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Part Two:
The United States of America turns 250 this July 4, 2026. In many ways, Disney embodies, reflects, and propels American culture, and Walt Disney himself was a patriotic American who volunteered in World War II, admired Abraham Lincoln, and created stories based on American lore. Today, many Disney Parks experiences celebrate various aspects of American history, geography, and psychology. For this special two-part episode, we share our favorite patriotic experiences at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including many that might surprise you.
Special thanks to Philander Butler for joining me on this episode.
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Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.
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Part One:
How can you celebrate America’s two hundred and fiftieth anniversary at Walt Disney World and Disneyland? In this episode, we’ll discuss some of our favorite and often surprising patriotic experiences. Welcome aboard Imagination Skyway, your guided tour through the worlds of Disney and Imagineering. I’m your host, Matthew Krul, and it’s my job to explore the stories and places we love and the people who bring them to life. Before we get started, remember that you can unlock ad free episodes and bonus content at patreon dot com slash Imagination Skyway and get complimentary trip support from our sponsors at KMV travel dot com slash Skyway. Plus, be sure to follow Imagination Skyway on social media for even more content and ways to connect with the show. In today’s episode, we discuss our favorite patriotic experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. While some attractions are obvious picks like The American Adventure at Epcot and the flag Retreat ceremony on Main Street, U.S.A.. You might be surprised to hear many of our answers, which are less obvious at first glance. From the resorts to the theme parks, our conversation was so extensive that we’re splitting it into two episodes. You’re currently listening to part one as we begin our journey. Please remain seated. Keep your hands and arms inside the podcast at all times and enjoy your journey aboard Imagination Skyway. So if you’re listening to this podcast episode, the week it goes live or around the time it goes live, we are incredibly approaching the two hundred and fiftieth, the semiquincentennial of the United States of America. And while that might feel separate from Disney. Disney is finding ways to celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of America. And just the idea of Disney and the idea of the United States. There are a lot more tied together than it might seem on the surface. So this episode is all about talking about our favorite patriotic experiences. We’re going to focus on the parks here in the US at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, although there are incredibly, some additional United States based or American based experiences even outside of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. But in order to have this conversation, I wanted to invite a guest that I think so many of you know and love, certainly someone I know and love and respect and love having Disney conversations with. And that’s Philander Philander. Welcome back to the show. Thank you so much. It’s an absolute delight to be back. And it’s such a, such great fun to have conversations with you and just happen to record them. Yeah, like we always say, these are conversations we have anyway. They just end with podcast episodes or just we sit behind a microphone and record them. Um, you know, philosophically, like I suggested here at the beginning of the episode America and Disney are very closely tied together. And I think, uh, like our, our country’s history, the fabric, our culture, there’s just a lot of things that are very, there’s a lot of synergy between Disney, the US and, you know, not only because it’s a US based company, but also because of Walt’s and his patriotism, because of, you know, he really embodies the American spirit, the sense of entrepreneurial ism, the idea that you can come from a small town of poor family in the middle of America and create a not just a country cultural phenomenon, but a global cultural phenomenon. Um, so I just felt like it’s those two really tie together. Um, I don’t know if you get the same feeling. Oh, definitely. I mean, any, any talk or any conversations centered around Americana have to have some sort of Disney included. They feel hand in hand. I feel like it would almost be odd to not have them together. You know, if for some reason Walt Disney wasn’t patriotic, you know, it just still seems so baked in, like you mentioned, of like that American dream of his, um, or the American dream just in general, but you know, him, him coming from very little and gaining so much. And, um, and being someone who actually was very much connected to his country, even back from, you know, serving in the war when he was so much younger and, and, and also wonderful in his right to make sure to include a lot of experiences that we’re probably going to be talking about today, to have those kind of things baked into the park. So it wasn’t just about, you know, fantasy and things like that, but it was also about paying tribute and honoring, you know, uh, the very important aspects of the country. Yeah, it’s going back to his love of history when he was a kid and his admiration for Abraham Lincoln, uh, him reciting, memorizing and reciting the Gettysburg Address, um, which back when he was a kid, was much closer in history than we might think. Like, for us, it would be going back to, um, even, you know, like the nineteen sixties at this point, um, you know, from when he was born and when he, when he had that admiration for Abraham Lincoln, it was not, you know, it was still in the collective consciousness of Americans. And there were people around who lived through the Civil War. Um, and who remember Abraham Lincoln. And while he didn’t personally live through that, it just was very close to him historically, um, much closer again than, than we think about it now. It feels like, you know, such like a distant time long, long ago. Mhm. Um, fresh for him. Yeah, exactly. Uh, but then like you said, him, him joining the the the war effort when he was just sixteen. Um, you know, sort of, uh, lying about his age so that he could, uh, he could head over, head overseas and contribute in whatever way. A true patriot lying about his age. A little bit of a Captain America spirit in there, you know, do whatever it takes to, to serve. Um, and then, like you said, just his, the way that he incorporated a lot of, um, patriotism into the experiences at the parks. So it’s a topic I’m very excited about. It’s one I thought about like last year because I realized that this was and you were the first guest I thought of. I said, I got to bring Philander onto the show for this topic. Um, so let’s, uh, let’s jump in. I mean, there are, we were talking before we even started recording that. We sort of understood the assignment even without saying anything that a lot of your experiences or your list is really focused on Disneyland. My list is focused on Walt Disney World. I feel like we just sort of delegate that automatically whenever we have a bicoastal, uh, conversation. So I would love for you to go first. I’m sure there’s going to be some overlapping answers here, but when you think about patriotic experiences at Disneyland, what’s one that stands out in your mind? Oh, and you know what? I’m going to get this one. I’m going to rip the Band-Aid off. And I know depending on who is listening, they’re going to feel a way about it. But I gotta start with Rivers of America. Um, and I know from my how dare you? Family I know. Can I throw the people over your way? I was like, I gotta start with this to get it off the table first. And I know, you know, it’s, it is a, it’s a controversial subject, but definitely starting with America because it is still alive and thriving at Disneyland. And, you know, how could I not? It has America in the title, you know, but it’s hard to think of something other than very specifically overt, um, patriotic or American things that exist that I’m sure we’re going to talk about, but, um, such a wonderful casual addition to Disneyland, you know, being there since the park opened in fifty five amongst all of the things that I know that guests of the time period, especially children loved at Disneyland, like Fantasyland and anything that was happening at Tomorrowland or like riding the Jungle Cruise for Walt to carve out this very specific area to, you know, pay tribute to, you know, iconic spaces and waterways, you know, is, is special. Like he, he really didn’t have to do that. You know, it could have been a place that was largely connected to just entertainment, you know, in the, the, that area, making sure that focus on four specific waterways of the Mississippi, the Columbia, uh, Potomac and Rio Grande and having that, having the foresight to put that in because you can imagine that something that would very easily be omitted from a new Disney park now. But when you have Walt, who is extremely patriotic, choose to integrate it into his park. I think that has. There’s something special that has to do with that because of course. And, you know, depending on who you ask, they will feel that, you know, something like that is not nearly as necessary as it once was, depending on who you ask. I do love that it still exists at Disneyland, especially since it was the first one. It’s something that really does speak to some of the most beautiful places that exist in this country. You know, um, uh, even more so, especially after, you know, depending on when some of your listeners had last visited or even wrote, went on the Mark Twain essay example, or any of the boats or rode the railroad around that space is absolutely gorgeous. You know, even more so after Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge came in twenty nineteen, because they had to make a big amendment to the river. And even though you may not be able to tell from riding on it, but they actually shrunk it by maybe about twenty percent to accommodate Galaxy’s Edge, but in turn, on the other side of that coin, um, they actually added so much more to it. So now there are tons of figures and audio-animatronics, and they put in these beautiful waterfalls and stunning rockwork, and it was more beautiful than it ever was before. And then, uh, you actually get one of my favorite parts and it’s obviously you can’t really time it, but if you are on either any of the, um, our big boats out at Disneyland or the railroad, there are times when you’ll come around that back end and it’ll be lined up perfectly with the railroad going at the same time. And it is absolutely like magic. It is magic when those happen, oftentimes you could go by and the train’s not there, or the Mark Twain’s not there if you’re on the train. But it is stunning. When they line up together, you just get this beautiful space that’s all landscaping, all vegetation. You don’t see any buildings or or other attractions. It is absolutely stunning. Yeah. And that definitely connects to Waltz upbringing again, his time working on the railroad and traveling across America, traveling across the West. You know, growing up in, uh, you know, Illinois and Kansas City and, uh, you know, moving, traveling by train to Los Angeles or over to New York. It’s amazing that, you