mark twain riverboat disney

Mark Twain Riverboat

• Water Rides

Steam into the Past

Board an old-fashioned steam-powered vessel for a half-mile journey into the heart of the American frontier. 

During the charming, 14-minute trip around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island , spot delightful sights along the river’s edge, including: 

• The north bank of the Columbia Gorge, complete with a beautiful waterfront and 5 sparkling waterfalls 
• A rustic frontier cabin 
• An idyllic Native American village 
• A busy beaver at work chewing on the train trestle 
• Mountain lions relaxing in the sun 
• The Disneyland Railroad steaming into the wilderness 

Along the way, hear lively narration about a time gone by.

Along the Mississippi

The Mark Twain is an authentic reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi River. A working steam engine converts the water from the Rivers of America into steam that in turn powers the large paddle that propels the boat. 

Featuring meticulously detailed wood craftsmanship, the 28-foot tall, 105-foot-long riverboat is comprised of 4 pristine decks: 

• Pilothouse , also known as the top deck, features the wheelhouse and Captain’s Quarters 
• Promenade Deck includes a salon and a collection of vintage photos and maps 
• Texas (or Sun) Deck is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors as you float down the river 
• Main Deck includes the boiler and pistons that run the paddlewheel 

Limited seating is available.

A Tribute to America’s Writer

Walt Disney named the Mark Twain after the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. The famed author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn —and Walt’s personal hero—Clemens was also a riverboat pilot as a young man. 

That experience inspired his pen name: “mark twain” is a boating term that means a vessel is at a safe depth.

Alternate Adventures

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Frontierland, plan your day with disney genie service, safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for mark twain riverboat.

Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat goes on a gentle cruise around Tom Sawyer Island. That's the same route that the Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes take, and I'd suggest choosing only one of these three attractions. You don't need to see that same scenery three times.

What You Need to Know About the Mark Twain Riverboat

TripSavvy / Betsy Malloy Photography

We polled 131 of our readers to find out what they think about the riverboat. 74% of them said It's a must-do or ride it if you have time, making it one of the lower-rated things to do at Disneyland.

• Location:  Mark Twain Riverboat is in Frontierland
• Rating:  ★
• Restrictions:   No height restrictions. Children under age seven years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
• Ride Time:   12 minutes
• Recommended for:   Everyone
• Fun Factor:  Low
• Wait Factor:  Low    
• Fear Factor:  Low
• Herky-Jerky Factor:  Low
• Nausea Factor:  Low
• Seating:   You just get on and ride, and you can move around while it's going
• Accessibility:   This ride is fully accessible, and you can stay in your wheelchair or ECV for the whole thing, but you'll only get onto the lower level. Go to the access gate on the right side of the turnstile or enter through the attraction exit and ask a Cast Member for help.  More about visiting Disneyland in a wheelchair or ECV

How to Have More Fun on the Mark Twain Riverboat

• If you want to  rest your feet , head for the seats in the front as soon as you get on.
• This ride  closes before dark
• Watch the kids.  They may be tempted to climb on the railings and could fall off.
• If you ask a cast member, the  pilot might let you ride inside with him . This is limited to just a couple of people per trip.

Next Disneyland Ride: Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

More about disneyland rides.

You can  see all the Disneyland rides at a glance on the Disneyland Ride Sheet . If you want to browse through them starting with the best-rated,  start with the Haunted Mansion  and follow the navigation.

While you're thinking about rides, you should also  download Our Recommended Disneyland Apps (they're all free!)  and  Get Some Proven Tips to Minimize Your Disneyland Wait Time .

Fun Facts About Mark Twain Riverboat

Built in 1955, this was the first paddle wheeler built since shortly after 1900. It was built at the Disney Studios, except for the hull which was constructed at a shipyard in San Pedro. But don't let that fool you. It's a working reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi, with a working steam engine that powers the large paddle, which in turn propels the boat.

The Mark Twain made its first voyage four days before Disneyland opened to the public, for Walt and Lillian Disney's 30th wedding anniversary. 

The Mark Twain was christened by actress   Irene Dunne who starred in the 1936 movie "Showboat" on Disneyland's Opening Day.

The boat is 28 feet tall and 105 feet long, with four decks.

The writer Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi river when he was younger, and one of Walt Disney's personal heroes, which is why Walt named the boat after him.

A riverboat ride was in the plans from the earliest days, when Walt Disney started the first plans for building an amusement park near Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.

