Up next in 10
Witness the story of a nation in this definitive 4K capture of The American Adventure at EPCOT. Located in the heart of the World Showcase, this landmark production is more than just a show—it’s a technological marvel and a moving tribute to the American spirit.
Hosted by Audio-Animatronics® versions of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, this 29-minute journey takes you through pivotal moments in U.S. history. From the landing of the Mayflower and the winter at Valley Forge to the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the technological leaps of the 20th century, watch as history literally rises from the stage.
Attraction Highlights:
Innovation Under the Stage: Beneath the theater lies the "War Wagon," a massive 65-foot by 35-foot movable platform that seamlessly swaps 10 different sets during the performance.
The Hall of Flags: As you ascend to the theater, pass through a collection of 44 flags that have flown over the United States throughout its history.
Voices of Liberty: Be sure to arrive early to the rotunda to hear the incredible a cappella group perform American classics in a space designed for perfect acoustics.
"Golden Dream": Experience the powerful musical montage featuring updated icons and modern American heroes, including recent additions like Misty Copeland and the Obama family.
Current 2026 Exhibits:
While visiting the American Adventure Pavilion, don't miss Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors. This moving gallery, featuring 60 portraits of veterans painted by President George W. Bush, has had its stay extended through 2026.
Connect with the Community
The conversation doesn't end here! If you love Disney history, EPCOT's World Showcase, and the latest geek culture news, join our community:
Geeks Corner Weekly Show: Join us every Tuesday at 8:30 PM PT for our live web show. Be part of the conversation at https://GeeksCorner.live
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0:00
America
0:05
did not exist. Four centuries of work,
0:09
bloodshed, loneliness, and fear created
0:13
this land.
0:14
We built America, and the process made
0:17
us Americans. A new breed rooted in all
0:21
races, stained and tinted with all
0:23
colors, a seeming ethnic anarchy.
0:27
Then in a little time, we became more
0:30
alike than we were different. A new
0:32
society. Not great, but fitted by our
0:36
very faults for greatness. Um, excuse
0:40
me, Mr. Twain.
0:41
>> What's that?
0:42
>> Perhaps you recognize those inspiring
0:45
words from one of America's great
0:47
writers.
0:48
>> No, Dr. Franklin. I don't recall writing
0:51
anything like that.
0:52
>> Oh my, of course not. They're from the
0:55
pen of John Steinbeck back in the 20th
0:58
century. Why, it seems he has nearly the
1:01
same spirit as the founding fathers
1:04
themselves.
1:05
>> Well, listen to the proud elder
1:08
statesman,
1:09
>> Mr. Twain. Pride is one of our national
1:13
passions. Even those who overcome it are
1:16
proud of their humility.
1:18
>> Easy say now I was born modest.
1:22
Fortunately, it wore off.
1:26
>> Dr. Franklin, as our genuine American
1:29
antique,
1:31
I suppose our story begins with you.
1:34
>> Actually, it started long before even my
1:37
time.
1:38
It started when dreams and visions of a
1:41
new world were shrouded in the myths and
1:43
legends of an old world.
1:48
Finally, through those early mists of
1:51
uncertainty, sailed the first great
1:54
adventurers.
1:58
This tiny ship is the Mayflower.
2:01
Carrying pilgrims in search of their
2:03
dream, a dream of religious freedom. So,
2:08
if you'll pardon an old man's pride, for
2:11
me, this is the beginning of the
2:14
American adventure.
2:22
There's a land cross this ocean. I'm
2:25
waiting to see the land for these people
2:30
who dream to be free. So stand by me. So
2:34
the fear stones will race
2:37
with mates. Our king Neptune will face.
2:42
You think that these land lovers never
2:45
would last? This cargo of pilgrims dwell
2:49
weak before the mast. This landies
2:54
at last we've arrived. And praise be to
2:57
God. Nearly all have survived.
3:01
But a look on this wilderness
3:06
brings me to dread that the first bit of
3:11
winter
3:13
they leave evil more dead.
3:17
They call themselves pilgrims.
3:20
These poor wretched souls for the dream
3:26
to be free. In the new world they're
3:30
gone.