know, thinking about, again, where Walt was historically when he was born, there were only forty five states. You know, there weren’t there were fifty states. Um, and then, you know, later on we got, uh, you know, when he was a kid, Oklahoma and New Mexico and Arizona were added to the union. And then after Disneyland opens, um, Alaska and Hawaii. And so the idea of American expansion, the American frontier, very much alive during his youth. And obviously, when we think about frontier land, it’s about the Wild West and the. The. It goes back historically before Walt was born. But it’s incredible to think about how connected that is to the American spirit, so much so that even when they built Disneyland Paris and they built their version of Frontierland, you know, well, ours in the in the US is based more on geographic, um, sites and real places. The Disneyland Paris is based more on the, the concepts, the, the cultural concept in, in Paris of what the American frontier is more from film and TV and a little bit more fictionalized, but still a Frontierland is about embodying that American spirit. And certainly the rivers of America is that piece that connects all of that. They still have. We’re still going to have some river in frontier land. It’s just not going to be the, you know, the rivers of America with the riverboat passing through. Yeah. And as long as that, you know, as long as one of them exists. I’m from the point of where like I, I understand change and why it’s necessary and, and the adjustments that you make to keep these parks relevant, but also nostalgic at the same time, as long as the Disneyland one exists, you know, I feel like that’s, you know, I, that’s solid enough for me, especially because it’s the original one. And Walt helped design that island. Um, it’s the same thing that people talk about when they, um, uh, discuss Guardians of the Galaxy mission breakout at California Adventure that I said, well, as long as the, the, the Orlando Tower of Terror exists, that was the first one, you know, the most unique, arguably, of the four, if you don’t maybe count Japan. But hey, as long as they have that one, I’m like, okay, we’ve got at least one. You know, we necessarily don’t need every park to have one or whatnot. So, um, as long as Disneyland has its one since it was the first one. Um, I’m okay with amendments for the most part for a lot of things, you know, you keep some sort of, uh, nostalgic there, but also having that one foot in the future, as we know, Walt had, uh, and wanting change everywhere. So the fact that our, your listeners can still come out to, you know, Disneyland, which not crazy far from if they’re normally going to Walt Disney World to experience the river and hope that they actually give it time to be honest, because I think for a lot of people, they, for a lot of people, they appreciate the fact that it exists, but maybe don’t experience it. You know, people pass that river all the time heading to Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion, but truly like taking a moment to get on the Mark Twain, you know, and it doesn’t take that much time out of your day. It’s big enough to where you’re never waiting more than a cycle for it to come around. It’s only twelve minutes. Like you can do it. It’s, you know, you’ve done Space Mountain a bunch of times and Big Thunder, but you can ride the Mark Twain, like, truly lean in on these spaces. They’re, they’re really beautiful. And especially like I mentioned after those updates, when Galaxy’s Edge arrived, they just really kind of center you. And it makes me think about how Disneyland was in those first, maybe three or four years, well before, you know the park got any thrill attractions or starting to get heavier into Audio-animatronics just pure Disneyland. And it really does bring up those vibes of what Walt would have intended to really celebrate the country in a space where he, like we discussed, he didn’t really need to be honest. It could have been a lot of fantasy or one big fantasyland, the entirety of Disneyland. But no, no, let’s carve out a ample aspect of this acreage that he purchased to pay tribute to, you know, the country he grew up in and that he admired so much. Yeah, absolutely. Is this a good place to talk about how much I love riding the Peoplemover at Magic Kingdom, now that the three rivers of America in our face. Um, now I, you know, there’s a lot of ways to go. I’m. I love that you started with rivers of America. I’m going to start with one that maybe people are not expecting. When you think about, um, patriotic experiences and it plays a little bit off of the idea of places and the places that frontier lands, celebrates. So one of the things that’s at Walt Disney World, that’s not at Disneyland is an abundance of. While there are, you know, three great hotels at at Disneyland Resort, there are thirty or so resorts at Walt Disney World. So a lot of them celebrate the various places across America and times across American history. So a few that there’s actually a lot like when I tried to go through the list and think of like, where, what are the ones that stand out as representing places and times in America? It’s incredible how many actually stood out for me. So I’ll read through a few of them. So boardwalk is definitely one of them because that is going back to turn of the century America, a similar time period to Main Street, USA, and the way in which people who lived along the coasts would often, you know, enjoy leisure activities and time at a boardwalk, especially thinking about Atlantic City and New Jersey. You know, it’s heavily inspired by that. But the the classic American boardwalk is celebrated at boardwalk. Similarly, Yacht and Beach Club right across Crescent Lake. It celebrates various places in New England, especially thinking about the, uh, like, uh, there’s, for instance, there’s a bar called Martha’s Vineyard, like thinking about Martha’s Vineyard and places along the coast of Massachusetts and that traditional, again, like New England experience. Wilderness Lodge is obviously, you know, harkening back to places like Yosemite, Yellowstone and Yosemite, especially Yellowstone seems to be heavily have heavy piece of inspiration for Wilderness Lodge, even with those geysers that go off in the back. Um, Grand Floridian, uh, again, turn of the century, thinking about the traditional beach hotels across America in various places, um, Port Orleans, French Quarter, and Port Orleans, Riverside, uh, obviously playing into Louisiana, both French Quarter in New Orleans and the suburbs and the bayous of outer portions, the outer regions of New Orleans, old Key West, um, celebrating the, of course, the keys down in Florida, Saratoga Springs celebrating upstate New York and Fort Wilderness Campground, celebrating just the American frontier. And that does tie directly into frontier land. So you don’t have to think about the, the like traditional, in-your-face, um, patriotic experiences when you go to Walt Disney World. But there are so many ways even just picking a resort to celebrate the American spirit or a time period in American history or a particular location in across America. And like I said, I just I might have even missed one, but like those are ones I was just running through my list. Um, that popped out. I’m like, yeah, all these a little bit, you know, Polynesian I left out because it’s Hawaii ends other regions. But even, you know, theoretically, if you stay in Hawaii section of Polynesian, like there’s another one that that’s celebrating a piece of America that’s actually great. You know, I guess you started to name those. I was like, oh, wow. Like they, I guess when you put them all together because individually you’re like, you think of one. But I was like, oh no, there’s actually a ton of a ton of options when it comes to that. And the theming is just subtle enough. You know, I think a lot of times when people think about booking hotels out there, usually the theme is, you know, towards the bottom of the list. And I don’t blame anyone for thinking, you know, they think of accommodations, transportation cost. Uh, but yeah, when you really break it down, there’s a lot of, there’s so many great options that pay tribute. But I guess like you were mentioning, the subtlety is probably what’s the best aspect of that where it’s like, it’s something that you don’t think about and maybe only in like quiet moments, if you were like someone who likes to sit in a lobby, would you would it even like connect? Because for so many families, it’s just a place to lay your head, you know, and you’re not really thinking about it nearly as much, but I guess that is part of what the magic of Disney is, where it’s the subtlety that exists in all of these things where we don’t necessarily have to like, you know, hit you over the face with it or over the head with it, but that it exists in such a great way. And that we have that you have that Disney has people that are in charge, that believe that these things are important to keep adding to the park as opposed to, you know, nothing against like a hotel, like art of animation, but that you can still have places that continue to represent these really beautiful spaces in the world, especially places for maybe a ton of people that they’ve never gotten or maybe never, ever will visit either, you know, like you can get just a little bit because I know, um, for my family, that’s how, like you mentioned, the Polynesian felt before I had ever gone to Hawaii as a kid, you know, it felt like that, you know, or even space that since we’re talking about it to like the grand Californian out here, that arts and crafts movement is very, um, uh, similar to Wilderness Lodge. I mean, those two were even created by the same architect. His name is Peter Dominic. Um, and you could they have very similar aesthetics, you know, um, but that like lodge type that, that arts and craft, um, really speaks to that. That’s a really great one. I do love that. I would never have thought of that. I would have never thought I had to go beyond the traditional. I got plenty of traditional stuff on my list, but I’m like, what’s different that we can talk about here? Um, all right, what else you got for Disneyland? Um, I was always going to do, um, the opera house, of course, in great. Mr.. Mr. Lincoln, but it felt better or even more so to do it now, because temporarily, um, there is stuff in the opera house that is on loan from the Walt Disney Family Museum right now. Um, and I know a lot of attention was given to the Walt Disney animatronic when it came. And But I have been trying to let people know to spend more time in that space since it opened, because there’s a lot of stuff that was connected to Walt and his love for this country that is on display there. So a lot of actual awards and medals that were given to him and the actual stuff, which is really great to see. Um, so like they have his actual Presidential Medal of Freedom award that he got in nineteen sixty four from, um, president Johnson is there for you to look at, which is amazing. You know, I’m not sure how many listeners have actually gotten a chance to go to the family museum in San Francisco at the Presidio. But it really is amazing. Um, and I think why it’s great is because you get a lot of that patriotic love. It’s not just a place that’s talking about the company, but really Walt Disney as a person, but having that award there. Um, but, um, also the same, the Walt Disney commemorative medal that was, uh, give it to him after he passed away from Nixon by, by