Every Disney theme park throughout the world has their own version of the Mark Twain riverboat. 

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Disneyland Ride Guide

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Things for Your Disneyland Bucket List

Jungle Cruise at Disneyland

The Complete Guide to Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Casey Jr. Circus Train

Disneyland Tips and Tricks

It's a Small World

King Arthur Carrousel

Pinocchio's Daring Journey Ride at Disneyland

Disneyland Train

Winnie the Pooh Ride

• Disneyland Paris attractions
• Frontierland attractions
• Liberty Square attractions
• Westernland attractions
• Kingdom Keepers locations
• Water rides
• Discovery Bay

Mark Twain Riverboat

• View history
• Magic Kingdom
• Tokyo Disneyland
• Disneyland Paris

Mark Twain Riverboat is an attraction, located at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim , California , on which passengers embark on a scenic, 12-minute journey around the Rivers of America . Originally named Mark Twain Steamboat when the park opened in 1955, the stately, 5/8-scale Mississippi stern-wheeler was the first functional riverboat to be built in the United States for fifty years. Other Disney riverboat attractions now appear at Walt Disney World Resort , Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris .

• 1 Disneyland version
• 2 Former sights
• 4.1 Walt Disney World
• 4.2 Thunder Mesa riverboats (Disneyland Paris)
• 4.3 Tokyo Disneyland
• 5 Technical
• 6 References

Disneyland version [ ]

Passengers wait for the 150-ton, high, long riverboat, which departs every 25 minutes, inside a sheltered area located in the Frontierland section of the park. The waiting area is made to resemble a real riverboat loading area, with cargo deliveries sharing space on the dock. Historic United States flags are displayed at the attraction's entrance.

Upon boarding Mark Twain , passengers are free to move about her three levels. The lower deck's bow has chairs. The upper deck provides a vantage point for viewing landmarks throughout the voyage, there are also a couple bench seats on this level, some indoors and some outside.

The wheelhouse, where Mark Twain' s pilot is stationed, is also located on the upper deck. The lower level of the wheelhouse features a sleeping area and a sink to maintain the illusion of this being the captain's living quarters. At the pilot's discretion, a small number of passengers may be given permission to ride in the wheelhouse for the voyage, after which they are presented with souvenir Pilot Certificates.

The pilot signals the departure and arrival of Mark Twain using a whistle and bell system, along with various signals to other watercraft attractions. Because the riverboat travels along an I-beam guide rail throughout the ride, the pilot does not maneuver the ship. Instead, the pilot serves as lookout for other river traffic, such as Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes and the Rafts to Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island , and communicates his observations with the boiler engineer. The boiler engineer is stationed on the bottom deck towards the stern. This is where the throttle and reverser are located. From here, the boiler engineer controls the speed and direction of the riverboat. Steam from the boiler is used to power the paddle wheels and thus pushes the craft along its guide-way.

The voyage on the Rivers of America around Tom Sawyer Island features pre-recorded narration by a riverboat guide voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft , Mark Twain ( Peter Renaday ), who speaks of his days piloting a riverboat, and by the (not present) "captain" of the ship, voiced by Disney voice actor Stephen Stanton . The narration playback, operated by the pilot via a control panel in the pilot house, points out the following sights:

• Haunted Mansion
• Splash Mountain
• Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes landing
• Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Mike Fink 's Cabin
• Lakota Chief, raising hand in welcome
• A shaman telling a native folktale
• Lakota Village
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Sacred aboriginal burial ground
• Animals and abandoned mine cars
• Big Thunder Falls

On most days, Mark Twain begins operation as soon the park opens. On days when Fantasmic! is being performed, the riverboat, which plays a role in the show, will close a couple of hours before showtime. On other nights, Mark Twain will run through the evening, using a high intensity rooftop spotlight to point out sights, with the final trip beginning about thirty minutes before park closing. A sign at the loading area will list the day's last trip.

Former sights [ ]

There are a few former sights that the boat passed along the river. The Burning Settler's Cabin which used propane to simulate burning was one. The pipe that fed propane to the burner failed in the early 2000s and has not been relit. There were plans in 2007 to replace the failed feed and again have the cabin burn. However, the Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer Island modifications affected these plans. As of now, the burn marks have been removed, the holes patched and the area cleaned up. The front lawn area now has a table, picnic-like decorations and clothes on a clothes line. What makes this odd is while the rest of Tom Sawyer Island appears as if it has been invaded by pirates, this part of the island is the only thing not pirate themed.

