I mean absolutely no offense here, because we're usually on the same page with things... But this is hands down one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read on here.
Regarding this announcement, I can't believe everybody is suddenly on board out of nowhere. We've known that this was going to be themed to American history this whole time. Everybody is suddenly acting like they thought that this was going to be recreations of scenes from the ABC show or something and now we've learned that it's about American history and we're just all onboard.
Thematically, this is terrible. Liberty Square is meant to be a reverent reflection on our early history as a nation. It is meant to present an idealized snapshot in time. Yes, Haunted Mansion is there, but that's a weak excuse. The interior of Haunted Mansion is where the ghosts are and they do not affect the place making of the land itself. This show definitely will.
This is absolutely a slap in the face to the phenomenal work of the early Imagineers who so brilliantly designed what basically amounted to our version of New Orleans Square. Though, based in Disney's complete regard for the sister square on the west coast with its recent botched redo, nothing should really be surprising anymore.
Sadly, though, this is not anything new as the theme of Liberty Square has been slowly whittled away for years now. Between the Christmas shop and characters of Liberty Tree Tavern (which thankfully is no more), this is just the latest in a string of questionable decisions that modern Disney has made over the last twenty or so years.
I completely adore the Muppets, so this has nothing whatsoever to do with that. This is akin to Frozen in Norway and GotG in ToT or Epcot. The fact that everybody is jumping on board is exactly why Disney keeps making these questionable decisions. Nobody holds them accountable anymore.
Have you ever seen Crash Course by John Green? Far more entertaining and informative than the HoP. On top of that, my high school history class was undoubtedly more entertaining and educational than this theme park attraction. That's bad. The Hall of Presidents is basically watching a video for about 13 minutes, something anyone could do at home. Then the last few minutes consist of watching a bunch of lifeless guys on stage nod their heads and occasionally speak. I love history and so I appreciate the attraction, but I still find it incredibly boring.
I wholeheartedly believe that the Muppets reenacting history is a better way to successfully educate and inspiring people. The aestetics of the land is one thing. But it's never been intact as you make it sound. Like I said, it's already harmed on the ground level by tourists, strollers, etc. The buildings and entire land will for the most part remain as they are... all that's being added is a show.
That's a small sacrifice for the immense oppurtunity that the Muppets bring to make history fun and allow children (and heck, most adults) to enjoy learning about the roots of their country.
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My second and perhaps most important point is that this is absolutely not akin to Frozen in Epcot. The Frozen ride and characters do nothing to focus on and educate about Norway. Instead, it is just a ride through Arendelle, for the sake of having a Frozen ride. If the ride were to use the characters to somehow educate about Norway (akin to the Muppets educating about American history), I would've been okay with its takeover of Maelstrom (disregarding capacity issues and such). Same with Guardians.
From reading what you said... it seems that's the difference: you would not support a fictional, cartoon IP in a real-world setting, even if that IP is able to educate about that setting in a far more popular and enjoyable way.
If the conclusion above is correct, well... that's unfortunate. Regardless, if my opinion was truly one of the most rediculous things you've read, I suppose there's no convincing you. At least not now. Maybe in many years you will revisit this post and see what I mean. I sure hope so.