Nixon that’s in there, you know, that kind of stuff is so amazing, you know? And I really love that Disneyland got a chance to partner with the family Museum to even have that stuff on display. And it’s subtle, of course, like you have to be one of those types of people who likes to linger. You know, I do see some people, unfortunately, when they come to the opera house, you know, the doors are open and they’re ready to take in the next show for for Walt. And they just run right into it. And then they see it and they exit out of the building. And so I’ve been trying to encourage people to not if you go in and it’s the doors are open, wait for the next show so you can actually linger in that space and really let it kind of sink in, you know, so you can learn more about, um, like Walt as a person as opposed to, um, just the, the, the uncle Walt, the figure that you saw on television, you know, to really kind of lean into this person why he would make a park like this and why he would include so much that speaks to his love of the country. So I’ve been trying to really kind of get people to lean into that space. And that stuff’s not going to be there forever, which is also why I wanted to bring it up for anyone that happens to be traveling, uh, to the parks this summer, that that’s a listener of yours to, to really kind of pop in there. Because if you haven’t seen the, the show is wonderful, of course, but linger in that space and really kind of get a love for, um, you know, uh, what they were able to put in there that’s from the, the, um, the, the family museum that really showcases well, like getting to see the actual medals. It’s one thing obviously to learn that he got them just in general, but to see the medals themselves is, you know, that’s the, the first Presidential medal of Freedom I’ve ever seen in person. So yeah. Likewise. It’s, uh, it’s a great answer. I love the opera house, especially now that they have, um, the, uh, magical life there. And I, it’s one of the things I’m excited to bring the family to experience when we, uh, when we head back out there, um, you know, I’ll, uh, for my next one at Walt Disney World, I go to a pretty traditional one. And there’s a couple of ways that I can go with this, but I think I’ll probably pick the experience that was there before the other one, um, which is the Hall of Presidents over at Magic Kingdom. You know, this is, this is a very like on at face value, like this is a very, very patriotic experience because it’s literally about the presidency, the office of the presidency. And, um, you know, I like to remind people of that because a lot of people will sometimes think of it as like a celebration of the current sitting president, but it’s not. It’s a celebration of the American presidency itself and the history of the presidency. It was started. It was an idea that, you know, Walt had thought of as a concept. It didn’t end up at at Disneyland, but did end up at Magic Kingdom. And Blaine Gibson was there to sculpt. And, you know, him and his team sculpt everyone up through, I believe it was Obama. That was his last sculpture, um, that he was acting as a, as a consultant or advisor for before, of course, he passed away. And you know, now that tradition continues with each each new sitting president. But, you know, they the, the spirit of that is one that ties close to Walt’s love of the American presidency. It’s a, you know, a unique American experience. And the movie that they have at the beginning of the show is, is honestly one of my favorites. Like it has an incredible soundtrack. Um, just like gives you chills. It’s, it’s narrated by Angela Bassett. It’s just a great, like great show in itself. Um, and it’s a one that, you know, talks about the, the history of the country, the history of the US presidency. Um, you know, one that’s obviously with a lot of reverence and admiration and positivity and, um, so you could take it for whatever you want, but the idea that even like there’s history in the building itself that there is a, um, a presidential seal that is in the lobby. It’s gated off, so you can’t even touch it. But it took an act of an act of Congress, Disney to, to lobby for a change to Congress to because before that you could not have, um, anything replicating, uh, the presidential seal in the, uh, like anywhere outside of, um, specific government buildings, but that they actually got the law changed so that they could create a replica of it for the hall of presidents is incredible. Um, and then just again, the, the show itself, like if you want to get into the patriotic spirit, if you’re at Magic Kingdom, that’s one of the prime ways to, to go and learn about, you know, learn about a little bit about history, at least I think it’ll get you, um, and perhaps kids interested in, in learning more. So while it is very, you know, from a it’s twenty minutes. It’s very hard to cover an entire, you know, the history of the American presidency in twenty minutes. But it gives you just enough that like, you can get the the spark notes for each president and figure out like, oh, like, I really want to learn more about Andrew Jackson or of course, Abraham Lincoln, who’s prominently featured in there because of his connection to Walt. There’s a Gettysburg Address that’s in the middle of the Hall of Presidents, harkening back to Walt’s youth and his love of Abraham Lincoln and him reciting the Gettysburg Address. Um, or, you know, Theodore Roosevelt, they kind of like bring it up until, uh, the modern presidency, um, and then transition it into the, the, the roll call. Um, that as time goes forward, it’s only going to get longer and longer and longer that it started. When you think about it started with thirty five presidents when that’s crazy and now it’s up to we’re in the forties, we’re in the mid forties. So, um, it just gets longer and longer. But um, yeah, it’s, uh, it’s one that obviously had to be on my list as a patriotic experience at Walt Disney World. Yeah. And one that I, I appreciate that the company continues to invest in because they very easily could have opened and just stayed the way it was with the thirty five presidents. And that would have been, um, great enough because it speaks to a lot of the presidents that are revered throughout history. So like Abraham Lincoln or George Washington type, but to continue to invest in it, you know, um, each term is, is, is great because obviously this is not something that’s like a massive draw or a money maker. There’s no big return on investment for these types of things. But, um, so you could easily see how something like that, maybe in the hands of any other company, to be honest, would they’ve let it fall the wayside or it’s something that would have gotten torn out a few years ago. So, um, despite whether you go into it or not, there is something that is very special about continuing to give love to that space. Um, and it’s a great way, like you said, to get kids involved because as the way kids learn changes, and oftentimes it’s not going to be through a book anymore. It may be through something as impressive as that or, um, TikTok or Instagram reel. I mean, if that’s what it takes to learn now, then, then so be it, you know? Um, but to make it more dynamic, because when you have history come alive in that kind of way. Um, I do understand, especially for someone that’s the age of my daughter or your girls, you know, those kind of things linger a little longer in your brain because they almost seem like magical. Um, and there’s a potentially a much, much stronger desire to learn about it because of the way you received it. I mean, no different than everyone who fell in love with, um, history based off of just watching Hamilton, you know, such a unique way to, to, to learn about something that’s also entertaining. Or as Walt used to say, you know, the edutainment, you know, learning while having fun at the same time. Uh, but anything like that is always appreciated, you know? I mean, I love they even at Disneyland, um, uh, Lincoln, he, you know, he was gone for a minute while we helped, uh, you know, when we put Walt Disney in there, but they give him a wonderful refresh during that time period. And now the theater is capable of showing both shows, which is amazing at Disneyland and the opera house. Um, so the first half of the day they show, uh, Abraham Lincoln and the second half of the day the theater will rotate to show Walt. So I’m like, that’s great, you know, because a lot of people were worried that we’d be losing, um, Abraham Lincoln. Um, but now having both of them there, depending on what time of the day you go is, is great. You get not only the man who, um, who inspired Walt, but now you get the Walt as well in there. And I think it would be how fitting, you know, you know, even though he would not be alive to speak on it, that Walt is, uh, sharing the stage now with his favorite president, you know, which is there is some power in that, you know, that even though he’s not there to speak on it specifically, like I mentioned. Um, there is something really special about that, you know, that they both are educating people about themselves kind of in their own way a little bit. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Um. All right. What do you got next at Disneyland? Um, I did another kind of deep cut, but it definitely, it was one that I thought a little bit about more and I was like, okay, like this kind of works too. And I love that it’s a little bit Americana, but I, I picked cars land in California adventure. I had a feeling you would. Great because it’s a great answer. I was hoping a great answer. Yeah. Um, cars obviously, which just celebrated twenty years, which is amazing. Um, that was fun having there was a lot of, uh, people that turned out at Disneyland to help celebrate cars. Um, especially because there was a lightning McQueen bucket, uh, which I also saw was at Walt Disney World. But yeah, people definitely showed up for that, um, the other day. But yeah, cars, um, is definitely very, very, there’s a lot of Americana in that, you know, of, you know, buried within the. Obviously, the hilarity of mater and the fast paced world of lightning McQueen racing. You know that route sixty six charm is embedded throughout almost the entirety of the film. And Walt Disney, Imagineering and Pixar were able to put so much effort into making that land, kind of speak to that as well. You know, down to the small little details in the architecture. The music is so, you know, speaks so much to that time period as well. You know, if you go have a lunch or dinner at Flo’s, you’re getting a lot of music of the time period or the soundtrack that’s playing as you’re walking down route sixty six. Um, I love going. Even though the shop is not as popular as the other ones. Uh, Radiator Springs curios, which is Lizzie’s shop in the, in the cars films. Um, inside that shop. There’s a lot of love to that Americana when it comes to roadside amusements and things like that. There’s even a massive painting on the wall in there that shows route sixty six, uh, when you go inside. So, um, that felt like an both an obvious one, but also not an obvious one, I guess, if you think about it, because again, like we said, I loved your answer with the hotels were it, it really is. But it’s so subtle that it’s easy to not think about it. And I know everyone for the most part, especially your listeners, spends most of their time in cars land running down route sixty six to get to the racers. Yeah. And then maybe running out of that land after that. But