A mouse without a clubhouse: Upcoming documentary to explore Virginia’s failed Disney theme park
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia-based production company Shenandoah Studios has announced an upcoming feature documentary about an effort in the mid-90s to launch a Disney theme park in Virginia.
“Almost Magic” is a documentary that recounts events surrounding the park project, “Disney’s America.” It explores the conflict over breaking ground for the project in 1994.
Disney park site plans from "Almost Magic" documentary. (Courtesy of Shenandoah Studios)
The documentary features former Virginia Governor George Allen, LA Times theme park writer and Disney expert Todd Martens and several others about the controversial project.
While planning a festival premiere, producers say that have been pursuing distribution.
"The doc will be one of the first major productions to visually incorporate Disney’s Steamboat Willie animated character under public domain use since the cartoon’s copyright expiration on January 1st, 2024," a release from the production company reads.
The National Parks Service reportedly granted the studio permission to film portions of “Almost Magic” at Manassas National Battlefield.
The documentary is produced and directed by Jesse Robinson, who launched Shenandoah Studios in March 2023. He previously produced the American Reality Television Award-nominated series, "Men of West Hollywood" for Crackle.
