Rivers of America and the lack of traffic

[steve2wdw]

I was recently at WDW (Jan 25-30) and noticed that with the Liberty Belle Riverboat closed for refurbishment, the Rivers of America were noticeably quiet. With the exception of an island raft making the occassional trip to Tom Sawyers Island, the river was empty. I seem to recall an article which mentioned Walt Disney looking at the RofA at Disneyland and commenting that the river wasn't busy enough, so he ordered the construction of the Columbia. I think he'd be dissappointed with the lack of activity in the Florida river. I've been going to WDW since 1973 and while I've ridden the Keel Boats, I'd never seen the Canoes in operation. When they were open, were there lines? The lines for the canoes at DL were 1/2 hour long last April. I even remember when WDW's RofA had TWO riverboats. I hope that John Lasseter on board with WDI, and his love of Disney theme parks, he might notice this lack of kinetics and do something about it. Bring back the congestion!

 

[ToTBellHop]

two riverboats? I don't remember that ever being the case...I wouldn't mind getting a Columbia, though.

 

[shmmrname]

The Riverboat is something still on my 'to-do list', as I'm sad to say I have yet to experience it. It was closed this JAN, obviously, but amazingly, people were ALWAYS still standing/sitting in the queue area.

 

[barnum42]

I only managed the canoes once in the late Eighties - really enjoyed it as the CMs had some very funny spiel

 

[TP2000]

That's something that amazed me when I last visited WDW; the almost complete lack of river traffic at WDW compared to Disneyland. When I was in WDW on a busy spring weekend there was just one riverboat and one raft ont the River. At Disneyland on any weekend or any busy period like Summer or Christmas there is the Mark Twain, the Columbia, at least two rafts, and a fleet of Canoes paddling around.

I've even seen them run three rafts at Disneyland on busy days, with the third raft swinging out wide and making a landing on the opposite side of the Island at the dock near the grist mill water wheel.

If the riverboat in WDW is closed for refurbishment for a long time, then that river must be very, very quiet. And so what is the point? Get another big boat and some Canoes back to WDW. Or maybe bring back the Keelboats instead of the Canoes? But do something.

 

[marni1971]

two riverboats? I don't remember that ever being the case...I wouldn't mind getting a Columbia, though.

Yep - the Admiral Joe Fowler and the Richard F. Irvine. The Fowler was retired from the MK in 1980 after 9 years due to a 'mishap'. The Irvine has been at WDW since 1973 - it was renamed the Liberty Belle in 1996.

 

[daguru]

Yep - the Admiral Joe Fowler and the Richard F. Irvine. The Fowler was retired from the MK in 1980 after 9 years due to a 'mishap'. The Irvine has been at WDW since 1973 - it was renamed the Liberty Belle in 1996.

Just FYI for some people, they reused those two names for two of the Ferry Boats between MK and TTC.

 

[ThumpersThought]

To be clear (for those who haven't been to Disneyland), the Columbia isn't a riverboat, it's a sailing ship. During the day it carries guests (much like the Mark Twain and Liberty Belle); at night it's used in one of the more popular scenes of Fantasmic (waking any guests that may have dozed off!)

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...name=SailingShipColumbiaAttractionPage&bhcp=1

 

[MagliteL13]

That's something that amazed me when I last visited WDW; the almost complete lack of river traffic at WDW compared to Disneyland. When I was in WDW on a busy spring weekend there was just one riverboat and one raft ont the River. At Disneyland on any weekend or any busy period like Summer or Christmas there is the Mark Twain, the Columbia, at least two rafts, and a fleet of Canoes paddling around.

I've even seen them run three rafts at Disneyland on busy days, with the third raft swinging out wide and making a landing on the opposite side of the Island at the dock near the grist mill water wheel.

If the riverboat in WDW is closed for refurbishment for a long time, then that river must be very, very quiet. And so what is the point? Get another big boat and some Canoes back to WDW. Or maybe bring back the Keelboats instead of the Canoes? But do something.

With the Riverboat set to return this spring, there's not enough time to honestly justify bringing in another big boat. I didn't know we had canoes. Thought that was just DL. Any idea as to where the dock for them was?

 

[steve2wdw]

The canoe dock was located north of the island rafts dock. I believe they actually ended up using that docking area for the Keel Boats after they were booted from Liberty Square. I believe there is still a walkway (to the left of Big Thunder) to the old docking area. I really wish they would bring back more rivercraft.

 

[steve2wdw]

I meant to the right of Big Thunder. And while we're in the area, what's up with the water wheel at Harper's Mill? It wasn't turning and it looked as though there was a large piece of sheet metal diverting the water over the top of it. No water traffic and a funky wheel.....bad show.

 

[peter11435]

I meant to the right of Big Thunder. And while we're in the area, what's up with the water wheel at Harper's Mill? It wasn't turning and it looked as though there was a large piece of sheet metal diverting the water over the top of it. No water traffic and a funky wheel.....bad show.

The wheel has been like that for at least 6-7 months now. I agree it looks bad. Although they did finally fix the the water wheel on the side of Splash Mountain.

Also the burning cabin hasn't been burning in a long time either.

 

[collegesam]

man i had completely forgotten about the canoes in DW. they really need to bring those back. i wouldn't mind giving one a wirl.

 

[Kwit35]

It is a shame they can't do more with that whole area. It is quaint, but kinda bla.

 

[marni1971]

Here`s the original docking areas for all 4 water craft:

 

[MagliteL13]

Here`s the original docking areas for all 4 water craft:

Interesting. Thanks Marni and steve2wdw.

 

[steve2wdw]

Here`s the original docking areas for all 4 water craft:

Quite a kick Marni...I haven't seen that map in a long time. I've saved all my souvenir guides from 1973 to present and I guess it's about time I take them out for a look. It's amazing how much things have changed over the last 35 years at the MK.

 

[gcurling]

The most discouraging piece of information that has been told to me is that the Belle may be beyond repair. Or, that the cost of repair may be outside the limits of what Disney is willing to spend.

Pair that with the rumor that if the L.B. doesn't return to service, there are already artist's renderings of a bridge to connect Frontierland to Tom Sawyer Island. Thus, eliminating the rafts.

If true, this would mark an end to all water vehicle traffic on the Rivers of America. I, for one, hope that the Belle returns to action in April. But, was told "don't count on it."

 

[Pongo]

Also the burning cabin hasn't been burning in a long time either.

With no river boat, there's not really a purpose for a burning cabin.

 

[lacrosse nut]

Why did the keelboats stop running? I remember riding in them in 1999 but haven't seen them for years. Seems to be a great fit for frontierland.:veryconfu