Liberty Square (Magic Kingdom)

Infobox Disney ride
name=Liberty Square


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park=Magic Kingdom
land=
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type=Themed Land
theme=Colonial America
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opened=October 1, 1971
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music=Fife & Drum Corps.
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custom_label_1=Attractions
custom_value_1=3
custom_label_2=Eateries
custom_value_2=4
custom_label_3=Shops
custom_value_3=4
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Liberty Square is one of seven "themed lands" and is exclusive to the Magic Kingdom, a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Themed after colonial America, replicas of both the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree can be seen here. One of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom, the Haunted Mansion is located in this land. Presiding over the square is the Hall of Presidents, an American History show featuring an audio-animatronic figure of every President of the United States. Liberty Square has a long waterfront on the Rivers of America and the Liberty Belle steam paddleboat departs from a landing here. The land affords excellent views of the river and Tom Sawyer Island in adjacent Frontierland.

History

Originally conceived as an annex to Main Street USA for Disneyland in Anaheim, the idea was revisited when the Magic Kingdom was being designed in the late 1960s. The need arose for an area analogous to, but distinct from, New Orleans Square at Disneyland. Walt Disney Imagineering decided on an early American, eighteenth century theme, with special concentration on the American Revolutionary War.

Liberty Square opened as part of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World's grand opening on October 1, 1971 as one of the original six themed lands. It is located in the northwest corner, bordering Fantasyland and Frontierland. The Square also has bridges to the park's central hub, as well as Adventureland. Forming its western border is the Rivers of America, on which the Liberty Belle travels. It is also the smallest land by guest area in the Magic Kingdom.

As of 2007, it is the only land yet to undergo a major refurbishment. All of the attractions, original from October 1, 1971, still exist in some form or another. No major additions have been made. The theming in the Square is comprehensive and accurate to the time period, from major architectural and engineering homages to the small antiques and artifacts peppered throughout the many attractions and dining locations.

Trivia

* Liberty Square begins an architectural progression through history and geographically across the United States. This progression begins with the Haunted Mansion ( 1670s or '80s, upstate New York) and travels clockwise around the Rivers of America into Frontierland terminating at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1880s, southern California).
* Several buildings have rocking chairs on their porches where guests are invited to sit down and relax.
* Find the replica of the House of Burgesses and look in the upstairs window to find Paul Revere's lanterns signifying "two if by sea".
* The Liberty Tree is an actual 100-year-old oak found on the property and transplanted, with a younger oak grafted into the base.
* The Liberty Bell replica was cast from the mold of the actual Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania. It is the only bell ever cast from these molds.
* There are stockades in the Square where guests can take pictures of their family in lockup.
* There are architectural representations of each of the original 13 colonies.
* The state flags of each of the original 13 states, as well as the American flag, fly in a plaza in the center of Liberty Square.

Features

Attractions

"See also: Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history"

* The Hall of Presidents, a show on American history featuring Audio-Animatronic figures of every past and present U.S. President.
* The Haunted Mansion, an omnimover ride through a spooky house with 999 ghosts.
*Liberty Square Riverboat, a leisurely sail around the Rivers of America on the Liberty Belle Riverboat.

Entertainment

*The Golden Horseshoe Saloon, Originally host to a western-style revue show, now a "meet-and-greet" location for characters from the Disney-Pixar Toy Story movies.
*Liberty Square Portrait Gallery, Disney artists will draw your caricature or capture your silhouette.

Dining

*Colombia Harbour House, offering chowder and fish-and-chips, home to a multitude of historical artifacts.
*Liberty Square Market, offers fresh fruit and beverages.
*Liberty Tree Tavern, offering American cuisine, at dinner dine with the Disney characters.
*Sleepy Hollow, offers funnel cakes and ice cream.

hopping

*Heritage House, offering American themed gifts, also has genealogical resources available for guests to use.
*Madam Leota's Gypsy Wagon, offering Haunted Mansion and Nightmare Before Christmas souvenirs.
*The Yankee Traders, offers dry foods and housewares and (seasonally) Halloween merchandise.
*Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, offering a wide selection of Disney-themed Christmas gifts and decorations.