The Disney riverboats are paddle steamer watercraft attraction ride vehicles operating on a track on a series of attractions located at Disney theme parks around the world.
103-876: The first was the Mark Twain Riverboat, 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 stern-wheeler was the first functional steamboat to be built in the United States for 50 years. Other Disney riverboat attractions now appear at Walt Disney World , Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris . Passengers wait for
206-510: A Disney Legend in 2003), Disney acquired 160 acres (65 ha) of orange groves and walnut trees in Anaheim, southeast of Los Angeles in neighboring Orange County . The small Burbank site originally considered by Disney is now home to Walt Disney Animation Studios and ABC Studios . Roy O. Disney hired Wood away from SRI as executive vice president to undertake the task of actually building Disneyland. When Walt told Wood that he wanted
309-489: A paddle steamer in Disneyland, it was Wood who introduced Walt to his good friend Joe Fowler , a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral. Difficulties in obtaining funding prompted Disney to investigate new methods of fundraising, and he decided to create a show named Disneyland . It was broadcast on then-fledgling ABC . In return, the network agreed to help finance the park. For its first five years of operation, Disneyland
412-515: A Safer Economy phased re-opening. Prior to this, Disneyland was operating at reduced guest capacity since it re-opened on April 30, 2021, after 13 months of closure due to the pandemic. On January 27, 2023, Disneyland kicked off the year-long celebration of the centennial of The Walt Disney Company , Disney100. Disneyland Park introduced the Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway attraction and Wondrous Journeys fireworks show. On April 13, 2023, it
515-419: A Small World . In addition, Sleeping Beauty Castle features a walk-through telling the story of Disney 's 1959 film Sleeping Beauty , in the style of the film's production designer Eyvind Earle . Mickey's Toontown opened in 1993 and was partly inspired by the fictional Toontown from the 1988 Touchstone Pictures film Who Framed Roger Rabbit . Mickey's Toontown is based on a 1930s cartoon aesthetic and
618-452: A drydock for the ship along what became 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. Disney remained a supporter of the riverboat, funding its construction from his personal funds when corporate funding fell short. On
721-652: A larger cumulative attendance than any other theme park in the world, with 757 million visits since it opened (as of December 2021). In 2023, the park saw 17.25 million visitors, making it the second most visited amusement park in the world that year, behind only Magic Kingdom , the very park it inspired. According to a 2005 Disney report, 65,700 jobs are supported by the Disneyland Resort, including about 20,000 direct Disney employees and 3,800 third-party employees ( independent contractors or their employees). To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland
824-434: A longtime interest in transportation, and trains in particular. Disney's passion for the "iron horse" led to him building a miniature live steam backyard railroad —the " Carolwood Pacific Railroad "—on the grounds of his Holmby Hills estate. Throughout all the iterations of Disneyland during the 17 or so years when Disney was conceiving it, one element remained constant: a train encircling the park. The primary designer for
927-620: A name which has since become synonymous with the Disney brand. Walt Disney died from lung cancer on December 15, 1966, after which Lillian remarried, to John L. Truyens (a Southern California real estate developer) from 1969 until his death in 1981. On December 15, 1997, Lillian Disney suffered a stroke and died the following morning in Los Angeles at age 98. Born Lillian Marie Bounds in Spalding, Idaho , she grew up in nearby Lapwai on
1030-588: A new concert hall in Los Angeles. After several delays, the Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in 2003, six years after her death. She also helped fund the founding of The California Institute of the Arts . In the 1990s, reflecting on her 41-year marriage to Walt Disney, she said, "We shared a wonderful, exciting life, and we loved every minute of it. He was a wonderful husband to me, and wonderful and joyful father and grandfather." Disney suffered
1133-459: A new, more colorful paint job was applied to the riverboat. On January 11, 2016, the Mark Twain Riverboat, along with the other attractions along the Rivers of America, were temporarily closed for the construction of Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge . These attractions reopened on July 29, 2017. The Magic Kingdom theme park in Bay Lake, Florida has a Liberty Square Riverboat attraction, in which
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#17327652210701236-405: 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. Mark Twain underwent a major refurbishment during the spring of 1995, during which the decks and boiler were replaced. September 24, 1995 saw
1339-532: A paddle steamer replica, at Walt Disney World in Disney Springs and Disney christened it on May 1, 1977. Disney was inducted into the Disney Legends in 2003. Walt Disney died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, aged 65, and Lillian was married to John L. Truyens from May 1969 until his death on February 24, 1981, aged 73. In 1987, she pledged a $ 50 million gift towards the construction of
