Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 6, 1994 TAG: 9403040255
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MITCHELL MILLER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Long
In recent years, tough economic times in northeast cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston - among Williamsburg's top markets - have contributed to the decline in visitors.
The cities, along with others in the Mid-Atlantic region, may soon be prime markets for Disney's history-oriented park, which is proposed to be built in Haymarket, about an hour's drive from the nation's capital. Disney's America would open in 1998, drawing an estimated 5 million to 6 million visitors annually.
Will that result in fewer people traveling to Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia's other historic attractions?
"We think that probably long term it would be beneficial to the whole state," said Randall Foskey, Colonial Williamsburg's director of admission marketing. "As far as our particular case, we think it will hurt early on."
Foskey said the potential impact of the Disney park is hard to predict. The impact of the sluggish economy already is known.
Attendance at the restored colonial capital has dropped steadily since 1988, when it had 1.2 million visitors. The number of visitors dropped below 1 million for the first time since the early 1980s three years ago and was 909,500 in 1993 - the lowest in recent history.
Foskey is worried that all the hype surrounding the Disney park in the coming years will draw away attention from other Virginia attractions. He noted a family from Boston might hold off on a Virginia vacation until the Disney park opens.
Williamsburg area business leaders also are worried about Disney's impact. Earlier this month, nearly 200 people turned out for a breakfast to fire questions at Robert Shinn, vice president of development for Disney's America.
He told them Colonial Williamsburg is unique and said the theme park will not emphasize colonial history.
Disney's America will try to make history fun. Tentative plans include a Civil War village, a re-enactment of the battle between the ironclads Monitor and Merrimac and a factory town that would feature a high-speed ride through the Industrial Revolution.
Historians and others have expressed concern that painful periods of the nation's development will be glossed over at the new park. They say there is no substitute for visiting historic sites.
Stephen Elliott, vice president of education at Colonial Williamsburg, believes his attraction and Disney are really in two different businesses: education and entertainment.
"I could see that a well-done living history presentation on a subject could interest someone," he said. "On the other hand, an amusement ride that takes someone through a ride of a factory to represent the Industrial Revolution doesn't stimulate someone to learn more about the Industrial Revolution."
Robert C. Watson, director of the department of African-American interpretation and presentation at Colonial Williamsburg, wonders how Disney's America will approach the issue of slavery.
"I guess my major concern is how is Disney going to present slavery and make it fun? It's not a fun topic," he said. "We know very well at Colonial Williamsburg that it's a topic that really makes a lot of people livid, both blacks and whites."
While many are excited about Disney's plans, Colonial Williamsburg tourists Tim and Carol Ann Frost of Baltimore were skeptical. Like 60 percent of Williamsburg guests, they are repeat visitors.
"I don't know that they'd have the commitment to history that Williamsburg has here," Tim Frost said after he and his wife took part in an 18th century re-creation of a day in court. "They're committed to the accuracy even if it means doing away with a good story."
Disney officials have emphasized that they do not consider Disney's America a threat to Virginia's historic sites.
"We will be different from Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon," said Disney spokeswoman Jane Adams. `We seek to complement those places."
Adams said Disney has begun discussions with historians and other experts to make sure its historical presentations are accurate. She said plans for various rides and attractions are still being developed.
The president and chief executive of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Robert C. Wilburn, said he's received a briefing from Disney officials and welcomes their plan. But, he said, state support for tourist attractions should be spread around.
"Our interest is in making sure Colonial Williamsburg is given comparable assistance and consideration by the commonwealth of Virginia," he said.
While Northern Virginia residents, business leaders and state lawmakers debate the merits of a $160 million state incentive plan for Disney, Colonial Williamsburg is implementing program changes designed to keep its history fresh.
Conny Graft, Colonial Williamsburg's director of interpretive of education, said Disney's plan can be viewed as a positive challenge.
"I think it does motivate us to be always just as concerned about the enjoyment factor, to make sure what we show is just as exciting as it is accurate and authentic," she said.
by CNB