Along with the Cabin, the Gullywhumper, one of Disneyland's extinct Keel Boats is now scenery along the river's bank. A mine train from the old Nature's Wonderland attraction was also used as scenery. The Mine Train is on its original track and used to border Cascade Peak, a man-made fiberglass hill complete with waterfall which was bulldozed in 1998. The train was removed in June 2010 for restoration. Also, one of the rafts to Tom Sawyer's Island was marooned just in front of the no longer burning cabin and is now scenery.

History [ ]

A Mississippi steamboat was included in the plans for the first Disney amusement park that was to be built across the street from his Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Although this park was abandoned in favor of the much larger Disneyland , the plan for having a riverboat attraction was retained.

Because Mark Twain was the first functional paddlewheeler built in the United States in fifty years, the WED designers conducted extensive research to build it like riverboats were built in the heyday of steam powered ships. The decks were assembled at the Disney Studios at Burbank, while the 105-foot hull was constructed at Todd Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California (where portions of Columbia were built years later). [1]

Joe Fowler , Disneyland's construction supervisor and a former navy admiral, insisted on creating a drydock for the ship along what was to be the Rivers of America. Walt Disney , dismayed at how much land was taken up by the massive excavation, referred to the drydock first as "Joe's Ditch", and then later, "Fowler's Harbor", the name by which it goes by today. However, Disney remained a supporter of the riverboat itself, funding its construction out of his own pocket when corporate funds fell short. On the first "fill-the-river" day, the water that was pumped into the Rivers of America soaked through the riverbed. Fowler quickly found a supply of clay to replace the soil stabilizer used to line the river, and the second "fill-the-river" day was successful.

Mark Twain had her maiden voyage on July 13, 1955, four days before the park officially opened, for a private party celebrating Walt and Lillian Disney 's 30th wedding anniversary. Before the party, as Fowler was checking to make sure everything would be ready for the 300 invited guests, he found Lillian sweeping the decks of debris and joined in to help her.

Disneyland's opening day brought further problems for Mark Twain . Actress Irene Dunne, star of the movie Showboat , had trouble breaking a bottle of water (from many major American rivers) across the vessel's bow for her christening on Dateline Disney . During the riverboat's first official voyage, when the crowd moved to one side of the boat to view a passing scene of an Indian encampment or other sight, the boat would list from the side and water poured over the deck, as no one had determined Mark Twain' s maximum safe passenger capacity.

This oversight caused Mark Twain to almost capsize on a voyage a few days later when ride operators continued to wave more than 500 guests on board until the deck neared the water line. As the ship traversed the sparsely vegetated river route, it came loose from its track and got stuck in the muddy banks. Immediately, the park established a maximum capacity of 300 passengers, which remains in effect today.

After a rough start, Mark Twain has had a successful 68-year-career as a theme park attraction. During its first few years of operation, passengers could buy a non-alcoholic mint julep aboard or listen to card and checker players re-enact dialogue of that era. Occasionally the Disneyland band would play music on the lower deck bow to entertain both the passengers and the theme park visitors on the river banks. [2]

Mark Twain underwent a major refurbishment during the Spring of 1995, during which all the decks and the boiler were replaced. September 24, 1995 saw the first and only Disney Fantasyland Wedding, to this day, to be held on an attraction, in theme clothing. A local Orange County couple, Kevin and Patricia Sullivan exchanged vows on the bow of the boat as she circled the Rivers of America. The groom's father Ed Sullivan, a 50-year Disney veteran, donned the classic Mark Twain costume for the once in a lifetime ceremony. The couple sealed their vows by pulling the ships steam whistle together. From atop the upper most deck, the couple let loose ropes, unfurling a ship sized JUST MARRIED banner across the stern.

When the Rivers of America was drained in 2002, the boat was noted to have considerable hull damage. It underwent a refurbishment in 2004 to repair the hull, which included replacing the keel. [3] For the park's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2005, a new, more colorful paint job was applied to the durable riverboat.

On January 11, 2016, the Mark Twain Riverboat, along with the other attractions and shows along the Rivers of America, would close temporarily for the construction of a Star Wars -themed land . These attractions reopened on July 29, 2017. [4] [5] [6]

Other Disney theme park riverboats [ ]

Walt disney world [ ].

The Magic Kingdom theme park in Bay Lake, Florida at one time featured two riverboats: Admiral Joe Fowler , a sternwheeler named for Disneyland's construction supervisor, and Richard F. Irvine , a sternwheeler named for a WED executive. There is now one riverboat: the Liberty Belle .

