Disney's America
Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 6:51 pm
Dear Disney Enthusiasts,
XXX!
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enigmawing wrote:I remember reading an article about this at the time about Disney's America, I'm pretty sure in Newsweek back in 1995 or so when the project was being cancelled. I don't recall the park being focused on Pocahontas, but American history in general, including the revolutionary and civil wars. Historians and certain groups balked at the idea, believing that a Disneyfied look at our country's history would have been skewed for entertainment and dumbed down for children instead of being given an accurate portrayal. It also would have been built close to civil war battlefields, an area some feel need to be kept solemn and free of what could be considered damaging properties.
Disney backed out of the project due to all the criticism; apparently some of their initial ideas were reworked into California Adventure after they failed to purchase Knott's Berry Farm for refurbishing.
I agree, I think it would've started out being as it appears to have been planned but due to low appeal Disney would have been forced to resort to integrating classic characters and more mainstream attractions. More or less, it would have become less education oriented and more an american themed disneyland. In fact, the only real way I could see this working out the way it was initially designed would have been to remove the Disney brand name all together. Then people's expectation wouldn't be to see Mickey Mouse dressed up as George Washington greeting you at the front gate.toonaspie wrote:They way I see it had, they gone though with Disney's America as an educational theme park it would've likely failed because today's guests don't like associating Disney with education. They associate Disney with entertainment and familiar characters.
I agree. People want Mickey Mouse when it comes to Disney Theme Parks. When they try to give something else then that, people go, "But I can get that at other theme parks, why do I need to come here?" So then Disney gives Mickey Mouse and the people are happy again. That defiantly was what happened at California Adventure.toonaspie wrote:Epcot, DCA, and Animal Kingdom were all Disney parks that were built with an educational aspect in mind but it didn't pander out so well...especially for DCA. Epcot had to Disney-fy itself in order to get more people in. Animal Kingdom survived because of Expedition Everest. DCA speaks for itself through its billion dollar makeover.
They way I see it had, they gone though with Disney's America as an educational theme park it would've likely failed because today's guests don't like associating Disney with education. They associate Disney with entertainment and familiar characters.
I still hope they plan to go with the DVC resort they were planning for National Harbor though. I'm hoping for something colonial themed. That would make for a gorgeous hotel.