1442-502: 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, Yellowstone National Park geysers, dinosaur remains, and more. The two river boats are: On May 16, 2005, Molly Brown ' s engine overheated as
1545-474: A shopping, dining and entertainment complex named Downtown Disney , a remodeled Disneyland Hotel , the construction of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa , and the acquisition and re-branding of the Pan Pacific Hotel as Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel (known today as Pixar Place Hotel ). The park was renamed "Disneyland Park" to distinguish it from the larger complex under construction. Because
1648-411: A short-term increase in shareholder returns, they drew widespread criticism for their lack of foresight. The retail backgrounds of Harriss and Pressler led to a gradual shift in Disneyland's focus from attractions to merchandising. Outside consultants McKinsey & Company were brought in to help streamline operations, resulting in many changes and cutbacks. After nearly a decade of deferred maintenance,
1751-714: A site near the Burbank studios for tourists to visit. His ideas evolved to a small play park with a boat ride and other themed areas. The initial park concept, the Mickey Mouse Park, was originally planned for a sixteen-acre (6.5 ha) plot to the south, across Riverside Drive from the studio. Besides Greenfield Village and the Chicago Railroad Fair, Disney was also inspired by Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, Knott's Berry Farm , Colonial Williamsburg ,
1854-516: A special televised press event on the ABC Television Network on July 17, 1955. Since its opening, Disneyland has undergone expansions and major renovations, including the addition of New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country in 1972, Mickey's Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge in 2019. Additionally, Disney California Adventure Park opened in 2001 on the site of Disneyland's original parking lot. Disneyland has
1957-455: A vantage point for viewing landmarks during the voyage. The wheelhouse, where Mark Twain ' s pilot is stationed, is located on the upper deck. The lower level of the wheelhouse features sleeping quarters and a sink to maintain the illusion of this being the captain's living quarters. The pilot signals the departure and arrival of Mark Twain using a whistle and bell system, along with various signals to other river craft attractions. Because
2060-633: A visit to the " Grand Canyon / Primeval World " dioramas before returning passengers to Main Street, U.S.A. One of Disneyland's signature attractions is its Disneyland Monorail , a monorail service that opened in Tomorrowland in 1959 as the first daily-operating monorail train system in the Western Hemisphere . The monorail guideway has remained almost exactly the same since 1961, aside from small alterations while Indiana Jones Adventure
2163-402: Is credited with having named her husband's most famous character, Mickey Mouse , during a train trip from New York to California in 1928. Walt showed a drawing of the cartoon mouse to his wife and told her that he was going to name it "Mortimer Mouse". Lillian replied that the name sounded "too depressing" and she was very proud to have suggested the name "Mickey Mouse" instead of Mortimer. At
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#17327652210702266-419: Is home to Disney's classic cartoon characters. Toontown features three rides: Chip 'n' Dale's GADGETcoaster , Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin . The land also includes Mickey's House and Meet Mickey , Minnie's House, Goofy's How-To-Play Yard, and Donald's Duck Pond. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opened in 2023 and increased the size of Mickey's Toontown as well as
2369-420: Is played by Disney voice actor Stephen Stanton , who speaks of his days piloting a riverboat. On most days, Mark Twain begins operation when 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 operate through the evening, using a rooftop spotlight to illuminate sights, with
2472-918: Is set within the Star Wars universe, in the Black Spire Outpost village on the remote frontier planet of Batuu . Attractions include the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance . The land opened in 2019, replacing Big Thunder Ranch and former backstage areas. Fantasyland is home to the dark rides Snow White's Enchanted Wish , Peter Pan's Flight , Mr. Toad's Wild Ride , Pinocchio's Daring Journey , and Alice in Wonderland . The area also includes King Arthur Carrousel , Mad Tea Party , Storybook Land Canal Boats , and It's
2575-405: Is where the throttle and reverser are located. From here, the boiler engineer controls the speed and forward or reverse direction of the riverboat. Steam from the boiler is used to power the paddle wheels which push the craft along its guide-way. The voyage on the Rivers of America around Tom Sawyer Island features pre-recorded navigational commands by Jim Etchison and Peter Renaday . The captain
2678-504: Is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. Walter E. Disney , July 17, 1955 The concept for Disneyland began when Walt Disney was visiting Griffith Park in Los Angeles with his daughters Diane and Sharon. While watching them ride