Admiral Joe Fowler served from October 2, 1971, one day after park opening, until the Fall of 1980, when it was retired after less than ten years of operation and it got accidentally destroyed after falling from a crane onto its drydock. [7]

Richard F. Irvine came into service on May 20, 1973 but was renamed The Liberty Belle in 1996 after everything except for the hull, boiler, and engines was stripped off, and an all-new superstructure was constructed from aluminum and vinyl.

Thunder Mesa riverboats (Disneyland Paris) [ ]

The Grim Reaper tows the Mark Twain. c. 2003

The Frontierland area of Disneyland Park has the unique distinction of featuring two riverboats, Mark Twain and Molly Brown . Each riverboat features a recorded conversation between the Captain and Mark Twain or Molly Brown. Since the storyline takes place in the fictional town of Thunder Mesa, most of the spiel deals with the sights of Big Thunder Mountain , Phantom Manor , Wilderness Island, Smuggler's Cove, an old snoring fisherman, and a geyser field containing dinosaur remains.

• Mark Twain is based on the Anaheim Park's original riverboat, a sternwheeler.
• Molly Brown , named for Titanic -survivor Molly Brown, is the only sidewheeler in a Disney Park.

On May 16, 2005, Molly Brown' s engine overheated as the boat rounded the corner at the back of the Rivers of the Far West. Although there was no visible fire, smoke damaged the ship and her engines, rendering her immobile. Guests were ferried ashore by the River Rogue Keelboats. The engine system was badly damaged and Molly Brown remained out of operation for many months, while Mark Twains ongoing refurbishment at the dry dock was finished. In September 2005, Molly Brown was moved to the dry dock, and in March 2006, Mark Twain finally resumed operation from Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. However, it was not until September that Molly Brown' s long refurbishment finally began, and was completed in late April 2007. [8]

Yet, in 2010, Molly Brown had to be rebuilt from scratch. On March 25, 2011, she was back in business, with a new recording of Molly Brown's speech in English, which used to be in French. The Mark Twain hasn’t operated since 2011, and has spent most of that time sitting in dry dock. [9] In 2014, MiceAge reported that the Mark Twain was falling apart due to lack of maintenance, and is in danger of scrapping.

For years, it was a regular Halloween tradition to have a giant Grim Reaper barge tow the Mark Twain along the river route, as part of a seasonal retheme of Frontierland to "Halloweenland".

Tokyo Disneyland [ ]

Tokyo Disneyland 's Mark Twain riverboat is so large that it is required by law to be registered. Its home port is listed as Urayasu. From the time of its opening until September 2006 its sponsor was Nippon Suisan Kaisha.

Technical [ ]

Mark Twain riverboat burns biodiesel fuel to heat its boiler, continuously heating water into steam, which is then routed to two pistons that turn the paddlewheel. Spent exhaust is then routed back to the boiler.

The riverboat is guided through the Rivers of America via an I-beam track, which is hidden under the green and brown dyed river water.

The boat draws only in of water, for the river is relatively shallow. At its deepest point it is no more than 8 feet near the switch at Fowler's Harbor, where it resides when not in operation.

The boat uses clean, fresh water from a tank on board to prevent contaminants from the water in the Rivers of America from fouling the boiler.

References [ ]

• ↑ " Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation, Los Angeles Division. Long-Range Facilities Plan. Contract MA-8O-SAC-O1O29 " (31 July 1981).  
• ↑ Wadley, Carma (October 21, 2005). " Man who sank the Mark Twain ", Deseret Morning News . Retrieved on 16 October 2006 .  
• ↑ Mark Twain Riverboat . RideRefurbs.com (February 4, 2004). Archived from the original on 2006-09-19. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
• ↑ " Season of the Force Begins November 16 at Disneyland Park in Southern California ".
• ↑ Glover, Erin (July 28, 2016). " Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America Attractions to Reopen Summer 2017 at Disneyland Park ". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved on July 28, 2016.
• ↑ " Disneyland Railroad, Rivers of America Attractions Set to Reopen Saturday After Yearlong Closure ".
• ↑ " Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat ". Walt Dated World. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
• ↑ " Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing ". Retrieved on 2006-10-16.
• ↑ " 10 Abandoned Disney Attractions that are "Standing but not Operating" ". themeparktourist.com . Theme Park Tourist. Retrieved on 21 October 2014.
• 1 Inside Out 2

Liberty Square Riverboat

See the wild frontier.

