Have you heard about Disneyland in Washington, D.C.? Recently, a TikTok video went viral that had people questioning whether a new Disney theme park was being built near the nation’s capital.
The video, shared by user @kodhizera, shows golden spires rising above the highway in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., leading many to believe Disneyland might have secretly made its way to the area. “First time living in the DMV. I didn’t know there was Disneyland here?? Why nobody ever told me that?” the TikToker wrote.
@kodhizera Why nobody ever told me that? #fyp #fypシ #foryoupage #maryland #dmv #washingtondc #disney #disneyland #disneyworld
The TikTok quickly amassed nearly 100,000 likes and over 1.1 million views, sparking widespread curiosity about the possibility of a new Disneyland in Washington, D.C.
However, the truth behind the spires isn’t quite as magical as the video might suggest. While the stunning golden and white towers look somewhat Disney-esque, they aren’t part of any theme park. The spires belong to the Washington D.C. Temple, the 16th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The Washington D.C. Temple has been a prominent landmark along the Capital Beltway since it was completed in 1974, but it’s certainly not part of the Disney universe.
Many locals took to the comments to explain the true story behind the iconic structure. The Washington D.C. Temple has been part of some local legends for decades. One notable story dates back to 1974 when a group of schoolgirls, promoting their “Wizard of Oz” play, used wadded newspaper to create the famous phrase “Surrender Dorothy” on a nearby bridge.
While the sign was eventually removed, the phrase “Surrender Dorothy” became associated with the area, leading to the temple being nicknamed “Oz” by locals. Spray-painted “Surrender Dorothy” messages have popped up on the nearby bridge several times over the years.
“When we first moved to the DMV, we didn’t know what it was,” @elaw381 commented. “My daughter was 3 and kept calling it the princess castle and wanted to go meet her. We decided to drive to it one day just to show her. Lots of Mormons, no princesses. They were really nice to my kid though and told her the princess was away on important business and let us take pictures.”
They actually put on a pretty display at Christmas you can go see,” @gsdmom04 replied. “It’s called the Washington DC Temple Festival of Lights.”
Interestingly, this is not the first time a Disney park has been discussed in the Washington, D.C., area. The Walt Disney Company once planned to build “Disney’s America,” a history-focused park in Virginia. This park would have included several themed attractions, hotels, a golf course, and even housing. Announced in 1993 and set to open in 1998, the project was ultimately canceled due to strong local opposition to building a theme park near historic sites and battlefields.
Are there any other buildings around the United States that look like Sleeping Beauty Castle or Cinderella Castle? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
The Surrender Dorothy story IS true saw the writing myself !! Driven by it MANY times…..and YES at night as you are coming around the Beltway and it is coming into view with ALL the lights on (yes it stays lit at night) It CAN look like Cinderella’a Castle !!