See update here: SBC Denies Disney Rumors.
The decision by the Board of Directors to immediately close Sweet Briar College despite the college still having approximately $90 million dollars in the endowment and a positive asset to debt ratio seems simply bizarre. While the historic college might be losing a little money during the economic downturn, the endowment is designed to keep things going during the lean years and seems to have ample funds. Yet the swift decision to immediately close and the secrecy surrounding the Board’s processes seem odd to say the least, especially considering that the money to save the school appears to be available with the website savingsweetbriar.com already raising over $16 million with simple social media networking.
Now, to be fair, the Board has painted a bleak picture for the economic future of the school, and some claim that this is a national problem. However, this doesn’t explain the immediacy of the decision to close nor the secrecy surrounding the proceedings leading to immediate closure. Even if closure is inevitable, the endowment has enough money to keep the school open a few more years so that the current Vixens can graduate. Likewise, the $16 million that has been raised in just a few months by savingsweetbriar.com shows that a broad base of support exists to assist the flagging financials of the college, but the Board still won’t reconsider and is fighting tooth-and-nail to make sure the closure happens immediately.
So the mystery is why is such immediate action being taken by the Board? Why is the Board so adamant and refusing to hear any other options, despite $16 million being raised so quickly? Even more odd is the apparent support (or lack of opposition) that the closure is finding among state politicians who would not appear to have a stake in the case. For example Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring who filed an amicus brief in opposition to the lawsuit designed to keep the school open. The Virginia Supreme Court disagreed with Herring in a recent opinion, giving hope to students and alumni. Why would Herring risk alienating thousands of alumni as voters? Why would politicians like Herring be in favor of closing the historic institution? Especially considering that Sweet Briar is the largest employer in Amherst county? Further, Sweet Briar’s endowment isn’t the only financial asset that college has; Sweet Briar also owns 3,250 acres of beautiful land along the Route 29 corridor. 
We are hearing from a source in position to know that this beautiful land is the reason that Sweet Briar is closing. Because there is a buyer ready to move quickly and quietly to purchase the whole lot, historic buildings and all. This buyer has the immense economic power and major influence to keep the related decisions silent, immediate, and final. Who? Well, it has a lot to do with a similar land deal of about 3,000 acres that got scuttled about twenty years ago. According to our source, the reason Sweet Briar is closing is to make way for: 
In 1994, Disney was all set to close on 2,000 acres in Haymarket in as the core to its envisioned 3,000-acre Disney America in Prince William County. That deal was scuttled, but Disney is on the record as keeping its plans alive to set Disney America in Virginia. Riley over at Virginia Virtucon was openly calling for Disney to revive its Disney America design in the Williamsburg area a few years ago. Many in Virginia consider the protests and objections that forced Disney to shut down its plans 20 years ago a big mistake. Our source has informed us that Disney is ready to rectify that mistake, and now wants the 3,250 acres that Sweet Briar sits on to bring Disney America back to life and back to Virginia. That kind of potential investment causes things to develop both quickly and quietly, and Disney is no wilting flower when it comes to political muscle.
The immediate and irrevocable action in shutting down makes sense, because Disney does not want a repeat of the protests related to the sale of historical land that killed the project in 1994. Instead, if the college is already closed and shuttered, Disney can come in like a hero and rescue Amherst County from the economic disaster that closing Sweet Briar would otherwise lead to. Likewise, there are already many plans in place to widen and develop the Route 29 corridor so that the new Disney America would be accessible from Northern Virginia, Central Virginia via Route 64, all the way down to Charlotte, North Carolina. This would be an economic boon for the entire Commonwealth. This explains why politicians are staying oddly quiet about the closure (or even actively supporting the closure like Herring) because they don’t want to be associated with the destruction of a piece of Virginia history and one of the last all-women’s colleges. But they do want to bring the economic engine of Disney to Virginia and reap all the related benefits. There you have it folks… The answer to the mystery. Mickey Mouse is trying to kill the Sweet Briar Vixen.
Follow Edmund Randolph @EdRandolph1753. 
School of Athens 
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Please- come up with a new conspiracy theory… this one is old and tired
Use your real name. A member of SBC BOARD.
.?
It may be old and tired but has yet to be proven right or wrong, either way! With the Board not willing to release any information, all conspiracy theories, until proven false or proven correct, remain on table!
Reblogged this on Sinister Stains .
Thank you for a very insightful reason for the hasty closing by the Sweet Briar Board of Directors. “Why” is the big question?
My husband and I visited Sweet Briar about a month ago, and we both couldn’t help but notice the beautiful new freeway and its proximity to the college. Hummmm. 3200 acres, Disney connections, freeway close……? And total lack of transparency!
My bet is that you are right!
Sue Wolfrom
The Route 29 Hyw bypass that you are referring to was opened in 2005. Hardly new. It was to divert traffic from Lynchburg city. Plus the closing is being held up in court. This is a rumor.
They are actually doing work on it again right now as we speak. Hence Jumbos closing along with many houses and such on both sides of Owens market.
Jumbo’s was closed due to the sealing of median strips between Campbell Ave. and the Concord Turnpike. These were sealed due to the high number of serious accidents when people tried to cross 460. They reopened at the Colonial on 29 South. There is no massive conspiracy. Level headed people are trying to make a smart business decision and the uninformed masses are throwing a ridiculous fit.
I have traveled that road for nearly 30 years from my home in york pa to danville va. That stretch of road was re-done in order to by pass lynchburg. It has nothing to do with the school.
That’s right
Reblogged this on Is Journalism Over? and commented:
Very interesting ….
Flashback to the 60s in Cali. Google “Disney & Mineral King” http://southland.gizmodo.com/a-mountain-disneyland-how-disney-almost-built-a-ski-re-1525286740
Considering Paul Rice’s ties to Disney, it’s not an unfounded theory.
His ties? You mean a privately owned home?
Your biggest problem with this is that regardless of how quickly they close, much of the land in question was left by final will and testament stating that the land was only to be used for the all female college. Now they might be able to get a judge to change the will slightly for other uses but a sharp swing to a theme park, I don’t think so. Besides, the family members of the deceased could open several civil suits keeping them from starting production once again. I live here and will tell you, there have been talks of Liberty University coming in and taking over but even then there are several other problems with the land. Don’t get your hope up about a theme park. More than likely the school will continue on or become a male/female school before it’s over and done.
I think if the board would consider changing to male/female school, the school would have no problems staying open. It is a beautiful place. I can’t see a Disney park way out there. I just don’t think people would drive that far. Also, I could see Liberty University maybe wanting the land. They are a huge university right now. They are the biggest university in Virginia now. It kinda makes sense that they might be behind the school closing.I would not put anything past them.
I have real issues with this poorly researched piece – 29 was widened in Amherst country 15 years ago, hardly “new” and the changes up in Charlottesville are greatly reduced from what the state wanted 20 years ago. At this rate 29 will never be a major road, landowners in C’ville area have seen to that.
