Before Disneyland

Disneyland certainly transformed our concept of outdoor entertainment, but much of what made it work so well actually came from a long lineage of ideas. From the old International Expos and World’s Fairs to the Big Three at Coney Island, we can trace the development of intentional, thematic design that set these playgrounds apart from the typical, carnival-style amusement parks of the day.

America’s Disneylands is produced by Rivershore Creative. Find out more about regional park history at americasdisneylands.com, and find great books at rivershorepress.com. For the complete history of America’s regional theme parks, grab a copy of Imagineering an American Dreamscape, available everywhere. Thanks for listening!

© Barry R. Hill