The History of Riverfront Square: Walt's Forgotten Indoor Theme Park

[@TheRubypokespe]

Jean Lafitte walk through attraction Offhand Disney: *Heavy Breathing*

[@PillsandSoap26]

As a St. Louis native, I grew up always hearing about the once possible Disney park, but I never knew it actually fell through because of the building provisions. It's still widely believed that it fell through because of the initial issue with alcohol.

[@ReviewTyme]

The alcohol feud is a much more exciting sounding story even if it's not quite the truth, I can see why people would tell that one instead! - Luke

[@gc4644]

The alcohol story is interesting. Whats amazing to me (if its true) is the greed & deep arrogance of August Busch. It is no business of his if someone does not want to sell alcohol in theyre establishment!

[@richarddavis4954]

Another amazing history lesson, what a wonderful way to spend a few minutes. Great work

[@petchjira5820]

Never fail to impress us with unheard stories. Keep up the good work guys

[@ReviewTyme]

Thanks Petch! Glad you enjoyed! - Luke

[@davidfeltheim2501]

An indoor Disney park actually sounds amazing considering the indoor-outdoor technique they use in Pirates and the Mexico pavilion. Also completely themed to the likes of Adventureland, Frontierland, and New Orleans Square? Take my money!

[@bennymora3086]

Would it have become successful?🤔🎢

[@sgtmarcusharris4260]

As a person from st louis I can say that its sad and disappointing that this wasn't built it sounds awesome

[@srayj]

Every time I hear about one of these canceled projects I can’t help but think about the what if‘s. The future of Disney projects were undoubtedly impacted both by the planning stages of this project but also the cancellation.

[@michaeltaylor9977]

Some ideas NEVER die. Indoor parks have a plus and minus about them. Once the "roof" is on, it's hard to change or expand it.Very costly. There is something "special" about being out of doors for the themed park experience to work effectively. Still it WAS an interesting concept. It just all boiled down to $$$$. The "Show Me state" just couldn't show the $$$$. LOL

[@brycevo]

This is really interesting. And I'm surprised I've never heard of this project before.

[@hankaustin7091]

Absolutely fascinating stuff! Thanks for posting this for all to see, it's a step back in time!

[@missshellybeach]

I had never heard of this project at all! and I’ve done a lot of research on Disney amazing video

[@dontroutman8232]

Likewise...even the canceled American Heritage/Civil War theme park in Virginia has been more publicised than this.

[@billsojourn5284]

Thank you, I was unaware of this story.

[@grantwhite7198]

It’s so amazing to discover these hidden projects and the impacts they leave later on.

[@sgtmarcusharris4260]

As a person from st louis this sounds awesome and I wish It was built

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I want Disney to revive their Riverfront Square indoor theme park with plenty of Disney Spark and magic!

[@LindsayTVFilm]

“5-Story indoor theme park”. Is this Disney Quest lol

[@CloakedHDTV]

Lol dude a much more ambitious version of Disney Quest for sure 😂

[@UmmYeahOk]

Disney Quest was a brilliant idea. It's a shame that it failed. Legoland has several successful "Discovery Centers." Ours has two rides and an outdoor splash zone. I guess there simply was too much emphasis on video games rather than an actual mini Disneyland.

[@wantedwario2621]

Water and Disney don't seem to mix easily

[@jakekuhl1]

This is almost as crazy as Walt's Epcot!

[@robj7481]

Thanks. I didn’t think there was any trivia left that I didn’t already know about Disney and the parks.

[@raiderking69]

Wow, I am betting that St. Louis is regretting that decision now.

[@RyanJBuell27]

I'm a 5th generation St. Lousian. Beer is too important here....haha

[@jean-claudelol563]

Too bad this never got built. An indoor climate controlled theme park! I would be there like yesterday. The unpredictable climate, heat, humidity, rain, etc... keeps me away from theme parks.

[@davidjames666]

So i can count you out joining us on our camping trip to the Grand Canyon

[@jean-claudelol563]

Nope! Thanks! Done the outdoors camping trip thing, wouldn't do it again.

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

I do like being comfy and dry, but also, I love how quiet and easy it is to get on rides when it is rainy! ^__^

[@John_Locke_108]

Orlando in July and August is like sitting on the sun. Great for poolside but terrible for walkimg around a theme park.

[@BertieFett]

Great video. Ive heard about this project before but had no idea that the plans had been found. Thank you so much for sharing

[@FlamerSmasherMBXCar]

I’m sure we can still build this Disney park in St. Louis. Now that Six Flags St. Louis is a dump nowadays.

[@tomservo56954]

Presumably one of the areas where alcohol would have been served was the "Gaslight Plaza" area...but by this time the Gaslight Square area of St. Louis, with restaurants, night clubs and the like, was in decline.

[@davidjacobson1063]

Since a Lego Land is opening in upstate New York in 2020, it would be simply amazing to build an indoor Disney Land near the New York Lego Land Theme Park!