Many state legislators have been very vocal against the closure, politicians on both the left and the right. Herring made a mistake and, you might notice, has been very quiet ever since…
That said, it would be a disaster if this happened in this quiet rural area….
29 is being widened now off of 460 in Lynchburg. They’ve closed multiple businesses and knocked down quite a few houses whatever they’re doing.
Paul Rice’s links to Disney are documented: http://thebillfold.com/2013/11/you-can-now-live-at-disney-world/
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304799404579156041555394268
Building a house at Golden Oaks doesn’t document a connection to Disney. Golden Oak Realty is a free standing company that has no involvement in park development. Asking a person who dropped a few million on a house at Golden Oaks for confirmed park expansion info is like asking an Air Force Pilot to confirm plans for a US Navy submarine.
Reblogged this on A.K. Anderson and commented:
I have seen other bits of evidence connecting Chairman Paul Rice with the Disney resorts. This is the deepest analysis of this theory that I’ve seen. I’m not sure what I think about it. The “cy pres” law requiring the use of the campus to be as close as possible to the intentions of the will (a higher-ed facility for young women) seems to stand firmly in the way of this concept.
Take a look at it, and decide for yourself.
The real objection to Disney creating a Civil War theme park is that trivializing the bloodiest war in American history doesn’t sit well with people. There were more people killed during this war than were killed during WWI, WWII and Korea combined! What’s more is all of those casualties are our ancestors! In 1994 a group of very respected and learned Civil War historians rejected this concept outright. God forbid that we have to fight this battle again to protect the memory of those who marched off to war – North and South, white, black, Native peoples – to do what they felt compelled to do.
Pamplin Park near Petersburg is an interpretive park, built with private money, that was built with the grand idea to educate visitors to what happened during the Civil War. Pamplin Park is located just off I95, one of the busiest interstate highways in the country, and yet they struggle to get visitors in their doors. It’s a pity. Their exhibits were well designed and the concept of the museum was well rendered. What makes the marketing people think that they will be able to pull people over to US29? Do those of us who live near this area welcome the idea of all the traffic and overnight building boom that goes on whenever Disney creates a new venue? No. We moved here to escape the snarls of traffic in high-density urban areas. Let’s not forget that President Jones cited the rural location of Sweet Briar as one of its greatest problems. How does that reconcile with Disney?
Nope. Disney isn’t going to be able to trivialize American history! I wouldn’t be making plans for riding the Pickett’s Charge Over the Wall Roller Coaster, or going to the Slave Auction Musical Revue, or even the Fort Sumpter nightly Fireworks Show. Do you understand how ludicrous that would be? Those of us who fought off the mouse in 1994 haven’t gone anywhere. Well, some of our daughters went to Sweet Briar, so that makes us even more resistant than we were in 94.
The park never was to be centered on the Civil War, but a broad swath of American history. The full scope of the park can be seen in a lot of concept art that was released. Here is a description of the various areas:
Native American Village- An accurate Native American village reflecting the tribes that were known in this part of the country. And also enjoy interactive experiences, exhibits and arts and crafts, as well as an exciting white water river raft ride that would have gone all around the area, based on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Civil War- A Civil War Fort would have plunged guests into a more turbulent time of American history, and adjacent to it, a big battlefield, where Civil War re-enactments and water battles between the Monitor and the Merrimac would have once again be fought.
Ellis Island- Moving in the 20th century, a replica of Ellis Island building where many immigrants came through, guests would have live the “immigrant experience” through music, ethnic foods and a great live show presentation.
State Fair- Area that was going to show how even during the big Depression of the ’30s, Americans knew how to entertain themselves. With folk art exhibits and a live show on baseball, guests could have enjoy, too, classic wooden thrill rides in memory of Coney Island.
Family Farm- A Recreation of an authentic farm where guests could have the opportunity to see different types of farm industries related to food production in addition to some hands-on experiences like milking cows and learning what homemade ice cream tastes like.
President’s Square- A celebration of the birth of democracy and those who fought to preserve it. The Hall of Presidents of Walt Disney World would have moved to Disney’s America.
Enterprise- Enterprise, a factory town, would have highlighted American ingenuity and guests could have ridden a major roller coaster attraction called the “Industrial Revolution”, traveling through a 19th century landscape with heavy industry and blast furnaces. And, on either side of the coaster, exhibits of famous American technology that have defined the American industry in the past, and new developments that will define industries in the future.
Victory Field- On Victory Field guests would have experienced what America’s soldiers faced in the defense of freedom during the world wars. It would have looked like an airport area with a series of hangars containing attractions based on America’s military fight using virtual reality technology. The airport would have served also as an exhibit area of planes from different periods, as well as a place for major flying exhibitions.
Wow, at the Ellis Island stop will they separate the tired, sick and starving and tell them they can’t enter the country and must be locked up on the island or find a way to pay to go back to where they came from? Will they divert the James River to get enough water together for the battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack?
Riley, thanks for the info… For more of Riley’s great coverage on Disney America’s history check out: https://virginiavirtucon.wordpress.com/?s=disney+america
I read the whole article and saw no reference to the American War between the States
The objection wasn’t the Civil War and it’s blood. They had the backing of the county and Gov….
“Many thought the park would threaten many State and National Parks with it’s traffic levels and “in response to the threat to these national treasures, a large, articulate coalition defeated one of the country’s richest corporations and its boosters in Virginia’s Statehouse and Legislature.” Finally in fall 1994 Disney decided that the outcry by the people in Northern Virginia would “mar Disney’s image” and they decided to table Disney’s America. The land Disney would have used is now the Dominion Valley Country Club and Estates. The area opened in roughly early 2011 with houses starting at $750k.”
The reason Disney backed out is they didn’t have the backing of the locals. Disney isn’t stupid, they know that 1 negative piece of feed back out numbers and out voices 10 pieces of positive feedback.
Also Noel the Civil War would have been one of the 9 lands..
Fantastic points – love them all! Let’s hope good sense will prevail.
More AMERICANS killed than those other wars…not more PEOPLE. Fatalities in World War 2 are estimated to be between 56 and 63 million people. The US census figure for the entire USA in 1860 is less about 32.5 million.
I’m with David Richards. Why would anyone — Disney or anyone else — want to put a theme park in the middle of Virginia, miles away from easy interstate access? The Haymarket project was blown out of the water for a number of reasons, but the reason Disney was interested in the first place was that the site was only minutes away from I-66.
