Discovery River Water Taxi's

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I was wondering why don't they bring back the Discovery riverboats as more of a standard water taxi based boat to get to either end..And yes I know many will say that many guests said the DRB was boring as nothing happened we surely can also see this as well when taking the boats onto World Showcase lagoon or heading towards the hotels and to the DHS dock..Besides the two docks that were on either ends of the island it would have been nice to see one or two additional docks by Serka Zong or Dinoland...But, that's just my two cents..Would you have like to seen this as just a transport in AK?

 

[donnylambb]

when did it go away?

 

[DisneyJoe]

I believe a major issue was they were slow loading and the lines, waits could be an hour long or more.

when did it go away?

Per Wikipedia

Opening date April 22, 1998
Closing date August 21, 1999

 

[donnylambb]

I believe a major issue was they were slow loading and the lines

Per Wikipedia

Opening date April 22, 1998
Closing date August 21, 1999

so close

 

[Master Yoda]

I believe a major issue was they were slow loading and the lines, waits could be an hour long or more.


Per Wikipedia

Opening date April 22, 1998
Closing date August 21, 1999

This^^^

There was also the issue that many guests thought is was going to be some sort of an attraction like the Jungle Cruise. Guest services was often the next stop after they waited for an hour for what was in reality a boat ride from from A to B. They did have CMs on the boats with various small animals (insects, reptiles, etc) to make it a little more interesting, but they ultimately decided to scrap the idea and turn the docks into meet n greet locations.

 

[Tuvalu]

The former Discovery River boats are currently used on Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon for the Pirates and Pals fireworks cruises and for additional capacity resort transport (WL/GF/Poly/CR) during peak times.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

This^^^

There was also the issue that many guests thought is was going to be some sort of an attraction like the Jungle Cruise. Guest services was often the next stop after they waited for an hour for what was in reality a boat ride from from A to B. They did have CMs on the boats with various small animals (insects, reptiles, etc) to make it a little more interesting, but they ultimately decided to scrap the idea and turn the docks into meet n greet locations.

You'd think they would have figured this out with the boats looking more like Water Taxis..Perhaps even mentioning within their signs like they do at Epcot it would be more transport based than Attraction based...
From theme park tourists

 

[Master Yoda]

They did.

If there is one constant in the universe, it is that the average guest is not all that bright.

 

[Dragonman]

There were a few cool things to see on the way such as
-Iguanadon animatronic (Now in boneyard on backlot tour at DLP)

-Dragon Cave (Animatronic dragon intended for it was scrapped and replaced with fire effect. Dead knights scattered around the cave were also removed early on. Cave is still there but mostly covered by foliage)

-Dragon Rock Waterfall (still there but turned off)

-Unicorn statue (Removed, now owned by a collector. Place it stood is still there though)

 

[Dragonman]

Iguanadon Today:

The other two Dead Knights:

Dragon Cave Today:

Destroyed Village (current status unknown)

-Geysers (Turned off but still viewable from Asia bridge)

Unicorn’s original spot today:

Dead Knights up close:

 

[doctornick]

I agree with them bringing back the Discovery River boats for transportation just the lagoon boats at Epcot. Also would give the park some kinetics.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

They did.

If there is one constant in the universe, it is that the average guest is not all that bright.

Were guests hoping to see Hollywood themed things on their boatride to DHS or seeing Figment in the Underpass with a sign that said "Lost my Spark! NEED HELP!" On your way to Epcot.....Or they thought "Hey this is a good way to get from one place to another and enjoy the sights."

Good thing the Sassoluga boat company doesn't have theming on the way to Port Orleans......We'd be seeing this guy by the river when coming back from an evening at Disney Springs...

 

[Master Yoda]

Were guests hoping to see Hollywood themed things on their boatride to DHS or seeing Figment in the Underpass with a sign that said "Lost my Spark! NEED HELP!" On your way to Epcot.....Or they thought "Hey this is a good way to get from one place to another and enjoy the sights."

Good thing the Sassoluga boat company doesn't have theming on the way to Port Orleans......We'd be seeing this guy by the river when coming back from an evening at Disney Springs...

Who knows. I rode it during a resort guest preview in early April of 98 and got exactly what I expected. I was apparently in the minority.

 

[HonorableMention]

Iguanadon Today:
View attachment 359155

The other two Dead Knights:
View attachment 359159
Dragon Cave Today:
View attachment 359156

Destroyed Village (current status unknown)

View attachment 359157

-Geysers (Turned off but still viewable from Asia bridge)
View attachment 359158

Unicorn’s original spot today:
View attachment 359161

Dead Knights up close:
View attachment 359167

I'm pretty sure the iguanadon is gone from the tour now

 

[Club Cooloholic]

This^^^

There was also the issue that many guests thought is was going to be some sort of an attraction like the Jungle Cruise. Guest services was often the next stop after they waited for an hour for what was in reality a boat ride from from A to B. They did have CMs on the boats with various small animals (insects, reptiles, etc) to make it a little more interesting, but they ultimately decided to scrap the idea and turn the docks into meet n greet locations.

I rode it and yes it was a let down

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I rode it and yes it was a let down

Again a better description for guests would have made this helpful..I don't think guests are expecting to see a sea serpent pop out while heading from port of entry to Morocco or a Troll from Germany to Port of Entry on the Friendship boats in World Showcase lagoon...

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Again a better description for guests would have made this helpful..I don't think guests are expecting to see a sea serpent pop out while heading from port of entry to Morocco or a Troll from Germany to Port of Entry on the Friendship boats in World Showcase lagoon...

It was a long time ago, but I remember not thinking I was getting on a taxi to another place as it was ride. Perhaps it was all the lines etc. Remember this was back when the park had very few rides at all and it's not like we all did tons of online research on rides ahead of time (the internet was sloooowww).
I do want to mention, as someone who has been to the Shanghai Disney, this ride lives in another incarnation!
Now yes you are rowing, but it is pretty darn dull.

 

[Dragonman]

Again a better description for guests would have made this helpful..I don't think guests are expecting to see a sea serpent pop out while heading from port of entry to Morocco or a Troll from Germany to Port of Entry on the Friendship boats in World Showcase lagoon...

There was actually a troll planned to show up near the beastly kingdom area on the “ride” but due to budget cuts it was reduced to just a carving:

Also one of the boats was equipped with an effect that simulated the movement of a kraken but I don’t believe it ever worked

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

There was actually a troll planned to show up near the beastly kingdom area on the “ride” but due to budget cuts it was reduced to just a carving:
View attachment 359624

Also one of the boats was equipped with an effect that simulated the movement of a kraken but I don’t believe it ever worked
View attachment 359626

I was referring to signs about the transportation...

 

[Dragonman]

Just thought I’d give some trivia anyways