2781-768: The Actors' Equity Association , with 79% voting in favor. The decision marked the first time these workers have unionized since Disneyland's opening in 1955. Disneyland Park consists of nine themed "lands" and a number of concealed backstage areas, and occupies over 100 acres (40 ha) with the new addition of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway that came to Mickey's Toontown in 2023. The park opened with Main Street, U.S.A. , Adventureland , Frontierland , Fantasyland , and Tomorrowland , and has since added New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country in 1972 (now known as Bayou Country ), Mickey's Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge in 2019. In 1957, Holidayland opened to
2884-710: The Aunt Jemima -themed pancake restaurant in Frontierland and the park's association with Bank of America , a subject of controversy at the time for its lending to military contractors such as Boeing . The Yippies were met by an estimated 100 riot police who established lookouts within the park and another 300 on standby just outside of the entrance gates. Around 4:00 p.m., many of the Yippies occupied Tom Sawyer Island , purportedly smoking cannabis and causing cast members to halt park guests from boarding rafts to
2987-636: The COVID-19 pandemic . After nearly four months of closure, Downtown Disney reopened on July 9, 2020. The parks had been scheduled to reopen on Disneyland's 65th anniversary on July 17, 2020, but due to rising cases in California , the parks' reopening was once again postponed. It was expected to stay closed until at least December 31, 2020. In February 2021, Disneyland announced a limited-capacity ticketed event called "A Touch of Disney", which would offer guests to shop at stores and enjoy eateries around
3090-752: The Carolwood Pacific Railroad , Walt Disney named his 1:8-scale live steam locomotive the "Lilly Belle" in his wife's honor. Additionally, the parlor car of the Disneyland Railroad was named the "Lilly Belle" in her honor, and the Walt Disney World Railroad has a locomotive named "Lilly Belle", where each locomotive is named for someone who greatly contributed to the Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Imagineering created "The Empress Lilly",
3193-690: The Century of Progress in Chicago, and the New York's World Fair of 1939 . His designers began working on concepts, though the project grew much larger than the land could hold. Disney hired C. V. Wood and Harrison Price of the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) to identify the proper area in which to position the planned theme park based on future population growth. Based on Price's analysis (for which he would be recognized as
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3296-646: The Chicago Railroad Fair the same month, with a two-day stop in Henry Ford 's Museum and Greenfield Village , a place with attractions like a Main Street and steamboat rides, which he had visited eight years earlier. When people wrote letters to Disney to inquire about visiting the Walt Disney Studios , he realized that a functional movie studio had little to offer to visiting fans, and began to foster various ideas about building
3399-543: The Congress of Racial Equality , was in discussions with Disneyland officials about hiring more black people, with Disneyland telling the group they would consider their requests. Unlike other amusement parks at the time, Disneyland was never racially segregated , and was open to all races since opening day. As part of the Casa de Fritos operation at Disneyland, " Doritos " (Spanish for "little golden things") were created at
3502-561: The Frank Gehry -designed Team Disney Anaheim , where most of the division's administration currently works, as well as the Old Administration Building, behind Tomorrowland. Photography is forbidden in these areas, both inside and outside, although some photos have found their way to a variety of web sites. Guests who attempt to explore backstage are warned and often escorted from the property. Walt Disney had
3605-577: The Give a Day, Get a Disney Day volunteer program, in which Disney encouraged people to volunteer with a participating charity and receive a free Disney Day at either a Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World park. On March 9, 2010, Disney announced that it had reached its goal of one million volunteers and ended the promotion to anyone who had not yet registered and signed up for a specific volunteer situation. In July 2015, Disneyland celebrated its 60th Diamond Celebration anniversary. Disneyland Park introduced
3708-475: The Indiana Jones Adventure , and Adventureland Treehouse, inspired by Walt Disney's 1960 film Swiss Family Robinson . Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room , which opened in 1963 and is located at the entrance to Adventureland, was the first attraction to employ Audio-Animatronics . New Orleans Square is based on 19th-century New Orleans , opened on July 24, 1966. It is home to Pirates of
3811-530: The Nez Perce Indian Reservation , where her father Willard worked as a blacksmith and federal marshal . She was the youngest of ten children, and the family struggled financially; her father died when she was seventeen. After graduation from Lapwai High School , Bounds and her mother moved down to Lewiston ; she attended a year of business college then moved to southern California in 1923 to live with her sister Hazel's family. She