Route 29 is not I-66. As someone who has driven back & forth from Charlottesville to Arlington on a regular basis for the past 40+ years, I can tell you that the Route 29 corridor is a non-starter from a theme park development standpoint. There’s never going to be a bypass around the horror of Route 29 north of Charlottesville, and if Disney wants to attract patrons from the DC area, we’d have to get to Amherst either down 29 (awful) or I-95 to Richmond & across on I-64 (awfuller)
Not only is there no easy interstate access, but it is not near a major airport. It is 2+ hours from the fairly small Richmond International Airport and over 3 hours from Dulles. Disney isn’t going to spend several billion to build a theme park for a regional market.
“If you build it, they will come…”
Orlando was a bunch of orange groves when Walt Disney bought the property up that is now Disney World.
Plus visitors would be (at least initially) captive to Disney attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc. for the most part. They’d recoup their investment pretty quickly.
Riley, Orlando was a bunch of orange groves sitting on a major interstate highway that connects the Atlantic & Gulf coasts of Florida.
That is what Disney looks for.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-28/news/os-orlando-before-disney-reunion-20110528_1_theme-park-suntrust-building-ice-cream-shop
I am very familiar with Rt. 29 south of Charlottesville. I agree that access via I-81 and I-64 is still inconvenient to the proposed site. The Crawford family once owned much, if not all, of this land. The homestead is already gone, having intended to be reconstructed on Sweet Briar property. Now to lose all the land and the institution started by a Crawford descendant would represent a tremendous loss to the Commonwealth.
Like one commenter noted above, this is the most thorough discussion of the Disney theory to date.
While we have no idea if it’s a legitimate theory, it’s one to pursue.
SBC is closing because it failed to adapt to the 21st century. It lacks diversity, activities and an online presence. When it’s supporters end their obsession w/lawsuits and conspiracy theories, they will find they should’ve paid more attention to the school they claim to love so much. None of it’s challenges are new nor secret. Frankly I’m shocked by the lack of maturity amongst the pro-SBC crowd. Right now is the time for ideas and solutions, not more of this nonsense.
A new SBC (if there ever is one) will have to include a plan for growth and partnerships w/neighboring schools and communities. It will have to include men and an online presence. New methods will have to be found to recruit both educators and students. Instruction will have to address the needs of today’s workplace. Liberal arts and equestrian-focussed learning in rural areas is long over. I have yet to see any acceptance of these hard facts.
This. Yes. Thank you!
No, Sweet Briar is being forced to close because for some undisclosed reason the Board and interim President want it to close–the same Board and President who refused to reach out to its (not it’s) alumnae and lied to us and didn’t hire a Director of Admissions. A few years ago we had record enrollment. Sweet Briar will do just fine once we clean house and get rid of the defeatist sad sacks who insist the sky is falling. #SaveSweetBriar
LOL omg.. yes Disney wants to build a historic theme park in the middle of NO where vs Nova.. Oh whhhhhere is my Alcoa stock?
http://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2015/04/13/tmsm-mythbusters-controlling-interest-and-walt-disney-world-dc/
Nice try at trying to start a horrible conspiracy theory as well as stir up the Disney boards..
Great…that’s all we need is more Disney – Entertainment for idiots. Leave the land and keep the tourists elsewhere.
For more on the spot analysis, I would encourage people to check out our good friend Shaun Kenney at Bearing Drift. His consistently positive message helps build up Repulicans and fellow bloggers everywhere.
http://bearingdrift.com/?s=Sweet+Briar
You mean the part where he in 1 sentence debunks your entire article?
“Is Disney America Coming To Sweet Briar College (HINT: NO)
Frankly, even the rumor is old hat.”
I think debunked is a bit strong. I think healthy disagreement is a fine thing in blogging. I would point out that legitimate news sources disagree with Mr. Kenney’s opionion: http://www.fauquier.com/news/article/round_2_for_disneys_america
An article that references YOUR article as a source isn’t really legit. Lord no wonder America’s journalism system is a hot mess..
So what becomes of the $90 Million? And 3,000 acres, what do you suppose that’s worth?? Hard to imagine the trustees will just walk away from all that!
More conversation happening over here: http://thebullelephant.com/the-real-reason-why-sweet-briar-is-closing/
An endowment is not “…designed to keep things going during the lean years.” That is a shading. An endowment subsidizes operations by generating income. Using an endowment such as Sweet Briar’s, that is not near the level of the very top higher education endowments, for that purpose would be very risky and destabilizing. Institutions that have assets but that cannot effectively compete for students, grants, top faculty, or other key strategic factors close from time to time and the assets are disposed compatibly with the mission of the institution. The endowment would likely be contributed to another institution compatible with Sweet Briar’s values and mission. So would the proceeds of the real estate. This is not “walking away”, but rather one of the paths that should be open to consideration by responsible stewards.
Reblogged this on sonofbluerobot.
Why would you reblog a hoax?
Minor correction: Since Sweetbriar has been an all girls school, “alumni” should be replaced by “alumnae,” as the latter indicates the feminine plural in Latin.
Ah, you must be a Vixen. Of all the things that could have been learned to benefit society, none are so common as SBC’s grads obnoxious obsession with educating others on proper use of alumni-ae. Stay relevant SBC….
Ah, you must be Team Kill Sweet Briar. Of all the things that characterize your approach, none are so common as irrelevant sexist swipes. Stay negative KSB…
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While SBC can’t sell the land, it can gift it. And the recipient would assume the debts. Also, there may be laws against using the principle portion of the endowment fund for operating expenses during slow years. That said, Disneyland in CA is about 160 acres. Walt hated the cheesy restaurants and motels that grew all around it. He said that the problem was that they didn’t build enough land. So the property in Orlando is more than 27,000 acres. Granted, it hosts 4 theme parks, water parks, shopping district, etc. and 25 resort hotels. Disney has learned to do things right over the years. I suspect that if they wanted to develop a theme park, some resort hotels and some accompanying parks, they would need more than 3,000 acres.
I agree this property does not seem well located for Disney but….Disney, for a long time has realized that financially it doesn’t make much sense to go on building mega theme parks around the world and as with Paris sometimes they almost crash and burn. Looking for a lower risk higher financial return for the dollar invested is the goal. The trip from New England to Orlando is about 16 hours and somebody is raking in millions serving the people who need a little snooze along the way.So if Disney is going to do anything on this property don’t look for super dark rides and colossal thrill rides, look for overnight stop over amenities.Lets take a guess and say Disneys & Universal annual attendance (together) is in the 30 mill range and lets assume 25% of those come from the east coast corridor, and lets continue to discount that by saying only 50% of them would stop for an overnight visit. So that would amount to about 3.75 million visitors annually that will want a place to snooze just about the time they hit Virginia. Should they spend on average $200.00 for accommodation, f&B and admission that would amount to three quarters of a billion dollars annually. So if Disney does settle down at Sweet Briar dont expects a theme park or mega rides and attractions but you can look for hotels, restaurants, a water park for the kids, recreational vehicle facilities etc. A good old “Goofy Campground” worth millions a year to the mouse. (there will probably be another one along I75 for the Chicago to Orlando crowd)
Disney has been looking for land in nova since 1980 for disney America
Disney officially tabled that project and is no longer interested in developing it.
