What if St. Louis had its very own Disneyland? In this episode of Show Me History, we uncover the incredible, nearly-forgotten story of Walt Disney’s Riverfront Square — a bold and imaginative plan to build a Disney theme park in the heart of downtown St. Louis.
From the rediscovery of lost blueprints in 2015 to the city's ambitious redevelopment dreams of the 1950s and 60s, we explore the political, cultural, and financial drama that brought Disney to Missouri — and ultimately led him to walk away. Learn how a clash over beer, control, and creative vision turned a promising partnership into a missed opportunity.
You’ll hear about the attractions that never were, the park that could have been, and how these unrealized dreams influenced the creation of Walt Disney World. It’s a whirlwind tour through urban planning, corporate ambition, and hometown pride — with a dash of Missouri mystery.
Website: showmehistorystl.com
Twitter: @ShowMe_History
Facebook: ShowMeHistoryStL
BlueSky: @ShowMeHistory.bsky.app
All research, editing, and production done by River City Productions for Show-Me History.
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Tune in and discover the Disney park St. Louis almost had — and why it never came to be.
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