The History Channel is expanding its lineup with How Disney Built America. This six-part nonfiction series will premiere on Sunday, April 28, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes airing weekly.
How Disney Built America explores the history of Walt Disney and how the iconic Disney brand has shaped generations and become a cultural and worldwide phenomenon. The series paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the empire he built, with each hour-long episode focusing on a different aspect of Disney’s game-changing brilliance. This includes the creation of beloved characters, the revolution of the animated features industry, the innovation of merchandising, and the groundbreaking engineering of Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The series utilises rarely seen archival material, original dramatic recreations, and key interviews with experts and those closely connected to Disney, such as Imagineer Bob Gurr, a direct hire of Walt Disney himself. Gurr offers unique insights into the challenges and triumphs involved in realising Disney’s extraordinary vision.
The first episode, titled “The Birth of Mickey,” will delve into the creation of one of the world’s most recognisable cartoon characters, Mickey Mouse. The second episode, “Dawn of the Animated Blockbuster,” will continue the story with the creation of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
How Disney Built America is part of the popular “The Stories That Built America” franchise, which has previously explored topics like food, engineering, and toys. The series promises to be a nostalgia-filled ride, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of Disney and its impact on American culture.