AI Brings Disney’s Lost Missouri Park to Life

Before there was a Disney World in Orlando, talks were going on about building a Disney theme park in Missouri, because of Walt’s ties to the Show-me state.

Walt Disney from Marceline, Mo.

Disney’s Riverfront Square never came to be because negotiations with St. Louis officials broke down, and Walt turned his attention to central Florida. Architectural renderings of what the early plans were auctioned off a decade ago. Which brings us to the question of: What would a Disney theme park in Missouri, incorporating Walt’s in state history, and the Show-me states own style and history look like?

I asked Grok3 to propose a likely location and attractions that could possibly be included into a Missouri Disney theme park. Here are the larger points Grok3 made:

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Location: Grok3 chose Branson, because of natural beauty, the areas familiarity with tourism and regional accessibility. St. Louis area was the fallback, but Grok3 doubled down on land prices and availability in the Branson region.

The open spaces of Branson are calling

Attractions: A Main Street USA anchor called Marceline Square patterned after Disney’s Missouri hometown. Including Walt’s Dreaming Tree including a replica of the Disney family farm and tree grown from the original where Walt sketched as a kid. A barn theater showing the earliest Disney cartoons and creations, along with a farm animal petting zoo.  Marceline Depot a working train station in the style of the train depot in Marceline that hubs a train ride around the park. And a Main Street Cinema showing Walt’s early Laugh-o-Gram work that was produced in Kansas City.

AI imagined Main Street Train Depot

Other areas in the park would include “Frontier Trails” focusing on Missouri’s role as the Gateway to the west featuring a Lewis and Clark Missouri river adventure. A Pony Express Dash family friendly roller coaster mimicking the speedy push to get info west.

A.I. imagined Lewis & Clark Missouri River adventure ride

“Ozark Hollow” focusing on the folklore and culture of the region including Meramec Mystery, a cavernal ride into the Missouri underground where treasure still lies hidden. An Ozark Jamboree musical show featuring bluegrass and folk music in a barn setting.

A.I. Ozark Jamboree Music Revue

“The Grand Riverfront” complete with a Pirates of the Mississippi re-imagined from Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted River Mansion with riverboat ghosts and dark folklore and a Mark Twain style riverboat ride.

Pirates of the Mississippi ride via A.I.

Finally, Grok3 says there would be a “Gateway to Tomorrow” area focused on Missouri’s role as a transportation hub complete with a Gateway Arch to the west simulator ride flying you from the top of the arch all around the Show-me State and its wondrous features. Something called the “Transatron”, an indoor coaster that is supposed to simulate the underground train project from St. Louis to Kansas City. And Mickey’s Laugh-O-Gram studio where guests can create their own short animated film.

AI image of "Transatron" underground bullet train

Grok3 really leaned into this project off of a one sentence prompt about what a potential Disney Park in Missouri would possibly look like. It’s fun to contemplate considering there was a time when Disney wanted to build in Show-Me state.