The once-proposed St. Louis Disney theme park (from the 1960's)

K

KentB3

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I have read about this in a number of places, including the book Inside Disney by Eve Zibart. Shortly after plans were publically announced for WDW in the mid-1960's and that the Orlando area was the sight for this, a group of developers in the St Louis area were looking for a big tourist draw along the Mississippi riverfront near St. Louis, and Disney considered their proposal fairly seriously, for what would eventually become a 3rd Disney theme park resort. However, beer magnate Adolph Busch stood up at a business dinner and demeanded that this park sell beer in it. Therefore, that ended this location for a Disney theme park resort, since the sale of alcohol was prohibited at Disneyland and would be in the future at WDW as well; which lasted until the mid-1980's, though still prohibited in the Magic Kingdom.

Just thought you'd like to know! :animwink:
 
peter11435

peter11435

Well-Known Member
STR8FAN2005 said:
Seems like a silly reason to not build a park. I'm sure there were many other reasons.
Click to expand...
Actually, it was the reason. At the time Busch held so much power in the region that Disney would not be given the freedoms they wanted (and were able to get in Florida) if they refused to sell alcohol.
 
SIR90210

SIR90210

New Member
Actually, from what I've read, the decision to abandon St. Louis (as well as the current site of Columbia, MD) was based mostly upon weather, though this explanation seems possible.
 
ImaginEAR

ImaginEAR

New Member
I believe the park was called "Walt Disney's Riverboat Square" and it was to have a glass ceiling over the park. The project was later abandoned. When the Imagineers were designing Tokyo Disneyland, they looked back to Riverboat Square for the design of World Bazaar's glass ceiling.
 
L

leebier

New Member
As a longtime resident of St. Louis I can tell ya that the Brewery holds SIGNIFICANT sway over local policies and politics, though less than it did during "Gussie's" reign (until the mid-80's). The brewery owns a ton of land downtown, is a major sponsor in just about anything happening in town, owned the St. Louis Cardinals until a bit after "Gussie"s death, is a huge local employer, and is also one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the area. Even today, ordering a Coors in town gets you a funny look and other beers are virtually unseen at Busch stadium (no coincidence there) or the other stadiums in the area.

It is 100% no surprise that AB would have made this kind of ultimatum about building in the area. AB also seemed to think it was a good enough idea TO serve beer in the parks that they own SeaWorld and Busch Gardens (as well as an animal reserve/farm in St. Louis).

Anyway, while I have no way of knowing if this is how things actually happened, it's entire plausable.
 
SpectroMan

SpectroMan

New Member
Yep, North of New Orleans was looked at seriously, but because of the great and corrupt Louisiana politicians Disney was pushed away.
 
Yellow Shoes

Yellow Shoes

Well-Known Member
SpectroMan said:
Yep, North of New Orleans was looked at seriously, but because of the great and corrupt Louisiana politicians Disney was pushed away.
Click to expand...


WHAT?!?!?!?!?

There are corrupt politicians in Louisiana?

My innocence is lost......... :wave: :kiss:

And I grew up near St. Louis, and I agree that the Busch family has ENORMOUS influence in the area--or at least did 40 years ago. Plus, the culture in that area is very suspicious of outsiders.

The cliche (which has a grain of truth, as all cliches do) is that when making small talk with a native, the first 3 questions you will be asked are:
1. Where do you live?
2. Where do you work?
3. Where did you go to high school?

Your answer to #3 will lead the questioner to make certain assumptions about your economic status, your religion, and whether you are in insider or outsider.
 
Buried20KLeague

Buried20KLeague

Well-Known Member
There's actually some information regarding this in a glass case in the Missouri Athletic Club (a very "posh" club downtown that you really have to be someone to get into)... I was there for a wedding reception about two years ago, there's no way I'd make the cut otherwise. :) They have lots of really old documents from St. Louis history there on display, and even gifts given to St. Louis by kings and queens way back when St. Louis was formed.

His desire to build here was twofold... Because he grew up in Marceline, MO... And because he was fascinated with Mark Twain. There was a picture of the proposed park, too... What I recall was that it seemed to be heavy on theatres and things of that nature... It wouldn't have been your "typical" Disney park.

The reasons given here are accurate... Busch was a big factor, along with weather and the fact that Disney couldn't set his own rules.
 
Wannabe Walt

Wannabe Walt

New Member
Stupid Busch! lol I live about 2 hours south of STL and I have longed for a Disney park to come to SOMEWHERE in Missouri! Man...I wish Busch would have let no beer slide, or Disney would have let beer slide!
 
T

tmtee

New Member
So Yellow Shoes, where did you go to high school? LOL I'm from the east side and we get a kick out of that question! Gussie had a lot of influence over anything that was brought into town, and this comment is so in character for him. It would have been great though to have the Disney presence on the riverfront. Can't you see it now, Mickey with a bottle of Bud!
 
SpectroMan

SpectroMan

New Member
GO REBS said:
Im glad they didnt build in Louisiana!!!! I dont know if i could handle all of the PURPLE AND GOLD!!!!:hurl:
Click to expand...

I see more purple and gold shirts in WDW than I do in my home town. The only place I have seen more purple and gold shirts is on the LSU campus.
 
NTI2002

NTI2002

New Member
"I'm sorry, it seems your tiger has been accidentally sent to St. Louis."

"mmmhmmm, mmmhmm, I SHOULD SEND YOU TO ST. LOUIS!!"

"NO no, it's not worth it!"
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom