Walk Through America’s History In Disney’s Liberty Square

Welcome to another installment of my Patriotic Disney Series. This time let me show you around Liberty Square.

Walt Disney loved America so much that much of his work paid tribute to the American Spirit. Many of Walt’s live action movies took place during the early years of our country, as did many of his theme park attractions which followed. His earliest audio-animatronic creation was President Lincoln for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the 1964 World’s Fair.

Liberty Square is located in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Here you can walk into an area of the theme park built to resemble Colonial America. The buildings are all in the Colonial and Federal style.

There are a lot of things to see in Liberty Square besides The Magic Kingdom’s theme park attractions. There is a giant live oak called the Liberty Tree which is over 135 years old, a reproduction of the Liberty Bell, and there is even a set of stocks in case someone gets out of line.

A Patriotic Theme

Everything in Liberty Square has a patriotic theme, from the attractions to the restaurants. You’ll be immersed in history! The flags of the original thirteen colonies as well as the American flag fly proudly in the center of the square. The Liberty Bell replica was cast from a mold of the original bell. In the evening scan the upstairs windows to find Paul Revere’s lanterns signifying “two if by sea”.

Things to see and do in Liberty Square:

Three attractions: The Hall of Presidents, The Haunted Mansion, and The Liberty Square Riverboat.

Three dining options: the Columbia Harbour House, the Liberty Tree Tavern, the Diamond Horseshoe, and Sleepy Hollow.

Four shops: The Yankee Trader, Heritage House, Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, and the Liberty Square Portrait Gallery

Note: the Hall of Presidents also has a small Museum!

Liberty Square Attractions

The Hall of Presidents –

The Hall of Presidents is a patriotic show combining live action movies, still images, and audio-animatronic versions of all the Presidents of the United States. it lasts about 20 minutes in a comfortable air-conditioned theatre. President Lincoln has a large roll during the presentation. It’s a great review of highlights of our history.

The Haunted Mansion –

The mansion’s architecture represents 18th century mansions in upstate New York. Check out all of the gravestones on the way into the mansion, one will even look back. The recent refurbishment of the attraction added many interactive pieces to the queue area, which kids young and old can play with.

The Haunted Mansion is a dark ride through various rooms of the mansion as well as a nighttime graveyard scene. The ride vehicles are called “Doom Buggies” and they’ll hold two to four people and perhaps a hitchhiking ghost.

Liberty Square Riverboat – The Rivers of America run along the shores of Liberty Square, around Tom Sawyer Island and on into Frontierland. You can take a ride through America’s history on the Liberty Belle, an actual steam powered riverboat. During the 17-minute trip be on the lookout for the Indian village and other sights.

Liberty Square Dining

Columbia Harbour House – Is a counter service restaurant featuring clam chowder, soups, sandwiches, fried seafood, and salads.

Liberty Tree Tavern – For lunch choose the menu which includes appetizers, entrees, and desserts which all have patriotic names, while dinner is served family style. To learn more about the Liberty Tree Tavern see my recent post. Read our review

The Diamond Horseshoe – In recent years has become an alternate dining room for the Liberty Tree Tavern, serving the same menu. Read our review

Sleepy Hollow – Offers drinks, snacks, and cappuccino. But this Disney World snack location is famous for its funnel cakes and ice cream sandwich cookies. I can tell you the ice cream sandwich cookies are to die for, they are on my must have list for every Disney vacation. A generous portion of hand dipped vanilla ice cream is placed between two large, warm tollhouse cookies. You can’t beat it! Read our Review

Liberty Square Shopping

Liberty Square Portrait Gallery – At this outdoor cart you can have a silhouette created by Disney artists.

Memento Mori – Features Haunted Mansion souvenirs, clothing, and more.

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe – A whole shop filled with Disney Christmas gifts and decorations. All you need to celebrate Disney during the Holidays!

Take Time To Appreciate Liberty Square

Many people rush around Disney from attraction to attraction totally missing the superb attention to detail that went into creating the theme parks. I recommend that you slow down just a little when you tour Liberty Square. Take time to absorb a little history!

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