🗽🇺🇸 Liberty Square – A Land of History, Heritage, and Secrets ⚰️🎩

Speaker A: 00:00:06

Welcome to the next installment of my audio guides to Walt Disney World. I am Lou Mongello, the host of WDW Radio, and next in the series is Liberty Square.

And if you've been following along since the release of Main street usa, the order might seem a little odd as you're probably wondering why not just go clockwise and order from Main Street USA to to Adventureland and then Frontierland.

But if you listen back to the Fantasyland audio tour, it's going to start to connect the dots because the story of Liberty Square, and yes, even Frontierland, starts in Fantasyland and transitions through time and geography directly into Liberty Square. I promise this will all make sense once you listen again.

when it was recorded back in: 2010

Tom Sawyer island and the rivers of America are about to give way to a new land, metaphorically and physically as literal new land is going to be built as we welcome in the cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom, which is.

Speaker B: 00:01:21

Going to replace the rivers of America.

Speaker A: 00:01:23

And Tom Sor island with fully eliminating the waterway. So this will change the stories of Liberty Square and Frontierland in new dramatic and for many people, welcome ways.

But as with any change like this, we're also going to lose some of the beloved classic stories and places as well.

As I was getting ready to release this, I was thinking back and one of the things that I personally remember about recording this guide was just how much I learned about real American history here.

And I don't think there is anywhere else in Walt Disney World, certainly not Magic Kingdom, where so much important and authentic history comes to life. There was even a time way back when when colonial American characters roamed the streets, marched in a parade and recruited young guests to join in.

And there are other extinct experiences here, including a shop that sold liter one of a kind items.

But of course we can't leave out the Haunted Mansion and its very interesting history that began not here in Walt Disney World, but with Walt in Disneyland. I hope you enjoy and learn something from this tour of a land that is truly unique as it doesn't exist in any other park around the world.

And next time you visit, I hope that it brings new joy, appreciation and understanding. And who knows, you might even learn and hopefully share with others something new.

And if you enjoy this podcast and these tours, I invite you to also subscribe to my WWRADIO podcast, which for more than 20 years I have been sharing the secrets, history, magic, fun facts, interviews, top tens, reviews and much more every week on the show.

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Speaker B: 00:03:40

And if you are a business school.

Speaker A: 00:03:42

Or event organizer looking for a keynote speaker who can educate, inspire and maybe even entertain, I'd love to be part of your next event. I can speak on Lessons from Disney about leadership, customer service and experience, storytelling, community and entrepreneurship.

And if you're a creator or entrepreneur looking for coaching resources or live events to help you turn what you love into what you do, Please visit Lou mangello.com I'd love to connect, collaborate and create something amazing together. But for now, sit back, relax and I hope you enjoy this audio walking tour of Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom.

Speaker B: 00:04:28

Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom may be a land that is small in size, but arguably is one of the most replete with little details and significance in design and architecture. It is a land that is less about fantasy and more about reality, based in American history, both real and imagined.

Yet Liberty Square is also underappreciated because most Disney guests, while dashing quickly over to the Haunted Mansion, do not see or recognize the stories and miss many of the wonderful bits of history and trivia that abound in this small corner of the Magic Kingdom. Liberty Square is unique to Walt Disney World as no other Disney park anywhere in the world has a version of its own.

In: 1971

gs was built at Disneyland in: 1974

Walt had a great love and fascination for American history and often had impromptu discussions around the dinner table at home with his family, where he read aloud parts of the Constitution.

through to his work. As in a: 1957

I believe in emphasizing the story of what made America great and what will keep it great. Walt also once said in describing his plans for Disneyland's Frontierland, all of us have cause to be proud of our country's history.

to incorporate the spirit of: 1776

the opening of Disneyland in: 1955

The street would end in a cul de sac where there would be colonial buildings featuring an attraction that would have a film, a dramatically lighted tableau, and audio animatronic representations of the presidents of the United States.

We'll talk more about that attraction when we visit the hall of Presidents here in Liberty Square and why it took nearly 15 years for it to become a reality. Wandering through Liberty Square, you will see that it blends the quiet, civilized atmosphere of the early American cities and the Atlantic seacoast.

The recreated colonial architecture includes Dutch New Amsterdam designs of the Hudson River Valley at the entrance of the land, as well as over by the haunted mansion, the Georgian style of Williamsburg, Virginia as observed at e old Christmas Shop, and the Federal style of Philadelphia for the exterior of the hall of Presidents near the Columbia Harbor House. This waterfront port has a clearly evident New England characteristic.

We're going to discover and closely explore all of this wonderful historical detail and more as we make our virtual journey back in time.

Many guests begin their journey through Liberty Square from the central hub of the Magic Kingdom, and there they are welcomed by a very distinctive entrance to this land.

rty protest which occurred in: 1773

Past this entryway stirs a new nation waiting to be born. Thirteen separate colonies have banded together to declare their independence from the bonds of tyranny.

It is a time when silversmiths put away their tools and march to the drums of a revolution. A time when gentlemen planters leave their farms to become generals. A time when tradesmen leave the safety of home to become heroes.

Welcome to Liberty Square.