Steam into American history aboard the majestic, Colonial-era Liberty Belle riverboat and enjoy a relaxing half-mile tour around Tom Sawyer Island .

Along the way, listen to a recorded narrator—in the voice of iconic American author and humorist Mark Twain—sharing memories of Twain’s time on the Mississippi.

It’s full steam ahead on this historic, nostalgic trip back to the past!

Along the River’s Edge

During this charming, 17-minute trip, you’ll encounter a rarely seen side of Magic Kingdom park . Behold a bevy of sights from the early days of the American frontier, including:

• An early American settlement
• An idyllic Native American village
• Harper’s Mill
• Fort Langhorn
• Wilson’s Cave Inn
• Woodland animals

You’ll also be treated to unique views of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Haunted Mansion .

Aboard the Liberty Belle

Featuring meticulously detailed wood craftsmanship, the 47-foot tall Liberty Belle is a working reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi.

An actual steam engine converts water from the river into steam that powers the large paddle that in turn propels the boat.

There are 4 decks with limited seating available on each.

Guests Also Viewed

Safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for liberty square riverboat.

Mark Twain Riverboat

Disneyland Resort

One of Disneyland's original rides from 1955, the Mississippi River–style paddle-wheeler Mark Twain Riverboat offers a relaxing cruise on the Rivers of America.

Frontierland

Get In Touch

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/mark-twain-riverboat

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2 . Frontierland

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4 . Tarzan's Treehouse

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Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat Frontierland attraction at Disneyland; opened on July 17, 1955. The Disneyland Publicity Department originally trumpeted the fact that this was the first paddle wheeler built in the United States in 50 years. Its 105-foot-long hull was built at the Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, California, but the superstructure was constructed in a soundstage at the Disney Studio in Burbank, and then trucked down the Santa Ana Freeway to Disneyland. The Mark Twain travels around Tom Sawyer Island, seeing views of a Native American village and assorted wildlife, brought to life by the Disney Imagineers. The riverboat weighs 150 tons and is designed to carry 300 passengers. Also a riverboat in Frontierland at Disneyland Paris, opened April 12, 1992, where it shares the Rivers of the Far West with the Molly Brown . Also in Westernland at Tokyo Disneyland, opened on April 15, 1983. The Walt Disney World riverboats were the Admiral Joe Fowler (retired in 1980) and the Richard F. Irvine (later named the Liberty Belle ).

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Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids/Characters | Dining | Shopping | Interesting Facts

INTRODUCTION

Enjoy a slow cruise around the Rivers of America aboard an authentic steam-powered paddlewheeler. The Mark Twain Riverboat is located in Frontierland just across from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Your guide will point out landmarks along the way, like a mansion that’s said to be haunted, Splash Mountain, the canoes, and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. There are several Native American sightings, including a chief on horseback, a shaman, a boy and his dog, and the inhabitants of a village.

Be on the lookout for wildlife like deer, elk, moose, raccoons, eagles, and mountain lions. There’s even an enterprising beaver hard at work below one of the train trestles.

TOURING TIPS

This is a fairly quiet and peaceful ride – a good place to take a break and get away from the crowded walkways. The journey takes about 15 minutes, and the riverboat departs twice an hour. On busy days the Mark Twain shares the boat dock with the Sailing Ship Columbia, and one of the two departs every 15 minutes.

There are a few chairs on the bow of the riverboat on the lower deck and a couple of benches inside a salon on the third deck. This is the only seating on-board. Arrive and board early to get a chair.

The top deck gives you an excellent vantage point for photos of Tom Sawyer Island, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.

Wheelchair/ECV users go to the gate to the right of the turnstiles and wait for a cast member to direct in boarding.

You’ll see the Mark Twain filled with characters in one of the final scenes of Fantasmic!

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Disney characters like Tiana, Naveen, and Louis from “The Princess and the Frog” are sometimes found cruising on the Mark Twain. Woody and Jessie from Toy Story make frequent appearances in Frontierland near the Mark Twain’s dock — check the Times Guide for times and location.

Nearby shops include:

Bonanza Outfitters – Western apparel for men, women, and children.

Pioneer Mercantile – Frontier-themed souvenirs such as Davy Crockett hats and Western style character merchandise.

Westward Ho Trading Company – Candy store with fudge, hard candies, boxes chocolates and cookies.