Amherst is not, by anyone’s definition, NoVa.
Maybe I could finally get some decent flight options out of the ‘Burg. At any rate, the idea of an all-girls school in the pastoral countryside of central Virginia is a quaint one, but it is not a feasible model for the long-term. An entire generation of women has been told from birth that there is absolutely no difference in the sexes, and now they firmly believe that. So, what is the purpose of an all-female school in today’s society? One cannot be truly progressive while still hanging onto institutions like SBC. It seems odd that so many people either do not grasp that or do not acknowledge it. The school is not dead now, but any realistic forecasts I have read do not foresee it surviving another decade. Why delay the inevitable? If the conspiracy theory is true and an investor with deep pockets is planning to add much-needed jobs to the area, what is the concern? It’s about the collective good, right?
People do not like change in this area, it would not be popular with many. I have never heard this theory and it will be interesting to see what comes of it. Virginia is for lovers!
If your sources are reliable, this would make a lot of sense. I used to work for Disney and I know how they work. They never give up on an idea, even after 20 years. And with their influx of money through Marvel and Frozen they now have the extra capital to move this project forward. I personally feel this would be great for the state of Virginia. But I know how hard it is to bring progress to the state of Virginia. Great job on the article, well done.
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The best part about this article is that disney is on record… from 1994 lol
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Dwight, I agree, they never completely nix an idea, it just gets tabled. People on here keep talking about the remoteness but 40-50 years ago Disney World was a bunch of orange groves? PLUS a lot of people are still trying to get US29 turned into an interstate corridor.
Disney would be awesome but I’m not holding my breath
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After researching both perspectives, it is evident that the building of Disney’s America would be an extreme disservice to the education of children and cause a disruption in the community of where it had planned to be built in Virginia. First off, this project is neither economically viable nor sustainable. As exemplified by the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Disney corporation originally projected that the park would be open year-round, generating $38 million in state taxes and over 12,000 jobs by 2007. However, PEC and its partners proved that, “…due to Northern Virginia’s climate, the park could not possibly stay open year-round. Thus, the project would likely produce no more than 6,000 jobs from 2007- a vast majority of which would be for seasonal, minimum wage work.” Consequently, Disney would be forced to bring in the workforce from elsewhere by importing its own executives and middle mangers. This would be a major net drain on northern Virginia’s tax base due to the costs of the infrastructure and the services needed to support the park’s development. Northern Virginia does not have a pool of labor large enough to service Disney’s needs. As stated by an article discussing this potential development in the New York Times, “Attracting a labor force to service Disney’s America…would burden local taxpayers with costs they couldn’t meet: more roads, more schools, and more services for more new housing.”
The taxes that would be placed upon the local citizens is another reason why Disney’s America is not a feasible option. As stated in the New York Times, “Though Disney’s land-acquisition costs in this remote site were relatively low, the expense of extending services to undeveloped land would be high, and Disney sought to shift those costs to local taxpayers.” Disney expected Prince William County taxpayers to chip in $15 million for new water and sewer lines, and Virginia’s taxpayers to pitch it more than $100 million for road improvements. These unrealistic expectations the Disney corporation has are truly tragic for the local community and does not seem correlate to the Disney spirit.
An important aspect to note is that Disney is an entertainer, not an educator. Therefore, the distortion of history that would ultimately arise in Disney’s America would educationally disadvantage children and be disrespectful to the time period it is representing. Based on the films we have examined, such as The Song of the South, Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, Johnny Shiloh, and Johnny Tremain, Disney’s depiction of history has been over romanticized and is therefore inaccurate, as it whitewashes a horrific white colonist past. Michael Eisner in his novel Work in Progress even states, “Disney’s America implied ownership of the country’s history, which only antagonized our critics.” He further explains, “We ought to have elements that are fun and frivolous and carefree alongside ones that are serious and challenging and sobering. We need the same sort of dramatic highs and lows that you find in any great film.” This is exactly where Disney’s America’s problematic nature stems from. The brutal reality of American history cannot be compared to the highs and lows of movies as it would be insulting to people that endured these great tragedies. That is exactly what Disney’s America would be: disrespectful and over commercialized for capitalist gain.
I am a freshman at Skidmore College and have been involved in a class this semester that is analyzing Disney’s effect on America. After reading this article, I would not be surprised if Disney is attempting to purchase the Sweet Briar land. We have seen this before with the company’s desire to purchase land 3 miles from the Manassas Battlefield in 1994 to create a similar historical theme park. Growing up I loved Disney and I expected the movies to entertain me, but looking at Disney from an analytical point of view, I believe Disney has influenced society too much in an unwarranted way therefore does not have the right to buy the Sweet Briar land to create Disney’s America.
Disney takes extreme liberties in retelling history, often times altering history to tell an engaging story rather than share the reality of the past by taking the facts and expanding on them. When I think about examples of this, Pocahontas immediately comes to mind. Not only was Pocahontas a young, ten year old girl but she did have a love affair with John Smith. Disney created that because it was extremely entertaining. While creating a historic theme park, Disney is going to take even more liberties. In Michael Eisner’s Work in Progress, he states Disney focuses on “children and education” however, in my personal opinion a historical theme park is not going to be educational. A former imagineer came to one of our class discussions and he claimed that as a theme park artist, he does not think about the history he is telling when creating his pieces. Of course they want to make sure the architecture is historically accurate, however, the actual history that is told goes overlooked. In purchasing any area of land, no matter where Disney puts it, they would also be destroying biodiversity in that area by building infrastructures, adding traffic and eliminating the habitat in the surrounding areas. As a prospective environmental studies major that carelessness from Disney is concerning to me.
Disney has had an effect on not only my life, but the world as well. Euro-Disney lost a million dollars in its first year and I believe the same would happen to Disney’s America. Though Disney is an excellent source of entertainment, it is not an excellent source of education. There are far too many acts of, as Michael Eisner called it himself “fierce resistance,” such as the Piedmont Environmental Council, anyway for Disney’s America to truly ever take off. Disney is simply an entertainer, and while there is nothing inherently wrong about that, there is something wrong with the company attempting to educate kids. Kids would not be receiving the correct information about America’s history and only see it through a distorted, fun, lens. Disney should stick to what it does best; making catchy tunes and creating fun movies good for all ages.
Setting aside Disney’s potential adverse effects — why on earth would they want to build any project in what, for commercial (& theme park) purposes, is the middle of nowhere? Central Virginia is a lovely place to live & work & raise a family, but the transportation corridors that Disney would need to feed into their property just aren’t there. I-64 is too far north, I-95 is too far east, and I-81 is on the other side of the Blue Ridge.
