Disney’s Riverfront Square: An Indoor Disneyland Park

If there’s one thing us Disney fans love, it’s always talking about a new Disney Park. Whether located in California, Florida, or even outside the U.S., it’s always a fascinating topic.

Walt Disney’s Riverfront Square

One that has been talked about for decades is the concept of Walt Disney’s Riverfront Square, a proposed theme park that aimed to bring Disney to St. Louis.

Related: Port Disney: The Plans for Another U.S. Disney Resort

At that time St. Louis wanted Walt Disney to develop a Circle-Vision attraction for a shopping center on the Mississippi River. However, Walt Disney being…Walt Disney had something bigger in mind.

Related: Canceled Theme Park: ‘Disney’s America’

He developed a plan that included a five story building, covering two city blocks, which would have contained rides, attractions, shops, and restaurants all in Disneyland style and all within an enclosed dome. It would have been one of the first fully indoor theme parks.

The concept was simple – an indoor theme park could operate year-round, which was always a concern of theme parks in the midwest or northern states.

At the core of Disney’s vision was the promise of an indoor amusement park that would boast Disney’s signature storytelling, cutting-edge attractions, and immersive experiences. Riverfront Square was not conceived as a mere replica of Disneyland but as a unique destination, tailored to the culture and spirit of the Midwest.

Imagineer Marvin Davis, the designer of Disneyland, designed the new theme park’s layout.

Rides and Attractions

Attractions featured would have been clones of popular Disneyland dark rides such as Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and Snow White and Her Adventures.

It also included concepts for a Louis & Clarke Adventure Dark Ride and a Davy Crockett themed attraction.

The designs behind the park also included the beginnings of modern day classics such as the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. However, these early versions were a Blue Bayou Boat Ride and a walkthrough pirate attraction, and a walkthrough haunted house.

It also had plans for a roller coaster themed after the Meramec Caverns which eventually evolved into the inspiration behind Big Thunder Mountain.

Cancelled Project

However, despite the visionary concept and the excitement it generated, Riverfront Square faced numerous challenges that prevented it from becoming a reality. Funding issues and disagreements over the city’s proposed investment proved to be major obstacles.

After the plans were eventually cancelled, Walt Disney turned his attention to other projects – most notably what would become Walt Disney World Resort.

It would have been amazing to have a third Disney resort in the United States. But even though we never got Port Disney, Disney’s America, or Disney’s Riverfront Square), perhaps we Disney fans are lucky.

Related: The Dark History Behind Disney World’s Most Controversial Ride

If Riverfront Square was never cancelled, perhaps the Magic Kingdom Park and some of the most famous Disney rides would have never been built…or at least not be in the current form.

What do you think?