Disney's America

[DodgerGirl]

I heard a rumor that Disney had plans to open up a third theme park sometime in the 90's and it was gonna be named Disney's America and it was gonna be located outside of New York City and what Disney's America was supposed to be was a theme park celebrating America and feature lands based on different eras in American history along with rides and shows. But from what I read Disney decided not to build the new theme park after all for reasons unknown and the only things found about Disney's America were maps and blueprints. What was the main reason why this theme park didn't get built?

 

[wabbott]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney's_America

Disney's America

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Wasn't a rumor. and didn't get built, in lage part, because of too much local opposition

 

[DefnotDLav]

 

[KayMichigan]

I have always felt, with no proof whatsoever, that the movie 'Pocahontas' was made with the idea that it would be used to promote the American history theme park since it deals with American history.

 

[gorkt]

Can you imagine trying to build that park now? It would be ground zero for the culture wars.

 

[Liquidice]

Not near New York City, it was going to be in my backyard - outside of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia.

I didn't live here at the time, but I sometimes think it would have been awesome to have a Disney park so close to home, maybe reality would actually be worse, but it is fun to dream about

 

[greeneyedchick]

That rumor was true, but I believe they were going to open it in VA outside of Washington DC. I lived there at the time and I remember the locals fighting it.

 

[KayMichigan]

Yes, it was going to be thirty miles outside of DC and only five miles from the Manassas (Bull Run) Civil War battlefield.

There WAS an American history type theme park in New York at one time, though. It was called Freedomland USA and was built in the Bronx area, opening in 1960. It was ambitious and ran into a lot of financial problems before finally closing in 1964. It was like Disney's project in many ways. Two of its dark rides, the Pirate Ride (a super cheap Pirates of the Caribbean ripoff) and the San Francisco Earthquake ride, were purchased and moved to the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio in the late 1960s. Both of those rides are gone now.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-rise-and-suspiciously-rapid-fall-of-freedomland-u-s-a

 

[1lilspark]

The Defunctland videos are posted above but also want to signal boost the July 1st episode of Podcast The Ride on the subject

 

[Leigh L]

Not near New York City, it was going to be in my backyard - outside of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia.

I didn't live here at the time, but I sometimes think it would have been awesome to have a Disney park so close to home, maybe reality would actually be worse, but it is fun to dream about

True!

OMG, but can you imagine the traffic in this area?? (I can't pick an emotion lol.) I didn't live here at the time either, but dang this area has grown over the last 15 years.

I always wondered if somewhere off I-81 or Route 28/29 might have been a good location though. Far enough from DC but close enough where people could still easily add a side trip.

 

[Liquidice]

True!

OMG, but can you imagine the traffic in this area?? (I can't pick an emotion lol.) I didn't live here at the time either, but dang this area has grown over the last 15 years.

I always wondered if somewhere off I-81 or Route 28/29 might have been a good location though. Far enough from DC but close enough where people could still easily add a side trip.

Yeah I know the traffic would be awful, that is when reality sets into my thinking but Disney did propose building an outer ring around 495, so there would be a "by pass" for traffic not needing to go to Disney or local and just trying to get back on 95 North or South and I believe a significant amount of additional infrastructure for Route 66 to support people going out to Disney. It may have been the state of VA offering to build out the roads instead of Disney.

 

[Leigh L]

Yeah I know the traffic would be awful, that is when reality sets into my thinking but Disney did propose building an outer ring around 495, so there would be a "by pass" for traffic not needing to go to Disney or local and just trying to get back on 95 North or South and I believe a significant amount of additional infrastructure for Route 66 to support people going out to Disney. It may have been the state of VA offering to build out the roads instead of Disney.

I hadn't heard about that! I wonder if it would have worked long-term.

Then again, minus Disney, I wonder if all this I-66 and other construction currently going on will work for the long-term

It would be nice to have another Disney park somewhere.

 

[Jrb1979]

There is still 2 great parks in Virginia. King's Dominion and Busch make up for it.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

That rumor was true, but I believe they were going to open it in VA outside of Washington DC. I lived there at the time and I remember the locals fighting it.

Yeah, I lived there at the time and was really excited till it got trashed.

 

[luv2cheer92]

True!

OMG, but can you imagine the traffic in this area?? (I can't pick an emotion lol.) I didn't live here at the time either, but dang this area has grown over the last 15 years.

I always wondered if somewhere off I-81 or Route 28/29 might have been a good location though. Far enough from DC but close enough where people could still easily add a side trip.

As someone who grew up in Manassas and now lives in Winchester (right off 81). Noooo!!! Haha.
I moved out here to get away from traffic lol.

I spent several years living in Haymarket, which is right around where this park was supposed to go. Growing up I always wish they had done it.

 

[Leigh L]

As someone who grew up in Manassas and now lives in Winchester (right off 81). Noooo!!! Haha.
I moved out here to get away from traffic lol.

I spent several years living in Haymarket, which is right around where this park was supposed to go. Growing up I always wish they had done it.

The amount of construction since 2005 when we came to the area is insane! And traffic along with it. Out in Fairfax/Manassas/Haymarket/South Riding and west - these areas don't even look like they did when we moved here nuts. As much as I would love a Disney park within closer range, I'm thinking not that close haha.

(Plus a history-themed park by Disney doesn't thrill us as much since we can go see the real things around here. Now if they were to propose another theme...I'd be thrilled.)

 

[Leigh L]

There is still 2 great parks in Virginia. King's Dominion and Busch make up for it.

That is true and they're good parks (I've been to two Busch Gardens parks), but I think those aren't for everyone.

Disney offers far more in terms of non-thrill attractions, entertainment, shows, etc. Two of my family members are totally bored at parks that heavily highlight thrill rides and coasters since they can't ride them due to injuries or medical conditions. Disney is way more fun for them. Universal too, but to a lesser extent.

My DD went to King's Dominion a few years back and there was very little for her to do (I've never been to that particular park so can't speak from experience). She ended up spending money on carnival games while everyone else went on rides.

 

[Jrb1979]

That is true and they're good parks (I've been to two Busch Gardens parks), but I think those aren't for everyone.

Disney offers far more in terms of non-thrill attractions, entertainment, shows, etc. Two of my family members are totally bored at parks that heavily highlight thrill rides and coasters since they can't ride them due to injuries or medical conditions. Disney is way more fun for them. Universal too, but to a lesser extent.

My DD went to King's Dominion a few years back and there was very little for her to do (I've never been to that particular park so can't speak from experience). She ended up spending money on carnival games while everyone else went on rides.

Some of the regional parks have upped their game recently. There is more then just thrill rides and coasters.

 

[luv2cheer92]

The amount of construction since 2005 when we came to the area is insane! And traffic along with it. Out in Fairfax/Manassas/Haymarket/South Riding and west - these areas don't even look like they did when we moved here nuts. As much as I would love a Disney park within closer range, I'm thinking not that close haha.

(Plus a history-themed park by Disney doesn't thrill us as much since we can go see the real things around here. Now if they were to propose another theme...I'd be thrilled.)

I spent about 5 years living in Texas from about 2015-2020, only visited the area once in that time frame. I was astonished when I moved back this way at all that had been done.