3:32
>> Yes. Far from welcoming the early
3:35
settlers, this land severely challenged
3:38
them. It was a struggle for survival
3:41
that gained but a tiny towhold in a vast
3:45
untamed wilderness.
3:48
In the decades that followed, a new
3:51
challenge began to emerge. We were
3:53
growing more and more apart from the
3:55
mother country.
3:57
Passion began to govern and she never
3:59
governs wisely.
4:02
>> The British think it's fools we be. If
4:05
they tax our trade, then our line be
4:07
next and soon all else we possess.
4:12
HEAR ME NOW. YOU ASK DEFENSE AGAINST THE
4:15
French and the Indians. Should you not
4:17
help pay for it?
4:20
>> PARLIAMENT'S COLONIAL POLICY IS BOTH
4:22
arbitrary and unjust. That's nonsense.
4:26
The same tea that cost you three
4:28
shillings a pound costs us six.
4:31
>> First we spoke out with our voices. Then
4:35
we spoke out with action with a growing
4:37
defiance that led to the Boston Tea
4:40
Party.
4:41
>> Hey yay. Hey yay. By royal proclamation,
4:47
His Majesty King George
4:51
by
4:52
>> Look at this. They're closing the
4:53
harbor. But surely we can work something
4:57
out. Our king feels WE'VE WRONGED HIM.
5:00
>> YOUR KING, you either we cut the TIES
5:03
WITH ENGLAND OR WE SURRENDER OUR
5:05
LIBERTY.
5:06
>> FINALLY, the time had come to speak with
5:08
one voice in a declaration of
5:11
independence.
5:14
>> Good evening, Mr. Jefferson. Have you
5:17
finished the new draft yet? Those are
5:19
new drafts all over the floor, Dr.
5:21
Franklin. It seems one stroke of this
5:24
pen brings two changes from Congress. I
5:28
told you John Adams should have written
5:29
this.
5:30
>> Oh, by his own admission. You can write
5:32
circles around him.
5:34
>> Mr. Adams has not been prisoner in this
5:37
loft for 17 days. I shall continue
5:41
tomorrow.
5:42
>> You must continue now, Thomas. It is
5:47
difficult to make 13 clocks chime at the
5:50
same time, but we must carefully justify
5:53
the separation. Dr. Franklin, while you
5:56
slept soundly through the meeting this
5:58
afternoon, we did manage to justify
6:02
separation.
6:05
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
6:09
that all men are created equal, that
6:12
they are endowed by their creator with
6:15
certain inalienable rights, that among
6:17
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit
6:21
of happiness.
6:23
And to secure these rights, government
6:30
must
6:34
get up and fight for freedom dear to the
6:37
place of the princess. Yankee volunteers
6:42
is a great delight to march and fight.
6:46
But it's getting tough, I feel.
7:01
I shall spend another night up here. At
7:05
least you got shoes, mate. There's not a
7:08
dozen left. What can say that?
7:10
>> Don't tell me, friend. Tell the good
7:13
general there. Tell him that half his
7:15
camp has got typhus, smallpox, or
7:18
dissentry.
7:19
>> And there be not a ration amongst us.
7:21
Now we can forage for hickory nuts.
7:24
>> I while the English overindulge in all
7:27
of Philadelphiaian's fine food and
7:29
drink.
7:30
>> It is a strange war we shoulder George
7:33
Washington. Congress sleeps warmly in
7:36
York.
7:37
>> And the British the British party in
7:40
Philadelphia. We freeze or starve to
7:43
death here in Valley Forge.
7:50
We wipe the cold with our feet as the
7:53
lobster back. So the time will come and
7:56
they'll be on the front. The ships will
7:59
sail. Oh, it's a great delight to watch
8:02
and fight along the trail. It's a great
8:05
delight to watch and fight along the
8:09
trail.
8:12
In the end, we the people prevailed and
8:15
achieved perhaps our greatest dream. 13
8:19
very different colonies became the
8:21
United States of America and we were
8:24
free to become an entire nation of
8:27
dreamers and doers.
8:29
>> Westward bound Dr. Franklin to new
8:31
frontiers
8:33
>> to the age of Samuel Langghorn Clemens.
8:37
Well, I like to think Mark Twain was
8:40
part of all that.
