The American Adventure at Epcot will be closed for refurbishment from January 5, 2018 to February 5, 2018.
No word yet on whether this is simply a maintenance refurbishment or if any show scenes or film will be changed during this time.
Disney has embarked on one of their most ambitious merchandise lines in recent memory, a collection celebrating all 50 of the United States of America. The collection is being sold at Epcot and is branded to The American Adventure pavilion, taking over pretty much the entirety of the Heritage Manor Gifts shop next door to the pavilion’s attraction.
This awesome map picture is available for $21.95 and showcases all of the character artwork that will be used in the collection. I’m kind of partial to it since it uses Sam Eagle from America Sings at the top…
If you’re wondering why it seems to use the same base characters over and over, I think they were going for a vintage style, something that would have been sold by the company 30-40 years ago. Also, it might make more sense to have characters everyone knows represent each state, rather than try to do over 50 different characters across the country.
The strangest part is that the Florida and California items in the line were released at the D23 Expo this year with zero explanation that they would one part of a larger collection. The Florida items take center stage here, it being Florida and all. Assorted items related to 20 states are available now at Heritage Manor Gifts, but all of the items from all 50 states will be available through the Shop Disney Parks mobile app starting in November 2017.
The state signs retail for $31.99 each.
The metal license plate magnets are $11.99 each.
The line also includes shirts, hats, and mason jars for each state. The lady’s shirts are $29.99, men’s are $27.99, baseball caps are $24.99, and the mason jars are $13.99 each.
There are some items labeled simply for The American Adventure, not picking a particular state as a subject.
The logo featuring Spaceship Earth behind the American Adventure is pretty spiffy.
I’m somewhat impressed that all of the hats are very different in styling, not just all with a different logo icon slapped on them. A lot of care went into all of these items.
Since it was announced that Club 33 would be expanding to four locations at Walt Disney World, many have speculated what the location of the private lounges/restaurants in each park might be. As we speculated with construction walls present at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that their location will be the old Catwalk Bar, it seems that some walls now up in Epcot may point to that park’s private club location. The American Adventure lounge in World Showcase now has its main entrance walled-off. This does not happen routinely, even before the space is used prior to the park festivals. This space has been used as the Chase Lounge at past Food and Wine Festival events, but may now be getting a conversion into Epcot’s Club 33. The spot would make sense as it offers great views and is connected via elevator to a kitchen downstairs. While this is not confirmed and we are purely speculating, it does seem likely. However, the park does offer several other possibilities if this is not it. Epcot is Walt Disney World’s dining park. From the bounty of fantastic worldly table service restaurants, to the annual festivals filled with food and drink, there is always a plethora of exciting and unique dining options in the park. Lost in the shuffle is often counter service, and more so counter service eateries that serve American-style cuisine. I often refer to the Liberty Inn at the American Adventure as “The Safety Restaurant”. If there is a picky eater in the bunch, perhaps afraid of the international cuisine found elsewhere, this or the Electric Umbrella are probably where you are going to end up. Liberty Inn, located inside The American Adventure at Epcot Recently, the menu at the Liberty Inn was altered, so we decided to head over one evening and try out the new entrees. Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016) Among the new options on the menu are a “Surf and Turf” meal and the Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon. Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016) While they don’t get pics on the main menu, there is a classic cheeseburger and the ubiquitous chicken breast nuggets. Surf and Turf ($14.99) Counter service steak is scary. To me, it’s scarier than the Exorcist house at Halloween Horror Nights this year, and that’s probably the one that freaks me out the most. In fact, the only thing scarier than counter service steak is counter service seafood. This dish combines both for what I would likely consider my most avoidable dish at Walt Disney World. That being said, I didn’t think it was terrible. The steak was fine, although a little tough and the shrimp was pretty much what you would expect if you have ever been to Columbia Harbour House. It’s a lot of food for $14.99, but probably not my number one choice. Surf and Turf ($14.99) Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49) I love anything and everything buffalo chicken, so I was excited to try this. The buffalo flavor comes from the sauce, which is accompanied by a rather strange carrot apple slaw. The bun was pretty perfect, reminding me of the bun we had last week at Min and Bill’s. The chicken was a sizable piece and cooked nicely. I expected the apple and carrot slaw to ruin it, but it didn’t detract from what I feel is a really solid option if you are going to dine here. Oh, and there’s bacon too. Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49) For me personally, this isn’t a place I typically dine at Epcot, but if someone asked me to go here, I would have no problem getting the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich again. The burgers here are fine as well, as is the chicken salad, and it is nice that there is a vegetarian “chicken” dish too. If you have a picky eater in the group, Liberty Inn is a counter service meal that at least won’t ruin your vacation.
PHOTOS: Work Commences on Possible Club 33 Location at Epcot
REVIEW: Liberty Inn at Epcot Revamps Menu; Changes to “The Safety Restaurant”
Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)
Surf and Turf ($14.99)
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)
Overall
