The Disneylands That Never Were: A Journey Through Plans, Dreams, and Lost Magic

Walt Disney was a man of boundless imagination, and his dreams for his theme parks were no exception. Over the years, Disney and his Imagineers developed plans for dozens of Disneylands around the world, but not all of them came to fruition. Some were abandoned due to financial constraints, others due to political turmoil, and still others due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Disneylands That Never Were

by Shaun Finnie

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	396 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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In his new book, "The Disneylands That Never Were," author Jason Surrell takes us on a fascinating journey through these lost Disney dreams. Surrell explores the plans and concepts for these unbuilt theme parks, from the ambitious "Disneyland East" in the United States to the ill-fated "Disneyland Asia" in China. He also uncovers the stories behind these abandoned projects, from the financial setbacks that plagued "Disneyland Two" in Illinois to the political opposition that thwarted "Disneyland Paris" in France.

Surrell's book is a must-read for any fan of Disney history or theme parks. It's a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind Disney's Imagineering, and it's a reminder that even the most ambitious dreams can sometimes be derailed by the harsh realities of the world.

Chapter 1: Disneyland East

In the early 1960s, Walt Disney was looking to expand his Disneyland empire beyond Anaheim, California. He considered several locations for a second Disney theme park, including New York, Chicago, and Florida. Ultimately, Disney decided to build Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, but he never gave up on his dream of a Disney park in the eastern United States.

In the 1970s, Disney began developing plans for "Disneyland East," a theme park that would be located near Washington, D.C. The park would have been twice the size of Disneyland in Anaheim, and it would have featured a wide variety of attractions, including a replica of the White House and a ride based on the American Revolution.

Unfortunately, Disney's plans for Disneyland East were never realized. The project was plagued by financial problems, and Disney was also unable to secure the necessary permits from the federal government. In 1979, Disney announced that he was abandoning the Disneyland East project.

Chapter 2: Disneyland Two

In the 1960s, Disney also began developing plans for a second Disney theme park in California. The park, which was known as "Disneyland Two," would have been located in Valencia, California, about 30 miles north of Anaheim. Disneyland Two would have been a much larger park than Disneyland, and it would have featured a wider variety of attractions.

However, the Disneyland Two project was also plagued by financial problems. In 1974, Disney announced that he was abandoning the project. The land that had been set aside for Disneyland Two was eventually sold to the Newhall Land and Farming Company.

Chapter 3: Disneyland Asia

In the 1990s, Disney began exploring the possibility of building a Disney theme park in Asia. The company initially considered several locations, including Japan, China, and South Korea. Ultimately, Disney decided to build its first Asian theme park in Hong Kong.

However, Disney's plans for Disneyland Asia were delayed by the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The project was eventually scrapped in 2002. In 2016, Disney opened Shanghai Disneyland, its first theme park in mainland China.

Chapter 4: Disneyland Paris

In the 1980s, Disney began developing plans for a Disney theme park in Europe. The park, which was known as "Disneyland Paris," would be located in Marne-la-Vallée, France, about 20 miles east of Paris.

Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, but it was not without its problems. The park was plagued by financial problems and labor disputes. In 1994, Disney announced that it was selling a majority stake in Disneyland Paris to the French government. The park is now owned and operated by the Euro Disney S.C.A. company.

The Disneylands That Never Were is a fascinating look at the unbuilt Disney theme parks that could have been. Surrell's book is a must-read for any fan of Disney history or theme parks.

The Disneylands That Never Were

by Shaun Finnie

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	396 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE