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Disney’s America
BY K A R L R H O D E S
federal government purchased the site, via “legislative American immigrant experience “inside a building resem-
taking,” for $134 million ($249 million in today’s dollars). bling Ellis Island.” Native America would pay tribute to the
The acquisition generated a huge profit for the developer, continent’s first inhabitants with “a harrowing Lewis
but it made Prince William’s tax base even smaller. and Clark river expedition.” Enterprise would highlight
Seefeldt recalls discussing the William Center project American ingenuity with a thrill ride called “Industrial
with Sen. John Warner shortly before Congress purchased Revolution.” And Victory Field would let guests “experience
the land. “I believe it was he who said, ‘Can’t you just move what America’s soldiers faced in the defense of freedom.”
this project five miles down the road? Then there probably Disney projected that the theme park and recreation
wouldn’t be any problem.’” area alone would create nearly 3,000 jobs and generate
$500 million in tax revenues for Prince William over 30
Down the Road years. State and local officials were thrilled. Steady streams
Five years later and about four miles down the road, Disney of tourists seemed like the perfect way to bolster the coun-
assembled 3,000 acres to build its first theme park in the ty’s tax base. Tourists would generate more traffic, but they
United States beyond the sunny climes of California and would spend their money and go home without requiring as
Florida. Disney’s America would have been closer to many local services as residents do. Most of the Prince
Disneyland than Disney World in size, but opponents of the William supervisors enthusiastically supported the project,
project associated Disney’s America with the sprawling as did Gov. George Allen. The Virginia General Assembly
Disney World complex south of Orlando. even agreed to provide $163 million for transportation
Disney’s think-big approach had worked well in Florida, improvements and worker training to help seal the deal.
but in the early 1990s, the company was struggling to repli-
cate that success with its new Euro Disney theme park in National Outcry
Paris. “Chastened by the rising costs of Euro Disney, we Soon after Disney announced its plans, leaders of the
began to look for ways to develop smaller-scale theme nonprofit Piedmont Environmental Council started looking
parks,” wrote CEO Michael Eisner in his memoir, Work in for ways to scuttle the project. Based in Warrenton, Va.,
Progress. (He declined to be interviewed for this story.) After the council works to protect the historic and rural character
visiting Colonial Williamsburg and reading books about of Virginia’s upper piedmont region. The council focuses
John Smith and Pocahontas, he became passionate about on nine counties, including Fauquier and Loudoun,
building a theme park based on American history. but Prince William is just outside the organization’s core
When Eisner unveiled Disney’s America in 1993, he territory.
said the company would “create a totally new concept using Even so, the council has been engaged in land-use issues
the different strengths of our entertainment company … throughout Northern Virginia, including Prince William,
to celebrate those unique American qualities that have says Council President Chris Miller, who coordinated the
been our country’s strengths and that have made this nation organization’s opposition to Disney’s America. The council
a beacon of hope to people everywhere.” produced “an alternative location map” with more than
According to Disney’s press release, the theme park 20 potential sites where the council would have supported
ILLUSTRATION: ©THE WALT DISNEY CO.
would include a Civil War fort and village with nearby the theme park. Miller focused on land-use arguments
re-enactments of the battle between the Monitor and the against the Disney’s America site, but he quickly realized
Merrimac on a man-made lake. The release also named five that the PHA was helping the council’s cause by portraying
other themed sections: Presidents’ Square would celebrate the theme park as a bastardization of American history.
“the birth of democracy and those who fought to preserve So the council helped raise some initial funding for PHA.
it.” A section called “We the People” would interpret the “Money just seemed to fall from the sky,” Mary Lynn
READINGS
Abramson, Rudy, and Nick Kotz. “The Battle to Stop Disney’s Wallace, Michael. Mickey Mouse History and Other Essays on American
America.” Cosmos Journal, 1997. Memory. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.
Eisner, Michael D., and Tony Schwartz. Work in Progress. New York: Zenzen, Joan M. Battling for Manassas: The Fifty-Year Preservation
Random House, 1998. Struggle at Manassas National Battlefield Park. University Park, Pa.:
Penn State University Press, 1998.
Ginsberg, Steven. “Disney’s Defeat Didn’t Stop Growth — Or End
Debate — in Prince William.” Washington Post, Nov. 24, 2003, p. A1.