3914-600: The Paint the Night parade and Disneyland Forever fireworks show, and Sleeping Beauty Castle was decorated in diamonds with a large "60" logo. The Diamond Celebration concluded in September 2016 and the whole decoration of the anniversary was removed around Halloween 2016. Disneyland Park, along with Disney California Adventure , Downtown Disney, and the resort hotels, closed indefinitely starting March 14, 2020, in response to
4017-585: The Sailing Ship Columbia , Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island , and Frontierland Shootin' Exposition. Frontierland is also home to the Golden Horseshoe Saloon , an Old West -style show palace. On October 31, 2007, author Ray Bradbury attended the presentation of a Halloween Tree in Frontierland, to be included as part of its annual park-wide Halloween decorations every year. Bayou Country opened in 1972 as Bear Country. It
4120-486: The United States Bicentennial . In 1974, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress was replaced with America Sings , an audio-animatronic theater show featuring the history of American music. America on Parade debuted in 1975 and ran through 1976 in celebration of the bicentennial. Several of the park's earliest attractions received major changes or were replaced in the mid-to-late 1970s. The Flight to
4223-416: The merry-go-round , he came up with the idea of a place where adults and their children could go and have fun together, though this idea lay dormant for many years. The earliest documented draft of Disney's plans was sent as a memo to studio production designer Dick Kelsey on August 31, 1948, where it was referred to as a "Mickey Mouse Park", based on notes Disney made during his and Ward Kimball 's trip to
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4326-475: The 'river' is rather shallow. At its deepest point it is less than 8 feet (2.4 m) near the switch at Fowler's Harbor, where it resides when not in operation. The boat uses fresh water from a tank on board to prevent contaminants from the water in the Rivers of America fouling the boiler. Disneyland Disneyland is a theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California . It
4429-568: The 150-ton, 28-foot-high (8.5 m), 105-foot-long (32 m) riverboat, which departs every 20 minutes, inside a sheltered area in the New Orleans Square section of the park. The waiting area resembles 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
4532-719: The Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion , with nighttime entertainment Fantasmic! . This area is also the home of the private Club 33 . Frontierland recreates the setting of pioneer days along the American frontier and is home to animatronic Native Americans, who live on the banks of the Rivers of America . Entertainment and attractions include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad , the Mark Twain Riverboat ,
4635-454: The Caribbean , and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room . Attractions that had been in the park on opening day had one ride vehicle painted gold, and the park was decorated with fifty Golden Mickey Ears . The celebration started on May 5, 2005, and ended on September 30, 2006, and was followed by the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, lasting twenty-seven months and ending on December 31, 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2010, Disney Parks hosted
4738-583: The Central Plaza (also known as the Hub), which is a portal to most of the themed lands: the entrance to Fantasyland is by way of a drawbridge across a moat and through the castle. Adventureland , Frontierland , and Tomorrowland are on both sides of the castle. The lands that are not directly connected to the Central Plaza are; New Orleans Square , Bayou Country , Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge and Mickey's Toontown . The design of Main Street, U.S.A. uses
4841-929: The Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad, the DRR was presented by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway until 1974. From 1955 to 1974, the Santa Fe Rail Pass was accepted in lieu of a Disneyland "D" coupon. With a 3 ft ( 914 mm ) gauge, the most common narrow track gauge used in North America, the track runs in a continuous loop around Disneyland through each of its realms. Each 1900s-era train departs Main Street Station on an excursion that includes scheduled station stops at: New Orleans Square Station; Mickey's Toontown Depot; and Tomorrowland Station. The Grand Circle Tour then concludes with
4944-535: The Moon attraction was rethemed as Mission to Mars in March 1975, five years after Apollo 11 had successfully landed humans on the Moon. Construction of Space Mountain began that same year adjacent to the new Mission to Mars attraction but was delayed by El Niño -related weather complications. The ride opened in 1977 to much acclaim as lines would often stretch all the way to Main Street, U.S.A. The final major change of
5047-495: The Stanford Research Institute to perform a feasibility study determining an appropriate site for his project, Disney bought a 160-acre (65 ha) site near Anaheim in 1953. The park was designed by a creative team hand-picked by Walt from internal and outside talent. They founded WED Enterprises, the precursor to today's Walt Disney Imagineering . Construction began in 1954 and the park was unveiled during
