Scrapped Disney Park Plan Featured Controversial ‘Slavery Experience’ Attraction

Over the years, Disney has consistently been the gold standard when it comes to creating magical, immersive experiences. When we think of Disney parks, we picture the whimsical charm of Disneyland, the thrilling rides of Magic Kingdom, and the world of adventure and fantasy in EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. But, as with many ambitious ideas, there are some projects that never make it past the planning stages.

One such project, which would have been unlike anything Disney had attempted before, came remarkably close to becoming a reality—a history-themed park that included an experience many now consider controversial.

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In the 1990s, under the leadership of CEO Michael Eisner, Disney’s creative and business ventures seemed boundless. However, the company soon found itself confronted with serious challenges, including the financial struggles of Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris), which lost a billion dollars in its first year.

This failure ultimately shifted Disney’s focus back to smaller, more local projects, one of which would soon be dubbed “Disney’s America.” A theme park designed to immerse guests in the history of the United States, including dark and painful chapters that some felt were better left untouched.

While Disney’s grandiose visions often bring forth the magic of childhood dreams, this particular idea took a sharp turn into very controversial territory. In fact, the plans were so ambitious and contentious that Disney ultimately decided to pull the plug, avoiding what would have likely been a deep cultural and historical debate.

“Disney’s America” and the Origins of the Idea

The origins of Disney’s America can be traced to the “Disney decade,” a term coined to describe the period when Eisner aimed to rapidly expand Disney’s theme park empire. After the success of the Disney Renaissance in the 1990s, which saw the release of beloved animated films like Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Lion King (1994), Eisner sought to capture the growing interest in American history, hoping to capitalize on the country’s historical significance, particularly in Virginia.

The park was planned to be a place where guests could explore America’s complex history, focusing on different periods, from the American Revolution to the Civil War.

At the heart of the concept was the desire to educate visitors by offering them interactive experiences that would make them feel as though they were truly a part of history.

According to historian Jacqui Shine, in a recent podcast episode of Today, Explained, Eisner and his team had a vision: “Disney’s America was supposed to present a painful, disturbing, agonizing history,” focusing on America’s struggles. The plan was ambitious, and the idea of offering an authentic portrayal of key historical events, such as the Civil War, intrigued many at first.

Yet, it soon became clear that some of the historical elements planned were not just educational—they were deeply controversial.

A Plan to Present Slavery as an “Experience”

One of the most provocative and, as many argued, deeply problematic aspects of Disney’s America was its focus on slavery. A theme park designed to make you feel the hardships of American history would offer guests a chance to “experience” the agony of slavery.

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Eisner and Disney executives stated they wanted to “make you a Civil War soldier,” but also make you “feel what it was like to be a slave.”

The day after this press release is issued, Disney holds a press conference in Haymarket. At this presser, Bob Weis, who is the senior vice president of imagineering, which is Disney’s creative division, says, “This will be entertaining in the sense that it would leave you something you could mull over. We want to make you a Civil War soldier. We want to make you feel what it was like to be a slave or what it was like to escape through the underground railroad.”

However, this idea sparked immediate outrage. The notion of “experiencing slavery” was seen by many as an insensitive, even exploitative, approach to a topic that remains incredibly painful and deeply rooted in the nation’s ongoing struggle with racism and inequality.

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Historians, cultural commentators, and various advocacy groups quickly condemned the plan, citing the potential for minimizing or “Disneyfying” the horrors of slavery. The concept raised alarms not just for the portrayal of slavery, but for how it could trivialize the immense trauma experienced by African Americans throughout history.

According to Disney’s promotional materials, Disney’s America was designed to guide visitors through key eras of American history. The journey would begin with the American Revolution, then lead guests into recreated Native American villages where they could encounter various tribes and even accompany Lewis and Clark on their legendary expedition.

The experience would continue onto the front lines of the Civil War, offering an immersive glimpse into the life of a soldier. From there, the focus would shift to the wave of immigration that reshaped the nation. According to insiders, one planned attraction was a musical Muppets show centered on this theme, tentatively titled The Muppets Take America.

The Public Backlash and Protests

The backlash against Disney’s America came swiftly. A group of respected historians launched a campaign called “Protect Historic America,” voicing their concern about the potential commercialization of slavery and other painful parts of history.

The protests escalated to the point where some people argued that the park would tarnish the memory of real events like the Civil War, especially since the planned location was just a few miles from the Manassas National Battlefield Park, one of the bloodiest Civil War battlefields in the United States.

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This site, with its 25,000 casualties, including over 3,000 deaths, is sacred ground for many, and the thought of turning it into an entertainment venue was met with fierce opposition.

The protests grew larger as more details of the park’s plans surfaced, and public outcry only intensified. In fact, around 3,000 people marched on the National Mall to protest the park. Soon after, Disney made a fateful decision: they canceled the project.

Why Disney Canceled the Project

Disney’s leadership, particularly Michael Eisner, faced immense pressure from various groups, including civil rights organizations, historians, and even politicians.

Despite Eisner’s initial insistence that the park would not “whitewash” history, the overwhelmingly negative public response led to the decision to pull the plug. Disney’s exit from the project came after significant protests, and the company chose to focus on more traditional, family-friendly park experiences rather than the historical venture they had envisioned.

Over the years, Disney has continued to grapple with its place in American history. Recent controversies, such as the debates surrounding the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World, have shown that Disney still faces challenges when it comes to addressing historical topics with the nuance and sensitivity they deserve. From Disney’s “Disneyfication” of history in its theme parks to its portrayal of historical figures in films, Disney’s relationship with the past remains complex.

Was Disney’s decision to cancel Disney’s America the right one? Was the concept of a “slavery experience” ever truly respectful to those whose lives were affected by the atrocities of slavery? Could such an experience have ever been educational, or was it too risky to make a business venture out of the painful history of the United States? Let us know your opinion!