17. Entertainment and History at Disney's America

Image: A Civil War-era village that would have served as the hub of Disney's America. Image (c) Disney

In 1994, Disney was hard at work on a new theme park called Disney's America. The park, which would open in Virginia not far from Washington DC, would showcase the “sweep of American History.” 

Confident and enthusiastic, Disney executives were walking a tightrope between entertainment and history.

Topics Discussed:

00:00: Intro
00:14: Disney's America
00:37: "The Complexity of the American Experience" 
01:24: Themed Lands at the Magic Kingdom
01:50: Themed Lands at Disney's America
03:10: "Serious Fun" 
03:50: Courtland Milloy
05:10: Theme Park Design
05:50: Marc Davis

Links:

DISNEY SAYS VA. PARK WILL BE SERIOUS FUN - The Washington Post

HELPING DISNEY, HURTING AMERICA?

SLAVERY IS NOT AMUSING

Disney Avenue: Imagineers Remember Creating Pirates of the Caribbean

Passport to Dreams Old & New: Marc Davis