• Home
  • Blog
  • Info By Topic
    • Disney Armed Forces Salute
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute Full Details
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ
      • FAQ Friday Blog Posts – Your Most Asked Questions
    • Military Discounted Tickets
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
      • Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets
      • Military Discounted Ticket Overview
    • Resort Hotel Information and Military Discounts
      • Resort Hotel Overview
      • Shades of Green – WDW’s Military Resort
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts
      • The Walt Disney World Resorts
      • The Disneyland Hotels
    • Walt Disney World Theme Parks
    • Disneyland Theme Parks
    • Dining Information and Military Discounts Overview
      • Dining at WDW for Military Families
    • Transportation Information and Military Discounts Overview
    • Disney Technology Information
      • Disney Technology Overview
      • PhotoPass and MemoryMaker Military Discount
      • Genie & Genie+ Service
      • Linking Disney Military Tickets and FastPass Plus Reservations
    • Outside the Parks Information and Military Discounts
    • Resources and Links for You
  • Info By Location
    • Walt Disney World
      • Walt Disney World Theme Parks
    • Disneyland Resort
      • Disneyland Theme Parks
    • Universal Studios
    • SeaWorld – Busch Gardens
    • Resources and Links for You
  • Shades of Green
    • Shades of Green Overview
    • Shades of Green Prices
      • Shades of Green Eligibility
      • Shades of Green Regular Prices
      • Shades of Green Discounts
      • Shades Of Green – Disney Price Comparison
    • Shades of Green Guest Rooms
      • Shades of Green Standard Rooms
      • Shades of Green Poolside Rooms
      • Shades of Green – Disney Value Resort Comparison
      • Shades of Green – Disney Moderate Resort Comparison
      • Shades of Green – Disney Deluxe Resort Comparison
    • Shades of Green Ticket Office
      • Shades of Green Attraction Ticket Sales Office
      • Shades of Green – Preorder Tickets
    • Shades of Green AAFES Store
    • Shades of Green Dining Overview
    • Shades of Green Transportation Overview
    • Shades of Green Pools
  • Get a Disney Quote
  • About MDT
    • Our About Page
    • Our Team
    • Roll Call (Featured In)
    • Support MDT
    • Contact
    • Brands & Advertisers
    • Bloggers/Writers
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Support Military Disney Tips
  • Updates
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook

Military Disney Tips Blog

By Military for Military

Ears of Experience Military Disney Vacation Experts
Home » Blog Posts » American History At Disneyland

American History At Disneyland

By Kenzie Leave a Comment

A New Way For Military Families To Enjoy The Happiest Place On Earth

Disneyland US Capital Model

A scale model of the US Capital sits proudly in the center of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, a tribute to America and one of Her most famous Presidents

When it comes to true Americana there are few emblems more prominent than the Disney amusement parks. To walk down any of the perfectly curated streets is to take a step back in time in our country’s history; to explore a past and present commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Disneyland is a place to explore the past in a truly immersive – and magical – way. Walt Disney truly said it best when he declared, “Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America.”

Whether it’s the American Flags that line the rooftops on Main Street, U.S.A., the scattered tributes to great American tales including Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer, or the stunning turn-of-the-century, down-home, American vibe on Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland incorporates Walt Disney’s patriotism in a unique and fun way for everyone!

Main Street, U.S.A.

Disneyland Great Moments With-Mr. Lincoln

Disneyland’s Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction, a classic spectacular that’s operated since opening day

Perhaps the most notable place to find remnants of an old America is on Main Street, U.S.A.; the heartline of America.

Main Street was based on the ambience of Walt Disney’s hometown, Marceline, Missouri, and the look of animator Harper Goff’s hometown, Fort Collins, Colorado. Both of these cities were assimilated with an idealized turn-of-the-20th-century American town.

Walt Disney once said, “For those of us who remember the carefree time it recreates, Main Street will bring back happy memories. For younger visitors, it is an adventure in turning back the calendar to the days of their grandfather’s youth.”

Main Street, U.S.A. is truly the backbone of Disneyland; it’s the crossroads of an era, boasting of American optimism and enterprise, and bringing to guests the nostalgia of an earlier, simpler time.

Patriotism lines Main Street from the train station at the bottom to the Sleeping Beauty Castle standing prominently at the top. It can be argued that this layout in and of itself is a metaphor for America’s constant striving toward a better, shining future.

There are many patriotic secrets that you can find on Main Street, U.S.A., like the gas lamps that line the street. These vintage lamps originated in 19th century Baltimore and were more than 150 years old at the time they moved to America’s favorite theme park.

Also, see if you can find the American Flags on Main Street that are missing either a star or stripe. This was not done because someone forgot to count all 13 stripes and 50 stars, but out of respect for our nation’s banner; since these flags are unable to be raised or lowered as established in proper flag etiquette, Disney decided they shouldn’t be true American Flags.

After you’ve counted the flags, stars, and stripes, join Cast Members and park guests alike in the center of Town Square for a daily pause; Disneyland’s classic tradition, the Flag Retreat Ceremony.

Main Street, U.S.A. is also home to one of Disneyland’s original, classic attractions: The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Here, you’ll find a scale model of what Disneyland looked like on opening day, as well as a scale model of America’s most famous house and the most honest animatronic President you’ll ever see!

Here, you can watch as President Abraham Lincoln – the Great Emancipator reincarnated in lifelike animatronic form – delivers parts of his famous speeches that changed history and helped shape our nation.

