While I understand your point about there being two "Liberty Squares", I think the theming of the American pavilion is just right. Skyscrapers, stunning and uber-American though they are, would be wrong--not just because their scale would be all off, but because each of the other pavilions showcases its nation's more traditional architecture rather its modern architecture (and what is more traditionally American than the architecture popular at the nation's birth?). 20th century architecture would be out of place as the centerpiece of World Showcase.
As for the Capitol or the White House, both are beautiful structures...but I think it's good that Disney steered clear of replicating a government building to symbolize the United States. Both of those buildings are inextricably linked to politics, so for different people they carry different connotations--good and bad--that should not be used to represent all the people of the United States. While it can be argued that the old Georgian architecture used in the American pavilion doesn't represent all Americans either, it at least takes its aesthetic cues from Independence Hall, a building that represents an ideal we can all agree upon.
So I think the theming is great...I just wish the pavilion was a more clearly defined "area", like the other pavilions, that could offer more to do. The American Adventure is hands-down my favorite show in Epcot, but the pavilion's other offerings (especially including the food) do little to really represent the United States.
I do agree with many of the things you said, especially about how some might not like a more political building being the representation of America, especially sine I always am irritated when people outside the normal avenues of history are ignored, like pop culture and the fiune arts. Hence my avatar and all. That is one of the reasons with the video montage at the end I like American Adventure so much.
I guess all I meant to say was I'm not a fan of that period as far as architecture, but really just in general. I find it boring, so to have 2 disfferent areas in Disney world themed to that genre, it gets a bit annoying. I'm not a huge fan of that specific time period because in all the history classes I had we dwelled on that period and nothing else.
A lot of the pavillions obviously can't showcase all that their country has to offer, like when you look at Itlay their is no Rome represented, just Venice, even though Rome is more historic.
I have no problem with Liberty Square being themed as it is because it's a representation of America when it became a nation, but then to turn around and make America in Epcot that.........just turns me off pretty quick, and I love architecture. By skyscraper I meant it more like the Eiffle Tower is in France then right there in the dead center trying to tower over everything. It's difficult I guess, but that is the biggest thing that dissappoints me.
As far as the food, you run into the same problem. Fast food is thed way a ton of American's eat. When you think of every meaningful fast food chain, they are American. It might not be healthy, and might not be up your alley as far as taste, but it is american, and as far as the masses speaking....billions and billions served pretty much sums it up. I can understand why they did that.
I would have made the American pavillion either more modern or a montage of things from America, like a Washington monument, Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, St Louis Arch, Grand Canyan etc type stuff represented. Whenm I think of great structures in the US, Independance Hall does not come into my mind, even though it's historic, so to is the Roman Colisseum. And isn't the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square supposed to be basically Independance Hall too? I went into both the US store and Liberty Squares store, wanting to buy National Treasure, and neither of them were selling it, which shocked me. The way the US is themed, we don't even have 50 states. California and Texas are probably still independant. I don't know the exact dating of the pavillion, but you could even say it's when we have 13 states. So the state I live in can't be represented in it.
The gift shop mostly selld books based around presidents and that type of stuff, so I thought if they sell mostly those books making a capitol or White House wouldn't be so bad. Honestly I'm not much into Presidential stuff, and I love sports, but yes, Washington merchandise should be sold there before Beckham. Why not sell throw back jerseys of Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson or Michael Jordan?
But, I don't know the answer, just thougfht I'd voice my opinion, but maybe I'm just weird I guess