I spent most of my childhood in a pair of worn out Minnie Mouse ears waddling through the perpetually magical, teeming-with-people streets of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, having the absolute time of my life. I cannot deny Disney of its place in my heart, or of the profound impact it has made upon me, and yet I cannot seem to support the construction of Disney’s America in Virginia. Unlike other theme parks, which solely serve to entertain, Disney’s America’s peculiar purpose would be to educate young adults and children on this nation’s past. Disney has attempted to convey history to its audience before, though it has received much objection and anger from many viewers, who believe that the company has done nothing but distort reality. I believe that Disney cannot be trusted to create a theme park based on America’s proud history, as in its past it has been unsuccessful and irresponsible in its attempts to create historically accurate films based upon the tales of figures in American history. Disney not only omits more difficult topics, but also romanticizes and fictionalizes true events and heroes.
Disney’s America should not be constructed, and many of Disney’s films act as a prime example of its inability to accurately and appropriately portray history. Though it is by far one of my favorite movies, Pocahontas (1995) is a glaringly flawed retelling of America’s History. Though this film tells the beautiful story of impossible love, promotes a positive female role model, and speaks to the issue of environmentalism, it is in no way an accurate retelling of Pocahontas’s story. One central flaw in this film was her relationship with John Smith, as their excessive age difference would have prevented it from happening in history. Disney’s portrayal of American Indians in this film is also widely debated and opposed, as they portrayed “savage” and mystical people, instead of real and cultured. Disney has proven itself incapable of portraying history accurately in its films, which have often been racist in nature and blatantly inaccurate, so I see no reason as to why we should allow for them to taint even more of it in their construction of this park.
Conceptually speaking, Disney’s America appeals to me. I know I would have found myself wearing my same Minnie Mouse ears running through colonial Boston in Disney’s America, enjoying the stories I witnessed splayed out before me. However, despite the fun I would have potentially had in this park, I cannot condone its construction. Disney is no historian, and has proven itself to be incapable of portraying history to a wider audience in many of its films. Mike Wallace, author of several essays concerning Disney, penned one in regards to this park entitled “Series Fun”, in which he stated that Disney’s America “would use simulation not authenticity as the lure”. American history is the tremendous reality of our past, and should be treated with the fragile care and understanding, instead of the jumping off point of falsehoods and stories. While I will always trust Disney to entertain me, I will never trust it to educate me, therefore, Disney’s America should not be built in Virginia.
Regardless of its financial potential, the Disney Corporation should not build the historical theme park, “Disney’s America.” Disney is an incredible company when it comes to producing mass-market, middle-of-the road, non-controversial entertainment—and they should stick to what they’re good at. When it comes to depicting historical events, Disney has consistently fallen short, sanitizing events and often distorting facts to present homogenized, heroic narratives emphasizing American patriotism. American history can certainly be fun and inspire patriotism, but, above all, it has to be accurate. Based on their long time corporate record, if Disney ever did build the “Disney’s America” theme park, I have no doubt in my mind that the company would consistently white-wash history in the hope of maximizing profits. History is important because generations can learn from its mistakes. If it is portrayed inaccurately it would be both incredibly disrespectful to all those who fought and died to make America the great country it is today, and also be of minimal, if any educational value.
Something that often comes up in critiques of the potential park is the issue of slavery. Slavery is not only a horrific part of American history, but also an essential part, which deserves an honest examination in order to better understand the racial diversity that still exits in this country. The films Song of the South, and Johnny Shiloh are Disney’s only attempts to address the issue of slavery, and the company does an abominable job of it. Song of the South is so incredibly racist toward the main character, a presumably newly freed slave, that the film has been taken off the market and locked away in the Disney vault. In Johnny Shiloh, a supposed Civil War film, the fight to end slavery is amazingly never even mentioned, even though that was the whole point of the conflict.
Clearly, these movies illustrate Disney’s lack of commitment to teaching America anything remotely useful about the most painful war in our nation’s history. While the films may be entertaining to some, they are dangerous in the sense that they pervert the truth, encourage ignorance, and fan the flames of Southern racism. If Disney has done such a terrible job in presenting the problem of slavery in the movies, I can’t even imagine how dreadful a job they would do in a theme parking setting, where financial pressure to sanitize perceived historical controversy would be even greater. Hopefully, the world will never have to find out.
After thinking about this topic, it was clear that Disney’s America shouldn’t be built. History isn’t something that is always pleasant and has a happy ending. Disney tends to romanticize history, distorting it into something that is not reality, but just a form of entertainment. This was evident in many of Disney’s movies that tried to depict history such as Johnny Shiloh, a 1963 movie about the Civil War through the perspective of a young drummer boy. In this film, slavery was not mentioned in the slightest and that is a clear distortion of history by omission of a critical subject, one that had brought on the Civil War. Among other Disney movies, this is an example of how Disney is unable to correctly and accurately portray history to an audience. Disney is a company that creates entertainment and while it attempts to teach history, it has no authority to do so. It certainly would not be able to create a theme park that depicts history the way it happened and it is not reliable that Disney would be able to create a theme park that will help educate children, without distorting history.
Michael Eisner, the former chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Corporation, in his book Work in Progress mentions that he had thought that the theme park would be a good idea, especially in Prince William County, which was still an option at the time, because it was so close to Washington D.C. and that he remembers going to all of the sites of American history. It is evident that the theme park has no place in Virginia, an area that is full of rich history, such as battle sites, such as the site of the Battle of Manassas, since it would detract from the importance of such places. Eisner mentioned that Disney’s goal as storytellers, was to “bring historical events alive and to make the story of American more vivid and three-dimensional.” Even if Disney had the intention to make the history accurate, it is clear that it would be exaggerated and made to be used for fun and enjoyable entertainment.
Although this theme park, if it were built, would have a possibility of being good for the economy of the surrounding area, there is also a possibility that it would fail. During the first year that Euro Disney was built, it actually lost profits instead of gain. It is not a guarantee that every Disney theme park succeeds and there is no evidence that Disney’s America would do well, especially due to the large amount of criticism that it received when it was first proposed in the early nineties. I do not feel that Disney’s America should ever be built due to these reasons. There is a fine line between being an entertainer and an educator, and Disney should continue to entertain, not educate.
This theory is both a compelling and an alarming one. There is no doubt in my mind that the construction of a historical Disney’s America theme park would greatly compromise both the appearance and significance of local historical area. Keeping in mind that Disney proposed using land in Prince William Country rather than the land previously owned by Sweet Briar College, I believe that there are a number of major concerns that must be considered before embarking on the construction of a theme park of this kind. The proposed land for Disney’s America includes the grounds of the Battle of Manassas, which is characterized by a palpable sense of historical authenticity and commitment to the preservation of historic land. The proposed theme park would fundamentally alter this. As Mike Wallace explained in a journal titled “Serious Fun” in 1995, the park “would use simulation not authenticity as the lure”. Beautiful acres of land would be replaced by highly engineered replicas of historically significant events such as the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. A geographical location that was once known for its authenticity would become an area plagued with the daily manufactured chaos that a theme park of this size and significance would inevitably attract. The construction of the theme park would also result in increased property value of the homes in the area, which would make living in the vicinity economically impossible for some pre-existing home owners.
