Your Opinion Please - American Adventure or Hall of Presidents???

[jlaspoq]

We will be taking our two DDs (ages 8 and 10 1/2) in about a week. They have never done either of these attractions. For this trip, I would like to do at least one of them, but I want to pick the "best" one in case we have trouble fitting them in.

Which would you pick - The American Adventure at Epcot or the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square at MK?

I think they're both similar in lenth, both large theaters, both AudioAnimatronic attractions. We've seen them both, but years ago before the kids. Now they're old enough to be familiar with some of their history, plus I like the idea of a patriotic addition to the trip, so I really want to try one of them at least. (If they like it, then maybe we'll try both.)

Help me choose! Thanks!

 

[dgaston]

To tell the truth, I don't think kids will like either. At American Adventure, there's the film. It's meaningful to me, but I understand the images.

 

[jlaspoq]

I was afraid of that..... Please, please, more input please!

 

[cathyce2]

Sorry, but I have to agree with dgaston that kids at those ages probably won't enjoy either one. If forced to sit thru either, I would pick the American Adventure because the preshow singers(VYBE or Voices of Liberty) are wonderful. We usually go in to listen to them, but leave before the main feature starts.

Cathy

 

[Tinks]

I must be in the minority. I think American Adventure is great and I do think you should take your kids to it. Explain to them ahead of time what it is about--a very brief synopses of American History. Then during the film point out who the players are in american history as they come up on film. They may actually absorb some of it! I think I did as a kid! The Hall of Presidents they probably will not like...I doubt they'd recognize or care about 3/4 of the "faces" in there ( probably most adults don't either, I know, ) Good luck and have fun on your trip!

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

Although not their favorite attractions in the parks, my kids (7 & 9) actually like both. I think they like both fairly equally. American Adventure may come out slightly ahead though.

 

[madthemouse]

jlaspoq, you know your daughters better then anyone. How do they view history? I have to disagree with those, who may think, that children (not all) will be bored, with either presentation. My daughter was 7, when she went to the HOP for the first time. Now, I grant you.... it's not Space Mountain, but she knew President Clinton and Washington. Later when she was 9 we did the AA. Again, it's not Test Track, but by this time she was learning more about American History and we were able to incorporate this into a report for school. We always go to WDW the same time every year. So, because she does miss school days, I like to have her do some report or assignment. IMO and my daughters, we like the AA a little more than HOP.

 

[goofyernmost]

I think both are great but American Adventure is absolutely awesome. The AA's cannot be described, they must be seen. As for kids sitting through them, I think it is kind of sad that we almost have to "beg" the kids to see something that is interesting, historical and a learning experience. Take them to one or both and I believe you will be surprised at how they react to it. Just leave out the "educational" part when you describe it.

 

[slp87]

Last year my DD (7) loved both! But as others said only you know your girls. AA would be our favorite, but not by much. We caught the last performance about 8:15 one evening and the theater was very uncrowded. We came out about 15 minutes before Illuminations.

 

[mickeymom629]

My kids are 9, 11, 13 and 15 and we have always gone to American Adventure every year that we visit WDW and I think it's a wonderful show. Hall of Presidents is neat to see all the figures of the presidents moving and talking. It's not as entertaining, in my opinion (almost boring to me) but it's a great way to relax in airconditioning after running around all morning. I think you should go to both if you have time. Your girls are not too young to appreciate these shows. I think everything in the "world" offers something for everyone, just at a different level.

 

[Piper]

Two things:

People underestimate children--and it is amazing how children pick up on parent's attitudes!

If you do not appreciate "educational experiences"--chances are that your children will not either.

If you approach them with excitement--ready to point out who the people are, what they did in history, etc., you and your children will have a great experience. And the experience can be continued at home as you check out children's books from the library that tell about the people or events. (You DO read to and with your children every night, don't you?)

So by all means, go to both of them--and be ready to really enjoy them ------ and to continue that enjoyment after you get back home.

 

[jlaspoq]

Thanks everyone so far! Our girls are both good students, and enjoy a little history, so I think they will be ok with these. They know something about some of the presidents and some history. I don't have a problem making the most of this type of attraction.

I really am interested in which is the "better" show. So far it looks like AA is preferred by most. Any HOP fans out there?

 

[meeko_33785]

AA is definatly a better show. It's absolutly spectacular and one of the best in WDW. Hall of Presidents is OK, but a tad dull. It's basically just film and then Lincon and Bush making speeches. I also find AA much more patriotc since it focuses more on the achievements of all Americans,not just the presidents.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Although I find BOTH shows to be wonderful, I think that AA would be more ENTERTAINING for a child.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I LOOOVE Hall of Presidents, but I am US hisorty nerd. I can name all the presidents and their terms backwards and forwards, so I was very excited to see HoP. DH fell asleep during it.

Maybe you can make a "game" out of it? See how many presidents they know or something like that? Do some president trivia before or after?

 

[pouncingpluto]

Epcot was always my favorite park when I was a child, and I always enjoyed American Adventure. Hall of Presidents is great, but not quite as entertaining and doesn't give me the patriotic boost of emotion that American Adventure does.

Plus, American Adventure has a shot of Mary Lou Retton, and any attraction with a gymnast in it gets my vote! (I'm a gym judge.)

 

[grinningghost]

My own DD made it through the HOP better than AA. I would have thought it would be the opposite. I guess you really don't know until you try. Personally, I think they're both pretty good.

 

[Lora]

I would try to do both. I think it's great to have any experiences you can to make what they learn out of a book more "real". The animatronics are pretty cool, in my opinion. I also enjoy the music that goes along with the presentations. My kids are younger, but I don't hesitate to do these attractions with them as often as we can.

You might also want to catch some of the live entertainment before the AA. There is usually a music group that performs shortly before the show. I've also seen a fife and drum corp presentation outside. You can check the entertainment schedule for details.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Do try to do both. I love both attractions, although if I could only see one I'd pick the AA. My kids have seen both from very early ages, and they've never complained or said they didn't want to see them again. I think the audioanimitronics in both are wonderful, and I like them for different reasons.

 

[jlaspoq]

Thanks to everyone for your input - we managed to do both attractions - on the same day, which in retrospect, I would split them up more, but that's how it worked out.

We liked American Adventure better- more action from the figures. The girls thought the presidents would "do" more. (Saw HOP in the morning, and AA at night.)

We saw the 8:15pm show of AA - walked out, found a spot for Illuminations right at the fence at 8:50pm - can you believe the luck!!!!

Thanks again!