Disney’s Rivers of America Theme Park
You enter into the Liberty Square you know and love (with some added gift shops and probably an ice cream counter). Hall of Presidents, Liberty Tavern, Columbia Harbor House, and the Christmas Shoppe are all there, and the Muppets are doing their show. Straight ahead you see the tall ship Columbia (probably a different name). Climb aboard for a scenic tour around the park!
As you make your way to the left you come upon Pocahontas’ Village . Grandmother Willow and a storyteller provide a fun show full of wisdom and lore. The Riverbend canoes sit on the park’s Great River, with a guide ready to give you a tour around the park (with your help). In the back of the pavilion lies the Colors of the Wind River Ride (with I’m sure a better name than that). This is a slow boat ride through Pocahontas’ village, but keep an eye out for greedy settlers. You exit the ride through John Smith’s Traders.
As you continue around the River, you come apon a bridge that will take you over to the Tropical Isles. Lilo and Stitch welcome you to Hawaii, and invite you to join them on a Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (a family coaster). Jumba and Pleakley have also been tweaking some of their alien novalties for the kids to enjoy at Nani and Lilo’s House (a hover car spinner, and a shooter). Across a natural bridge to the second Tropical Isle brings you to Montunui, Moana’s home. Here, she invites you to learn to to be a wayfinder in a trackless, state of the art ride. She also invited you to join her on her adventures in an action-packed ride, complete with an encounter with Te Ka and Tamatoa.
Past Pocahontas along the River lies Toonywood, Mickey and the gang’s vacation town. Donald’s Boat is docked outfront, complete with Duckquatopia (Donald’s version a Aquatopia from DisneySea). Mickey and Minnie meet guests in their vacation home, while Chip and Dale built a Nutty Coaster for guests to enjoy.
Continuing along, you come upon Port Discovery, where a mysterious Alien ship has crashed outside a secret research facility. Join the scientists (and Sigourney Weaver?) on a high speed ride as they investigate the ship and realize they may not want to know what’s inside.
Next you come to Morro Bay, home of the Marine Life Institute (and Sigourney Weaver’s Voice). Here, the SeaRider will take you on a journey under the sea, or if you’re looking for more thrills, Crush and his friends will take you on an adventure through the currents!
Past the Institute is San Fran Bay, home to Hiro, Baymax, and the rest of the gang. A light/stunt show displays their powers against Callahan, and the gang lets you tour their lab on the day they present their research in a dark ride filled with many animatronics, and perhaps microbots wreak havoc. Hiro has also invented some rides the kids will enjoy (but I’m still thinking of them). Aunt Cass’ Bakery, and Wasabi’s Sushi are available if you’re feeling hungry. Across the Golden Gate Bridge lies the Gen-Sys Laboratory, and Muir Woods (where of strange sightings have been reported). The Gen Sys scientists are happy to show off their lab until Caesar breaks in with his band of monkeys and disrupts to tour. In the Muir Woods, you can find Caesar and his family in their village connected by zip lines, rope bridges, and other challenges. A high speed coaster will take you back out to San Fran Bay.
Lastly, you come to New Orleans Square, where it’s always Mardi Gras. Tiana invites you to join her at Tiana’s Palace right on the water, and perhaps let Louie serenade you on board the Riverboat as it tours you around the park. Or perhaps take a ride on the carousel for a look at the scenery. Mardi Gras performers entertain you in the streets. Ray and Louie give you a tour of the Bayou on a Log Ride, where an encounter with the Shadow Man makes for an unexpected ride. Hopefully Mama Odie can help. Lastly, some sort of show will go here but I haven’t come up with one yet.
Thank you for joining me on this tour! Please feel free to leave comments/concerns/praise/other ideas! I’d love to hear them! Next up: Villainyland!