The most pressing issue that must be recognized is the risk of compromising history for the purpose of entertainment. Many major events in American history such as the Vietnam War and the Civil War, are complex, multifaceted issues, plagued with death and cultural suppression. To attempt to explain the violent, scarring nuances of these events in a theme park setting would be inappropriate, and to water-down these events in order to make them accessible for young children is an inexcusable distortion. To leave out the unpleasant and negative aspects of American history is disrespectful to everyone who was impacted or suppressed during these trying times. Take, for example, the history of Native Americans. The reality of their treatment over the course of time is brutal, cruel, and deeply tragic. To exclude their story from a telling American History would be to display an incomplete picture of our nations past, but to water it down would be equally counter-productive in properly educating the public.
Sending school groups to a theme park where they will visit attractions about the Underground Railroad or the Salem Witch Trials does not teach the events, but rather trivializes them and presents them to young people as entertaining occurrences, void of negative societal impact. David McCullough, an author and a host for PBS, spoke about the proposed construction of Disney’s America, saying “We have so little that’s authentic and real. It’s irrational, illogical, and enormously detrimental to attempt to create synthetic history by destroying real history”. The Hall of Presidents in Disney World is tangible evidence regarding the way that Disney presents history. With animatronics of major historical figures including Abraham Lincoln, the Hall of Presidents is Disney’s most direct attempt at “serious fun”. In contrast with the rest of the Disney World Resort, this attraction attempts to educate the public. The exhibit attempts to make American history a show suitable for all ages, with the nation’s founding fathers preaching about obscure American ideals. This teaches a very specific and fragmented way to view our past, which works directly against raising a nation of people with an unbiased view of the world. We see in Disney films like Johnny Tremain and Johnny Shiloh that Disney condenses complex events in history down to good and bad, with America always on the good side. Disney’s America should not be constructed because life, and this country’s past, is never that simple. History is complicated, and can only be understood through authenticity, which cannot exist in a park that stands in the name of carefree entertainment.
I will begin this post by saying that I do not believe for a moment that Disney is attempting to buy out Sweet Briar College, resulting in the abrupt closure and silence on the part of college officials and area politicians. For the sake of argument however, I will address this post as if it were factual. The closure of the somewhat unpopular college, with 300 students having declared their return for the fall 2015 semester, makes perfect sense. From the perspective of someone currently attending a small liberal arts college, I can’t imagine finding this type of environment ideal for me. I realize that I can’t speak for everyone’s perspective on this issue, but I think that a narrow demographic of college students would be interested in an all-female college of 300 in the middle of Virginia. Basically, I think that it’s highly likely that a single-sex college with a 94% acceptance rate would have its own motivations for closing its doors, independent of the Disney Corporation. And, if Disney had somehow acquired the land and this blog post has some truth to it, it should be up to the townspeople and those affected by the potential presence of Disney’s America to do something about it.
Disney’s America represents a dilemma on two counts: the first, the fact that a natural landscape and place of education is being destroyed and repurposed. Disney’s America is supposed to attract thousands and perhaps millions of people per year, bringing with them wallets full of cash to spend in restaurants, hotels, and casinos. By allowing Disney’s America into Sweet Briar, the town must also welcome the trappings of tourism. But on the flip side, this would stimulate the town’s struggling economy. Quality of life in the town would have to rise in response to the influx of visitors, bringing new residents to run the newly necessary restaurants and attractions. In addition, the tiny college town would become home to hundreds of well-educated, well to do Disney employees.
The second half of the dilemma is the idea of the theme park itself. As Disney has created controversial films and products over the years with respect to historical accuracy and inclusive representation, it is understandable as to why the park is a bad idea in and of itself. Can the American public trust Disney to build a credible, entertaining, and politically correct view of history? Many believe that “civil war” and “theme park” do not belong in the same sentence. However, some argue that the park will get children interested in history, cater to those with different learning styles who struggle in the classroom, and provide child-friendly relief to an area typically ridden with stuffy and traditional museums, monuments, and battlefields. Disney’s pointed incorporation of the viewpoints of black historians, civil war re-enactors, and war experts can perhaps help to create a historically responsible park. Ultimately, the residents of the town should weigh all these facts before a decision is reached; after all, Disney is supposed to give the American public what it wants.
Regardless of the potential financial gain, I do not believe the theme park, “Disney’s American”, should be built. Disney may be one of the world’s most successful entertainers and a large aspect of Disney’s success can be attributed to his ability to entertain and capture the imagination of both kids and adults. However, as Disney has shown in the past, when he creates films about historical figures, such as Johnny Shiloh, Pocahontas, and Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, his cinematic portrayals of American history are contorted as Disney takes his creative liberties too far and projects false idealized portraits of the characters depicted, thus resulting in a ‘dis’tortion of not only the character depicted, but also the historical time that the historical figures represent, disqualifying Disney as historian. I believe it is safe to say that Disney’s place is to entertain, not to educate
As such, the production of Disney’s America worries me, as I am concerned about the preservation and the distortion of the history that would be told in this amusement park. I wonder how Disney is going to properly portray slavery, Native Americans, the Trail of Tears, the Civil War, and many other gruesome yet imperative historical facts that pertain to American History. In addition, I wonder how families are supposed to garner a comprehensive understanding of American History while simultaneously being at an amusement park that adheres to its integrity. It doesn’t seem possible. Although Disney’s America would bring in many tourists and have substantial financial potential, it would one, take away from the importance of the sacred battle ground of Manassas and two, completely change the atmosphere of the entire area. In addition, this new potential influx of tourists would increase real estate prices and many families would no longer be able to afford their homes, forcing them to uproot their entire lives and move somewhere new.
The idea of Disney’s America is simply too unrealistic and unfeasible, making it nearly impossible to accomplish successfully. The only realistic way Disney’s America would flourish and succeed would be if the entire American History based theme park were to neglect all of the ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ aspects of history. However, this would then result in an enormous distortion of history and would leave kids with the impression that true American History is only fun and entertaining. As such, I believe that there is no way for Disney’s America to successfully entertain children and adults while also educating them about American History.
At first glance, Disney’s America seems like a great way to get children excited about American history. Every generation of Americans becomes less aware of their history, so why not deliver history in a fun and entertaining package? The common denominator would prefer to visit a theme park as opposed to a museum or historical monument. So combining the two makes sense. If we are not able to attract citizens to a museum or monument and engage them there, then it makes sense to create a historical theme park, particularly one affiliated with the Disney Corporation. Disney has been a trusted name in American family entertainment for over eighty years.