5150-488: The United States, with two requests: to visit Disneyland and to meet John Wayne , Hollywood's top box-office draw. Due to the Cold War tension and security concerns, he was famously denied an excursion to Disneyland. The Shah of Iran and Empress Farah were invited to Disneyland by Walt Disney in the early 1960s. There was mild controversy over the lack of African American employees. As late as 1963, civil rights group
5253-425: The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of ABC in the mid-1990s. Construction began on July 16, 1954, and cost $ 17 million to complete (equivalent to $ 153 million in 2023 ). The park was opened one year and one day later. U.S. Route 101 (later Interstate 5 ) was under construction at the same time just north of the site; in preparation for the traffic Disneyland was expected to bring, two more lanes were added to
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#17327652210705356-542: The boat is named Liberty Belle . This ride is similar to that at Disneyland in which the boat travels around Tom Sawyer Island and features scenic views of the park. During the early years, the Magic Kingdom 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. Admiral Joe Fowler served from October 2, 1971, one day after park opening, until
5459-561: 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 was out of operation for many months, while Mark Twain ' s ongoing refurbishment at the dry dock was finished. In September 2005, Molly Brown
5562-432: The bride away. She wore a dress that she had made herself. The couple had two daughters, Diane Marie Disney (1933–2013) and Sharon Mae Disney (1936–1993), the latter of whom was adopted. Disney had ten grandchildren: seven by Diane and her husband (Ron W. Miller), and three by Sharon and her two husbands, Robert Brown and William Lund. Her film career includes work as an ink artist on the film Plane Crazy . Disney
5665-540: The building could be burned in a similar fashion to the arson of a Bank of America in Isla Vista in February 1970. Police arrested 23 park guests and it was only the second unexpected early closure in park history, the first being in response to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. The incident was cited as a clash of the park management's perceived appeal to tradition following the death of Walt Disney and
5768-500: The company announced a plan titled DisneylandForward to expand the park with more rides, restaurants, and shops with The Anaheim City Council expected to receive the development plans for approval by 2023. On June 15, 2021, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and other theme parks in California were permitted to return to full capacity with most COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted per California governor Gavin Newsom 's Blueprint for
5871-474: The decade came in 1977 when the slow-paced Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland was closed and replaced by the similarly themed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster in 1979. Fantasyland was closed for refurbishment in 1982 and reopened to the public in 1983 as "New Fantasyland." On December 5, 1985, to celebrate Disneyland's 30th year in operation, one million balloons were launched along
5974-414: 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, remaining in effect today. After a rough start, Mark Twain has had a successful 69-year-career as a theme park attraction. During its first few years of operation, passengers could buy
6077-524: The existing parking lot (south of Disneyland) was repurposed by these projects, the six-level, 10,250-space Mickey and Friends parking structure was constructed in the northwest corner. Upon completion in 2000, it was the largest parking structure in the United States. The park's management team during the mid-1990s was a source of controversy among fans and employees. In an effort to boost profits, various changes were begun by then-executives Cynthia Harriss and Paul Pressler . While their initiatives provided
6180-407: The extremely negative press from the preview opening, Walt Disney invited attendees back for a private "second day" to experience Disneyland properly. At the time, and during the lifetimes of Walt and his brother Roy, July 17 was considered a preview, with July 18 the official opening day. Since then, aided by memories of the television broadcast, the company has adopted July 17 as the official date,
6283-476: The fall of 1980, when she was retired after less than ten years of operation when she was destroyed when falling from a crane onto her drydock. Richard F. Irvine came into service on May 20, 1973, but was renamed 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. In 2018, the Liberty Belle
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#17327652210706386-462: The final trip beginning approximately 30 minutes before park closing. 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
6489-589: The firehouse is where Walt Disney had his personal apartment, where it still exists today, off-limits to the public. Main Street is also home to the Disney Art Gallery and the Opera House which showcases Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln , a show featuring an Audio-Animatronic version of Abraham Lincoln . At the far end of Main Street, U.S.A. is Sleeping Beauty Castle , the Partners statue , and
