Five Things to Know About the American Adventure Pavilion

Situated in the center of all the other pavilions, between Italy and Japan, the American Adventure is called the “host” pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase. It occupies a prime location, marking the halfway point for guests making the trek around World Showcase Lagoon. It also boasts a great entertainment venue, tasty barbecue, and more! Think you know all about America? Read on…

1. If the main building looks familiar, it should.

The American Adventure pavilion is unlike many of the other pavilions in the World Showcase in that there is just one main building. To help create its authentic look, the Imagineers started with handmade bricks made of Georgian clay – 110,000 of them! Then they worked their magic to make them appear to be over 200 years old. The roof consists of slate tiles, as did many of the colonial period.

If it looks a little familiar, it’s probably because it’s an amalgam of different colonial architectural influences. Disney says the 108,000-square-foot building has a little bit of “the classic Georgian style of the late 1700s, Colonial Williamsburg, Independence Hall, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and the Old State House in Boston.” All rolled into one! And by using forced perspective, the Imagineers made the building appear to be about two and a half stories high, when in actuality it’s five stories tall.

Inside is a spectacular 45-foot tall rotunda, the American Heritage Gallery, the Hall of Flags, and the 1024-seat Liberty Theater where the main attraction, “The American Adventure” is presented. One wing houses the Regal Eagle Smokehouse, while the other is home to the Art of Disney gift shop. (More about these later.) It’s no wonder that it took five years to build!

2. American History 101.

The American Adventure pavilion was among the nine original pavilions when EPCOT opened in October 1982. Early plans for EPCOT called for it to be located on the opposite side of the World Showcase Lagoon from where it sits today. It would have served as a “bridge” between what was then “Future World” and the World Showcase, emphasizing its role as “host.”

On these original plans, the design was more contemporary – even a bit futuristic. But as the thinking progressed, it was decided that instead of taking such a prominent position at center stage, it would be best if the pavilion took its place among the other nations. It still serves as a centerpiece, with the Mexico and Canada pavilions on either end of the World Showcase. (Do you think that’s a coincidence, America in the middle and Mexico/Canada at the ends? You must not know a lot about Imagineers.)

3. It has American eats!

There aren’t any Table Service restaurants in this pavilion, but the food that is there makes up for it! Especially if you love barbecue (like I do). The Quick Service Regal Eagle Smokehouse has plenty to offer. Smokehouse specialties include dry rub ribs, brisket, smoked chicken, even baked beans with burnt ends. And of course, there’s banana pudding. But – surprise! – this barbecue joint is also sensitive to guests with food allergies and preferences, unlike many I’ve been to. Disney has taken its typical care to provide options for those with common food sensitivities.

Craft beers and a very special adult lemonade round out the lunch and dinner menus. There are plenty of places to sit, and self-service soda refill stations make it a favorite of our family. A separate window outdoors hosts The Regal Eagle Smokehouse Outdoor Bar. Here you’ll find a wider selection of beers and beverages.

Two Quick Service kiosks bear a mention. No visit to the American Adventure pavilion is complete unless you have a turkey leg at the Fife & Drum Tavern. Despite its name, it’s not a tavern you can enter, but a kiosk at the pavilion. It addition to the turkey leg, you can get popcorn, a Mickey pretzel, and beverages including some with alcohol. Looking for something sweeter? You won’t want to miss the Funnel Cake kiosk. It’s not just a plain funnel cake, no sir, but funnel cakes with chocolate sauce, or ice cream, or cookies and cream – and more options. They even offer a Funnel Cake Kit to make your own specialty! It’s American cuisine at its finest!

4. There aren’t a lot of shops to pop into.

America may be called the land of opportunity, but the American Adventure is not the land of shopportunities. After all, you can buy American merch almost everywhere in the park, unlike the offerings from the other nations. And you can find all the “classic American treats” you’d like by stepping out of the park and hitting the local grocery store. Still, it does have a couple of places worth peeking at.

The Art Of Disney is set up like an art gallery. If you love Disney, this is the place to find Disney prints and artwork of all shapes and sizes. There is original art (not inexpensive, as you might guess) limited edition prints, and slightly more affordable items that can add a touch of magic to your home décor.

The other location is an outdoor kiosk near the Funnel Cake kiosk. It features Disney merch with an Americana twist: Mickey ears, tee shirts, and some patriotic items.

5. There’s world-class entertainment and an amazing attraction.

If you’ve been keeping track, you might be like … “just one building, barely any Quick Service, not much shopping … so what exactly is there to do in the American Adventure Pavilion, anyway?

The American Adventure attraction shares its name with the pavilion. This can be a bit confusing, but the show itself it absolutely remarkable. At nearly 30 air-conditioned minutes long, it’s not only a stirring recital of American history but also a great spot for a mid-day break (especially after barbecue). The animatronics are terrific, and the musical score is stirring. It’s worth finding the time in your touring day, for certain.

The pavilion is also the home of the Voices of Liberty, an a cappella group that performs in the rotunda. Their 15-minute performance includes selections of patriotic and folk songs. The singers are incredibly talented, and the rotunda provides a wonderful acoustic environment. When the Voices of Liberty aren’t performing, you can take a moment for an art tour. The Rotunda hosts a variety of art exhibitions that change fairly frequently.

More stable looks at culture and history are at the Pavilion’s museum, the American Heritage Gallery. The gallery’s exhibits – which change infrequently – focus on various historical topics. The museum is currently displaying “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art.” The exhibition centers contemporary and historic Native American art, and was created through a collaboration with the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, N.M.

Across from the main building is the America Gardens Theatre, an outdoor (but covered) venue that hosts all-star performances during EPCOT festivals. The shows are free, so seating is first come, first served. (You can buy a dinner/show package that guarantees seating, but you’ll still wait in line for those seats, too.)

Lastly, like every nation in the World Showcase, the American Adventure Pavilion has Kidcot Fun Stop for the littles, located near the Art of Disney.

The Bottom Line.

The American Adventure Pavilion is a must-see, if only for the incredible attraction it houses. Besides that, the barbecue, the free concerts in the America Gardens Theatre, and the Voices of Liberty all combine to create an air of celebration that’s infectious. And if you visit at nighttime, there are a couple of great spots for viewing the evening fireworks show, Luminous the Symphony of Us!

Have you visited the American Adventure Pavilion? What was your favorite part?