[@raiderking69]

Not happening, I can promise you that. Right now, they've got to deal with shortages at the parks they have, since many are put off by the extortionist level price hike they just imposed, as well as those guest who are saving up for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Once they've fixed those issues, then they'll be having to build a 5th park at WDW, because they were near capacity the last several years, even during the so-called off-season.

[@drdremd]

All new stories to me. good work.

[@isabelleoh-criner6697]

Is there a Marvin Davis and a Marc Davis or did he misspeak?

[@steves39]

No misspeak they are two different people. Both very influential however not related.

[@OfficialRuben187]

i've never heard about this project. thanks for the informational video. loved it once again :D

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

Being from St. Louis, we missed out

[@girliboi]

wow, missouri could've had their own mansion, pirates, peter pan... must be kicking themselves every day for the last 50 yrs.

[@Icemaskgang]

We have... but as compensation we got on of the 1st 3 six flags parks...

[@justoutofframemoviereviews656]

It's kinda fun to do the impossible. (Walt Disney)

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

As a St. Louisan, we got robbed of this park!

[@Icemaskgang]

Dillon Ohlemiller true... but at least we have six flags

[@kenhogg858]

Interesting.....thank you

[@ParanormalNewsToday]

Accent is New Zealand, I believe. Either that or North Australia? I drank with some mates from there back in the 90's.

[@ReviewTyme]

Close! I'm Australian but live near Sydney so Mid-Eastern Australia! - Luke

[@Charlie-zg4fl]

Amazing content as per guys, you really should get more credit for what you do!

[@ReviewTyme]

Thanks for the kind words Charlie, we appreciate your support! - Luke

[@Larkinfon]

5:28 @offhanddisney

[@fanatichighdesertrailroader]

Now this was interesting. Never heard about this thanks for the info.

[@yotsubafanfan]

Man! This would have MADE my childhood! I could've gone there with my grandparents who used to live just outside of St. Louis! However, it was smart to cancel the project. It would've taken the spotlight away from true St. Louis exclusives. Things like Grants farm, the zoo, the sports teams (the Blues hockey team and the Cardinals baseball teams respectively) the Science Center and the world's only true playground for adults (aka the City Museum) would've been seen as "something you could find anywhere else" and be ignored. The only thing that would've stood a chance would've been the Arch.

[@conniecrawford5231]

It is s tragedy that St. Louts, esp. East St.Louis x, has become such a crime - ridden area. St. Louis was such a great historical American city!

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

Connie Crawford was? It still is! I live there

[@neithon467]

Disney was a great guy

[@jonm7989]

Yeah, if you think misogyny and racism are great.

[@neithon467]

@@jonm7989 what do you think is more important : Disney as a brand with Alle the movies and fun they provide or the outdated opinion of a long dead man?

[@saskoilersfan]

Of course... The original plans ....the new plans are fake... The original plans show the Disney vaults.

[@elliottdavid9095]

Stl gang

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

Elliott David here

[@Icemaskgang]

We won the cup!!!

[@elliottdavid9095]

The ice mask gang LGB

[@aimeeinkling]

I've always thought Disney should do an indoor park...or several. They could more easily control the environment and they could put these parks in areas that get too hot, cold, wet, windy. But of course Walt wanted someone else to foot the bill. Also, having a Missouri park about Missouri history could have really been a minefield of embarrassing American history. I can't imagine it would have aged well, at all.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Well done!!

[@bobbylogan7904]

MISTAKE: At 4:02 the narrator shows a picture of a man and says it is 'Marv Davis.' It is NOT. Don't know who the man in the photo is, but it is NOT Marv Davis...

[@ReviewTyme]

Hey Bobby, that is the official D23 photograph for Marvin Davis and behind him is his original Master Plan for the Walt Disney World Resort! You may be getting confused with Marc Davis famed illustrator and imagineer behind rides such as Pirates of the Carribbean and the Haunted mansion. d23.com/walt-disney-legend/marvin-davis/ - Luke

[@missybarbour6885]

*J E A N L A F E E T*

[@blancavelasquez9859]

The hornet mansion

[@queenmedesa]

Today Disney parks are full of non Disney crap

[@joestephan1111]

Please turn the special effects OFF. You butchered some excellent historic footage so badly I turn it off half-way thru.

[@ReviewTyme]

Hey Joe, just wondering what parts you are talking about. Pretty much all of the footage is presented as I found it, I just want to make sure I don't make the same mistakes again if they can be avoided - Luke

[@Clay3613]

I wish this would've happened, Disney needs more historical based attractions and original parks...everything is deviation on the original Disneyland design! Six Flags did nearly the same concept minus "rides" with the Baltimore Power Plant.

[@ReviewTyme]

It's a shame the Six Flgas power plant was such a flop, it could have changed the way big companys tackle smaller regional parks. - Luke

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

They can’t keep an NFL team and they couldn’t lure Walt Disney their native son Saint loser.