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: Intro00:14: Disney's America00:37: "The Complexity of the American Experience" 01:24: Themed Lands at the Magic Kingdom01:50: Themed Lands at Disney's America03:10: "Serious Fun" 03:50: Courtland Milloy05:10: Theme Park Design05:50: Marc DavisLinks:DISNEY SAYS VA. PARK WILL BE SERIOUS FUN - The Washington PostHELPING DISNEY, HURTING AMERICA?SLAVERY IS NOT AMUSINGDisney Avenue: Imagineers Remember Creating Pirates of the CaribbeanPassport to Dreams Old & New: Marc Davis