6. Big City USA

Image: Disney

Proposed for: Disneyland

Another land proposed for Disneyland was Big City USA. The land was supposed to have been outside of the park’s berm, accessible only by crossing under the railroad tracks north of Fantasyland. Big City USA (a sort of compliment to the small town of Main Street USA) would’ve recreated New York City in the early 20th century. There would’ve been an automat, a cafeteria, a deli, and a 3,000 seat theater (think California Adventure’s Hyperion where Frozen is presented).

The land would also have expanded behind Fantasyland all the way to the Rivers of America, along which a turn-of-the-century Victorian boardwalk would’ve been constructed complete with paddleboats, a Ferris wheel, and a waterside roller coaster. The land’s E-ticket, though, would’ve seen guests descend into the New York “subway” where a time-machine style ride would send them back to the era of the dinosaurs. Now this was all in development in the 1970s, so if you’re thinking along the lines of Animal Kingdom’s DINOSAUR, scale it back. Still, Big City USA would’ve been an interesting area to visit.

What Happened: Big City USA was in the pipeline just as Imagineers got focused on Tokyo Disneyland and Epcot, and it simply fell out of view. The land was eventually used for Mickey's Toontown. Almost all elements of it survived in one form or another, though…

The dinosaur dark ride obviously got a second lease on life (albeit in a 21st century form) as DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The rest of the “city” elements including the theater were transplanted to Tokyo DisneySea as American Waterfront, home to the uniquely Twilight-Zone-free Modern Marvel: Tower of Terror. And the Victorian amusement pier with its Ferris wheel and waterfront roller coaster became the heart of Disney California Adventure as Paradise Pier. A happy ending for all!

7. Liberty Street and Edison Square

© Disney

Proposed for: Disneyland

Main Street USA famously recalls an idealized version of Walt’s hometown at the turn of the century, just as he was growing up. Official plans for the park showed the addition of many other accessory streets branching off from Main Street, including Chinatown, International Street, and – most famously – Liberty Street. A departure from Main Street’s 1900s setting, Liberty Street would’ve been set in the late 1700s just as America declared its independence from Great Britain. Liberty Street would’ve included an ambitious Hall of Presidents full of animatronic leaders.

© Disney

Meanwhile, another branch from Main Street would lead to Edison Square. A perfect transition between Main Street and Tomorrowland, Edison Square would’ve showcased a town powered by Edison’s inventions and the ingenuity of the American spirit. It would even include a walk-through show where guests would explore the changing American home through the decades, watching the American family as it evolved through progress alongside our electronic host, Wilbur K. Watt.

What Happened: Unfortunately, neither expansion of Main Street ever happened. Liberty Street served as inspiration for Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square land, and plans for a Hall of Presidents came to fruition there (while Disneyland still has Mr. Lincoln, all alone in the Main Street opera house). Edison Square was cancelled, but we stepped along its streets in our exploration of the attraction it inspired – the Modern Marvel: Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.

Part of the land that would’ve become Edison Square and Liberty Street was used with the addition of Space Mountain of 1977. And let’s face it – while those two boulevards would’ve been incredible, Space Mountain is not a bad replacement.

8. Lost Expedition

© Disney

Proposed for: Disneyland

The Lost Expedition was planned for Disneyland in the 1980s and 1990s as a way to bring George Lucas’ Indiana Jones franchise into the park. The ambitious and stunning plans would’ve have Disney construct an entire indoor land seemingly inside of an ancient temple complex.

Lost Expedition would’ve included an out of control mine-cart roller coaster over lava pits and an Enhanced Motion Vehicle (EMV) dark ride through a cursed temple. As well, the Jungle Cruise would be absorbed into the new sub-land, becoming part of the Indiana Jones setting and story and cruising into the temple along lava pits to glimpse the interior of the mega-attractions. The Disneyland Railroad, too, would pass through the giant building. You can read our in-depth feature on the Lost Expedition for all the information we’ve got (including blueprints)!

What Happened: Lost Expedition never came together. At least, not in one place. Disneyland got the EMV dark ride Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, which is an astounding and incredible ride in its own right. In Paris, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril brought the mine-cart coaster to life. Somehow, Tokyo DisneySea ended up with copies of both and placed them right next to each other, but the coaster there isn’t branded as an Indiana Jones ride. As well, Jungle Cruise was drawn into the Indiana Jones Adventure setting. In fact, all of Disneyland’s Adventureland is united in story and style. That’s why, when Indy opened, Jungle Cruise was re-cast as a tourist trap with rusted boats and tattered canvas roofs.

Even if Lost Expedition never got built in its entirety, it inspired some great attractions and shows just how big Disney can think. That’s a great legacy to leave. 

What It All Means

Many of these projects are impressive and elaborate, and would certainly incite a lot of disappointment in fans that they never came to fruition. But remember, they say that good ideas never die at Disney, and we can already see how that's true in a few of these examples, which have come to life in new ways and different places. Still, which of these proposed lands would you most like to see brought to life at your home park?