The Untold Tale of Walt Disney's Aspirations for a Ski Resort
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Chapter 1: Disney's Vision for the Sierra Nevada
Walt Disney, famed for his creations like Mickey Mouse and the Disneyland parks, had aspirations to expand the Disney empire into the mountainous regions of California during the 1960s. His dream involved constructing a ski resort in the picturesque Mineral King Valley. However, this vision faced opposition from those who sought to preserve the valley's unspoiled beauty.
This valley had a tumultuous history, nearly becoming a mining hub long before Disney's ambitions. Silver was discovered in 1872, attracting numerous prospectors, and a town sprang up, housing around 3,000 residents. Unfortunately, the mining boom was short-lived, leading to the town's abandonment by 1882 due to avalanches and dwindling resources.
As time passed, the valley transformed into a haven for campers and hikers. The establishment of Sequoia National Park in 1890 further increased visitor numbers, as people flocked to enjoy the area's natural splendor. By 1926, Congress expanded the boundaries of Sequoia National Park, but Mineral King Valley was excluded because it had previously been recognized for its mining potential, even if mining activities had ceased.
In 1965, the U.S. Forest Service sought proposals for a ski resort in Mineral King, ultimately selecting Walt Disney Productions for the project. Disney's interest in such a venture was not new; he had directed the pageantry at the 1960 Winter Olympics and had previously created the Matterhorn attraction at Disneyland after visiting the Swiss Alps.
Disney envisioned a grand ski resort featuring an alpine village complete with a 1,030-room hotel, ice rinks, tennis courts, swimming pools, ten restaurants, and a golf course. The resort would boast 22 ski lifts, gondolas, and extensive ski runs, with revenue projections reaching $600 million in the first decade, primarily from guest services.
Additionally, Disney planned an innovative entertainment experience featuring robotic bears that sang—an idea that would later evolve into the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World. To ensure a seamless guest experience, a massive parking garage accommodating 3,600 cars and a dedicated railway for transport to the resort were also proposed.
However, the projected cost of $35 million for the construction and necessary infrastructure far exceeded the original expenditure for Disneyland, raising concerns among existing recreational users of the valley. The anticipated increase in visitors—from 24,000 annually to nearly a million—fueled opposition from locals and environmental advocates.
The passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964 further complicated Disney's plans, as it aimed to protect certain lands "in their natural condition." The Sierra Club was quick to challenge the agreement between the Forest Service and Disney, leading to a legal battle over the proposed road through Sequoia National Park. Although a preliminary injunction temporarily halted progress, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled against the Sierra Club in 1972.
Walt Disney passed away in 1966, yet the company pursued the project. Interestingly, an executive later noted that Disney would likely have withdrawn from the project due to its contentious nature. The Sierra Club had even honored Walt Disney with an honorary life membership in 1955.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 mandated environmental impact studies for federal projects, obliging the Forest Service to evaluate the potential effects of the ski resort on Mineral King.
In 1976, the Forest Service released its environmental impact report, while the Sierra Club adapted its lawsuit to reflect the Supreme Court's standards. However, by this time, Disney had shifted its priorities and no longer intended to proceed with the ski resort. The company had already invested $400 million in Disney World, and estimates suggested it would take an additional 13 years to realize the Mineral King project.
The final blow to the ski resort initiative came with President Carter's signing of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, which incorporated Mineral King into Sequoia National Park. Today, the area is designated as a Federal Wilderness Area, accessible only via a narrow road.
The first video, "Why Disney's INSANE Attempt at a Ski Resort Failed," delves into the challenges and controversies surrounding Walt Disney's vision for the ski resort.
The second video, "Disney's Cancelled Ski Resort - Mineral King History | ReviewTyme," explores the historical context and the aftermath of Disney's ambitious plans for the Mineral King Valley.
Sources: SFGate.com, KCET, OC Register, Department of Justice, Oyez
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