Well, many Disney fans wonder about lost concepts at Walt Disney Imagineering. I am one of those optimists that believe good ideas never die. Imagineering also believes in this principle. Ever since its existence Walt Disney Imagineering has had some brilliant concepts that never became a reality. One of them was a theme park in Haymarket, Virginia.
During the Disney Decade, a theme park was planned to be built. The theme park was going to be dedicated to the history of the United States. The project had a $650 million budget. In today’s world, the theme park would cost $1 billion. Disney’s America was announced in 1993 and canceled in 1994 due to citizen groups.
The idea of Disney’s America was revived in 1997. When the Knott family offered its amusement park up for sale. However, the family refused to sell the park to Disney. The main backer of Disney’s America was former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. He really wanted this theme park to happen after being inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. The state of Virginia supported the idea of a tourism destination coming to their state.
The project would soon receive opposition. As the story of America isn’t exactly the prettiest of tales. We have been through slavery, Civil War, World Wars, and other tragedies. Also, many historical groups were worried about the accuracy and storytelling of the park. Bob Weis, now President of Walt Disney Imagineering had this quote of the park back then.
“This is not a Pollyanna view of America. We want to make you a Civil War soldier. We want to make you feel what it was like to be a slave or what it was like to escape through the underground railroad.”— Bob Weis
Disney later canned the slavery exhibit after this quote came out. The project faced numerous criticism since day one.
Peter Rummell (former Chairman of Walt Disney Imagineering) had a great quote to shut down protesting groups. “An intelligent story properly told shouldn’t offend anybody.” Yet Disney’s America was bound to offend some people I mean you’re having exhibits on the Vietnam War, slavery, and countless other topics. The other big concern from the resisting groups was that Disney was going to use history to sell entertainment.
I honestly don’t believe it was Disney’s goal to sell “slave ships” as one article predicted. I think there were some unnecessary freakouts over this project. Sadly the project was abandoned along with WestCOT and Port Disney.
So for some of you who don’t know. What was planned for Disney’s America?
Crossroads USA
A Civil War-era village would serve as the hub for the theme park. Steam trains would circle the park.
Native America
A recreation of a Native American village. The area would feature a raft ride.
President’s Square
A celebration of the birth of democracy and those who fought to preserve it. The Hall of Presidents from Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom would have been replicated in this section of Disney’s America.
Civil War Fort
Guests would be in a more turbulent time in American history. Battlefield reenactments and a nighttime spectacular water battle would be the highlights of this area.
Enterprise
It would a factory town in the middle of the Industrial Revolution. A major attraction named the Industrial Revolution would take guests on a roller coaster ride through a 19th-century landscape and blasting furnaces.
We The People
This area would feature a replica of the Ellis Island building, which acted as a gateway for immigrants in the 19th and early 20th century.
Family Farm
A replication of an authentic farm where guests would get to see the behind-the-scenes of food production. Basically, Epcot’s Living with the Land on a much larger scale.
State Fair
A 1930s area themed around baseball and Coney Island. Including a Ferris Wheel and wooden roller coaster. Some of the elements of the State Fair were incorporated into Disney’s California Adventure specifically Paradise Pier.
Victory Field
Guests would have experienced what it was like for American soldiers during both World Wars. It would have been themed to resemble an airfield. The area would also utilize virtual reality technology. So we could say that this area was going to be ahead of the times from a tech standpoint. Another attraction would be called Dogfighter, and it would have been the world’s first dueling inverted roller coasters.
My only problem with Victory Field is that people died in these World Wars. Why would we like to pretend to be in this horrific event? Like I always joke about wanting a water ride themed to the Titanic film. Yet I know you can’t make a theme park attraction based off of a tragedy.
The areas selected tell stories from historical America. It would be fun to see history come alive. Yet some of these areas just wouldn’t work in today’s society. I mean heck it didn’t even work back then. So why do I think Disney’s America needs a comeback?