We can see that if we walk past the detailed guard shack, complete with rifle at the ready, we would cross over the wooden timbers of the Liberty Bridge.

Like much of what we'll see in Liberty Square, the original bridge that opened with the park was inspired by a real location, the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts, the historical site of the first day battle of the Revolutionary War.

Crossing over, we arrive in Sleepy Hollow and encounter on our right a New York Dutch version of a colonial gabled house and an allusion to one of the very first truly American writers who also achieved literary recognition in Europe, Washington Irving.

Irving was the first writer to author short stories with American settings and characters like Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, as well as a biography of George Washington.

The sign and menu board for Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, which offers traditional funnel cakes and other snacks, bears the silhouette of his legendary Headless Horseman character. In fact, the stepped roof line of the stand on our right was actually inspired by Irving's real life home known as Sunnyside in the Hudson Valley.

However, this is not how or where the true story of Liberty Square really starts. That's why we will begin over in Fantasyland.

As you may recall from the Fantasyland Audio guide, we concluded at the passageway leading to Liberty Square, ready for the next part of our journey. Now we begin around the corner from Peter Pan's flight near the Columbia Harbor House.

Fantasyland is clearly based heavily on classic Disney characters and films, many of which came from Europe. Snow White from Germany, Pinocchio from Italy, and from England, Peter Pan, the attraction that is located closest to this passageway. Why?

Because it is from England that the first American colonists came after a harrowing trip across the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, we are about to make that same journey through time from medieval Europe and across the ocean to the New World.

And we can see that we must be at the harbor getting ready to board our ship, because here is the Columbia Harbor House that straddles both Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

Looking at the sign hanging by the exit doorway, as you cannot enter the restaurant from Fantasyland, you notice that it's made up of a golden chicken atop a fish hanging from the beak of an eagle.

As we are still in the old World where many people are unable to Read or write the sign for the restaurant needs to let people know what may be served inside. Thus the images of the fish and fowl.

When the restaurant opened in: 1972

Below these icons on the Fantasyland sign hangs a small oval red sign which bears the restaurant's full name, with the image of a bald eagle with its wings spread. Keep in mind not just the eagle, but but the sign itself as we look for the restaurant's signage once we cross over into the new World.

In front of us now stands the covered passageway to Liberty Square. The imagineers who built the Magic Kingdom referred to these passageways as portals, an entrance to a different story or world.

We've seen in other lands how the portals are often fairly evident and impressive, while other portals are more subtle.

For example, since there is no direct entrance to Frontierland from the Hub, the connections to Fantasyland through Liberty Square and from Frontierland to Adventureland are covered portals so as not to disrupt or confuse the story.

story of America from the mid-: 1700

Meaning there is no need for a portal to separate Liberty Square and Frontierland.

As we begin to walk through the passageway to Liberty Square from Fantasyland and close the story of the old world of Fantasyland and enter the new world of early America. Notice how the background music changes from German folk songs to colonial era fife and drums to further support the transition.

And because this is analogous to a scene change in a movie, the portal itself darkens as you enter, much as a scene change would fade out and fade in on the Liberty Square side of the portal, it's even more difficult to see any part of Fantasyland behind us, just as when we entered Main Street USA from the park entrance there, the train station blocked any sight of the turnstiles and everything else that wasn't part of the Main street story. While here, the upper level of the Columbia Harbor House building provides the same result.

Looking back towards Fantasyland, instead of seeing the red brickwork that's prevalent throughout Liberty Square, you instead see subtle elements of Fantasyland design and architecture, making the transition between lands seamless and sensible. Let's Take another look at the Columbia Harbor House.

The Columbia, known as the Gem of the Ocean, was the first American sailing ship to circumnavigate the globe.

You might also recognize the subtle tribute to the sailing ship on the rivers of America at Disneyland, also named Columbia as part of the Walt Disney World story in which we are immersed, a ship has deposited us here in a harbor in the New England area and at the very beginning of what would become the United States of America.

Now, when we look at the restaurant's sign on this side of the passageway, we notice that the word harbor has an additional U for a more traditional English spelling. And instead of the chicken and fish, there's an eagle on the sign.

But don't worry, because here that doesn't mean that this counter service dining location serves up our national bird as a culinary treat. The eagle is now symbolic to represent the United States itself.

In fact, if you look at the back of a $1 bill, you will see the exact same image of the eagle, except for one important change. Look closely at the claws. The set of arrows are in the opposite claw on the $1 bill.

The olive branch is in the dominant claw to represent a country at peace. On the restaurant sign, the arrows are in the dominant claw to represent a country at war, the Revolutionary War.

type atmosphere of the early: 1800

From a replica of the Columbia's figurehead to marine knots, ship models and signs advertising passage from the harbor, it evokes a sense of an 18th century seaport meeting place. As harbor houses were taverns where sailors could eat and sleep in between their journeys, much like a real harbor house would have.

d rooms where, According to a: 1974

The dining hall is divided into two floors with numerous rooms with names such as the Cape Cod Room, New London Room, Chesapeake Bay Room, and Long Island Room, all ports on the east coast of the New World.