However, Disney is notoriously weak when it comes to incorporating and accurately portraying history in their feature films. Many of their most popular movies such as Pocahontas and Johnny Tremain have plots entirely reliant on distortions of history. These distortions become dangerous, particularly for children, if they glorify violence and warfare, promote dangerous aesthetic values, or show the United States in a far more flattering light than it deserves. For example, Johhny Tremain shows the Boston Tea Party, a dangerous and secretive rebellion against the British, as a public event that ended with a sing-a-long. Disney changed the story of Pocahontas from a ten-year-old being kidnapped by colonists to a beautiful, emaciated woman in her mid-twenties falling in love with one.
We cannot allow our collective history as a nation to be modified to reflect what we wish our past looked like. History is studied so we can learn from the past. If we erase our mistakes, then we risk making them again. If children are brought to this park and taught that the United States has a spotless past then they will not get the benefit of learning from America’s mistakes, which is a dangerous possibility.
I think that adding a “Disney’s America” in Virginia would be an overall good move for the company, the town, and its economy, but it would also change the small town forever and run the risk of presenting history irresponsibly. However, based on how the company has been so willing to compromise and seems genuinely motivated to present an accurate version of history, I think the theme park would be great. It is true that Disney has failed to include some important parts of history in their films, but the fact that this is a historical museum, dedicated to history rather than purely entertaining people like their theme parks and movies are, acts as a motivator for Disney to do this correctly. Disney has more than enough money and recourses to get very qualified historians and educators, and the company would need these people in order to create an economically viable and successful product.
According to “Disney’s America” , an Economic History journal by Karl Rhodes,over 30 years , the park would generate an estimated 3000 jobs and 500 million dollars in tax revenues. This would be great for the economically depressed area, and would generate jobs especially for people that value history, such as park rangers and reenactors. In addition, the Virginia general assembly agreed to give 163 million dollars for transportation improvements and worker training. This money could be used to widen highways and help address the traffic problems a theme park may cause. However, it is important to note that the traffic in the area is already a problem. There was also much debate regarding the nearby Manassas battlefield and how the theme park may affect this historical site. I think having a park nearby would be great for rangers because it would likely generate more traffic to nearby historical marks like the Manassas battlefield. In addition, the parks service found Disney a ready listener. According to “The Disney’s America story” by Sam Gennawey, Disney agreed to limit building heights to 140 feet, probably making the theme park invisible from the Manassas battlefield, so the immersive historical experience of the battlefield would not be affected. Disney also proposed limiting vehicle trips to its theme parks and introduced the idea of transporting 20% of guests and 10% of employees by special transit busses, further assisting already existing traffic problems. Gennawey also notes that Disney promised to donate a significant amount of its charitable giving to historic preservation and also agreed to design and sell special items with a historic preservation theme in the theme park.
Disney has always had an interest in history, and a historical theme park would be a great way to engage children and teens with history in an interactive way and spark interest about our past. It’s clear that the company is willing to compromise with people and has an interest in portraying even the negative parts of history to children. While this version of history may exclude some gruesome details, so does a textbook in school. It’s understandable to be concerned about whether or not the company would portray history responsibly based on some of their films , but I think Disney would approach a historical theme park in a much different way than they would a film. This theme park would be great for children in the area as well as children all over the world, and it would give an economic boost to the nearby town as well, which I think makes this a good idea.
My class just recently held a debate about whether Disney’s America theme park should, or should not be built in Virginia. I was on the ‘for’ side, and in the end I’ve come to the conclusion that I could argue either way. When I was first assigned to that side, I was disappointed because I personally thought that it should not be built due to it’s historical inaccuracies. However, as I got further into the research, from some aspects it actually seems quite reasonable.
I became an expert in the historical area of the park as I pretended that I was a re-enactor during the debate. At first glance, it was impossible to see the ‘for’ side; Disney has already disrespected history too many times, so putting it into a theme park just seemed irresponsible of the them. During the debate, one of my classmates brought up the question of how they would represent slavery. She sarcastically suggested either a slavery ride or a slavery meet and greet. Her comment really hit home for me and how Disney could only make a mockery of that time period. However, from the other perspective, it is a great way to project an immense amount of information on children in one day. If Disney could complete this in an ethical way, it would be substantial to the education aspect of America. Children these days have evolved into visual learners in response to the increase of technology that they have been exposed to, so an interactive museum/theme park would be the perfect combination.
In regards to other factors that tie into this theme park such as the economics and the land use, there are both positive and negative aspects. Having the theme park in Virginia, it would be coming into a town that is in need of revenue. By having a Disney theme park, it would bring plenty of revenue in addition to restaurants, hotels, shopping malls etc., which would provide the town with more tax dollars. One could bring up the fact that the traffic would be horrific, but according to current documentations by the town, traffic in that area is already backed up two miles. There were already plans of building new roads and extending highways to improve the flow of traffic, as well as implementing a bus system to taxi guests into the park. On the opposing side, this small town would be uprooted which is a very substantial piece of the puzzle. In regards to the land and nature, some people argue that it would disturb natural habitats and no matter how Disney goes about protecting the wildlife, a substantial amount of acreage would be taken up by this production. On the other hand, the Disney Company has stated that they would put up certain types of barriers around the park and resort to help preserve the wildlife.
As one can see, this park can be argued from both sides and it will be very interesting to see whether this park gets built or not.
Disney’s America would bring joy to young children, perhaps, but would it educate them? If Disney’s main goal is to help educate those who may have forgotten our past histories, then can we be sure the corporation can do so given that it is known for distorting history. Walt Disney had a mind like nobody else. He was able to create beautiful movies and inspire those around him to take an interest in things historical, but movies like Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier or Johnny Tremain were horribly fictionalized and took too many liberties with the past. Another example, would be Pocahontas. Although, Pocahontas was a amazing movie and it encourages love, passion, and bravery. Disney completely told this story incorrectly. The relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas is a relationship that is far to strange to describe because of the difference in age. How are we supposed to trust an industry that has failed us in the past? If Disney’s America ever was built, yes it would do well and people would enjoy the rides and would be attracted to the parts of history that Disney overdramatized, but nobody could be assured that the history they were being fed by Disney was authentic.
The only beneficial aspect to a revived Disney’s America would be for students to get a new type of learning. Not every student can go through the “traditional” school system, and so having this historic theme park would be beneficial in terms of learning new information from Disney employees, such as historical reenactors. The opening of such a park would mean more job opportunities for reenactors, and more reenactors would provide more opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom. Keep in mind that Disney reenactors are as real as they get. With many reenactors available, a teacher could possibly contact a reenactor and get that person to come to their class for the students to do something new.
