86 Days to Go: Liberty Square

Time can get away from you. I was on my break at work, going through the internet on my Kindle and realized I forgot to do Day 86!

This day is dedicate to a small part of the Magic Kingdom called "Liberty Square." A bridge between Frontierland and Fantasyland, Liberty Square celebrates the spirit of 1776. Brick buildings reminiscent of those found in Boston and Williamsburg line the stone paths all surrounding a Liberty Tree. Thirteen lanterns hang in the tree, representing each original state. A replica of the Liberty Bell also sits in the square. I've heard that if you look to the top of the building that houses The Hall of Presidents, you will see two lights--Two if by sea, as Longfellow's famous (and slightly inaccurate, ask Boston) poem says.

The Hall of Presidents is the main attraction in Liberty Square. The pre-show room is filled with portraits and memorabilia of our former Commanders-in-Chief. A particularly interesting highlight is an essay by a young Richard M. Nixon about how he wants to be president when he grows up. "Hail, Columbia" plays as you enter the theater. A short show tells of the beginning of the presidency and highlights a few presidents: Washion, Jackson and Lincoln. It talks about the American spirit and the ability Americans have to come together to remind the government who really is in charge. The big event is the reading of each president's name, complete with his own audio-animatronic figure. The current president gives a speech. Both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have recorded their own voices for their audio-animatronic figures. I have yet to hear if Obama recorded his own as well. After the current president, Lincoln gives a speech as well (I believe his second inaugural address) before a rousing chorus of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic").

After marching out of the Hall of Presidents, flags waving and yelling "Give me liberty or give me death," you can head over to the Square's more popular attraction--the building emitting the howls, the Haunted Mansion. Your ghost host (dubbed "Master Gracey" in Disney circles) takes you on a tour of the resting place for 999 happy haunts. You see the ghosts reveling in a "swinging wake," two portraits I call "Hatfields and McCoys still duking it out" and a medium named Madame Leota. Some small children might be scared of this ride, but it is a fun and thrilling experience that did set me up not to expect much scares from other Haunted Mansion-esque rides. One trip to Wildwood cured me of that! If you decide you rather like the Haunted Mansion, you're in luck! The mansion has room for 1000 ghosts--meaning there is one vacancy!

Foodwise, you have two options. For quick counter service, there is the Columbia House. It also serves fish fare in case you get a craving for seafood. For a sit-down experience, there is the Liberty Tree Tavern. My family loves this place. It is set up like an old tavern, something found in Williamsburg. The menu is preset but delicious. You start with bread and butter as well as a house salad. The main entree is a dish with turkey, roast beef and ham with sides of mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. For dessert, there's a delicious apple crisp a la mode. It used to be a character dinner, with your favorites dressed in colonial garb. However, the best part was the food so you aren't losing much by them dropping the characters (particularly if you've ever been there when Goofy's grabbed the crier's bell).

For a small section of the Magic Kingdom, it offers quite a lot. It shows you that good things do come in small packages. And don't worry, I won't tell the kids it's educational.