Walt Disney's Project Before Walt Disney World: St. Louis' Riverfront Square

With the great success of Disneyland, it wouldn't take long for the forward thinking Walt Disney to consider other projects and even other locations for more family entertainment. Around the time Walt was considering land in Florida for Disney World- later to have added the "Walt" by brother Roy- he was also looking elsewhere. What you're looking at above is concept art for Riverfront Square in St. Louis and a brand new Circlevision show. 

The Lewis and Clark Adventure.

Being Walt, the park would have some focus on American history. A great water expedition would take its cues from Louis and Clark,  giving guests a taste of what it would be like to explore the frontier. Back in the mid-1960s, this type of water ride would have been unheard of. When plans for this smaller park were scrapped, the idea was revised for the unbuilt Disney's America and later used for both Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom. An even more detailed adventure would be found as one of the centerpiece attractions at Disney California Adventure as Grizzly River Run. It puts the Florida ride to shame. 

The full concept.

The park itself was much larger than you might think. Some sources tell that the first versions of New Orleans Square along with its own Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion were first planned for this location. Audio-Animatronics were brand new, and Disney planned to make the most of this the opportunity to wow the public.

The proposed Mississippi River setting was a natural fit. Given the more unpredictable weather patterns, much of the smaller attractions, shops, and dining, would have been all indoors in one giant building. 

The main entrance.

For a variety of reasons, Walt called off the project. In one sense, I'm glad he did because we did get a whole resort in Florida instead. But I will say that Riverfront Square could have been the first of many regional theme parks. That would be something I'd gladly welcome!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)