the people that do decide to linger in the land that meet the characters, dine at the restaurants, you know, maybe do all three attractions because they have little ones that can’t aren’t tall enough yet for racers will start to notice these really great connections to, um, uh, subtle American history, even down to the, um, uh, the massive tail fins that are along the mountain range for cars, land that are just like the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, you know, just really, really great nods to, you know, spaces that exist in the world and a type of feel that you get that only comes from growing up in those locations in this country. You know, we get so many people that when they walk through cars, land, they’re like, oh my gosh, this looks like, you know, you know, Utah or Arizona, you know, like, oh yes, that rock work is incredible, you know, and it adds so much to that attraction that, you know, and I think it’s something that you don’t even think about until you stop depreciating, I’m sure, because you’ve walked this way when you are walking from San Francisco into cars land, that view that is there is so particularly like crafted. Um, and to think that that attraction could theoretically run just as well if the rockwork wasn’t there, because then you still have your, your racing part outside, which is similar to a test track. You have your indoor part, but it really is that mountainside that brings off a lot of really wonderful spaces that exist in this country that really kind of brings it home. So that was when I that was not the first one I put on my list, but I’m happy that that I added it on there. I’m glad you did too. And like I said, I was kind of hoping that she would, uh, you would put it on there. Um, I, I started with, uh, and I guess an atypical one that I went to a, a traditional one. So I’m going to go back to an atypical one. And this, this is similar to the idea of the resort’s being a place where you can go to experience, uh, a slice of American history or a particular American location. Same thing can be done with dining. Um, and there are, I couldn’t list them all because there were just way too many to think of. Um, but a few that stood out to me. One of my favorites, like pop right up to the top of the list was Regal Eagle Smokehouse. Um, because it’s literally, you know, Sam Eagle, um, and his, uh, salute to all nations, but mostly America mentality, um, highlighting American barbecue. Uh, just the, the, the fact that I’m gonna obviously talk about the American adventure in this episode, but the fact that it is in the American Adventure Pavilion, like, it’s just a very American experience. Um, but beyond that, uh, Liberty Tree Tavern over at Magic Kingdom, another one, uh, going into Liberty Square in that time period, colonial America, thinking about the history of that period, obviously, the food’s not going to be exactly the same as what they ate in the in the colonies, but it’s still a hearkening back and playing into that theme. Um, the whoop de doo musical revue, uh, certainly one that celebrates the American spirit, American music, American culture, especially, um, like in the, in the, in the American West. Um, so like that is one that’s, that’s worth going to, but then ones that you wouldn’t think of like house of blues. Um, yeah. Well, not while not, not one that’s operated by Disney house of Blues is a very American. It’s an American icon and it’s one that celebrates, um, the blues and rock and roll and things that, um, you know, had a home here in the US. Um, chef Art Smith’s homecoming, um, celebrating southern comforts and good, you know, that type of good cuisine and, and even thinking about a similar type of cuisine and theme over at Scat Cat’s club at French Quarter or River roost and Boatwright’s over at Port Orleans, Riverside, um, Whispering Canyon Cafe, even things like Grand Floridian Cafe, um, like there are, there are just so many places that celebrate either an elements of American cuisine or a period in American history. And the food will play into that. There’s just so much to choose from. Um, and then, you know, tying into this thing, even something as simple as ordering a corn dog, you know, over at Casey’s Corner, like there’s just, uh, there’s so many particular snacks and dining options to choose from that you can go above and beyond even the, the like Instagram worthy patriotic snacks and the things that they might incorporate into the celebration for the two hundred and fiftieth. There’s a lot that’s there forever. Um, that plays into, uh, American cuisine and American history. It’s good to the food. There’s a lot of Disneyland too. I, yeah, there’s a lot of I think about that too, because I had a couple on there for that, but I was like, oh man, that’s really good. Yeah. Because there’s so many options at Walt Disney World. So many options. Uh, but again, you have the right people thinking about how to incorporate these things in there. Because I remember hearing a quote years ago that, um, about one of my options, because I was going to put both like, um, for my next one, main Street USA, obviously, but also Buena Vista Street as well. But speaking about how Walt wanted a Main Street USA, you know, a connection obviously to him growing up and also a little bit, which I think a lot of people actually don’t know about a lot of Fort Collins, Colorado is in Main Street, USA, thanks to Harper Goff. Um, but having a place where, you know, you Main Street is very much like you either grew up in a town like that or you’ve seen a town like that in like a movie or a television show, or, you know, someone who grew up in a town like that. And while you and I didn’t necessarily grow up in a main street, we’ve definitely seen places like this before. And obviously the probably one of the first things that comes to your mind as you’re thinking of old school Americana, when you see these like small towns with a city hall or main street, you know, a, an opera house, uh, a cinema, gas lit lamps, a barbershop, you know, really, really screams Americana. And even more so now. I love that during the, um, the summer season, when we do all the bunting for the fourth of July, it even more feels like that because now it’s like, oh, I’m going to this same town. But when this little small town is also celebrating, you know, the country, you know, for the Fourth of July coming up. So while we always have different bunting or something different, like, you know, big Christmas tree or like we have our the bunting that was for the seventieth anniversary. Currently it’s during the summer when it really feels like strong, you know, strong patriotic vibes that are happening at the moment. And I think of that with Buena Vista Street, you know, choosing to make an area that also, while not maybe as heavy Americana as Main Street, but a romanticized version of a Los Angeles that Walt would have visited when he first came. Um, uh, out from the East Coast, you know, because a lot of that architecture doesn’t really exist in LA anymore like it used to. A lot of those things are gone. They haven’t existed, but, um, in a while they’ve been torn down and or modernized, but even down to like the red car trolley, while it doesn’t sadly move through Buena Vista Street anymore, having. It’s still there and the cable cars or the wires up on the top really gives you that vibe of that dream and that dream that you mentioned for Walt, coming out here is really personified in Buena Vista Street, which is why I love that we have also the, um, the storytellers statue. Walt’s where it’s the young version of him that’s, you know, fresh out of, you know, uh, coming out to LA for the first time to really kind of make it big, that American dream. And I appreciate the very specific bookend in nature of those two statues existing in the same place. You know, at least there maybe a few thousand feet from each other. But the fact that you get that, you know, older Walt and the younger Walt in the same space, but I love, love, love the attention to detail in Buena Vista Street. Um, that really speaks to the music. Like you mentioned earlier, the even down to the cast member outfits, like what you would find at like a Liberty Tree tavern like that, that really kind of blend you into those spaces and done so subtly, you know? For some people, they’re just going to dinner, you know? And this is the place that I was able to get a reservation at. But yeah, it’s usually when you let your eyes linger, when you’re not doing something specific, that you get to really soak in those details. I usually notice that with people when they are, uh, when they’re waiting in line, you know, they have got nothing to do. I’m just kind of shifting forward to like, get to my ride is that’s when you let your eyes kind of look at something a little longer. Because if the line is like five minutes long, you’re just running through, you know, no different than, uh, like the Indiana Jones queue where they, they have the mark lifts, you know, and because you’re just waiting there, you actually get to soak in the details and try to decode things. Um, but having those two kind of bookended next to each other is really, is really special. And I wanted to include Main Street also because not every Disney park has a main street, you know, so if they all had one, I feel like I would be less inclined to bring it up. But since, you know, things like that don’t exist in, um, you know, Tokyo has their bazaar, you know, or Shanghai has their Mickey Avenue, which isn’t Main Street, you know. That’s why I felt more important to bring it up, because it’s not something that every person that visits a Disney Park experiences, and also something that Imagineers and creators for other parks thought that it wouldn’t be, wouldn’t necessarily fit or work as well here, which I think also makes what you see specifically at Walt Disney World and Disneyland more special. Yeah, I was, um, I couldn’t agree more. It’s interesting, you know, I didn’t when I visited street didn’t, uh, come up at the top of my list even when I was thinking of Disneyland. But you’re absolutely right. And having those right across the way from each other and, and having the two Walt statues representing two different periods in his life is very, um, very poetic. So it’s a, it’s a great, definitely a great answer. Um, I’ll throw it to the one I alluded to before, um, which is the American adventure. I think another very obvious one. Yes. Welcome back to Imagination Central. Before you exit this episode, remember to follow Imagination Skyway on social media and share the show with anyone who might enjoy listening to our program. Remember that you can access ad free episodes and bonus content at patreon dot com slash Imagination Skyway, which is also a great way to support the show. When you’re ready for your next vacation, remember that listeners of Imagination Skyway can get rewarded for booking a trip to Disney in twenty twenty six through k m v travel voted the top travel agency in Orlando in twenty twenty five. Simply fill out the form at KMV travel dot com slash skyway and make sure that you select Imagination Skyway under the how did you hear about us? Question. To be eligible for a special gift from the team. Terms and conditions apply as you disembark. Please remember to remain fully seated until the podcast comes to a complete stop. Then gather your belongings and watch your head and step as you exit. Thank you for joining me aboard Imagination Skyway. And remember, if we can dream it, we can do it.