9:01
Yes, sir. Dr. Franklin, you founding
9:04
fathers gave us a pretty good start,
9:06
don't you know? We still had some things
9:10
to learn the hard way. Seems a whole
9:13
bunch of folks found out we the people
9:16
didn't yet mean all the people. Folks
9:19
like Frederick Douglas.
9:23
Even amidst the cricket song here along
9:26
Mark Twain's beloved Mississippi, I hear
9:29
the noise of chains and the crack of the
9:33
whip.
9:34
Yet there is hope.
9:38
Hope from the words of Harriet
9:41
Beerstone.
9:43
Uncle Tom's cabin has given our nation a
9:46
key which can unlock the slave prison to
9:50
millions.
9:51
Anti-slavery
9:53
is no longer a thing to be prevented. It
9:57
is grown too abundant, to be snuffed
10:01
out, like a lantern.
10:06
>> Troublemakers like Douglas got us into
10:09
this mess.
10:09
>> We only wanted freedom, not war.
10:12
>> Well, listen to my abolitionist brother.
10:16
>> What?
10:16
>> P. He's going to make a real good Philly
10:20
Yank. We got a good cause. Johnny Rib,
10:23
>> quiet both of you here. You're going to
10:25
ruin Mara's birthday.
10:27
>> No. No. Ain't nothing going to ruin
10:30
today. We're all together. That's what
10:34
counts.
10:36
Now you go ahead, Mr. Brady.
10:40
>> All right, everybody.
10:42
Hold real still now.
10:54
Two brothers on their way. Two brothers
11:00
on their way. Two brothers on their way.
11:06
One more blue and one more gray.
11:12
One more blue and one more gray. As they
11:16
marched along their way,
11:20
the five and drum began to play all on a
11:25
beautiful morning.
11:37
One was gentle, one was kind. One was
11:41
gentle, one was kind. One came home, one
11:46
stayed behind. A cannon ball don't pay
11:50
no mind.
11:54
A cannon ball don't pay no mind if
11:58
you're gentle or if you're kind.
12:04
It don't think of the folks behind.
12:07
Hold on a beautiful morning.
12:13
All on a beautiful morning.
12:21
>> At last, the terrible civil war ended.
12:24
The time had come to rebuild our
12:26
shattered nation. And a new wave of
12:30
immigrants would help us do it. From
12:32
around the world they came, these new
12:35
Americans.
12:36
A thousand noble currents, wrote German
12:39
Melville. All pouring into one. Seems
12:42
there was a new dawn coming for the
12:45
American adventure.
12:46
>> Enough.
12:49
Enough of your words.
12:51
Let your new dawn lead to the final
12:54
sunset on my people's suffering.
12:58
When I think of our condition,
13:02
my heart is heavy.
13:04
I see men of my own race treated as
13:07
outlaws or shot down like animals.
13:12
I hope that all of us may be brothers
13:15
with one country around us and one
13:19
government for all.
13:21
From where the sun now stands,
13:26
I will fight no more forever.
13:31
The wisdom of the great Chief Joseph
13:34
reminded us once again of our long,
13:36
painful journey through the frontiers of
13:39
human liberty.
13:42
Woman has shown equal devotion with man
13:46
to the cause of freedom.
13:49
TOGETHER THEY HAVE MADE THIS COUNTRY
13:53
WHAT IT IS. WE ASK JUSTICE.
13:57
We ask equality
14:00
be guaranteed
14:02
TO US AND OUR DAUGHTERS FOREVER.
14:07
WELL, here we are back in the heat of
14:10
Franklin's Philadelphia again. We're a
14:13
100red years old today.
14:16
We came a long way in that first
14:19
century, but like Susan B. Anthony,
14:22
we're still speaking out.
14:25
>> And why shouldn't we, Mr. Twe?
14:28
>> As Tom Edison says, discontent is the
14:32
first necessity of progress. Edison,
14:36
afraid I don't taste the name.
14:38
>> Edison's that young phongraph inventor.
14:41
Why, this great hall is filled with new
14:44
inventions. There's Otus Elevator. Call
14:47
us magnificent steam engines.
14:50
>> And don't forget me telephone, the true
14:53
hallmark of progress.
