Collider published a new article that looked into the history of Disney’s America — a theme park that was never built despite widespread promotion about it.
In November 1993, Disney announced Disney’s America, a theme park set to be built in Virginia and reopened in 1998.
You can see a good history of the park in the video below:
The park contained a number of “territories” — the park’s version of lands that we see in common parks — that represented other areas of the country.
Some of the lands included:
- Crossroads USA — A location much like Main Street USA
- Presidents Square — This would have included the Hall of Presidents, which is at Walt Disney World
- Native America — This area would have paid homage to early America. It would have included a Lewis and Clark river raft expedition with a potential Pocahontas theme.
- Civil War Fort — This area would have brought people into the middle of a Civil War battle. No kidding.
- We the People — The Muppets would have been here. It would have focused on the immigration experience, too.
- Enterprise — Innovation and factories would have been highlighted in this area.
- Victory Field — It’s unclear what would have been here. Maybe more airplanes and military advancements.
- State Fair — It’s likely there would have been some baseball and traditional America attractions here.
- Family Farm — This area would have celebrated American farms.
It’s pretty complicated to explain how the park never came to be. But those in Virginia didn’t love the idea of Disney building a park there. Plus, Disney had some missteps with some of the speeches, talking about the experience of the park. All of the details exist in the Collider article.
Read “A Deep Dive Into the Bloody Battle for ‘Disney’s America,’ the Theme Park That Never Was” over at Collider.