INTERESTING FACTS

In 2016-2017, all Rivers of America attractions were closed while the river was re-routed in support of the construction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Mark Twain re-opened on July 29, 2017 with a new narration to go along with some new scenes along the river.

The Mark Twain was christened by actress Irene Dunne (Magnolia Hawks in the 1936 movie “Showboat”) on Disneyland’s Opening Day.

Walt Disney and his wife celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary aboard the Mark Twain four days before Disneyland opened in 1955.

Thurl Ravenscroft (the voice of Tony the Tiger) provided the original voice of the riverboat guide.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring Disneyland, please email us . Thank you.

How long is Mark Twain Riverboat?

The ride takes 18 Minutes Find all the attractions by their length

Will Mark Twain Riverboat make me motion sick?

The motion level is Low. Gentle boat ride. Details on handling motion sensitivity on your visit

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Frontierland at Disneyland Park – What You Need to Know

Walt Disney once said, “Here we experience the story of our country’s past … the colorful drama of Frontier America in the exciting days of the covered wagon and the stagecoach … the advent of the railroad … and the romantic riverboat. Frontierland is a tribute to the faith, courage, and ingenuity of the pioneers who blazed the trails across America.” Frontierland is not to be missed. Here’s what you need to know about this land at Disneyland Park.

1 – Overview

Frontierland, representing the “Frontiers of America,” opened as one of five original lands at Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955. The rough and tumble nature of America’s pioneer days comes to life in Frontierland’s streets and unspoiled wilderness. It’s a land of riverboats, stagecoaches, and railroads, where trappers, cowboys, farmers, and miners all traveled west to fulfill their own dreams of gold. Frontierland brings to life the natural beauty, excitement, and promise of the American West in the 1800s.

2 – What’s new

Hit the blazing trail on the Big Thunder Trail. The path offers guests a walkway between Frontierland and Fantasyland and features a rock formation where guests can relax under the shade and snap a few photos.

3 – Frontierland Attractions

Attractions in Frontierland include one Disney FastPass attraction, the thrilling Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Guests also enjoy tours around the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia and the freedom to roam through Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Sailing Ship Columbia
• Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition

4 – Entertainment

Editor’s Note: Fantasmic! is on hiatus until at least spring 2024.

Guests will enjoy Western-style entertainment on the stage of the Golden Horseshoe, including a performance featuring a pair of piano players who are ready to challenge one another in a good old-fashioned showdown. Disney’s longest-running and most popular nighttime spectacular, “Fantasmic!,” is a breathtaking nighttime water show on the Rivers of America. Treasured by guests, “Fantasmic!” features enhanced, awe-inspiring effects, innovative state-of-the-art projection technology, and new storytelling elements. The heart of the show remains as guests journey into Mickey Mouse’s fertile imagination as he conjures dreams of beauty, adventure, romance, and in the show’s thrilling climax, danger.

5 – Dining

Frontierland offers a variety of fare. Guests may grab lunch at The Golden Horseshoe or Stage Door Cafe for quick-service options. These two locations are also now available for guests to plan ahead and order their favorite food and beverage selections using the mobile ordering feature on the Disneyland app. Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante is the whole enchilada, serving Mexican favorites. River Belle Terrace offers comfort food with a side of riverfront views. The “Fantasmic!” dining packag e or the “Fantasmic!” On-The-Go packages are great options to secure dining as well as reserved viewing for the nighttime spectacular.

6 – Imaginative landscaping

Entering Frontierland, guests may notice the landscape represents a town from the Wild West, with cacti, brush, dirt, and rocks. El Zocalo Park features olive trees and bougainvillea, representing the Spanish theme of the area. Up along Frontier Trail, the landscape transitions to represent a more mountainous environment of the frontier. The petrified tree, an iconic landscape piece in Frontierland, is Lillian Disney’s gift to Disneyland.