Part Two:
Speaker: How can you celebrate America’s two hundred and fiftieth anniversary at Walt Disney World and Disneyland? In this episode, we’ll discuss some of our favorite and often surprising patriotic experiences. Welcome aboard Imagination Skyway, your guided tour through the worlds of Disney and Imagineering. I’m your host, Matthew Krul, and it’s my job to explore the stories and places we love and the people who bring them to life. Before we get started, remember that you can unlock ad free episodes and bonus content at patreon dot com slash Imagination Skyway and get complimentary trip support from our sponsors at KMV travel dot com slash skyway. Please be sure to follow Imagination Skyway on social media for even more content and ways to connect with the show. In today’s episode, we discuss our favorite patriotic experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. While some attractions are obvious picks like The American Adventure at Epcot and the Flag Retreat ceremony on Main Street, USA. You might be surprised to hear many of our answers, which are less obvious at first glance. From the resorts to the theme parks, our conversation was so extensive that we’re splitting it into two episodes. You’re currently listening to part two as we begin our journey. Please remain seated. Keep your hands and arms inside the podcast at all times and enjoy your journey aboard Imagination Skyway. I’ll throw it to the one I alluded to before, which is the American Adventure. I think another very obvious one over at at Walt Disney World Opening Day attraction at Epcot. It was it’s a tremendous theater, uh, an innovative show from a theatrical perspective. And the way that they move the animatronics around the stage and incorporate the montages. And it’s just like a engineering and theatrical marvel in itself. Now, the show itself is obviously very obvious, um, in the sense that it obviously very obvious. It’s obvious in its American um, heritage because it’s literally the American adventure. So it’s talking about the here we’re talking about the history of our country. It’s going from, you know, from everything we learn in here in the US from elementary school of the, you know, pilgrims coming over to America on the Mayflower and then the, you know, the Revolutionary War and the, the trials and tribulations of the, the Civil War and, um, you know, reconstruction and, you know, goes into our, you know, relationship a bit with, um, like Native American populations and then into like more modern times in World War two. And then, you know, you have this montage in the end of, of people like Walt or, um, like, uh, you know, you’ve got, you’ve got a lot of, uh, you’ve got George Lucas in there, you’ve got Jim Henson in there. Um, you’ve got some more modern presents that are featured in there. You have sports teams, events, cultural events, historical events, the golden dream song itself, which is like a very patriotic and inspiring song. So just and it’s a thirty five minute show. I, I love it, um, I go to see it whenever I can when I’m in Epcot and the show itself is great, but then the whole pavilion itself is a celebration of American history. And there are some places where you can slow down and not have your experience narrated to you, but you can absorb the history and the culture of of this country. So one of the best ways to do that is through music. Um, by listening to the voices of liberty, um, singing in the rotunda. Like that’s definitely a way. Yeah. Um, again, that’s a little bit more narrated to you, but like, definitely a a worthy place to go. They’re going to sing traditional American hymns and, um, like folk songs from American history and then some modern classics and Disney classics they might throw in there, but that’s really one that’s worth celebrating and worth going to see. But then you have they always have a rotating exhibit. So right now it’s Portraits of Courage, which is, um, George W Bush’s um, paintings of veterans, um, and sort of his tribute to them. So that’s, that’s only going to be there through July fourth weekend unless they extend it. So, um, you can read all about it on Disney parks blog, but it’s a, it’s a, it’s like an art exhibit, right? Like it’s a rotating art exhibit that you can go and experience. Um, and then they have a, most people, they might like, see it, but never go into it. They might be like, oh, yeah, that’s, you know, as I’m waiting for the show, there’s this thing over there, but there’s a mini museum and the American Adventure, similar to what you were talking about, with people waiting to line up for great moments with Mr. Lincoln or Walt Disney and Magical life. They have the American Heritage Gallery. Um, and this explores the artistry of, um, American Indian communities, um, and traditional native influences they have right now. It’s called creating tradition, innovation and change in American Indian Art, um, which showcases the, um, authentic and historical native artifacts alongside contemporary works of American Indian art. Um, they demonstrate cultural traditions that have been handed down through generations. They talk about the native communities from seven geographic regions across the United States. Um, they reference a lot of that. There’s some interactive storytelling that’s involved. So it’s a really great place to just go. And, and, and you can dine at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, you can go into the, the art shop and check out some American artwork there, but, um, and some Disney artwork in there, but, um, it’s really, you could spend quite some time in the American adventure between the show, the Voices of Liberty, the American Heritage Gallery, and portraits of courage and whatever’s going to come next. Um, beyond portraits of courage and then again, dining. And then of course, the stage show that they have, um, over at the America Gardens Theatre for the different festivals. So you’ll often have, um, well they’re not always American artists, but music performed there. So it was just a lot to, to sample or funnel cakes, you know, you get funnel cakes too. Yeah. Everything from the, the stereotypical to the historical, uh, to the, a little bit more like layered and complex parts of our history. Um, let me see. I had to go to, I’m going back to the river a little bit because I didn’t get to give, I talked a little bit Mark Twain, but I did not talk about, um, sailing ship Columbia and the other attractions over there. Yeah. Uh, because you got, you know, Davy Crockett canoes. Um, which is something that doesn’t always exist in every Disney park. You know, even something as new. Like I do love as an example that Shanghai Disneyland used to add, they don’t call it Davy Crockett, but explorer canoes. And, you know, in China, you know. So even though it’s not something that speaks necessarily, uh, American culture or, or like a very patriotic vibes that are attached to it, it is something that is, it’s, if you have been to a Disney park that in the States, that’s something that you would recognize immediately from that. Even if it doesn’t, it’s not connected to Davy Crockett or the country. Um, but having the Mark Twain and the sailing ship Columbia there really also adds to that river because the river is stunning, whether or not there’s a boat on it or not, you know, because sometimes when you happen to walk by it, you’re just getting the energy of the river, as in like maybe the sailing ship is docked for refurbishment and the Mark Twain is kind of making its run, but it’s on the backside of the island, so you can’t see it. It’s still such a beautiful area to walk by. Um, but, you know, even Walt choosing to make the Columbia and base it off of because they could depict any ship truly, but to base it off of an actual ship, um, that I think it was in seventeen ninety was the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. Like that is so specific, but also so Walt also in the same way to make sure to give that much attention to, um, a ship and basically almost because he’s like, oh, I need another boat on my river and the Mark Twain’s not enough. I need, I need something else out there. Uh, but even going to the Mark Twain, you know, being one of those, um, stunning and beautiful, um, uh, paddle wheelers that, you know, were, you know, so popular during that, during that time period because they don’t very rarely exist now, but it truly does speak to like original Disneyland, you know, and even though the Columbia didn’t come until nineteen fifty eight, um, seeing them both together on the river is is, is amazing. And it reminds you of a slower time because our, our, our world we live in now is so fast paced. And you can imagine people that actually went on ships like that back then, that it was such a more quiet world, you know, everything moved a little slower and you got to really soak in the details of what you’re doing. And now, while that experience is something that could potentially maybe bore somebody, you imagine the people that were on those back then, that was an incredible experience. And I think probably my favorite thing about one of my favorite things about those two, rather than just, um, the nods to, uh, their history is how Disney did such a fantastic job of incorporating them into modern entertainment. So having them within Fantasmic, I think is really special. Um, because that show potentially in its original incarnation when, you know, when it started in ninety two, could have just been the island by itself and that would have been it, but they found a way to very creatively incorporate these two classic attractions into modern entertainment. You know, because it’s technically not a pirate ship, you know, that Hook and Peter Pan are on in our version, but it works well enough and no one kind of second guesses it anyway. So, you know, that’s that’s fine. But that ending sequence with the Mark Twain at the end, you know, and there’s no way that Walt probably could have envisioned that ending sequence where you see all the characters on it. But I do think about how fun it is that we were able to connect something that he wanted for the park with other modern Disneyland. You know, when you how crazy that he, you know, if he had lived, you know, he would live longer if he could see it. Now you just see like characters like Woody, Buzz and Jessie on the Mark Twain, you know, waving at kids, which is such a crazy, like gap and span of time, you know, from like, when he would have last seen the Mark Twain up until when the first Toy Story came out. But to see these modern Disney characters and some classic