Rivers of America and the lack of traffic

[barnum42]

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

I'd assume that the guest to cost ratio did not supply enough profit to the bean counters.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

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."

Man, what kind of damage is there to it? I just thought it was routine maitenance, but I guess not. That would be really sad if it didn't return. Not sad as in I'd miss it, just sad in that the river is already so dead at WDW even with it, without it it would be horrificly boring and dispurposeful. I would hope that Disney would have enough sense to rebuild a new ship if this one were to go down forever. However, if the riverboat wasn't pulling in enough people, then why would they? Hopefully they could do some sprucing up to the riverbanks should it return, to make it more interesting. After you pass Big Thunder it's dead until you reach Mansion (ha, that's funny . . .) and then 20 seconds later you're off.

In the end I pray for its return.

Yensid "HALF TWAIN!" tlaw1969

 

[marni1971]

If the 'Belle dosn`t return then I`m sad to say that is the current state of Disney through and through. There was a time when the boat would be back in service ASAP simply because of the kinetic movement it gives to the overall atmosphere of Frontierland and Liberty Square - regardless of it`s function. Much like what happened in Tomorrowland in DLC with the Rocket Rods joke - under the new regieme over there plans are afoot to bring something back to the Peopelmover track.

When the Molly Brown (Side Wheeler) at DLP had the engine fire the Rivers of the Far West looked deserted due to the Mark Twain being under rehab at the time. Complaints of an empty river ensued, and now that rehab has been speeded up & hopefully the Twain will be back very soon. WDW management need to take a long hard look at things compared to Anaheim or even Paris...

 

[gcurling]

Man, what kind of damage is there to it? I just thought it was routine maitenance, but I guess not.

As explained to me, a major weakness in the hull led to a collapse of a section of it (thus a big hole) when she went into dry dock. Similar to what happened to either the Irvine or Fowler, if I correctly recall.

I'm really hoping that this turns out to be either not as severe as was explained, or that the folks at WDW see fit to do what is neccesary to bring her back.

 

[Mickeyman819]

I think the liberty belle will come back, I was back looking at it the other day. It looks like there a fresh coat of paint on it, and its shining beautifly. I didnt get to close just in case anybody was back there. Im not sure on the whole collapsing thing. I cant really tell that by just looking at it from afar.

Making a bridge to connect frontierland and TSI would be horrible. If you have that then you just dont have the feeling that your on an island anymore. The best part about that island is that when u get over there you feel so out of the theme park hustle and bustle

I do agree that the water wheel on TSI looks horrible. If you actually look at it then you can see that the axle is actually bent. Id imagine that it would take a large amount to fix that.

 

[tomm4004]

Making a bridge to connect frontierland and TSI would be horrible.

I agree wholeheartedly. It would be very sad and destroy Tom Sawyer's Island. I don't think it could handle that kind of traffic. And it would ruin the whole feel and concept.

It's very sad if there are no boats going around the Rivers of America. This is a highlight of Frontierland. I thought the Keel Boats still ran during peak times and I was anticipating them running during the river boat repair time. I loved the Keel Boats.

I've only ridden the canoes twice - once at Disneyland and once at Tokyo Disneyland. I've never seen them running at WDW in my 20+ visits that have included Christmas, Easter and spring breaks.

 

[MagliteL13]

From what I know, they've been working on her. And rumor has it she's headed towards drydock on the 14th. Don't know the validity, but it's come from multiple places. Hopefully the "Spring 2006" will be correct.

 

[CommunicoreBabe]

I wouldn't want to be in a small vessel like a Davy Crockett canoe because I saw two alligators in Frontierland the last time I was there. I don't what would happen if you were in a canoe and an alligator was hungry and in the vicinty. The Columbia looks really cool though, wish WDW had one.

 

[tomm4004]

I don't what would happen if you were in a canoe and an alligator was hungry and in the vicinty.

Simple. You toss the kid in front of you overboard to make it easier for the alligator.