These benefits, however, would be outweighed by the negatives. Consider the impact of putting a theme park in a small city like Haymarket Virginia. If I lived behind the theme park, I would not want my kids to grow up in a theme park city. The amount of sidewalk traffic and the amount of traffic in general would be ridiculous. There is already a two-mile traffic jam everyday on Route 29 (“Disney Making Haymarket”) so adding a theme park would just make every traffic situation worse. Even though Disney’s America would have limited park hours, the amount of noise population that would result would be intolerable. At least 30,000 people would be expected daily to this park, threatening to make the city loud and chaotic. The battlefield of Manassas would be roughly around 3-5 miles away from the Disney’s America. The point of this battlefield is to feel authentic and make a person feel like they are there, as well, and having the park so close would disrupt the sacred climate of that battlefield. A projected revival of the Disney’s America idea in Sweet Briar, Virginia would be equally disruptive. Walt Disney has always been an entertainer rather than an educator. Disney’s America would be fun but using this as tool for education will not work.
After reading many articles about Disney’s America, I really appreciate Disney’s idea of bringing historical events alive and telling three-dimensional history of America, which could engage young people to learn American history. However, Disney should not build the historical theme park now, since many problems have not been solved. In a digital age, today’s audiences are not patient to read long explanatory text in museums. Overwhelmed by videos and digital devices, they need stimulation. Going to a historical theme park, a visitor may acquire a rough structure of America history in one day. The popularization of history by a historical theme park is effective, since to achieve a same goal, audiences have to spend much more time if they choose to read books. Besides, re-enacting historical scenes bring audiences various sense stimulations. Standing in re-enacting scenes, they can see, hear and feel, so they easily understand and remember those pieces of history as if they experienced personally. Therefore, building a historical theme park is an extraordinary approach to get audiences’ hearts and attracts them to learn history.
Although the idea is remarkable, it is extremely difficult in execution. Disney needs to deal with many problems. First, Disney intends to educate visitors, so it has an obligation to depict history accurately. However, Disney often altered historical stories to have happy endings in its movies, because it is impossible that history is always cheerful, as what Disney wants to convey. For instance, in The Song of the South, Disney depicts a close friendship between a black former slave Uncle Remus and a white boy Johnny, which is hardly impossible to exist during The Reconstruction. Many people criticized that Disney glamorized slavery. When Disney builds the historical theme park, it will face the same dilemma. On the one hand, as what truly happened in history, the slavery was brutal and ruthless. On the other hand, today’s people believe that the slavery was incorrect and we desire the racial equity. The past is the truth but also a mistake. Which way should Disney choose to depict: showing the truth which implies a commonly believed wrong belief or showing the promoted belief which contradicts historical facts? If Disney depicts history accurately, the scenes may implant audiences, especially vulnerable children who have not been mature enough, the commonly believed inappropriate idea. If Disney distorts history, what it does is meaningless, because the prerequisite of educating audiences about history is telling true stories. There are lots of problems in either way, so Disney needs to contemplate how to find a balanced point to depict history appropriately.
Apart from depicting history, there are many other concerns. First: the name. As Michael Eisner mentions in the book Work in Progress, their first important misstep was the decision to call the park “Disney’s America.” The name implies ownership of American history, which obviously will stir up resentment among folks. Second: the land use. Disney chooses a location just outside the town of Haymarket, Virginia in 1994, but the Civil War battlefield in the town of Manassas is approximately three miles from the site. The battlefield is a priceless and rare resource for historians to do research and also for visitors to take authentic history lessons. Obviously, we should preserve it and Disney should not build the theme park there. Besides, Disney also needs to consider thoughts of residences there. It has responsibility of trying its best not to mess up residences’ lives. Again, I appreciate Disney’s idea of insinuating knowledge into people who do not have interest in it originally by bringing history alive. However, before it finds approaches to solve main problems above, it is not a good idea to build the historical theme park.
After I researched and discovered how the offenses in past depictions of history in movies like Pocahontas and Johnny Shiloh is now being considered by the company, I believe that a “Disney’s America” historical park should be built. Additionally, I think that the park’s presence in Virginia would be beneficial for children who are inspired by the park and want to explore more about the history they just learned. The history near this town in Virginia is very rich and would allow for many different narratives to be presented. James Horton, director of African-American studies at George Washington University, additionally believes that Virginia is so historically cultural, that it would be difficult for Disney not to address different points of views and narratives from the Civil War time. And who can tell stories as well as additionally entertain the best? Disney!
Though the location is a good consideration for building the park, the education of thousands and commitment to history Disney has shown are reasons why I believe the park should be built. This historical park is probably one of the best ways to engage children for long periods of time, while also educating them about important events in America’s past. As Mice Chat’s Sam Gennawey predicted, Disney had a budget of around $650 million dollars to spend on the project. From this budget, Disney is reported to set aside some of the funds toward preservation of the battlefields and historical sites around the area. According to Joan Zenzen’s Battling for Manassas, Disney would create a separate venue for the education about the Battle Field of Manassas and historical preservation of sites in general. A historical park like this could educate many people about various historical topics in one day as well, which could not happen, to a certain extent, in a conventional classroom.
Although Disney’s attempts to bring history to the people has received negative feedback, I am convinced that the corporation is doing everything it can to incorporate this feedback and depict history in an educational way. For example, the company had committed to working with various groups centered around different issues of concern. Disney was reported to be in communication with the Black History Action Coalition to receive input on their portrayal of slavery. Additionally, the company’s communication with the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites allows for the company to incorporate accurate historical information for that time as well. Additionally, Disney considered hiring reenactors to participate in daily reenactments in the parks battlefield. These reenactors are so committed to authenticity that they would not only give an authentic account of the Civil War time period, but could also show children the customs of people during the war as well.
In addition to providing education, Disney would also be improving the economy simultaneously. In a financial article by Karl Rhodes, the historical park would generate about 300 new employment opportunities. Additionally, the Virginia Generally Assembly would prove around $163 million dollars for public transportation developments as well as employee training. Additionally, the tourism to the town would make this community become a thriving one. Disney’s commitment to education as well as historical accuracy and environmental preservation are the main reasons I support this park. Their communication with many historical groups shows that the company is dedicated to portraying history in an accurate way while also providing entertainment. Admittedly, it would be difficult to incorporate certain events into a “fun” park, but that is not all that this is. Disney’s America is a historical park, and I think the Imaginers more than anyone, with their creativity and research, are up for this challenging task!
I’m getting a ROTFLMAO vibe from reading the faux outraged reactions to a completely fabricated rumor on a bogus website. Anyone who starts by mistaking cartoons for history lessons needs to wait until their IQs rise above room temperature before joining any discussion. Also, I’ve been to your Virginia roadside Civil War “museums.” Spoiler alert: The USA won that war. I mention this fact only because none of the museum tourguides seemed to be aware of it. Disney isn’t coming to Virginia, but Trump is. Good luck with that.