Leave it to Walt Disney to create an attraction for his beloved California kingdom that was based on a hard living, hard drinking, man who plied the Mississippi River back in the days when America was moving west.
Yes sir, the Mike Fink Keelboats came to Disneyland on Christmas Day opening year. These were an instant hit because a park staple for over 40 years. The boats were free floating and provided a scenic view of a changing Frontierland close to the water without having to paddle a canoe. With Tom Sawyer Island on one side and the riverbank on the other, there's was always plenty to keep an eye out for. Over the years, New Orleans Square and the Haunted Mansion were added and then the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland gave way to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I bet there's some great construction photos out there!
Over in Florida's Magic Kingdom, the keelboats were an opening day attraction but survived a decade less. At EuroDisney aka Disneyland Paris, they were known as River Rogue Keelboats but only lasted a mere eight years. In all cases, but seems rowdy guests couldn't control themselves, and this led to the removal of the attraction. Regardless, they were fun while they lasted and brought a bit of real life history to the parks.
(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
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