Explorer Canoes vs..... Sailing Ship Columbia

[shelemm]

If you could only do one, which would you choose, and why?

 

[DLR29]

Canoes if you want to work. Riverboat if you want to relax.

 

[disneylandfreak]

I would do the ship personally I don't enjoy the canoe's much. You get alot of water flipped on you. I love getting wet on other rides but for some reason not on this one. Plus it is alot of work,e specially if half the people in your canoe aren't pitching in and just sight seeing.
Jen

 

[ter-moo]

Depending on when you're there, you may not have options. There are three ways to go around the rivers area:

Columbia
Mark Twain
Canoes

Sometimes they only run one of them. On the Columbia, they put on a whole pirate show which is fun, but sometimes you miss some of the sights along the river. The canoes are such that you actually have to paddle, so it's fun if you want that experience.

My favorite by far is the Mark Twain paddleboat. It's huge, beautiful and relaxing. If you ask, you might even get to sit in the captain's area with the captain.

 

[Stacerita]

Personally I would do the Columbia. I don't like doing all the work for the canoes, and I hate getting all that water splashed on me.

 

[DangerMouse]

Columbia. There's a lot more to explore on the ship and you can actually enjoy the ride. The canoes are fun, but it was a one-time thing for me.

 

[Diznygrl]

I've only been on the canoes once, but it was an interesting experience. It gives you a different perspective of the Rivers of America, which is neat. That said, I probably wouldn't do it again unless I was REALLY in the mood for it. What annoys me more than getting splashed is the fact that NO ONE has the ability to stroke their paddle in rhythm with the guide's instruction. The whole time I was trying to row, my paddle was constantly being smacked by other paddles who couldn't keep in rhythm. It was obnoxious. I've spent a great deal of time watching the canoes from Hungry Bear, so I know it was not just a one case scenario during the time I rode it. I see it on every canoe that goes by. I also have a great deal of respect for the canoe CMs, since they pretty much have to paddle the whole way around themselves. Most people give up on paddling by the time they reach the first turn.

I'll take the Columbia, but I prefer the Mark Twain.

 

[lkohawaii]

Where do you catch the columbia? I only knew about the Riverboat with the big paddle wheel.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You get the Columbia at the same spot you board the Mark Twain.

I like the Columbia for the Old World feel of it, plus you can go below decks & see how sailors traveled in earlier times. It's almost like a mini museum down there.

 

[fairycat]

Personally I would only do the canoes if you have a big group of really silly teens and/or adults that want to have fun and its a hot day. Cause then they can be a blast!! Like the kind of thing you bring up years later and everyone still laughs and brings up how bad so and so paddle and stuff.

Occassionally they can also be fun with small kids but more work, but great pictures.

A cold day and wet kids/adults, doesn't not equal fun, it makes people grumpy and regret having even mentioned the canoes.

I remeber the boats being cool, but honestly even though I go very regularly I can't even think of the last time I went on them. I think I need to do that next timr. But the canoes, no way not till I have the right group on a hot summer's day.

 

[farmfresh]

Call me contrary, but we loved the canoes! They really aren't that much work, and it's the one thing you'll go on when you actually participate. We hardly got wet at all, the guide was fun - it had the feel of the Jungle Cruise. But they aren't always open, so you may not get the choice.

 

[fairycat]

Call me contrary, but we loved the canoes! They really aren't that much work, and it's the one thing you'll go on when you actually participate. We hardly got wet at all, the guide was fun - it had the feel of the Jungle Cruise. But they aren't always open, so you may not get the choice.

The amount of wet you get is based on two things

1st the quality of the paddlers, a good paddler means a dry passenger. A bad one could mean a very wet person behind them, a terrible paddler means the person in front and behind the paddler will be wet. A paddler who kindly gets told to "take a break from paddling" is probably drenching the whole boat from the lead CM to the back one. (yes I have seen this happen!)

2nd the amount of trouble makers you have in your boat who may "pretend" to be terrible paddlers. If you ride with this type hope its a friend or you might want to throw them out of the boat.

The amount of the work you do is also based on the above, terrible paddlers mean a stranded boat and tired arms trying to get you back to the docks. But if you are having fun you might not notice