Plot Synopsis

HOW DISNEY BUILT AMERICA is a one-hour documentary series that explores the history of Walt Disney and how the iconic Disney brand, fueled by the creation of beloved characters, cherished family films, thrilling theme parks, technological innovations, and more, continues to shape generations as a cultural and worldwide phenomenon. The series is a nostalgia-filled ride that paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the history-making empire he and his brother Roy Disney built. Each hour-long episode focuses on a different example of game-changing brilliance in Disney's history including creating the world's most recognizable characters, establishing the animated features industry, revolutionizing the concept of merchandising, and using groundbreaking design and engineering to construct Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, and beyond. Viewers will hear from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, a direct hire from Walt who developed over 100 designs for Disney theme park attractions, to gain surprising insights into the unique innovations and struggles involved in realizing the dreams of a visionary. The series utilizes rarely seen historical material, original dramatic recreations, and key interviews from Don Wildman, Margaret Kerrison, Douglas Brinkley, Mindy Johnson, and others to expand on how the brand is forever woven into the fabric of American life. Episodes include:

"The Birth of Mickey" (Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 10pm): A struggling cartoon studio creates one of the most recognizable characters in the world. Mickey Mouse begins as a pencil sketch, and through a journey of failure, betrayal, innovation, and guts becomes an American icon, and the foundation of an iconic media empire.

"Dawn of the Animated Blockbuster" (Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 10pm): Facing soaring costs, mounting criticism, and a tight deadline, Walt Disney pushes the limits of technology to create the first full-length animated feature film. It's Disney's magic combination of passion, brilliance, and tech innovation that gives rise to the billion-dollar business of animated films.

"Destination Disneyland" (Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 10pm): Walt Disney overcomes immense obstacles to create the first Theme Park, where instead of thrill rides, he gives the visitor an immersive journey into a story, like the experience of being inside a movie.

"Now Available in Stores" (Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 10pm): Amidst financial troubles, Disney hires an ingenious marketing whiz who helps them figure out how to bring their beloved characters off the screen and into the hands of millions. Mickey becomes the first celebrity face to grace a cereal box and from there, the licensing of Disney products becomes a lucrative industry and the gold standard for multimedia corporations all over the world.

"Creating a New World" (Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 10pm): Against all odds, Disney turns 27,000 acres of muddy Florida swampland into the world's largest and most visited Theme Park. It began in secret as "Project X," and after being dogged by personal tragedy and construction delays, when Walt Disney World finally opens it's a triumph of imagination, technology, and a dream.

"The Marvelous World of Disney" (Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 10pm): For nearly 70 years, Disney has pushed the boundaries of art and science through the work of a team of dreamers, designers, and builders known as the Imagineers. This is the story of how, since their earliest days with Walt himself, Imagineers have turned the impossible into reality -- creating thrilling mass entertainment experiences and changing the world in the process.