostalgic musical experience, the Five & Dime show at Disney California Adventure features another seminal American form of music, but of a different style and era- 20th-century Jazz. Each day, the singer “Dime” and her accompanying band perform an array of upbeat songs such as “Ain’t We Got Fun,” “The Mickey Mouse Club March,“ “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “Blue Skies” on Buena Vista Street.

What’s unique about this show is that Dime arrives and leaves on a 1930s-style roadster, infusing the show with additional movement and energy. Like the Dapper Dans, guests will often walk right by these performers. However, on a day meant to celebrate America, you should take the time to jive along to the razz-matazz and toe-tapping songs that reflect some of the country’s most creative and influential music ever.

 

Located in the American Adventure Pavilion, one of EPCOT’s finest attractions is the state-of-the-art, informative, and inspiring production, the American Experience. Hailed as an epic journey that illuminates U.S. history in creative ways, this half-hour show utilizes a 72-foot screen, 35 audio animatronic figures, and rousing, patriotic music that takes guests on a fascinating tour of America’s history. Events highlighted include the Boston Tea Party, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War, the Great Depression, WWII, and the Moon Landing.

The show features notable figures including Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Frederick Douglass. The theater also impresses with a Colonial and Georgian style reminiscent of buildings like Independence Hall and Monticello.

The American Experience runs multiple times a day and gives visitors one of the most immersive U.S. history lessons they’ll ever experience.

 

Also located in the Pavilion, the American Heritage Gallery is a rotating exhibition featuring classic and contemporary American art and artifacts. The current exhibit, entitled “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art,” features Native American creations that, as the official website states, “demonstrate examples of cultural traditions that have been handed down through generations.”

The art represents seven regions across the U.S. and multiple Native American communities, past and present. Guests can peruse at their leisure and interact with several displays.

The gallery also features “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors.” This exhibit showcases over 60 oil portraits of Post 9/11 veterans and service members by President George W. Bush. Guests can see this impressive gallery of paintings through July 4.

 

Similar to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln in Disneyland, The Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom tells the tale of the Presidency through the years with audio animatronics- but it ups the ante. Unsurprisingly, as its name suggests, the show features figures of every single U.S. president. Currently, that’s 45 audio animatronics.

Along with a film about the founding and evolution of America, each President is given acknowledgment, with the most recent presidents each lending their voices for speeches. The 25-minute show remains a highlight for U.S. history aficionados.

 

Rounding out the features of the American Adventure Pavilion is one of EPCOT’s most enduring entertainment offerings. The a cappella group, the Voices of Liberty, creates exquisite harmonies that envelop every inch of the American Pavilion rotunda with patriotic and Disney classics.

The 15-minute show will vary depending on the day, but several will be perfect for celebrating the semi-quincentennial. The “Special Holiday Echo Performances” take place on July 4, Veterans Day, Presidents’ Day, and Flag Day. With stirring renditions of songs like “America the Beautiful,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and “This Land is Your Land,” the Voices of Liberty not only create beautiful harmonies but also everlasting memories for guests to cherish.

A day celebrating America’s 250th anniversary must include some good, old-fashioned American food and snacks. At any Disney Park, guests can and should indulge in staples like popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream. However, one hearty, sit-down meal must also be had.

At Disneyland, head to the Plaza Inn on Main Street. This lovely restaurant, modeled after a turn-of-the-century solarium, features scrumptious comfort food such as fried chicken, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and Cobb salad.

The Magic Kingdom also has a restaurant with a menu filled with comfort food. In this case, it’s a full Thanksgiving-style meal with turkey, pot roast, pork loin, stuffing, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, toffee cake, and apple cake served á la mode.

The Plaza Inn meals average between $16 to $22, while the Liberty Tree Tavern meal is a set price of $45 for adults and $25 for children.