March 16, 1964

Walt Disney meets with St. Louis officials to discuss plans for the Riverfront Square theme park. But his plans were met with resistance, particularly from August “Gussie” Busch Jr., who insisted that if a theme park were to be built at the site, Disney would have to sell beer. Disney had already been buying land near the small town of Orlando, Fla., and he eventually abandoned his Missouri plan and built his theme park in the Sunshine State. Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press. Walt Disney photo—Walt Disney Museum Bonus content: Read the Missouri Life magazine story about Walt Disney’s time growing up and getting inspired in Marceline, Mo.