Frontierland

Disneyland Frontierland

Just west of the Sleeping Beauty Castle is Frontierland, a tribute to the Wild West days in America and the pioneer days along the American Frontier

Here, you’ll find 13 American Flags displayed along the top of the log stockade. These flags represent the colors carried by soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

On a completely unrelated note, Doritos – one of America’s favorite chip brands – were originally invented in Disneyland as Casa de Fritos, a Mexican restaurant in Frontierland now called the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. They were created to recycle old tortillas that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Just past Frontierland lies the Rivers of America, a tribute in and of itself to – you guessed it! – the famous rivers of America. There are two large, lifesize ships that sail these seas; the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia.

Mark Twain Riverboat

Disneyland Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat makes its way around the riverbend surrounding Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Board the Mark Twain Riverboat for a New Orleans adventure you’ll never forget!. And if you ask the right person, you may find yourself in the wheelhouse steering the steamboat!

This riverboat was an original installment at Disneyland in 1955, and has been exploring the Rivers of America ever since. It was the first functional riverboat to be built in the United States for fifty years!

Its title pays homage to one of America’s most famous authors, Mark Twain.

Fun fact! A bottle that contained water from many major American rivers was broken across the vessel’s bow for the ship’s christening.

The Sailing Ship Columbia

PIC/CAP

The Sailing Ship Columbia, the pirate ship of Disneyland, rocks gently at the loading dock, welcoming guests for a short endeavor around the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island.

The Sailing Ship Columbia is a full-scale replica of Columbia Rediviva, the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. In honor of that, guests who choose to embark on this great ship will circumnavigate Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer’s island during a 10+ minute scenic ride.

After Joe Fowler (Disneyland’s construction supervisor and a former naval admiral) told Mr. Disney that it was customary to put a silver dollar under each mast before it was set, Disney personally put one under each of the Columbia’s three masts.

The Columbia’s christening was led by Gretchen Campbell Richmond. This lovely lady was the wife of Alfred C. Richmond, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (1954-1962).

Fowler’s Harbor (to the West of the Rivers of America) is a tribute to Joe Fowler. Here, you’ll find a secret trail and a quaint seating area to escape from the Disneyland crowds!

Tomorrowland

Disneyland Tomorrowland with Sleeping Beauty Castle in the Distance

The Astro Orbiter, one of Tomorrowland’s original attractions, Sleeping Beauty Castle peeks out from the bottom left corner

East of Main Street, U.S.A. lies a land of futuristic possibilities. Tomorrowland points ahead to America’s constant drive for a better future and the challenge of new opportunities.

“Tomorrow can be a wonderful age,” Walt Disney said. “A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying Man’s achievements… A step into the future, with predictions of constructed things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals. The Atomic Age, the challenge of Outer Space and the hope for a peaceful, unified world.”

While there are no American artifacts here, there’s a feeling of hope for tomorrow; something that America was built on.

The Original Disney Tribute To America’s Military

Disneyland offers a lot of history and patriotism in the American hometown, Wild West tribute, and hope for a brighter tomorrow that it provides, but what many people might not realize is that Disney played a huge part in American culture long before Disneyland was even an idea.

The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, created in 1923, began producing films that reflected the ideal American. The films were often set in a 19th century American heartland and usually featured a hero (the famous Mickey Mouse!) who’s hard work and bravery in the face of challenge always found the “common man” and the “average Joe” successful and triumphant.

By World War II, the company was generating propaganda films and producing war-related goods for the American cause. Disney characters made appearances on posters, war bonds, and more than a thousand military unit insignia, as well as short patriotic cartoons. In fact, Donald Duck soon became so well known as an American military symbol that in February, 1943, The New York Times called him “a salesman of the American Way.”

What patriotic secrets have you stumbled across at the Happiest Place on Earth? Does skipping school for a Disneyland day trip qualify as a history lesson? Let us know in the comment section below!

This post is part of out Patriotic Disney Series. Check out the rest of the posts: Patriotic Disney

This MDT Post By: Steve Bell

Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio.

Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link.

 




Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused?

See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:

  • Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
  • The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide 
  • Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist 
  • Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:
  • Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
  • Dining Overview Page
  • Transportation Overview Page
  • Technology Overview Page

Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent

Save on your Disney Vacation With Ears of Experience

Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!

 
 
 

   

Filed Under: Patriotic Disney Tagged With: Disneyland, Patriotic Disney

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

How Military Disney Tips Came To Serve the U.S. Military Community
Ears of Experience - A Fee Free Disney Travel Agent

Ears of Experience is a travel booking company specializing in Disney vacations. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!

Military Discounts for You

  • Military Discounted Scooters/ECVs
  • Military Discouned Stroller Rentals

Shop Amazon  |  Shop the Disney Store
Subscribe to the Newsletter | Contact Me | Advertise | Webmasters/Bloggers
About Military Disney Tips | Resources and Links | Roll Call (Featured in)
If you found this site helpful, please consider supporting Military Disney Tips

Marketing Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Copyright Statement

Why are there ads on this site?
© Copyright 2007-2023 Military Disney Tips is a Magic Shell Media LLC Website

Other helpful MSM sites: Universal Orlando for Military & Universal Orlando Guide

U.S Military Veteran Owned Business

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: In order for us to maintain this website, some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links.
Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and/or believe will add value to our readers.
Military Disney Tips is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with: The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc. or any of their affiliates, nor the Shades of Green Resort, NBC Universal, Universal Orlando Resort, or the Armed Forces Vacation Club.
Buy American!