ones. Riding on the Mark Twain always makes me think of like, wow, what a, what a history. Um, and what a, you know, a span of time and how poignant to kind of see that merging of, you know, American history, Disney history, and then like now modern Disney history or I guess history in our, our way, because Woody and Buzz aren’t young anymore. You know, they were when we were kids. But, you know, I can’t believe that was thirty years ago for Toy Story now, but how fun for like our kids to get this kind of like merging of these two things, but finding like, again, ways to incorporate the Mark Twain, um, in the Columbia. I love that they are in that show. The show is great overall, of course, but that they found a way to merge them into this show that really speaks, you know, it’s fantasy and magic, but also just a smidge of American history is great. Yeah, I totally see that. Totally agree. And that’s again, another really great answer. Um, for Maybe we could do like, you know, two more each because I think there are so many. There’s so many ways we could go with this. And I know we’ll throw some honorable mentions because I have a list of like fifteen things on here, but, um, because there’s so much, but I, um. Do I go with like all these answers are like, you know, like, Matt, you’re talking about like Disney resorts and dining, but all the I love, I love that though. I’m trying to get people to think differently. I think of people because I imagine you were going, yeah, yeah. But I imagine you were going to I was like, I felt he was going to say Voices of Liberty. I was like, there’s gonna be some. But I knew you were going to surprise me. And I would not even have remotely thought of the hotel. So that’s perfect. I, uh, this one is another interesting one. It’s it’s very when you said Buena Vista Street, this reminded me of my answer for, um, for this particular one, it’s the original three of the original sections of Disney’s Hollywood studios. Um, and in particular they are Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard and Echo Lake. Now, this is very specific because it’s not talking about, again, like a broader American history, like the American adventure or the Hall of Presidents or frontier land. Even being as massive as it is, we’re focusing on such a small section geographically of America, but it is in the broader American psyche. Um, and this is the piece that does extend to the broader, you know, even even beyond the United States. Um, and it’s Michael Eisner’s term as the, for MGM Studios was the, the Hollywood that never was and always will be. And the, the reason for that is because it’s, it’s less about the like, yes, there are some things that are replicating real places. The, the Grumman’s Chinese Theatre is a place that’s replicating a real place. The, um, you know, the Hollywood brown derby, Derby, those. There’s a lot of buildings and places that are based on real places in Hollywood, but it’s otherwise mostly this caricature of Hollywood. And what people think of when they think of Hollywood. And each area also represents periods in history. And, you know, I could do an entire episode on just this piece, but the Hollywood Boulevard, if you when you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, it’s replicating the golden age of Hollywood. It’s representing the thirties in particular. And it’s the growth and the boom of Hollywood as it’s coming up. So you’ll see that it’s it glows a little bit more. It’s a little bit more like polished and beautiful. And it’s, it’s meant to be dream like. So even as you’re walking, like, especially walking through it at night, it feels very dreamy to walk down Hollywood Boulevard because it’s that aspiration and that hope that we all had, we all had, like I was there that Americans had in the thirties. Yeah. Especially around like the idea of Hollywood and the growth and economic economic expansion. Sunset Boulevard, if you look at it, is different. It is not dreamy. It’s a little more. Worn and it’s got its. It’s a little bit more uncertain. And there’s posters about, you know, um serving in the war because this is now in the forties. So Hollywood’s not doing that great. You have the sun, you know, uh, Hollywood Tower Hotel, which in itself is not exactly like a dreamy looking structure off in the distance. Um, it still speaks Hollywood. You still have this, like, you know, you’ve got wartime music, you’ve got, uh, but it’s, it’s meant to represent like a different period in history. The, what it was like to be in America during the war and in particular in Hollywood during the war. Some of the uncertainty around that and the ways in which industry pivoted to focus on the war effort. Um, and in Echo Lake is more the rise of suburbs, um, and the advent of television and sort of changing from going to see films in theaters, you still would do that. But now you also have television at home for entertainment. So you’ve got fifty prime time café. You have the buildings look a little bit more suburban than they do on Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. And so it’s actually more of a, a, a, a look at the thirties, forties, and 50s in America and the way that the American psyche felt during those those decades, using Hollywood as a particular geographic location to focus on. And then, of course, that made for a very fitting theme for a park based on films and studios and television and music and everything else and entertainment. Um, but like, that’s one that you can really go and almost get a, a subtle subconscious history lesson without even realizing it as you’re walking through those areas. So that’s one of my favorites. That is a great one. I, um, that’s also one that’s a great a great, just great subtle one. It’s it’s so. Like, it just really doesn’t stand out. Like you just have to kind of be sitting on a bench to really think about it, you know, and I, and I totally get why people don’t, you know, you’re running to make that lightning lane, you know, so you don’t really get to, to drink in the details or it’s great for the people who’ve just been there so many times where you, you can let your eyes linger. The casual visit as opposed to the I gotta cross off as many things on my list is good. Yeah. Um, I picked up, so I picked, I picked Soarin, I know we’re going to talk a tiny bit about, oh yeah, the new South America. Yeah. But specifically how it’s I’m thinking of the queue for Disneyland or California Adventure. Uh, because the video is largely the same for the most part, you know, other than some slight slight changes. But, uh, that first visit when you first walk in, because for a lot of maybe your listeners that don’t know, all the songs are themed differently. The cues are different, the buildings, the facades are different. Like they all have different stories. So the costumes for the cast are different. So but specifically California Venture speaks to the history of aviation, which is a massive part of America, because I don’t think and you have to remind me because I’ve been in the sauna in there. It’s it’s similar there because I know the sauna there. They have a different layout for us. It’s almost like you are taking a flight where the cast members are dressed like flight attendants. Yeah, it’s the one in California. Adventure is definitely more it feels almost like an air and space museum, but the one in one in Florida is more, um, it’s more about the land itself, the landscape that you’re flying over because it ties into the land pavilion. Um, but yeah, the, the costume and the idea you’re going into a terminal is, is right. Yeah. Where it’s like more about the flight you’re going to take as opposed to like, oh, we’re in a air and space museum. But looking at these incredible men and women who have helped shape, you know, the future or the future of aviation, you know, and again, we’ve been talking a ton about that edutainment from Walt, where as you’re waiting in this queue that you get to, you know, read just a short bio on these people who’ve helped influence so much when it comes to, you know, the history of aviation. And so much of it was done here in the States, you know, that. And then, of course, that influence helped change the rest of the world. But getting to learn about these really talented people, you know, like Amelia Earhart’s on the wall in there, you know, like this, this true spirit of, um, of pushing boundaries that this country is known for, you know, and I appreciate that that kind of love was given to the queue, you know. And again, how many people read that stuff? Um, it’s always hard to say, especially in our phone phone based culture now and then a culture that of course Disney is put on to us now. You know, you’re, you’re ordering your mobile, ordering your food, you know, or your, um, you’re booking your next night because you just scanned in. So I do appreciate that people take the time and it’s always great when I’m in those queues to actually do see people reading them, you know, because that means it’s working whether or not they retain it, you know, to speak on it either way. Um, you always hope that there’s that one person who’s going to, you know, be influenced by that to then maybe do some research on their own. But I, I really do appreciate that they chose to speak more about the people as opposed to like the aircraft. Um, because the people, you know, are definitely the manifestation of that spirit of America that, that, that, that spirit to always break boundaries and move forward and, and try new things. So I love that it’s less about the planes because it could have very well, like you mentioned, been something that was Aerospace museum just in general, like looking at this is the first plane, not nothing about the people who made the plane or who flew for the first time, but this is just the plane or this is just this or this is just that. But talking about the people in general, like it’s essentially a bunch of faces going all the way down. And I like that. That is a, a great example of what, um, uh, what Walt would have loved, which is, uh, is history in something that doesn’t necessarily speak to it when you’re on the ride. It’s more of like a love letter to California. If you’re writing that version of it or any other version, like a love letter to the globe or to America. Um, but that original version in that queue, uh, that opened, you know, the first Soarin is, is I think because of the queue, one of the best ones, because you get to have that kind of merging. I know some of the other sovereigns have, you know, the queue may be a lot more elaborate, like, especially if you