And like its many ports, the restaurant itself interestingly has five separate entrances and exits or ports across the two lands of Fantasyland and Liberty Square. And oh yes, the Columbia Harbor House does serve chicken and fish as well as, appropriately enough, New England clam chowder.

Before we explore the rest of this colonial town, there's something troubling behind us and no it's not the Yankee Trader shop.

A fixture here since the park's opening, it was originally known as the Yankee Peddler Gourmet Culinary Aids when the Magic Kingdom opened and sold unusual cooking and serving accessories along with a selection of exotic spices. The store was later renamed the Yankee Trader and is currently sponsored by Smucker's, the Jelly & Jam Co.

Which the store currently sells alongside the kitchen utensils which the store has specialized in since it opened and the types of items you might find in a colonial era shop like this. What is troubling is just up the hill in the distance, separated from the rest of the town, is a forbidding looking old house.

As we approach the iron gates of the estate, we see a clapboard carriage house to the left, inside which hangs horseshoes, bridles and lanterns for what must be a horse and carriage somewhere nearby. But the horseshoes hang upside down, meaning all the luck has run out, which certainly can't be a good thing.

ed the rivers of America from: 1971

Mississippi river in the late: 1700

during two appearances in the: 1955

Appropriate to this era, keelboats were used by many American settlers heading out west.

An opening day B ticket attraction here in Liberty Square, the Mike Fink keelboats consisted of two squat, oddly shaped boats, the Gullywumper and the Bertha May, which took guests on a leisurely cruise around the rivers of America. The powered boats had a cabin in the middle with a ladder at the stern leading to a second deck where guests could sit.

The voyage around Tom Sawyer island was narrated by a cast member dressed in appropriate Davy Crockett style attire, often with a little bit of humor mixed in with the Southern drawl.

For Added effect, unlike the Liberty Belle riverboat, these boats were not guided by a track or rail and instead were able to move about 4 freely on the water.

Around: 1998

Just outside the carriage house, embedded in the pavement was is a large circle of stones overlooked by most guests and a mystery to others. The cobblestones once encircled a stone well with shingled roof that sat in front of the mansion's gates, but was removed some time ago.

Civil War and was used in the: 1965

to the Haunted mansion, to a: 1965

For example, why are we hearing an eerily howling animal in the distance? And what is it howling at? And that black wreath hanging on the front door doesn't just indicate a lack of maintenance during this time period.

It would be hungry to let unsuspecting visitors know that there was a serious illness or death within the house and to enter only at your own risk. Before we step inside, let's take a look at a very brief history of the mansion.

Since both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion attractions open less than two years from each other. When the interior was being fabricated on the west coast for Disneyland, a duplicate was made at the same time and shipped to the East Coast.

Walt Disney World In April of: 1971

So it was decided that to include it in Liberty Square and connect it into the mythology of the still to this day mysterious Hudson River Valley that was the setting for the spooky story of the Headless Horseman.

The design of Disneyland's antebellum mansion, located in New Orleans Square, wouldn't fit into a pre Revolutionary War colonial Northeast So a new architectural style needed to be adapted as well.

ker Mansion that was built in: 1874

The exterior of the house reflects the strong Gothic style of pre Revolutionary War New York's lower Hudson Valley, including arches thrusting upward into the sky, large stone foundations and cornerstones, and the stone and brickwork common to the English Tudor style.

It's what is known as perpendicular style with strong vertical lines which makes the mansion seem to tower over the guests and thus even more intimidating. The imagineers wanted to warn guests that this might be an attraction too scary for small children before they decide to stand in line.

Imagineer Herb Ryman's first sketch of a manor house looked much less threatening. So imagineer Claude Coates played with some of the elements and resulted in those coffin shapes by the front door.

A bat rather than a sailing ship on the weather vane. And if you look very closely, you may be surprised to see that those flower planters are actually cremation urns.

Wandering through the queue, one might wonder what the attraction could have been had one of the various early concepts for Walt Disney's haunted house come to pass.

house dates back to the early: 1950

Each varied in theme and in tone and some even considered a walkthrough version, a storyline that would have featured Ichabod Crane's fateful encounter with the Headless Horseman and a possible museum of the weird. Each of the tombstones here in the graveyard is a witty homage to some of the imagineers who worked on the attraction.

And among them also lies some wonderful details and urban legends. Lets look at one of these tombstones in particular. Master Gracie laid to rest. No mourning please. At his request.

Master Gracie's tombstone was a reference to Yale Gracie, the special effects genius at imagineering known as the Merlin of Wed.

However, at the time period of the haunted Mansion, the term master didn't mean the master of the house, but instead referred to a young boy not old enough to be called Mr. Yale. Gracie always had a boyish fascination with magic and gadgets.

In fact, the Pepper's ghost illusion used in the attraction was discovered by Yale in his frequently read and beloved childhood book the Boy Mechanic, published by Popular Mechanics at the beginning of the 20th century for young boys to experiment with all sorts of projects. Other tombstones include a reference to Grandpa Mark.

Mark Davis, a legendary designer and artist for Disney, was responsible for almost all of the concept art for the Haunted Mansion, including many of the humorous characters and scenes. Waffle R.