6592-423: The first "fill-the-river" day, the water pumped into the Rivers of America soaked through the riverbed. Fowler 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 opened, for a private party celebrating Walt and Lillian Disney 's 30th wedding anniversary. Before
6695-409: The first and only Disney Fantasyland Wedding, to this day, to be held on an attraction, in theme clothing. An 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
6798-410: The freeway before the park was finished. Disneyland was dedicated at an "International Press Preview" event held on Sunday, July 17, 1955, which was open only to invited guests and the media. Although 28,000 people attended the event, only about half of those were invitees, the rest having purchased counterfeit tickets, or snuck into the park by climbing over the fence. The following day, it opened to
6901-565: The growing counterculture movement among young people in the United States. Despite the opening of the more expansive Walt Disney World resort in 1971, Disneyland continued to set attendance records and maintained its status as a major tourist attraction. In 1972, the Bear Country land was opened and the Main Street Electrical Parade was introduced. Disneyland underwent several changes in preparation for
7004-423: The island. An hour later, the group of Yippies converged at Main Street, U.S.A. and became confrontational with other park guests and riot police after tearing down patriotic bunting while unfurling Viet Cong and Youth International Party flags. Standby riot police entered and the park was evacuated around 5:00 p.m. when some of the insurgents approached the park's Bank of America branch, sparking concern that
7107-487: The monorail station did not change, but the original station building was demolished as part of the hotel downsizing, and the new station is now separated from the hotel by several Downtown Disney buildings. Lillian Disney Lillian Marie Disney ( née Bounds ; February 15, 1899 – December 16, 1997) was an American ink artist at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and
7210-516: The one commemorated every year as Disneyland's birthday. Within a year after Disneyland's opening, increasing friction between Walt Disney and Wood resulted in Wood's termination. Most of the executives who led the development of Disneyland are now commemorated in window signs as proprietors of fictional businesses along Main Street, U.S.A. , with the exception of Wood. In September 1959, Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev spent thirteen days in
7313-480: The original park was showing signs of neglect. Fans of the park decried the perceived decline in customer value and park quality and rallied for the dismissal of the management team. Matt Ouimet , the former president of the Disney Cruise Line , was promoted to assume leadership of the Disneyland Resort in late 2003. Shortly afterward, he selected Greg Emmer as Senior Vice President of Operations. Emmer
7416-428: The park during business hours with members of their respective staff, wearing cast member name badges, standing in line for attractions, and welcoming guests' comments. In July 2006, Ouimet left The Walt Disney Company to become president of Starwood . Soon after, Ed Grier , executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan, was named president of the resort. In October 2009, Grier announced his retirement, and
7519-606: The park from March 18 through April 19, 2021. On March 5, 2021, it was announced by the California Department of Public Health that Disneyland could reopen with capacity restrictions beginning April 1, 2021. The following week, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that the company was planning on officially reopening the park in late April 2021. Disneyland along with Disney California Adventure officially reopened on April 30, 2021, with limited capacity and social distancing/mask guidelines in effect. The following week,
7622-592: The park from above. Currently, the Mark VII is running with the colors red, blue and orange. The monorail was originally a loop built with just one station in Tomorrowland. Its track was extended and a second station opened at the Disneyland Hotel in 1961. With the creation of Downtown Disney in 2001, the new destination is Downtown Disney, instead of the Disneyland Hotel. The physical location of
7725-462: The park to recycle old tortillas that would have been discarded. The Frito-Lay Company saw the popularity of the item and began selling them regionally in 1964, and then nationwide in 1966. On August 6, 1970, an estimated 300+ anti-war Yippies entered Disneyland in a planned protest against the Vietnam War . The protestors held grievances with specific aspects of the theme park itself, such as
7828-438: The park transportation vehicles was Bob Gurr who gave himself the title of Director of Special Vehicle Design in 1954. Encircling Disneyland and providing a grand circle tour is the Disneyland Railroad (DRR), a 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge short-line railway consisting of five oil-fired and steam-powered locomotives, in addition to three passenger trains and one passenger-carrying freight train. Originally known as