see the one in Tokyo, that one is extremely elaborate and different, of course. But, you know, it’s speaking on our topic specifically that Soarin in California is, the best. I, I totally agree with you. I think that’s such a great answer. Um, I, I love that. Q I think it’s, it’s, it’s certainly like, it’s smaller and more intimate than the one Walt Disney World, um, or especially the one at Tokyo, but like, it’s, it’s still just, it, it feels so historical and significant and you feel like you’re walking through a place where other greats have set flight and their to innovate and explore. And you get that spirit as you’re walking into the California adventure version of Soarin, more so than you do anywhere else. So that’s a, that’s a great answer. Um, all right, so I’m going to think deep of that on that one. I had to think deep on that one. No, you, you really, I mean, and obviously the obvious one there is of course now it’s soaring across America. So yeah, people as long as it’s around should go and check it out. I think that is a very direct connection to the two hundred and fiftieth celebration, and is one that they could bring back time and again, as they now have three films to choose from, as opposed to the the two that they had before. Um, I’m going to rattle through some that I didn’t get to mention before going to my last answer. So, um, because there’s, again, there’s just so many, so like one and these are all Walt Disney World. So electrical water pageant. Um, it even ends with a very like, uh, patriotic, um, section of songs. So like that’s one that it’s, it’s in a, it’s a, a Walt Disney World tradition. It is old and nostalgic and it’s still there. So people saying that Disney changes everything, like electrical water pageant is still the same. It’s always been, it’s still going. And it’s a great little way to enjoy an evening entertainment outside the parks. Um, similar to what we’ve been talking about with other exhibits Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A little more tied to Walt, but there’s a lot of tie ins with, uh, American history. Um, any fireworks? Especially on the Fourth of July weekends? Um, Magic Kingdom has Disney’s Celebrate America, a Fourth of July concert in the sky. Very long title. Epcot still shows luminous, but at the end of luminous, they have Heartbeat of Freedom, which is a like a Fourth of July tag on top of it. And like I I’m telling you, if you’ve never seen these fireworks before, if you’re standing at World Showcase or in Magic Kingdom, like you feel the booming in your chest, like that’s how many fireworks they set off, it is crazy how many fireworks they set off for the Fourth of July. Um, so, uh, like, no better place to see a fireworks show. This is coming from a New Yorker who’s got, you know, like the Macy’s, Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks spectacular around Manhattan. But like, it’s there’s no better place to see Fourth of July fireworks than at, uh, at a Disney park. Um, and then the last I’ve got again a lot on here. The last one I’ll, I’ll, uh, I’m actually gonna share as a, as an honorable mention, although it seems like it should get one. A highlight in itself is the flag retreat ceremony on USA. That one too. Yeah. Um, definitely one that like it. It felt wrong not to include it in this episode. So and I got, I got some creative and fun ones, but the last one I’ll actually throw for an actual answer here. And, um, you know, maybe it’s a, a tough one for people. Like your first answer is Walt Disney’s Carousel of progress. Uh, I’m going there. Um, you know, it, I, I’ve already done this in previous episodes, so you can go back and listen to my thoughts about the changes. But I, this one is directly speaking to the progress of the American family, quote unquote. Like that was the idea that Walt’s had and how he wanted people in the Nineteen sixty four World’s Fair to come together. And, you know, whether it’s, you know, grandma talking about how she remembers the the turn of the century, perhaps in the way that life was from nineteen hundred to nineteen twenty in that first scene or the, you know, or the nineteen twenties or the nineteen forties, and then sort of ending with the culmination of the, you know, eventually in the nineteen sixty four World’s Fair version, you would go to the like this futuristic city, um, exhibit. But at Magic Kingdom, we then had the nineteen forties and then sort of like this, this future. Um, I also love that it progresses through the year, starting with Valentine’s Day, going to the fourth of July, then Halloween, and then Christmas. So you have this progression of seasons, progression of technology and innovation, but the family is all the same in one way or another. They’re just adapting to the changing of the times. And so when it was when I was there in the sixties, it was very relevant for people that were audiences going to the nineteen sixty four World’s Fair. And then over time, you know, it’s people are nostalgic about it’s about the thing more than they are connected to the original idea that Walt Disney had. And I think still with this new version, I haven’t obviously seen it. We know only as much as what they’ve shared in concept art and ideas, but I think it’s just going to be like a. We’re going to hit repeat on the idea that Walt had in nineteen sixty four and bring us back to, you know, looking. I love that they’re starting with the nineteen sixty four World’s Fair as sort of that first scene kicking off right where Walt ended it and then moving us to the summer of nineteen sixty nine, where humans land on the moon, and then going to the nineteen eighties for Halloween and then going to Y2K again, like we’re progressing through the year. Um, and then, uh, you know, and so like, I’m going to be able to tell Maggie and Emily when they’re old enough. Like I remember Y2K. I don’t really remember the eighties as well. I was extremely young. But certainly, you know, that bled into the nineties in some of my childhood memories. Um, and Y2K, I remember, and then we can all dream about the future on this, you know, like off planet, very Tomorrowland type of experience. Um, so like that’s one that is tied to the American spirit of innovation. It’s one that ties back to Walt’s. Um, and even the new version, you know, I’ll say it now, I’m confident the new version will be just as amazing and patriotic as the original. And I can’t even say it’s not even the original. It’s the fourth version of Carousel of Progress that we’re experiencing right now is not the original. Um, yeah, I feel the same way. Like it’s, it’s, um, you know, an attraction. That’s the word progress in it, you know, should theoretically be updated from time to time. Um, but it’s something that, you know, Walt would have changed as well over time, you know, how to what degree we’ll never know. But change for sure. We can guarantee. Um, but keeping the spirit of the attraction the same because I think, like you mentioned, a lot of people, when they are connected to these things are tied into the idea of it, you know, like they’re happy that they grew up, uh, looking at it and they can like recite it or there’s like in jokes that they can say like, oh, we’re going to joke about Uncle Orville. You know, we, I’ve seen it so many times. He says the same thing and I know it now. And as opposed to the idea that it exists still. And it’s the like the reason it was created is, is I think, more the important reason or the important thing, as opposed to keeping it exactly the same. Um, which is not as important. Like you want to make these adjustments, you’re designing and building a Disneyland that is for, you know, a ever changing population. You know, I, I, especially with us, with our, our girls, you know, this is a, um, a thing that will mean a bit more to them and also more to the audiences. While it was obviously fun to see that original version? And it was related to things I could not even. I was not around for. Yeah, seeing the two thousand one will be really interesting because I have no doubt they’re going to have them trying to like log on to the internet and they’re going to make that internet sound. They’re like, I’m sure that I am almost guaranteeing that scene in that same year. Yeah, that’s going to be there. And I remember that very, very, very well. It’ll be fun to think about how so many of us will get to have those kinds of fun conversations with kids, because kids watching it now have would have had lots of questions about that, but maybe their parents could not have, you know, thought of that because they just weren’t around then. But this natural progression of time, you know, but keeping in the same spirit of things with the same family and all that, but updating it. And but also, like you said, which is great speaking to the constant adjustment of this family as they move through time and they experience different, uh, you know, different technology and different, um, world events and things like that. It’s very special. Um, and they, I, I feel really great about it, you know, um, I wasn’t, um, around to see it when it was at Disneyland. Definitely not the world’s fair. Um, but I wasn’t around to see it at Disneyland. And I love that this is a thing that will speak a little bit more to the youth that are coming to Disneyland, you know, because they’re, they have to think about kids, you know, and how they’ll perceive it, you know, and kids will love Carousel of Progress not because it was the one that we grew up with because it’s the one they grew up with. And I think that means a lot to will mean a lot to them. And I have no doubt that they will do a great job on it. You know, they have largely pretty excellent track record on making adjustments and, you know, doing reimaginations for attractions, you know, and having Walt in that one too. That’s great. Like how great to have him opening it up as well, you know? Um, especially in that same iconic, like blue sweater that he’s wearing, um, in the actual video too, which is fun. It’ll be like, almost like, hey, Walt’s here. Of course, of course he’s here, you know? Um, so I think that will be really exciting to see. And I wish them the best of luck because I know things like this are always really challenging. Everybody can be very vocal about that kind of stuff. But in the long run, when you think about like when our daughters are in their twenties, you know, which is a weird thing to think about. But it is a obviously reality that they’ll look on it very differently than we did. Like we’ll appreciate it because we remember taking them to see this new version. And