New collection of “National Treasures” coming to Epcot
Not too long ago I received an email from Walt Disney World, and I am sorry I can’t recall exactly what email it was since I get so many, regarding something called “National Treasures”. At first, I just assumed it was a promo of some kind for a mediocre Nicolas Cage movie, but after reading a bit it was regarding a new display opening at Epcot. All I can remember about the email is that it was frustratingly short on detail and the link it offered went to a page that had nothing to do with it. I simply ignored it.
Then yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel finally reported some details about “National Treasures”, and let me just say that for a history lover like me this sounds fantastic…
Abraham Lincoln’s hat, George Washington Carver’s microscope, Mark Twain’s pens and Sen. Daniel Inouye’s Purple Heart are coming to Walt Disney World’s Epcot as part of a new gallery exhibition called “National Treasures.”
Those items and about three dozen other American history artifacts, from such figures as Benjamin Franklin and Rosa Parks, and other items ranging from the original sheet music from the “Rosie the Riveter” song to a moon rock, will be displayed indefinitely in the American Heritage Gallery of the American Adventure pavilion.
I don’t know about you, but this sounds like it will quickly make the American Adventure Pavilion, which to me was never the most appealing outside the attraction, one of the most exciting at the World Showcase. It is this kind of idea that really wows the audience.
With regards to my assumption that “National Treasures” must be a tie-in to the films, take a look at this paragraph from the article…
Show designers also looked for items that tied in with the newly updated American Adventure film, the main attraction at the pavilion. There is no tie-in with Disney’s National Treasure movie starring Nicholas Cage; Clark called the name coincidental.
How great does this sound?
Jon said,
August 7, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
Hooray. They could have tied it in with the films and it wouldn’t have mattered. The pieces are still real. I think Disney is avoiding the tie-in to maintain the integrity of the items and to convince their owners that they’ll be treated in a proper manner. No one wants to see Franklin’s kite hanging above a cardboard cutout of Nick Cage.
Raidermatt said,
August 8, 2007 @ 8:11 am
Well, I don’t buy for a minute that the name is coincidental, but at least they are leaving it at that. I agree not using the displays to promote the movie(s) gives the project a higher level of integrity.
Very cool.
Eric said,
August 8, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
I didn’t think the movie was all that bad (actually, I liked it) and plan on seeing the sequel. That sad, I think using historical items as promotions would have been in poor taste.