7931-546: The park's opening; disappointed guests believed the inoperable fountains were a cynical way to sell soda, while other vendors ran out of food. The asphalt that had been poured that morning was soft enough to let women's high-heeled shoes sink into it. Some parents threw their children over the crowd's shoulders to get them onto rides, such as the King Arthur Carrousel . In later years, Disney and his 1955 executives referred to July 17, 1955, as "Black Sunday". After
8034-411: The park. Main Street, U.S.A. is patterned after a typical Midwest town of the early 20th century, and took much inspiration from Walt Disney 's hometown, Marceline, Missouri . Main Street, U.S.A. has a train station, town square, movie theater , city hall, firehouse with a steam-powered pump engine, emporium, shops, arcades, double-decker bus, horse-drawn streetcar, and jitneys. The second-story of
8137-423: The party, as Fowler was checking to make sure everything would be ready for the 300 invited guests, found Lillian sweeping the decks and assisted her. Disneyland's opening day brought further problems for Mark Twain . Actress Irene Dunne , star of the movie Show Boat , had trouble breaking a bottle of water (from many major American rivers) across the vessel's bow for her christening on Dateline Disney . During
8240-545: The plaque for Tomorrowland, he read partway when an off-camera technician stopped him, and Disney responded, "I thought I got a signal", and began the dedication again. At one point, while in Fantasyland, Linkletter tried to give coverage to Cummings, who was on the pirate ship. He was not ready and tried to give the coverage back to Linkletter, who had lost his microphone. Cummings then did a play-by-play of him trying to find it in front of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride . Traffic
8343-405: The public with a nine-acre (3.6 ha) recreation area including a circus and baseball diamond , and was closed in late 1961. Throughout the park are " Hidden Mickeys ", representations of Mickey Mouse heads inserted subtly into the design of attractions and environmental decor. An elevated berm supports the 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge Disneyland Railroad that circumnavigates
8446-429: The public, featuring twenty attractions. The Special Sunday events, including the dedication, were televised nationwide and anchored by three of Walt Disney's friends from Hollywood: Art Linkletter , Bob Cummings , and Ronald Reagan . ABC broadcast the event live, during which many guests tripped over the television camera cables. In Frontierland, a camera caught Cummings kissing a dancer. When Disney started to read
8549-459: The riverboat travels along a hidden 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
8652-431: 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 listed, and water poured over the deck, as no one had determined Mark Twain ' s maximum safe passenger capacity. This oversight caused Mark Twain to nearly capsize on a voyage a few days later when ride operators continued to wave more than 500 guests on board until
8755-403: The ship's 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. For the park's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2005,
8858-550: The size of Disneyland Park from 99 to 101 acres (40 to 41 ha). Tomorrowland currently has a "retro-future" theme reminiscent of the illustrations of Jules Verne . Attractions include Space Mountain , Star Wars Launch Bay , Autopia , the Disneyland Monorail Tomorrowland Station, Astro Orbitor , Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters , Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Star Tours–The Adventures Continue . Major buildings backstage include
8961-560: The streets bordering Disneyland as part of the Skyfest Celebration. In the late 1990s, work began to expand the one-park, one-hotel property. Disneyland Park, the Disneyland Hotel, the site of the original parking lot, and acquired surrounding properties were earmarked to become part of the Disneyland Resort . At that time, the property saw the addition of the Disney California Adventure theme park,
9064-439: The technique of forced perspective to create an illusion of height. Buildings along Main Street are built at 3 ⁄ 4 scale on the first level, then 5 ⁄ 8 on the second story, and 1 ⁄ 2 scale on the third—reducing the scale by 1 ⁄ 8 each level up. Adventureland is designed to recreate the feel of an exotic tropical place in a far-off region of the world. Attractions include Jungle Cruise ,
9167-550: The wife of Walt Disney from 1925 until his death in 1966. Born in Spalding, Idaho , Disney graduated from high school in Lapwai before moving to Lewiston to attend college. She left Idaho in 1923 to move to southern California , where she met future husband Walt while working as a secretary for his company. During a train ride in 1928, Walt revealed to his wife a new animated character, whom he called "Mortimer Mouse". Lillian suggested that he rename his character " Mickey Mouse ",
9270-409: Was Nippon Suisan Kaisha . Mark Twain riverboat burns biodiesel fuel in its boiler, heating water into steam, which is 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 beneath the green and brown dyed water. The boat draws only 18 inches (460 mm) of water, as
