I wanted to do a post about the hidden gems of the World Showcase in EPCOT, but I could not decide which gem to write about so I am going to do a series of posts called World Showcase Wonders. I’ll highlight one gem in each pavilion. These are features that people might not notice as they hurry from store to store and restaurant to restaurant. At the end of this series I’ll have a downloadable brochure that you can print out and take to the parks so you can see of these gems for yourself. Today we are in the United States.
The United States Pavilion has one of the best shows in all of Walt Disney World, the American Adventure. Narrated by Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin, it does a wonderful job of bringing the history of our great nation to life through the voice of the common man. If you can make time to see it I highly recommend it. However, the hidden gem I suggest you experience is in plain sight, all you need is an EPCOT time guide. It is the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps.
Most of us never get the chance to travel around the United States and visit all of historic sites where fife and drum bands perform. Lucky for us all we have to do is come to Walt Disney World to see this remarkable band. I recommend arriving at the American Pavilion early so you can watch them march in and set up their formation. This performance is full of history and music and American pride. It is a unique home-grown gem that I never miss.
Goofy Trivia: The American Experience has some of the most advanced audio-animatronic figures ever developed. Benjamin Franklin actually walks up a few steps and then across the room to reach Thomas Jefferson’s desk. It is an amazing bit of technology.