7 – Facts & Secrets

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad celebrated its 40th anniversary on September 2, 2019.
• Three kinds of fish inhabit the Rivers of America: catfish (bottom feeders), carp (middle feeders), and mosquito eaters (top feeders).
• The Mark Twain Riverboat dates back to opening day at Disneyland: July 17, 1955. It was an “E Ticket” (top-of-the-line) attraction in the days of the A-through-E ticket books, a system that required a separate entry ticket for each attraction.
• The Sailing Ship Columbia is an exact, full-scale replica of the original Columbia Rediviva, which was the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe.
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition has more than 90 targets. When guests pull the trigger, the guns shoot an infrared light.
• Crockett & Russel Hat Co. has a window honoring Fess Parker, who played Davy Crockett in Walt Disney’s television show, “Davy Crockett.”
• The Golden Horseshoe is one of several original buildings in Disneyland. Walt Disney and his wife, Lillian, celebrated their 30th anniversary here with the debut performance of the original Golden Horseshoe Revue. With more than 50,000 performances logged since then, the Golden Horseshoe Revue was at one time “the world’s longest-running live stage show,” according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Disney Legend Harper Goff designed the saloon’s interior using a set design he had created for the 1953 Doris Day film “Calamity Jane.”

8 – Cast Member Tips

• Wait until the second “Fantasmic!” show for a smaller crowd. There is a great viewing spot on the bridge over Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Tom Sawyer Island provides lots of fun for young guests who explore its caves, treehouse, and swinging bridges. Several benches throughout the island provide weary adventurers with a scenic, relaxing break.
• A great Frontierland photo location is just inside the fort, as guests come through the main entrance. Navigating the Rivers of America? If you’re on the Sailing Ship Columbia, go to the bottom deck to see where the crew ate and slept. Sharp-eyed explorers can find two Hidden Mickeys on the Mark Twain Riverboat.

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

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Disney News » Disney Attraction » Disneyland Park » Mark Twain Riverboat 

Mark Twain Riverboat | Disneyland

Last Updated on: January 21st, 2024

Posted By: Craig Smith

Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Mark Twain Riverboat attraction at Disneyland including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Contents of this article:

What is Mark Twain Riverboat?

Important mark twain riverboat details.

• Mark Twain Riverboat News

Cast off on a scenic half-mile adventure into the wilds of old America aboard a steam-powered paddler. Board the 19th-century-inspired Mark Twain riverboat nestled in the heart of Frontierland and embark on a relaxing sightseeing voyage around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island .

Sights to See During this charming, 14-minute journey into America’s early frontier, sharp-eyed explorers can observe a menagerie of sights along the river’s edge, including:

• The new north bank of the Columbia Gorge, complete with a beautiful waterfront and 5 sparkling waterfalls
• The rustic cabin of a frontier settler
• An idyllic Native American village
• A busy beaver at work chewing on the train trestle
• A moose enjoying a leisurely lunch
• A  Haunted Mansion  lurking in the shadows
• A skunk staring down raccoons
• Mountain lions relaxing in the sun
• An osprey guarding its nest
• The  Disneyland Railroad steaming into the wilderness

Along the way, listen to lively narration about a time when traveling was as much about new discoveries as it was about transportation.

Mark Twain Riverboat Fun Facts

• The Mark Twain Riverboat is an iconic and historic attraction located in Frontierland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
• It opened with the park on July 17, 1955, and is named after the famous American author Mark Twain, known for his classic novels like “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
• The riverboat takes guests on a leisurely and scenic journey along the picturesque Rivers of America, offering beautiful views of Frontierland, New Orleans Square, and Critter Country.
• One of the unique features of the Mark Twain Riverboat is its authentic steam-powered paddlewheel, which propels the boat along the river, creating a nostalgic and old-fashioned experience.
• Guests can relax on the upper or lower decks of the riverboat, listen to the onboard narration, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance as they take in the sights and sounds of the river and its surroundings.
• Disney Resort: Disneyland Resort
• Disney Park: Disneyland Park Info News and Attractions
• Park Area: Disneyland Frontierland
• Attraction Type: Ride
• Official Page
• Year Opened: 1955
• Replaced: Original Attraction
• Location on Map

Mark Twain Riverboat Reviews

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Mark Twain Riverboat

An Attraction in Disneyland

Last updated: May 3, 2023

At a Glance

This large-capacity paddle-wheel riverboat navigates the waters around Tom Sawyer Island and Fort Wilderness. A beautiful craft, the riverboat provides a lofty perch from which to see Frontierland and New Orleans Square. The Mark Twain, Sailing Ship Columbia , and Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes travel through the Rivers of America. The show scenes include a home for Mike Fink (and one of his keelboats, a former Disneyland attraction) and 26 Audio-Animatronic animals; the audio spiel includes a musical nod to the New Orleans–set The Princess and the Frog.

