2010 Best Theme Park Attraction: American Adventure vs. Hall of Presidents

March 23, 2010 at 2:03 PM · The American Adventure is a more well rounded look at American history, and Hall of Presidents is sometimes too politicized. I vote American Adventure.

March 23, 2010 at 2:11 PM · I experienced AA for the first time last October and was blown away by it. The recently revamped HoP is a great show, but as a non-American, AA just speaks to me more.

March 23, 2010 at 2:15 PM · Although I love them both the "American Adventure" is about the beginning of our nation and those who made it possible for us to enjoy what we have today.

March 23, 2010 at 2:38 PM · I used to enjoy the American Adventure more, but the updated Hall of Presidents is more satisfying.

It's funny that people prefer AA because, in their words, it is less about patriotism and more about history. Yeah, right. How about that theme song?

"America, spread your golden wings,
Sail on freedom's wings,
'Cross the sky."

HoP all the way.

March 23, 2010 at 2:40 PM · I have not seen the current Hall of Presidents, but all the same, I gave my vote to The American Adventure. Although the presidency is worthy of great respect, the White House gets a top-down view of history -- America as seen from a helicopter, one might say.

The American Adventure, by contrast, gets out among the people who shaped the nation, choosing as its narrators Ben Franklin and Mark Twain, two wise and witty Americans who symbolize the breadth of American thought.

As characters, Franklin and Twain have the freedom to show both the good and not-so-good sides of our history (not to criticize, but to remind the viewer of the progress yet to be made), a candor that would be at odds with the reverent tone of The Hall of Presidents.

March 23, 2010 at 2:47 PM · American Adventure is not a rah-rah-patriotic show; the (outstanding) song is patriotic, yes, but have you paid attention to the images that fly by during the song? ;)

The fact that AA *is* balanced is often overlooked; it could have been way, way over the top. That's why the basic show has remained unchanged for 28 years.

March 23, 2010 at 2:48 PM · I'm sorry to say it, but The American Adventure bores me. I find The Hall of Presidents to be the far more intriguing and interesting attraction. There is something about the roll call that gets me every time.

March 23, 2010 at 3:51 PM · Because it changes with the addition of a new Commander in Chief, the Hall of Presidents MAKES history, while the American Adventure just repeats history.

This is a no brainer, folks. Hall of Presidents ... hands down!

March 23, 2010 at 5:03 PM · The show is fair and balanced from an American perspective. My Canadian friends and my family (including my American dad) found it too patriotic and rah-rah, and much preferred the HoP. In fact, the last time I watched it, some guys in the front row kept interrupting the shows with chants of, "U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

How's that for rah-rah?

March 23, 2010 at 6:01 PM · I hate when the crowds get involved in either of these shows. People suck.

Present company excluded, of course.

March 23, 2010 at 8:05 PM · James -
Let's go "drinking around the world" and chant, "U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" at every pavilion. People will love us.

March 23, 2010 at 8:20 PM · LOL... my drinking days are a thing of the past, unless guzzling the juice from a melted Kaki Gori counts!

March 23, 2010 at 9:45 PM · American Adventure is like HOP on steroids. No contest.