The World That Never Was: Recent Episodes
Josh Taylor
Hear the stories behind Disney theme parks that were never built and the real world problems that stopped them from happening.
Epcot's World Showcase was to open with a singular African pavilion, but real-world politics and warfare created problems for funding.
The Disneyland Resort almost got it's own version of Epcot but the city of Anaheim had something to say about it.
An original idea for Disney's Animal Kingdom would have turned to the biblical story of Noah as a nod to the number of animals that could be seen at the park, but it was ditched for something less confrontational.
When the Walt Disney company pitched an idea for an American History themed amusement park near the country's capital, the public didn't want it.
A deal was made between Jim Henson and the Walt Disney company to bring the Muppets to the Disney theme parks, but his death came too soon.
Epcot's World Showcase has always been Euro-centric with a majority of it's makeup being western European pavilions, but at one point there were talks of an Israeli pavilion. Religion got in the way.
Before Universal got the rights to create the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, talks between JK Rowling and Disney caused confrontations and a fallout.
Walt Disney had a vision of a ski resort in California. Michael Eisner had a vision of a ski resort in Colorado. Somehow neither were built but mysterious land purchases were made in the process.
Epcot's World Showcase almost had a Soviet Union pavilion but politics played a major part in nixing our Cold War rival from showcasing it's beautiful culture.
Riverfront Square was supposed to be Disney's second US theme park, but it turned out to be a nightmare project.
Walt Disney always wanted a Haunted Mansion as part of his theme park but his death would create animosity between Imagineers and would kill the Museum of the Weird.
What was supposed to be an opening day land at Disney's Animal Kingdom never went past the concept artwork.