Bender's headstone pays tribute to someone who is often referring referred to as the father of audio animatronics, Watho Rogers, who also helped program many of the figures in the mansion.

In the Mansion during the graveyard scene, observant guests will also find that other imagineers, such as Fred Yerger and Harriet Burns are honored with tombstones as well. Only this time their last names are jumble. So Harriet Burns stone reads H Surunba S R U N B are the mixed up letters of her last name Burns.

to the family plot, added in: 2002

She was a costumer and model maker at WED whose face was used as the model for the head in the crystal ball for the seance scene, and so the character was named Madame Leota in her honor. Her voice and face were also used as little Leota at the end of the ride, encouraging us to hurry back.

The voice of Madame Leota summoning the spirits in the seance scene, however, is not that of Leota Toombs. Here, Madame Leota's voice was performed by Eleanor Audley.

You may not recognize the name, but if you've ever seen the Disney animated classics Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, you'll recognize her distinctive voice as that of Maleficent and Lady Tremaine. And oh yes, keep your eyes on the headstone outside for a little surprise.

It opens its eyes every so often to see who's coming over, then closes them again in silent vigilance.

By the way, before we step inside, did you notice that as we walked up the hill and entered the curve of the queue that we can no longer see Liberty Square?

In keeping with the theming of the story and attraction, we've become much more isolated from the rest of the town, adding to the ominous nature of the home.

Inside the mansion, we could literally spend hours wandering these ghostly halls discussing the history story and incredible details Disney's imagineers put into this mysterious Home. But for now, explore some of the more overlooked and hidden secrets of the manor just a little bit.

For example, the ballroom scene is one of the most well known and beloved in the Disney parks. And the dancing ghosts are still one of the most impressive special effects to this day. And the simplest.

an old magician's trick from: 1862

Using special lighting techniques, the ghosts can be made to appear or disappear. But here's a little secret you might not have noticed.

It seems that when designing the ghost animatronic figures for the attractions, the imagineers forgot that what the guests would see would be the mirror image of them. So if you pay close attention, you'll see that the ladies are actually leading the men. Then again, maybe that's how they do things in the afterlife.

But no matter, as this scene shows us that not only are the ghosts that inhabit the mansion friendly, but the afterlife may be one big party after all. And speaking of ghosts in the ballroom scene, have you ever noticed that this is the first time in the attraction that you actually see a ghost?

Wonder why? That's because it took the conjuring of Madame Leota in the seance room just prior to the ballroom scene to summon the spirits.

And pay very close attention to. Because the first time the ghost can see you is after you fall out of the attic, presumably not to survive.

Or maybe you were pushed by Constance the bride. You decide. Oh, and as long as we're still here in the ballroom, do you see the magnificent pipe organ just before you leave the room?

is an original prop from the: 1954

Now, we could spend hours upon hours telling the stories about the mansion, but we need to get back to Liberty Square. However, let's make a short stop at the end of the attraction.

First, as you exit your dune buggy and make your way outside, look to your right for a door in the hallway. On it, you'll see a sign that says servants Quarters.

This door leads to an area that most guests will never see, but is also filled with wonderful details.

Inside this corridor, lit by sconces in the shapes of arms holding torches, are keys hung on a rack to the various rooms in the mansion, they're labeled with familiar names like the Stretching Room, Endless Hallway, Conservatory Corridor Doors, Seance Circle and Attic.

On the opposing wall is a row of bells which the homeowners would ring in their rooms to summon the maids and butlers who are now the only living caretakers of the mansion.

And like the tombstones near the side entrance to the mansion, these also pay tribute to some of Disney's legendary imagineers who worked on the attraction. Making our way outside to our left is a mausoleum, something that doesn't exist over in Disneyland.

Some of the 999 happy haunts are interred here and each has a pun name like I am a Spook Manifestation. Oui G Board and Hal Lucination. Although some famous murderers such as Bluebeard are also acknowledged here as well.

ly refurbished refurbished in: 2007

Constance the Bride in the Attic spent her life marrying wealthy men and then chopping off their heads to collect their fortunes in sickness and in wealth. As she says in the Wedding Vow, if you listen carefully enough. In the attic scene, just beyond the mansion is a pet cemetery.

he idea for Disneyland in the: 1980

losed in Walt Disney World in: 1998

Daly and sold in the parks in: 2004

Lets move back down the hill and return to the town of Liberty Square, past Madame Leota's merchandise cart, complete with Haunted Mansion souvenirs and tools of her trade as a psychic medium. See if you can spot the horn that may be the one that's used to summon the spirits in the seance room when she beckons.

Ghost, fens and furies old friend to new, blow on a horn so we'll know that it's you.

Now that we are safely back at the Columbia Harbor House, let's walk around the corner and Take a tour of the village and let's start by first looking at a small detail often overlooked by passing guests along the banks of the rivers of America.

Nestled under a large oak tree by the mansion's carriage house stands a cache of cannonballs and two cannons aimed towards the shore, standing at the ready to defend the town from the attacking British troops.

This clearly foreshadows much of the focus of Liberty the colonists taking up arms and fighting the Revolutionary War and the eventual birth of a nation.

Throughout Liberty Square, large buildings are broken into several smaller facades to give the impression of a diverse community comprised of many businesses and residences. Just like on Main street, usa.

And like everything you see in Walt Disney World, it also tells a story, a story of the westward expansion of America east of the Mississippi River.

Notice, as you browse the facades, how each home and building tells a different story as the details and subtle architectural changes individualize each of them. In fact, notice how each house has different colors and different door handles to establish an individual personality.

For example, you'll see the one home with its kettle ready to boil a soup or stew with freshly cut bricks of lye soap on a barrel nearby, while another family's daughter has left her small doll peering out of the window, possibly keeping a watchful eye out for her father, who has gone off preparing for a revolution.

On the porches and stoops, look for the iron boot scrapers by the doors, allowing a husband to clean the mud and dirt off of his boots before entering the home. And keep your eye out for another boot scraper later on in our tour, this time inside of a building.

become common until the late: 1880

Until that time, any type of sewage or garbage would was tossed out the windows into the gutter.

For that reason, the British sloped their city roads inward so that the gutter ran down the middle of the street instead of angling them to the sides of the street where the people walked.

Here in Liberty Square, that gutter is represented by the flowing strip of brown pavement that runs down the middle of the street towards Frontierland, and no one seems to worry about stepping right in it. So I guess that's one of the advantages of not knowing the story behind everything you encounter.

Now, let's look closely at the windows of the buildings here in Liberty Square, as this affords us an opportunity to examine one of the often overlooked details that are the hallmark of Disney's imagineers. Notice how many of the shutters on the windows are angled.

This isn't an oversight, but deliberately designed to reflect that during this time, metal was scarce and England certainly wouldn't sell ammunition or weapons to the colonists. So the colonists would remove the metal hinges from the shutters of their homes and melt them down into musket balls.

They would replace the hinges with leather ties that would stretch over time due to the weight of the shutters and eventually cause them to hang at an angle. Disney's hinges are made of metal, but have the look and texture of leather hinges to preserve the integrity of the story.

Look at some of the upper windows and you may see other details and items that help reinforce the Liberty Square story and its ties to American history.

,: 1775

This portion of the building is designed to resemble the Capitol building in Williamsburg, Virginia, where the House of Burgesses, the Virginia colonial legislature, met during the years that led up to the Revolutionary War.

In another nearby window, there's a musket at the ready to represent the minutemen who had to be able to grab their rifle and assemble in a minute's time and were among the first people to fight in the American Revolution. They, along with Sons of Liberty member Paul Revere, also helped spread the news that the British regulars or redcoats, were approaching.

One item that has puzzled many guests is the hand in hand firemark high in the left corner of that same building where it meets the Columbia Harbor House.

ncluding Benjamin Franklin in: 1752

If your house was insured, the fire brigade would attempt to put out the fire. If not, they would simply watch your home burn.

Look by the side of the individual doors here in Liberty Square to see if you can find which houses are insured. As with all of the Disney parks, the background music plays a critical role in setting the stage and telling the story. Here in Liberty Square.

That music is even more important, as it was one that served to define a people who helped create a new nation.

Much of the music that was heard and played in colonial times was not so Much written in America before the Revolution, as it was music that was brought here from England and other parts of Europe. The music included ballads, dance tunes, folk songs and minuets, and evolved as its people did.

Many songs were often adapted to be used as everything from a theater song to a dance tune to a military march. Violins were the most popular instruments as men of all classes, including Thomas Jefferson, played violins or fiddles.

Fifes, recorders, brass instruments and flutes were also prevalent in colonial music and can be heard in the many familiar themes played throughout Liberty Square, such as Yankee Doodle Dandy, the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Shenandoah, as well as political marches such as Hail to the Chief.

And true to its quest for absolute authenticity, the music that could be heard throughout the land was recorded using only instruments that were available during the colonial period. Continuing on our journey, we've made our way to the hall of Presidents.

The hall is modeled in part on Independence hall in Philadelphia, as well as other Federal style civic buildings in Philadelphia.

At the time when Walt Disney World first opened, the original hall of Presidents had a flat brick facade with three archways leading into the rotunda. Within just two years of opening, the current white veranda, breezeway and covered queue were added to the facade.

The number: 1787

It also lets us know what year we are in now, and it's a concept that's going to be repeated on some of the buildings we will encounter over in Frontierland. In keeping with the theme of colonial America, there's a flag with only 13 stars flying above the structure.

Nearly 15 years of work went into the hall of Presidents, and imagineers spent two years creating the figures alone. However, the hall of Presidents was not an innovative new idea as Walt thought of it nearly a decade and a half earlier.

Walt Disney was concerned that many Americans, especially children, failed to fully appreciate the significance of their patriotic heritage.

The: 1957

Running parallel to Main street behind the buildings on the right hand side, the street was to be an architectural mixture of several American cities as they existed during the Revolutionary War era. In the Liberty Square there would be an Independence hall with a constantly tolling Liberty Bell.

There would also be a scale model of the Capitol Building which will later be used in the pre show of the Walt Disney Story at Disneyland. There'd also be two major attractions in the building, the hall of the Declaration of Independence and the hall of Presidents of the United States.