14:55
>> Aha! Behold the pouch.
14:59
>> That's right. Carnegie Steel built this
15:02
place. I and it'll soon build a new
15:04
concert hall for New York.
15:07
>> Oh, Carnegie Hall. Hey, it'll never
15:11
last.
15:12
Donating libraries.
15:15
Andy, that's grand ideas. It
15:17
>> is an age for grand ideas, an era for
15:21
innovation,
15:22
>> a dawn for new awareness,
15:26
>> a time to challenge the frontiers of a
15:29
new century.
15:59
Yes, sir. We soared into the 20th
16:02
century on the wings of invention and
16:05
the winds of change.
16:07
But our America, the beautiful, she was
16:10
changing, too. We needed people like
16:14
Teddy Roosevelt and an outspoken
16:16
naturalist John Mure to get our
16:19
attention.
16:21
>> Beautiful. Bully beautiful. Those falls
16:25
are magnificent.
16:26
>> I, Mr. president. But it won't last if
16:29
the timber thieves have their way.
16:32
>> John, you may be right, but the
16:33
country's growth is putting a tremendous
16:35
demand on our resources.
16:37
>> Any fool can destroy trees. Why? For
16:41
more than 3,000 years, God has cared for
16:43
our giant aquariums. Save them from
16:46
drought, disease, avalanches, and
16:49
floods. BUT HE CANNOT save them from
16:52
fools.
16:53
>> Now, John, you know I can't ask
16:55
lumbering to stop completely. All I ask
16:58
is that we stop massive destruction.
17:01
What will our children inherit?
17:03
Seedlings?
17:04
>> Of course not. I realize we're not
17:06
building this country for a generation
17:08
alone. I know we've GOT TO EXPAND OUR
17:10
PARKS.
17:11
>> THEN START IT HERE and now. Make this
17:14
valley a part of your national park.
17:18
Well, I guess we needed those national
17:22
parks. Seems the simple life of my day
17:25
was slipping away.
17:28
Ready or not, we were soon thrust into
17:30
the hectic role of a world leader and
17:33
into the war to end all wars.
18:07
More than 33 grueling non-stop hours
18:10
after his departure from New York,
18:12
Captain Charles Augustus Lindberg
18:14
successfully landed his Spirit of St.
18:16
Louis in Paris last week. Lucky Lindy's
18:18
solo flight across the Atlantic has
18:20
certainly placed him among the greatest
18:22
in a long line of American pioneers.
18:26
Today, October 29th, 1929,
18:30
Wall Street became America's greatest
18:33
wall of rubble. This stock market crash
18:36
has tarnished the golden dreams of
18:38
millions.
18:40
Once I built a tower to the sun.
18:45
Brick and rivet and lime.
18:50
Once I built a tower, now it's done,
18:56
brother. Can you spare a dime?
19:01
>> Spare a dime?
19:03
Sure. Buy four of my apples and I'll
19:06
loan you back to 10 cents.
19:09
Hey Sam, I heard tell there's New York
19:13
millionaires are selling apples, too.
19:16
>> You means ex millionaires, don't you?
19:20
>> Hey, it looks like the storm is finally
19:23
letting up. Yeah, maybe the Sunday
19:26
drivers have come out hunting for gas.
19:29
Ain't many folks pay no 18 cents a
19:32
gallon. Hey, listen, fellas. Old FDR
19:36
been in a way.
19:39
frankly and boldly.
19:42
This great nation will endure as it has
19:46
endured,
19:48
will revive, and will prosper. So, first
19:52
of all, let me assert my firm belief
19:56
that the only thing we have to fear is
20:01
fear itself.
20:03
Yes, you hope he's right, folks. to use
20:07
a little prosperity around these parts.
20:11
>> Yes, sir. Before this depression, we
20:14
sure had enjoyed special blessings.
20:17
>> But you know, to me that we was a mighty
20:21
cocky nation. We've begun to believe
20:24
that the height of civilization was an
20:26
automobile, radio, Nevada.
20:30
Of course, now we're a whole lot
20:32
smarter. Now, Congress wants to trim
20:35
down the Navy so it'll fit into the
20:38
bathtub, too.