• Audio Description
• May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV

modal#open click->video-modal#modalVideo">Ride Through at Night

Touring Tips

One of three boat rides that survey the same real estate. Because the Explorer Canoes are slower in loading and the Columbia operates seasonally, we think the riverboat makes more efficient use of touring time. If you’re not in the mood for a boat ride, many of the same sights can be seen by hiking around Tom Sawyer Island. The riverboat typically operates until 75 minutes before the park closes, except on Fantasmic! performance nights, when the voyages end at 5:45 p.m. If you’re looking for a new experience aboard the Mark Twain, try asking a cast member if you can enjoy the trip from the pilothouse.

Other attractions you might like Users who like Mark Twain Riverboat, generally also like:

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Here's roughly how many minutes you'll wait for Mark Twain Riverboat at each Disneyland Crowd Level.

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PHOTOS: Disneyland’s Mark Twain Riverboat is Down for Refurbishment!

by Cassie Agundes · October 18, 2023

What are your “must-dos” when visiting Disneyland Park? We have several!

Each time we visit, we have  to spin on King Arthur’s Carrousel, toboggan down Matterhorn mountain, attempt to be the rebel spy on Star Tours, and cruise down the Rivers of America. If you also have a boat ride on your must-do list, you’ll want to check out the new refurbishment in the park. 

Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat is currently down for refurbishment! If you’ve visited the park recently, you probably noticed the giant, blocked-off project…

Mark Twain with Scrims

…sitting on the Rivers of America.

But the scrims have come down, revealing tons of scaffolding!

Mark Twain with Scaffolding

The beloved riverboat deserves some TLC and now is the perfect time to do that, considering the boat is no longer needed for the Fantasmic! show. ( The show is set to return in Spring 2024 .)

Photo: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland

While Disney has yet to share how long the refurbishment will last, we know it will still be ongoing through November 29th–which is as far out as Disneyland’s calendar goes. 

Photo: Disney

We’ll update you when the Mark Twain Riverboat is cruising the Rivers of America once again! And we’ll keep you updated with the latest happening all around the resort, so stay tuned to MickeyBlog.com!

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Gold, Platinum: Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – Compositions by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

Gold, Platinum:  Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell Dinner, Captain’s cocktail

Gold:  City Tour / Peter and Paul Fortress

Platinum:  City Tour / St. Isaac’s Cathedral / Canal boat / Yusupov Palace

Gold:  The State Hermitage Museum / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Platinum:  The State Hermitage Museum (Early Entrance!) / Gold Room / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Gold:  Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Platinum:  Faberge Museum / Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Meals: Breakfast / Imperial

Gold, Platinum, Imperial: Check-out / Airport transfer

Volga dream experience: -

The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year

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All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.

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Journey: Volga Dream

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• Moscow St. Petersburg Cruise

Moscow Cruise Route

Frequently asked questions from our travelers, what is the best time of the year to go on a moscow - st. petersburg river cruise.

The cruises are operated from the month of May until the beginning of fall. The best weather conditions during this period are usually from June through late July, but if you are looking for a trip at a more relaxed pace with less tourists in the cities on the route, we highly recommend to take a look at the months of May and September.  For more info, please see our useful tips .

Which cities and towns will I visit on a Moscow - St. Petersburg cruise?

The cruise itinerary covers all the main and the most important locations on the route. During the cruise you will have a chance to get acquainted not only with Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also with smaller towns and villages like Goritsy, Kizhi, Yaroslavl, Mandrogui. The number of cities and towns to be visited and the exact itinerary vary depending on the duration of the cruise.

Is it better to start the cruise in Moscow or in St. Petersburg?

The starting point of the cruise is totally up to you. You won’t miss any important sights whether you start the cruise in Moscow or in St. Petersburg. We always recommend checking the flight schedules from your city first in order to decide whether it is more convenient for you to fly into Moscow or St Petersburg.

A Russian Land Tour or a River cruise - which is better?

This decision completely depends on your preferred way of travelling. During the Russian river cruise you will not only visit the two largest cities of Russia, but also small towns and villages along the route and you will have a chance to participate in master classes, learn a little Russian language and dive into local Russian culture and hospitality. For those who prefer custom-made programs and more free time in the cities of their choice we recommend a land tour, both are excellent options. To find out more about the differences click here .

Do I need a visa for a Russian River Cruise?

If your citizenship is not on the list of countries with visa-free access to Russia, you will need a valid Russian visa. Please make sure to start the process in a timely manner, so as to avoid any last-minute pressure. More details on Russian Visas can be found here .

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

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