A large common foyer for these shows would have painted dioramas depicting famous scenes from the Revolutionary War period.

The hall of the Declaration of Independence was designed to present the dramatic story of the birth of the United States through three scenes based on three famous paintings depicting the event.

It would feature sculpted life size human figures in costume, moving realistically but in a severely limited fashion, with lighting hiding many of the flaws. Dramatic narration would assist audiences in understanding the three tableaux.

Across from that attraction would be the hall of Presidents of the United States with life size sculpted costume figures pretty much in silhouette, except for the main figure which was not going to be Abraham Lincoln, but George Washington.

That show was called One Nation Under God and narrations of the trials, decisions and formation of America's heritage were to be complemented by excerpts from presidential speeches and dramatic music.

by: 1957

Obviously, the technology didn't exist for these grand plans of Walt and at the time it was decided instead to invest the funds in the updating of Tomorrowland with the creation of the Matterhorn submarine voyage and the monorail. It wasn't until the opening day of Walt Disney World that Walt's dream finally was realized.

The hall of Presidents is much more than just an expansion of the Great Moments with Mr.

Lincoln show at Disneyland, which is really a much more intimate experience than this spectacular dramatization of the United States and its chief executives.

When the hall first opened in: 1971

The original hall of Presidents film was narrated by Lawrence Dobkin with Paul Fries the voice of your ghost hoes in the Haunted Mansion performing many of the other voices, including George Washington, Stephen Douglas and Governor Mifflin.

When the attraction opened, it required an E ticket evidencing how popular the show was, especially with the nation's bicentennial just a few years away. Other than the additions of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush to the roll call.

The show that debuted in: 1971

In June of: 1993

More importantly, for the first for the first time ever, then President Bill Clinton delivered a speech in his own voice, a tradition that carries on to this day.

Today, Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman narrates the reimagineered story for which imagineers comb through the National Archives, Library of Congress museums and private collections to acquire more than 130 new images.

Ultimately woven into the show and true to Walt Disney's vision to immerse guests in a compelling three dimensional story, the hall of Presidents features the audio animatronic appearance of every United States president.

action, which first opened in: 1971

,: 2009

The cavalcade of US History that Walt Disney originally envisioned remains key to the current 25 minute show.

Created with the assistance of Pulitzer Prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, the show now tells a moving story of the bond between the Presidents and We the People, focusing on the chief executives who have guided America through trying turbulent times. Seven presidents have been added to the hall since the attraction opened during the presidency of Richard Nixon.

The figure of current President Barack Obama is not only the latest addition, but is also the most dynamic figure Disney has ever created.

As Disney Imagineers worked closely with the White House staff to create realistic clothing and accessories worn by the Obama figure in the show, right down to his lapel pin and watch. Extensive research and painstaking skills are woven into all the President's wardrobes.

Designed by Disney artists and created in cloth by skilled Hollywood tailors, the veteran designers meticulously hand tailored each costume, reproducing not only the style of suit worn by each president, but also the sewing techniques and styles of cutting and stitching that were in vogue during each period in history. Some fabrics had to be specially woven for the purpose of creating authentic material.

Jewelry, shoes, hair texture are all recreated as accurately as possible. Imagineers did careful research, using paintings, diaries, newspapers, and government archives to find the information that they needed.

There's even a polio brace under FDR's pant leg so that the fold of the cloth falls differently than some of the other presidents.

Remember that each audio Animatronics figure needs at least two sets of clothes so that one could be washed and repaired while the other is in the show. White House staffs of all the presidents since Lyndon Johnson have provided key input to accomplish this level of authenticity.

arter figure was built in the: 1970

Imagineer Marty Skll remembered that when she came to see the show, she said, oh my goodness, who gave you that terrible suit? I'll get you another one. And she did. Walt Disney World's creative designers consulted with George W.

Bush's stylist to make sure they mixed the proper amount of dye to get his hair coloring just right.

And the flag pin he wears is a replica of the one that Bush wore in his post September 11th speech when he urged the nation to return to normal with the words go to Disney World. And beyond. The presidents themselves, even the stage props, required similar attention to detail and authenticity.

of his country sat during the: 1787

athers did two years later in: 1989

cation of the Constitution in: 1789

So be sure and explore and enjoy all of the wonderful presidential portraits and artifacts from past presidents, including Bill Clinton's saxophone, Lincoln's inkwell used during the writing of his inaugural address, and numerous other mementos from the presidents and first ladies.

Stepping outside the building and located across from the Hall's exit is the Heritage House, an historical research center and store filled with patriotic merchandise, from flags to books to historical replicas.

Early in its history, the shop also sold a variety of authentic reproductions of pewter, candlesticks and plates, souvenir spoons, wrought iron trinkets, and even busts of the presidents.

Most notable were the handcrafted dolls from a Poughkeepsie, New York, doll maker, who dressed them as characters from early American life, such as chimney sweeps, peddlers, pottery makers, and even a soap fat man carrying a tub of rendered fat known as tallow. From yesterday to today, it remains a great place to pick up a souvenir of a visit to the founding of America.

ginal bell in Philadelphia in: 1753

In: 1987

the bell in Liberty Square in: 1989

original Liberty bel. In the: 1970

Called the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, the ceremony involved a fife and drum corps marching with cast members in Revolutionary era costuming.

