Swan Boats?

[disneynutt1225]

Does anyone remember the Swan Boats that used to be in the Magic Kingdom? I remember being able to run around on the grass down there, feed the ducks, and riding in the boats once or twice. The loading docks are still there - are the tracks still there too? I can't remember.

 

[marni1971]

I`ve seen plenty of pictures of them, but I was only 7 at the time so don`t really remember them. I wouldn`t be surprised if the tracks are still down there; when did you last see the hub completley drained? Even for the old TLand Pylons they could dam up the waterway under half the bridge and not impeed the `boats through way.

 

[unkadug]

I do remember the Swan Boats, however I never rode them.

But for the life of me I cannot remember where the loading dock was.

 

[marni1971]

The dock is still there - on the inside of the canal, facing Tomorrowland - it looks like a victorian shelter:

 

[EpcotGirl]

i saw the docks they are cool i like them i wish i could ride a swan boat or at least hang at thr docks

 

[Robfasto]

Here is a picture of one of the boats as it passes the Cyrstal Palace:

Swan Boat in front of the Crystal Palace

The dock is a great place to sit and 'take in' the Magic, I have spent a number of afternoons sit in the shade relaxing. One evening just before the fireworks we saw 2 guys 'pop the question' within about 10 minutes of each other right at the entrance to the building with Cinderella Castle in the background.

 

[Connor002]

I`ve seen plenty of pictures of them, but I was only 7 at the time so don`t really remember them. I wouldn`t be surprised if the tracks are still down there; when did you last see the hub completley drained? Even for the old TLand Pylons they could dam up the waterway under half the bridge and not impeed the `boats through way.

There are tracks in the canal?! Where do they go?

 

[Robfasto]

The boats were free roaming and only had guide rails in some of the corners to keep from running into things.

You can see in these 2 pictures the guides under a couple of bridges in 2002:

Swan Boat guides 1
Swan Boat guides 2

I have also seen them go both directions in the canal/moat system.

 

[marni1971]

My bad - I assumed they were guided being where they are (having one run aground in the hub would have been real bad PR)

I was waiting for some pics from you, Rob

 

[unkadug]

I wonder why they don't rent out a "boat in the moat" for Wishes? It seems that they are always looking to add special activities for people to add-on, it doesn't seem like it would be that difficult, and the loading dock is still there . :veryconfu Just a thought.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

I don't think the view from the moat would be all that great. Cute idea though