then you and I are now in our sixties or something, right? And then yeah, you’re with it with them and they’ll have those memories. So like the idea in memory of it still holds on even though it’s not the same thing, you know, and changing it is always outright better than just removing it in general. You know, especially something that, that, that that’s, that’s as iconic as that. But like you said, it’s already the fourth version. So like, what’s another one? No different than any other thing. Nothing like Marty Sklar had once said, nothing exists as it exactly did back when it first came even down to like the paint scheme, you know, on, on the castle or on the main street, you know, brickwork or anything like that. All everything changes, you know, and you don’t have to like them all, but you want to make sure that we are still leaning in on why change is important and why Walt Disney wanted change so that this next generation of Disney fans has their version that they can look back on, you know, with love. Absolutely. Um, I get I guess we should go to your final answer and any, uh, honorable mentions that you have on. Yeah, my honorable mentions. You know, I had thought a tiny bit, I kind of wanted to include a little bit honorable mention for like Pixar Pier, not necessarily the Pixar aspect of it, but pier side or, seaside amusement parks, you know, um, which is great. I also had the flag ceremony, um, which is really special, you know, and I again, I understand that when people gotta run by that thing because they’re leaving or coming, you know, but man, when you see, when they kind of call out the, you know, the different, um, factions, you know, the military and those people kind of get up and salute and even the aftermath of it when it’s finished and you just see these different people talking and sharing stories, you know, that that didn’t know each other, but they’re connected through Disney, you know, and I think about how I’m sure Walt would have loved knowing that this the ceremony obviously is the thing that resonates the most. But I think the thing that lingers longer afterwards is that you get these people that from our different parts of the world connecting with each other, you know, and, and that maybe was something that he might probably could have, maybe didn’t foresee, but that’s arguably one of my favorite parts of the ceremony is just after it’s finished seeing this collection of men and women just talking amongst themselves, shaking hands. You know, especially when you get someone who’s been there who, you know, we, we’ve had in the last couple of years at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, some World War Two veterans, you know, that have, you know, for a lot of them, it was their very first visit to either resort. You know, how special for them to be at that ceremony and get honored, maybe in a very unique way from Disney, like getting like a plaque or something, you know? Um, but I always appreciate that that happens even if I don’t have the amount of time to, you know, get to see it. I’m always thankful for little moments like that that are, um, that for honoring people that, you know, in some cases have made the ultimate sacrifice, you know, to have something like that. That’s just a simple, you know, and it’s a quick little show. It doesn’t take a lot of time out of your day, but happy it’s there. I don’t get to see it as much as I want to, but happy it’s there. Um, my other element is I had a couple food ones as well, like you. Uh, so I was thinking of like Carnation Cafe on Main Street, USA, that kind of like turn of the century diner. And I love that even still to this day, the food at the location, uh, still, uh, matches the time period. They haven’t gone gone off, you know, with any. So you get things like meatloaf that’s on there, you know, or, um, uh, country fried steak, you know, it fits the area. And I try to tell people if they can help it. I know sitting inside to get air conditioning is, is nice, but sitting outside, um, at Carnation Cafe is excellent, especially if you can get any of those seats that are along the railing of Main Street. Because you get the music, you get the guest flow. And that one feels like that very turn of the century, other than when you get the occasional cavalcade or parade where the music changes very drastically, it feels very much like that kind of old school, um, uh, feeling and vibe. But I think probably my last one is, uh. I was going to pick Walt Disney’s apartment. Oh. Great answer. Something we don’t have. That’s right. Yeah. And while I think the big deal for anyone that goes in there, obviously, like any of your the visits that you’ve had where, you know, you go in Walt’s apartment or things like that, I think that always is what lingers with you the most. But I think it’s also for me, um, even down to the way it’s decorated. You know, so that apartment was famously decorated by Imagineer Bill Curry and, um, Lillian Disney. But so much of what exists in it speaks to the time period and Americana and even the beginning nature of it. You know, the, the humble nature of Walt Just, you know, theoretically sleeping in there on a cot, you know, while he was putting together this dream that he had. But a lot of the stuff in that apartment is, is some of it, a lot of it’s still original. You know, a few things were a lot of things were donated back to the family, you know, after Walt passed. But there’s a lot of stuff that’s still in there that speaks to history, you know, like their, um, their Regina music box is still in there. And that is, um, from the eighteen hundreds, you know, and while it doesn’t, it still plays, but they don’t want anyone to play it anymore in fear that if it breaks, there is no one that can fix it because it’s so old. But the fact that that is still in there is really, really special. Um, there Edison um, is in there and that’s, that does not work anymore because the needle got worn down too much, but that still is in there and that I, and I love the, um, the fun nature of having these two very different, uh, um, musical instruments, their musical, uh, players there that that the family would enjoy while they’re there. But it makes me think of again, like that slower time where you can imagine Walt having spending time over there with his wife and his daughters and them just listening to this music box, you know, and it’s like, you know, you have to wind it up. Uh, it’s got these giant discs that look almost like frisbees, like really big, uh, frisbees, little hinges in them that the music box would hit to make the sounds when it goes by. But yeah, I can imagine how wonderful it would be to just, um, you know, have a sun, a summer day and you’re just kind of sitting up there. The windows are open, you know, the, that the music is playing or the Edison’s playing. Um, but even down to the very Victorian, um, the carpeting and the furniture that’s inside there, even I love the, the twin hideaway beds, you know, that’s, that’s also very, very old school or very historic, not having the two of them sleeping in the same beds. But the idea of Walt’s apartment, not just, of course, connected to the man and the place, but also its place that exists in history and the and Walt Disney, you know, being, um, you know, a man of, of, of someone who has such strong love for the country and the fact that he kind of put in a firehouse also. I love that, that kind of connection to that. Um, but they took a lot of time to incorporate. There’s a lot of great, uh, photographs inside there that show a time of the past, you know, so Walt’s, uh, standing, you know, at the flagpole and things like that. Just his love for, um, the country is, is showcased in very subtle ways. And I like that the apartment is one and it’s usually not discussed because, um, you know, people are focused on like the lamp and stuff. Like I totally understand that. You know, I remember when I first went in there years and years and years ago, um, and I definitely didn’t think about this, but I think when we’re doing these deep dives into where, uh, the country in very subtle ways are, is represented, that’s a, that’s a great one alongside so many of the ones that you’ve done as well. Well, thanks. I, I love that to, to close us off here, um, main Street, USA, Walt Disney, Walt’s apartment history in there feels like a perfect place to close out a conversation of patriotic Disney parks experiences. So, um, I want to make sure people know. I think they already do, but, uh, let’s make sure people know where to follow you, Philander, because you’ve got some incredible content you put out there. Thank you. I, um, if, if they’re looking to do some deep dives, uh, at Disney history, no different than listening to you. Um, that’s at my Instagram. It’s Philander, so it’s p h I l a n d e r and then the letter C and eighty five. I love to dive deep into the well of Disneyland history or Disney history just in general, but general, a lot of Disneyland history and how it connects to the park. So every Monday I’ll have some little fun nugget that will hopefully be something you never heard of before. You know, that’s always kind of the goal to reach out and do these kind of dives with, um, that help add context and nuance, you know, to these parks that we love so much. So it’s more than just the ride or the nighttime spectacular, you know, or the attraction or the food, you know, these, these things that really make Disney, Disney history sing. So, um, if you’re interested in those things, come and find me there. You know, I hope, I hope that you learn something new. I’ll vouch for that. I learned a ton from Philander’s content, so keep it coming. But Philander, thank you so much for coming on to the show. Uh, we’ll have you back really soon. Already got an episode of mine for you, so we’ll have you back really soon. Ready? Anytime. Like I said, you’re just recording these natural conversations anyway, so a bonus. Absolutely. Thank you. Welcome back to Imagination Central. Before you exit this episode, remember to follow Imagination Skyway on social media and share the show with anyone who might enjoy listening to our program. Remember that you can access ad free episodes and bonus content at patreon dot com slash Imagination Skyway, which is also a great way to support the show. When you’re ready for your next vacation, remember that listeners of Imagination Skyway can get rewarded for booking a trip to Disney in twenty twenty six through k m v travel. Voted the top travel agency in Orlando in twenty twenty five. 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