Central Florida’s theme parks customarily have fanciful, foreign settings, from haunted mansions to animated and imaginary worlds to galaxies far, far away. But as the United States turns 250, we collected homegrown patriotic moments to absorb at the attractions.
These won’t automatically make you scream “USA! USA!” But these snapshots — available year-round — represent the country’s history, heroes, music and manias.
Legoland Florida’s model of the U.S. Capitol has more than 380,000 Lego bricks. (Courtesy Legoland Florida)
10. Miniland USA, Legoland Florida
Central to the Winter Haven theme park’s layout is Miniland USA, a sprawling collection of brick-by-brick rebuilds of national landmarks. Key among them are the U.S. Capitol – fronted by a moving marching band – assorted monuments and the White House. But Miniland goes beyond that with more Americana in scenes from New York City, Las Vegas, California and Florida, including Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building.
Space Shuttle Atlantis is on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
9. Space Shuttle Atlantis, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The clever reveal of Atlantis, the last of NASA’s shuttle fleet to fly, is probably the most breathtaking moment presented at a Central Florida attraction. I mean, grown men weep. Exhibitions that surround the elevated, tilted shuttle remind us that amazing, out-of-this-world things happen in our backyard.
8. Meeting Captain America, Islands of Adventure
There’s no superhero more wrapped in our flag than Captain America, who first appeared in comic books in 1940 and appears in human form in Marvel Super Hero Island these days. The meet-and-greet version of Cap wields a shield and a strong jaw line while encountering IOA visitors. It’s also a chance to experience the Disney-owned character in a Universal park, thanks to a longstanding contract. See? We can all get along.
Guests enjoy the big plunge down the front of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
7. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Magic Kingdom
The Frontierland flume ride showcases the only American princess in the official Disney lineup as well as jazz, a musical genre with roots firmly in the Deep South. For more U.S.-bred tunes, go around the bend and take in the Country Bears Musical Jamboree.
Universal Studios performers sing their way through “The Blue Brothers Show” at an outdoor stage at the theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
6. Blues Brothers show, Universal Studios Florida
We’re on a roll with music, and here’s another: Four performers get their Chicago-based R&B on in upbeat mini-concerts in the streets of the park. It’s brothers Jake and Elwood, plus soloist Mable and Jazz, the saxophonist, who somehow team up to get tourists to bend over and shake their tailfeathers.
Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel
Wax figures of Uncle Sam and Abraham Lincoln can be seen at Madame Tussauds Orlando. (Orlando Sentinel file)
5. Uncle Sam and more, Madame Tussauds Orlando
The International Drive attraction features many famed Americans, but this year, maybe it’s best to pose with the wax version of pointing Uncle Sam. He wants you. Tussauds presidential lineup includes Lincoln, Obama and Trump as well as semi-local hero, Walt Disney.
The American flag flies above the Sky Tower at SeaWorld Orlando. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
4. National anthem, SeaWorld Orlando
Each morning, right before the park opens, SeaWorld Orlando plays a recording of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” And it just feels right to face the park’s Sky Tower, which is topped by Old Glory. You can chat “USA!” at the end if so moved.
The Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World features all 45 U.S. presidents. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
3. Hall of Presidents, Magic Kingdom
The trademark Liberty Square attraction features a roll call of all U.S. presidents, like ’em or not, in animatronic form. That’s preceded by a very wide screen film, narrated by Morgan Freeman, that recaps great moments — and some tragic ones — in American history. After the show, go across the walkway to see the Liberty Bell replica near the massive Liberty Tree and beneath the 13 flags representing the original colonies.
2. American Adventure, Epcot
Amid the international flair of Epcot, the American Adventure pavilion houses a U.S. history lesson upstairs, incorporating dozens of animatronic figures (including Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin), another film about the country’s history and “Golden Dream,” a soaring finale that you are forgiven for thinking is titled “Golden Wings.”
The building also includes American Heritage Gallery on the ground floor and, through the July 4th weekend, “Portraits of Courage,” oil paintings of military veterans created by President George W. Bush. And next door, there’s barbecue.
Voices of Liberty perform before Epcot visitors inside the American Adventure pavilion at the theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
1. Voices of Liberty
It’s only a tiny cheat to break the Voices out as separate from American Adventure. The a cappella group is an opening-day feature at Epcot, performing several sets daily, regularly mixing up its playlists. The Voices have razor-sharp harmonies in their songbook, which includes Americana and reworked Disney classics. You might hear “Skip to My Lou” and “Let It Go” on the same afternoon.
Never been? Don’t ignore the early invite to sit on the floor beneath the rotunda. It’s literally cool down there, and it’s the best place, acoustically, to hear America singing.
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