A boy and girl would then be chosen from the crowd to be the official Son and Daughter of Liberty and march with the unit, and they were awarded a certificate and medal.

The ceremony no longer takes place in the Magic Kingdom, although a similar fife and drum corps performs multiple times on most days in front of the American Adventure Pavilion in epcot's World Showcase. Right next to the Liberty Bell is the Liberty Tree. Like the Liberty Bell, it has its roots pardon the pun, in real American history.

e was christened in Boston in: 1765

Since each lantern was distinctive to a particular household, hanging it on the tree was a secret code to let the rebel patriots know when and where the meeting was to be held. Here at Liberty Square, the 13 distinct lanterns were hung to represent the original 13 colonies.

The Liberty Oak Tree in the Magic Kingdom is a real southern live oak, Quercus virginiana, and it's over 100 years old and was found here in Orlando, just six miles south from its present home in Liberty square.

At over 40ft tall and 60ft wide and weighing more than 38 tons, it is by far the largest living specimen in the Magic Kingdom and probably one of the largest ever transplanted trees.

To move it from its original location, imagineer and landscaper Bill Evans had to come up with a creative method of relocating it, since just lifting it with a cable would have caused injury to the tree. So two holes were drilled horizontally through the sturdiest section of the trunk.

The holes were filled with dowels, and a hundred ton crane lifted the tree by these rods, which were later removed and replaced with the original wood plugs. Unfortunately, the wood plugs had become contaminated and a serious infection set in and rotted out a portion of the inside of the trunk.

In order to save the tree, the plugs again were removed.

The holes were now filled with cement, the disease areas were cleaned out, and a young Quercus virginiana was grafted onto the tree at its base, where it still grows today. Acorns from the tree have been responsible for the creation of countless new trees, both on and off Disney property over the years.

eorge Bruns heard in Disney's: 1957

In the film, the title character is a silversmith's apprentice who joins the Boston Tea Party and helps to hang the lights on the Liberty Tree near the start of the Revolutionary War. This reference to the character of Johnny Tremaine leads us to our next stop on the tour.

Just to the left of the Liberty Tree is a wonderful store known as E Ye Olde Christmas Shop.

Like many locations throughout the Magic Kingdom, it has changed over the years and had a number of different inhabitants when the Magic Kingdom first opened. This store, which now has such wonderful theming and story, was originally made up of three very distinct and unique shops.

Inside Mademoiselle Lafitte's Parfumerie perfume blenders created custom fragrances for guests from six basic ones, turning them into hundreds of different combinations. Each guest's individual formula was recorded so that they could be reordered on a subsequent visit or by mail.

The shop also sold atomizers and glass cylinders, as well as boxed and bottled brands of perfume like Chanel. Adjacent to the Parfumerie was the Silversmith Shop.

Here we once again find a reference to Johnny Tremaine, who, according to the story, was the proprietor of this store.

have been in vogue during the: 1700

ique Shop opened next door in: 1972

While some were authentic reproductions, there were many one of a kind antiques, including jewelry, colonial china, vintage clothing, and early American furniture ranging in cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

ame Ye Olde Christmas shop in: 1997

Since that time it sold a variety of holiday items such as ornaments, which can be personalized, tree toppers, train sets and gifts.

The music teacher's shop displays numerous musical instruments appropriate to the period, such as the fiddles we spoke of earlier mandolins and flute recorders.

Framed sheet music on the walls honors traditional holiday songs and English favorites brought with the families to the New World, such as the Holly and the Ivy, I Saw Three Ships and Joy to the World, all of which further the overriding story that the lessons given here are in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season. You can see by the sign hanging outside that music and voice lessons are by appointment and are given by instructor Ichabod Crane.

Next door is a much less formal wood carver shop.

Above the red sleigh outside the entrance is a blue sign shaped like a rocking horse which advertises woodwrite, fine carving, toy making and carpentry.

Inside, woodworking tools are scattered throughout the shop amidst bundles of wood ready to be carved and evidence of the craftsman handiwork abound, including high shelves decorated with chairs, stools and other carved items, and an observant or curious guest might even be able to find Geppetto's wooden Pinocchio mixed in with those items as well.

The shop closest to the Liberty Tree is actually the quaint home of a family of Pennsylvania Germans, evidenced by the design of the shop and the traditional hex signs that hang through at one time this story was further punctuated by a pot of cider warming on a stove which was removed many years ago.

These folk artists are also craftspeople as careful observers will see the seamstress and tailor's thread, scissors and handiwork hanging along the walls, including dolls, clothing and blankets.

t the home was established in: 1779

The quiet area behind Ye Olde Christmas Shop, currently home to a character meet and greet location, has undergone subtle changes throughout the years as well.

This location originally had a small pathway running behind the shops with a brick wall separating this patch of colonial civilization from the wooded area that blocked it from the canal that runs through the Hub and the entrance to Adventureland. The bricks used on the wall actually came from old buildings being torn down in Downtown Orlando.