It’s quite simple if we forget history it is bound to repeat itself. Also, not all of us are history nerds like myself. Utilizing a theme park to tell a story would benefit history. If Disney ever resurrected this concept they would probably go for a lighter tone. Even that would spark outrage. “How dare they go light on American history!”
Disney’s America wasn’t going to just be a living museum. It had other developments to make it vacation-worthy. The elaborate plans included resort hotels with over a 1,000 rooms, an RV park with over 300 campsites, a 27-hole golf course, and 2,000,000 square feet for retail and commercial development. Just think about it we almost got a Disney America version of Disney Springs. Even though Disney was planning a lot there was going to be room for them to donate land.
In 1994 before the project was completely canned. Disney did come up with a different itinerary and vision for Disney’s America. Some of the ideas were clones from previous parks and ideas that inspired the future. Disney’s America was going to feature The Land. It would’ve been a replica of Epcot’s pavilion but on steroids. Disney was planning a different Streets of America different from the Disney MGM-Studios counterpart. This Streets of America would be a dining district. Chicago (Chicago-style pizza), Los Angeles (Hispanic and fast food), New Orleans (Cajun), New York (Deli food), St. Louis (BBQ ribs), and San Francisco (Chinese). Also, there was going to be a film about immigration featuring The Muppets.
Disney’s America faced another problem. It was already tackling political issues from left to right. The other issue they came across was the uncertain weather of Virginia. That’s why during Disney’s America revival was planned for California. Disney didn’t like the thought of keeping the park closed more often than it had to be.
I believe Disney’s America needs a comeback. Not the controversial first concept but a newer up to date version. Maybe a Disney’s America that goes by decades? Start with the 20s and you can go up from there or you can even skip some decades if you wanted. I believe if Imagineering ever attempted to do this again they would take a more educational approach. I think it would be similar to Epcot. It would be stories about our history in forms of dark rides and shows. A Spaceship Earth just about America would be a fascinating attraction or just duplicate Spaceship Earth in the park. I believe every city needs a Spaceship Earth.
Disney would face many challenges if they dusted these plans off. Like the protests that took place back then would be a 1000 times worse. Twitter would eat this topic up alive. I mean let’s do a scenario.
Disney doesn’t include mentions to slavery in the park. This would cause an uproar. Yet if they included slavery it would create the same amount of uproar.
Themed Entertainment allows us to go to worlds we have never seen before. Most of us haven’t experienced that history before. Themed Entertainment has taken us to pirate islands, a future world, and a wizarding world. Taking people back to the Roaring 20s, experiencing the testing time of the sixties, and having fun in the eighties all over again.
Could the Walt Disney Company copy the Henry Ford Museum model? As the Henry Ford Museum is in my home state I’ve visited it a lot. You know who else visited a part of that museum?
Walt Disney.
Yes, when Walt Disney was thinking and dreaming about Disneyland he went to Henry Ford’s Museum and Greenfield Village to get inspiration. The museum has stood the test of time. Exhibits included are Presidential limos (even the one JFK got shot in), the chair Lincoln was shot in, Rosa Park’s bus and special time exhibits themed to Titanic and The Beatles.
If you can’t already tell I would be all for Disney competing against my home state museum. If Disney wants to do a park about American history they can do it. A partnership between the two would ease protesting groups off their back.
If Disney’s America was ever resurrected it would be in a warm place. Most likely California, Florida being a close 2nd, and Texas being a possible yet unlikely third.
The importance of history has been forgotten in today’s society. People have started to create their own narratives of history. Schools have forgotten how to teach history. Only one history teacher throughout my school career brought up Alexander Hamilton. This was pre-Hamilton too. Yet Alexander Hamilton played a tremendous role in the history of our country and we never learned about this man. Disney’s America could do the same for history as what Lin-Manuel Miranda did for Hamilton. It would be a long shot but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Disney’s America would need some retooling. Yet I still believe it would’ve turned out to be a beautiful destination. Maybe one day we will see it come to life. Even though it’s highly unlikely.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times.