20:40
You know, it seems to me like we're the
20:43
only nation in the world that waits till
20:46
we get into war before we start getting
20:49
ready for it.
20:52
Yesterday,
20:53
December 7th, 1941,
20:57
at night,
21:01
the United States of America was
21:03
suddenly and deliberately attacked by
21:07
evil.
21:26
Yes, that was dedicated to you.
21:30
Tens of thousands of you across the face
21:33
of America working tonight to keep our
21:36
boy in the fight. To all of you out
21:40
there, a very merry Christmas.
21:46
Well, Rosie, think you'll ever get this
21:49
old cub back in the fight?
21:51
>> We'll sure try, sailor. Hey, what did
21:54
you fellas do? Let the whole country
21:56
complete you for practice?
21:59
>> Yeah, no wonder they got us working
22:01
double shifts. Great way to celebrate
22:04
the holidays with our ties over there.
22:07
>> Cheer up, Jean. Maybe we'll all be
22:10
together by next Christmas.
22:12
America,
22:34
spread your golden wings.
22:38
Salem freedom wind cross the sky.
22:45
Rain bird
22:48
with your golden wings.
22:51
Flying high,
22:54
flying high.
22:58
America,
23:00
you must keep dreaming now. Sing the
23:05
promise now
23:07
of your
23:09
years.
23:11
America.
23:14
Keep on crying now.
23:17
Keep your spirit
23:21
facing children.
23:25
And so my fellow Americans,
23:28
ask not what your country can do for
23:31
you. Ask what you can do for your
23:34
country. My fellow citizens of the
23:37
world,
23:39
ask not what America will do for you,
23:43
but what together we can do for the
23:46
freedom of man.
23:49
>> I have a dream this afternoon that the
23:52
brotherhood of man WILL BECOME A REALITY
23:55
IN THIS day with this family.
24:03
forward
24:04
forward.
24:09
Okay, stop. We got to get down
24:14
here.
24:22
Restless one
24:24
in a world of change.
24:28
Keeping dreams alive
24:31
in the rain.
24:35
Spirit free
24:38
through the clouds of time
24:44
of time.
24:55
>> Touch the sky. Touch the sky on the
24:58
wings of change of change.
25:05
I'll rest the time.
25:07
Search for bright and dark.
25:11
inside
25:32
of
25:34
the sky.
25:48
Spre.
26:10
Well, Mr. Twain, what do you think of
26:12
our America now?
26:14
>> I think the founding fathers never
26:17
dreamed of an America like this.
26:20
>> Of course not. We weren't dreamers. We
26:23
were visionaries.
26:24
That is why our Constitution withstands
26:27
the rigors of time.
26:29
>> Easy now, Dr. Franklin. This nation's
26:32
still just a youngster, don't you know?
26:35
Why? Some countries have been around for
26:38
50 centuries. We're uh barely into a
26:41
third.
26:42
>> That's true. But look what we've
26:44
accomplished in that tiny span of time.
26:48
>> My dear doctor,
26:51
earlier you found John Steinbeck so
26:54
inspiring.
26:56
And he also sounded this warning.
26:59
We now face the danger which in the past
27:04
has been the most destructive to the
27:06
human. Success,
27:09
plenty,
27:11
comfort, and everinccreasing leisure. No
27:15
dynamic people has ever survived these
27:19
dangers. I may have invented these
27:22
bifocals I'm wearing, but I can assure
27:24
you they are not rosecoled.
27:27
Mr. Twain. The golden age never was the
27:30
present age. But with human liberty, we
27:34
can fulfill the promise and meaning of
27:36
America. To everyone a chance, believe
27:39
Thomas Wolf. To all people, regardless
27:43
of their birth, the right to live, to
27:46
work, to be themselves, and to become
27:49
whatever their visions can combine to
27:51
make them. This is the promise of
27:54
America.
27:56
Mr. Twain. It is easy to see, hard to
28:00
foresee, but I foresee the American
28:03
adventure to continue a long, long time.
28:12
You must be dreaming now. Dreaming of
28:16
promise
28:18
of your high.
28:24
Keep on flying out.
28:27
Keep your spirit freeing.
28:42
Savior.
28:58
My God.
29:18
Heat. Heat.