In: 1972

Around: 1995

Around the corner is the Liberty Tree Tavern, a table service dining location which serves traditional American fare such as clam chowder, homestyle roast turkey and pot roast, as well as salads and sandwiches.

The tavern itself is patterned after an 18th century colonial inn, and its windows are fashioned from handmade seed glass with visible bubbles that would be authentic for that time period. Each of its six dining areas features a unique fireplace and detailed artifacts and theming appropriate for and dedicated to an American patriot.

Like the nautical items in the John Paul Jones Room, the silversmith tools in the Paul Revere Room, Benjamin Franklin's kite and keys, and countless others.

Beyond the entrance pillar in front of a small brick portico are floors of oak curtains hung from cloth loops, venetian blinds made of wood, pewter mugs, and other items like a spinning wheel, hope chest, writing desk, copper pots and kettles to make it seem as though the guests have really journeyed to colonial America. Check in at the restaurant podium and rest here until the town crier rings the bell and summons your party to lunch or dinner.

Just outside, looking towards the rivers of America representing the Hudson, Mississippi, Missouri and finally the Colorado Rivers, it's clear to see a favorite photo opportunity for guests of any age. In front of the nearby steamship dock are pillories or stocks used for punishment and public embarrassment over 200 years ago.

Fortunately, now guests who put their head and arms in the slots are able to remove them just as easily.

Like so much we encounter here in this land, the Liberty Square Riverboat serves as more than just a leisurely boat ride as its importance goes far beyond the obvious.

volutionized the steamship in: 1807

,: 1971

ic Kingdom before retiring in: 1972

a, that vessel was damaged in: 1980

This was named to honor the Vice President and Director of Design for WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering, who was responsible for much of the design of the early Disneyland and Walt Disney World and who unfortunately passed away not long after the opening of the magic kingdom. The 400 passenger stern wheel paddleboat was built in dry dock right on Walt Disney World property and took about six months to complete.

while the Fowler had two. In: 1996

s and namesakes live on as in: 1999

Not long after it returned to service with its new name, the Liberty Belle hosted riverboat character cruises throughout the late 90s.

Guests were often pleasantly surprised when characters such as Goofy, Davy Crockett, Dopey and Country Bear Jamboree favorites like Wendell and liver lips McGraw joined in the voyage. At other times, banjo players and other musicians could often be found on deck playing for guests.

And speaking of the decks, be sure and go exploring as you can not only see the working steam engine, boiler and control room, but inside sitting room and the captain's quarters as well. During its history, the wonderful narration has changed slightly but remained true to the storytelling along the mighty Mississippi.

The narration by your captain on the Texas deck, Horace Bixby, was replaced by that of one Samuel Clemens, affectionately known as Mark Twain. Horace Bixby, like Mr. Twain, is not a Disney created character, but was a real man who at the young age of 23 became a riverboat pilot.

e lower Mississippi River. In: 1857

Their meeting is chronicled in Twain's Life on the Mississippi.

The narrated attraction takes you around Tom Sawyer island past a variety of scenes including a Powhatan Indian settlement, a not so subtle reference to Disney's Pocahontas film Beacon Joe off the port bow and the river Pirates hideout known as Wilson's Cave in named after a real pirate tide out on the Ohio River. After the Revolutionary War, it was home to Jim Wilson, a true river pirate in a place known as Cave in Rock.

It inspired a: 1955

Of course, both pay tribute to our narrator, Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, but oddly enough, the current sign misspells his middle name by leaving off the E at the end.

You'll also notice on our journey the abandoned settler's cabin, which for years could be seen burning off the starboard bow, but now sits charred and Empty.

The man made river itself is connected to the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom through a series of locks, but was designed to be dark and murky for a purpose, to disguise the fact that the water is less than 10ft deep and the riverboat is being guided by a rail underwater. While the paddle wheel drives the boat forward, the wheel in the wheelhouse does not control its direction.

The riverboat landing sits deliberately at what is the end of Liberty Square's main street, as if you're looking at the land from the Magic Kingdom's central hub.

Like Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain, it acts as a visual weenie, drawing guests into the land, but not specifically to see the riverboat itself.

ter Texas joined the Union in: 1845

More importantly, the Liberty Square riverboat acts as a transitional element, connecting Liberty Square and Frontierland and our nation's journey as well. We are now on the verge of a new century and the westward expansion of America. The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon represents St.

Louis, and if we crossed over that nearby wooden bridge, we'd symbolically be crossing the Mississippi river and moving south and west to new adventures. But that is the story of Frontierland and a tale for another time. Liberty Square is unique for many reasons.

Not only because of its real historical importance, but because, like America itself, it. It's a land of opportunity.

It is a place where you are not only entertained with attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, but where you can learn about the history of the United States in a fun three dimensional classroom.

And better yet, you have the chance to educate the next generation of guests about the land's connections to American history and the people who made it come to life.

And before we leave the colonial hospitality of the charming Liberty Square, it's best to remember the words of Walt Disney, who said, actually, if you could see close in my eyes the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe. So when you walk through Liberty Square, you are truly walking with Walt and enjoying one of his final dreams come true at last.