9373-543: Was a long-time Disney cast member who had worked at Disneyland in his youth prior to moving to Florida and held multiple executive leadership positions at the Walt Disney World Resort . Ouimet set about reversing certain trends, especially concerning cosmetic maintenance and a return to the original infrastructure maintenance schedule, in hopes of restoring Disneyland's former safety record. Similarly to Walt Disney, Ouimet and Emmer could often be seen walking
9476-703: Was announced that Disneyland would be holding its first official "Pride Nite", supporting the LGBTQ community. This comes 25 years after the first celebrated 'Gay Day' at Disneyland, which is identical to the Gay Days at Walt Disney World celebration. In May 2023, a male employee of Disneyland was dressed as 'Fairy Godmother's apprentice' welcoming the visitors to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland , generating both criticism and support on social media. On May 18, 2024, Disneyland character performers voted to join
9579-467: Was being built. Five generations of monorail trains have been used in the park since their lightweight construction means they wear out quickly. The most recent operating generation, the Mark VII, was installed in 2008. The monorail shuttles visitors between two stations, one inside the park in Tomorrowland and one in Downtown Disney . It follows a 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km) route designed to show
9682-501: Was completely overhauled with a brand-new boiler. In August 2024, it was announced that the Magic Kingdom version of Rivers of America would be closed to make way for a Frontierland expansion, based on the Cars franchise. As such, the Liberty Belle was planned to stop operating as well. The Frontierland area of Disneyland Park has the unique distinction of featuring two riverboats, Mark Twain and Molly Brown . Each riverboat features
9785-435: Was delayed on the two-lane Harbor Boulevard. Famous figures who were scheduled to show up every two hours showed up all at once. The temperature was an unusually high 101 °F (38 °C), and because of a local plumbers' strike, Disney was given a choice of having working drinking fountains or running toilets. He chose the latter, leaving many drinking fountains dry. This generated negative publicity since Pepsi sponsored
9888-668: Was moved to the dry dock, and in March 2006, Mark Twain resumed operation from Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. It was not until September that Molly Brown ' s long refurbishment finally began, and was completed in late April 2007. Despite the refurbishment, Molly Brown had to be rebuilt again in 2010 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 in dry dock. In 2014, it
9991-401: Was owned by Disneyland, Inc. , which was jointly owned by Walt Disney Productions , Walt Disney , Western Publishing and ABC. In addition, Disney rented out many of the shops on Main Street, U.S.A. to outside companies. By 1960, Walt Disney Productions had bought out all other shares, but the partnership had already led to a lasting relationship with ABC which would eventually culminate in
10094-468: Was renamed Critter Country in 1988, and in 2024 it was renamed Bayou Country. Formerly the area was home to Indian Village, where indigenous tribespeople demonstrated their dances and other customs. Bayou Country's main attraction is the log flume ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure . Other attractions include The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes . Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge
10197-432: Was replaced by George Kalogridis. The " Happiest Homecoming on Earth " was an eighteen-month-long celebration (held through 2005 and 2006) of the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland Park, also celebrating Disneyland's milestone throughout Disney parks worldwide. In 2004, the park underwent major renovations in preparation, restoring many attractions, notably Space Mountain , Jungle Cruise , the Haunted Mansion , Pirates of
10300-471: Was reported that the Mark Twain was falling apart due to lack of maintenance. 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 . The steam engine machinery used on this riverboat are from the now-destroyed Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom. From the time of its opening until September 2006 its sponsor
10403-738: Was the first functional paddlewheeler built in the United States in 50 years, the WED designers conducted extensive research to build it like riverboats were built in the heyday of steam powered ships. The design was by D.M.Callis, Naval Architect, former naval architect for Todd Pacific Shipyards. 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). Joe Fowler , Disneyland's construction supervisor and former navy admiral, insisted on creating
10506-420: Was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney , and opened on July 17, 1955. Disney initially envisioned building a tourist attraction adjacent to his studios in Burbank to entertain fans who wished to visit; however, he soon realized that the proposed site was too small for the ideas that he had. After hiring
10609-651: Was working at the Disney Studio in "ink and paint" as a secretary when she met Walt. Lillian Bounds and Walt Disney married on July 13, 1925, in Idaho at her brother's home. The wedding was officiated by the rector of Lewiston's Episcopal Church of the Nativity. Walt Disney's parents did not attend. As Bounds's father was deceased, her uncle, who was chief of the Lewiston Fire Department, gave
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