Mouse Extra

Changes have come to the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot.  Some are good and some are not so good, but you tell me.  Perhaps I am making a bigger deal out of the not so good than I should.

Let’s start with the positives.  As many of you already know, a new exhibit of American historical artifacts called National Treasures is now inside the American Adventure building, just off the entrance to the escalators leading to the attraction.  In a word, it is wonderful.

It is small, only a few cases of items, but what is there is the perfect compliment to the spirit of Epcot and the American Adventure attraction.  Among the items you will find is one of Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hats, pictured below, as well as items from great Americans spanning the country’s entire history.

It is an amazing display, perfectly placed and fascinating.  The only criticism I have is that they do not make a big enough deal about it.  I can easily see how the average park guest could walk right past it without knowing the magnitude of what is there. 

Now let us move on to the not so good.  The little gift shop next to the entrance to the American Adventure attraction was once a great place to find American themed merchandise, including books, patriotic clothing and more.  It is a very small shop with only a few racks.  And now a large portion of the store is dedicated to a certain soccer player…well “football” to more specific…

Can someone please tell the folks at Disney that David Beckham is NOT American!  The man is English.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love soccer and I have nothing against Beckham.  In fact, as a season ticket holder to the New York Major League Soccer franchise I can’t be happier that he has decided to come here and add some legitimacy to this fledgling league.  I am also probably one of the few Americans you’ll find who follows British football religiously, from both Scotland and England.  And I can’t be happier that many of the countries around the World Showcase have decided to sell soccer merchandise. 

But didn’t’ the folks making this decision find it a bit odd to choose the world’s most popular British athlete to take up such a huge chunk of a store that is supposed to be dedicated to America?  Here’s a thought; maybe selling the U.S. National Team shirt would have made just a little bit more sense.  What a ridiculously silly thing to sell.