Liberty Square Riverboat Fate

[ParrotBill]

Other than the likely dismantling... I think it could be towed from its mooring spot through a lock and into Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake. I would like to see it moved to a permanent dock site and used as a venue for weddings, fireworks parties, and such. A spot between TTC and the water bridge would have a view and be a nice thing to see there in the lagoon. It could easily have its own small parking lot or a shuttle from the TTC when events are scheduled.

 

[Lewisc]

Other than the likely dismantling... I think it could be towed from its mooring spot through a lock and into Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake. I would like to see it moved to a permanent dock site and used as a venue for weddings, fireworks parties, and such. A spot between TTC and the water bridge would have a view and be a nice thing to see there in the lagoon. It could easily have its own small parking lot or a shuttle from the TTC when events are scheduled.

It doesn't have bathrooms. It's probably too small for an event venue.

 

[Nayan]

It doesn't have bathrooms. It's probably too small for an event venue.

Plus it rode on a track. It wasn't 'free floating' as we usually associate with boats/ships so there's a chance that if it were put out in the lagoon without massive support it would probably sink.

 

[fla4fun]

Disneyland hasn't had a backup boat for 70 years, why do they need one now?

Because they can? Because they could swap a pre-serviced boat in when it’s time for maintenance so that the attraction is not shut down for long? I am not saying they would, in fact, I was asking if it was even possible because some things were built at a different scale between DL and WDW.

I would rather see the boat have a useful purpose than be scrapped, even though I know that is the likeliest scenario. I don’t see them investing any money making her seaworthy like the ferry boats. It’s too bad she can’t be utilized somehow at one of the Port Orleans resorts. She would be thematically appropriate but I don’t know what they could use her for. Perhaps a bar and QS location? If they want to find a use for her, they have the creative minds to figure it out. I just doubt they will bother.

 

[HopperFan]

It doesn't have bathrooms. It's probably too small for an event venue.

Yeah, they would need lots of upgrades and likely most would have to be added on land. Doable? Yes. Income generating? Could be. But is it worth the investment? Only they know.

But it is not original to MK, it's not even it's original name. It was mostly rebuilt, so mostly not even in it's original state. While I'd love it to be repurposed I think it makes sense to just let it go peacefully.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The best idea I see is to put it on land somewhere, and make it a play spot for little kids. After all, you took away Tom Sawyer Island, a spot for them to run around and blow off steam. Remember how kids loved the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in DHS? And I don't know if the Dinoland Dig Site playground has a future in all the retheming there. That was my 2yo DGD's favorite attraction in WDW.
I could see it being used also as a Tiana's restaurant, but that would involve a lot of money.

 

[HopperFan]

The best idea I see is to put it on land somewhere, and make it a play spot for little kids. After all, you took away Tom Sawyer Island, a spot for them to run around and blow off steam. Remember how kids loved the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in DHS? And I don't know if the Dinoland Dig Site playground has a future in all the retheming there. That was my 2yo DGD's favorite attraction in WDW.
I could see it being used also as a Tiana's restaurant, but that would involve a lot of money.

The Dig Site is going to be completely removed and that area repurposed. There will be a small play area about where you meet Donald on the left path to Dinosaur but no rendering or idea of what it will involve.

 

[OKW Lover]

Plus it rode on a track. It wasn't 'free floating' as we usually associate with boats/ships so there's a chance that if it were put out in the lagoon without massive support it would probably sink.

True that it was on a track. But that is just for guidance, not support. The vessel itself floats just fine.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The Dig Site is going to be completely removed and that area repurposed. There will be a small play area about where you meet Donald on the left path to Dinosaur but no rendering or idea of what it will involve.

All the more reason to have some sort of large playground somewhere.

 

[BrianL]

True that it was on a track. But that is just for guidance, not support. The vessel itself floats just fine.

Right - it floats, but can't steer. It was never intended to be used in any other cpacity though, and I doubt it will be.

 

[HopperFan]

All the more reason to have some sort of large playground somewhere.

I disagree. Each park has places kids can burn energy - I mean just going to the parks takes lots of energy. I’ve never seen any of the play areas particularly busy, seems sufficient enough. And the boat turning into a play space for young kids makes no sense on multiple levels.

 

[Lewisc]

Right - it floats, but can't steer. It was never intended to be used in any other cpacity though, and I doubt it will be.

It could be towed to Bay Lake or 7 Seas Lagoon. The boat is not suitable for a restaurant, bar or event venue.

Add it to Pirates. also makes no sense

 

[muppets3d]

Because they can? Because they could swap a pre-serviced boat in when it’s time for maintenance so that the attraction is not shut down for long? I am not saying they would, in fact, I was asking if it was even possible because some things were built at a different scale between DL and WDW.

I would rather see the boat have a useful purpose than be scrapped, even though I know that is the likeliest scenario. I don’t see them investing any money making her seaworthy like the ferry boats. It’s too bad she can’t be utilized somehow at one of the Port Orleans resorts. She would be thematically appropriate but I don’t know what they could use her for. Perhaps a bar and QS location? If they want to find a use for her, they have the creative minds to figure it out. I just doubt they will bother.

It would probably cost them more to ship it across the continent than it would to just build another boat in Anaheim if that's really what they want to do. It's going to be splintered because it has no use now that the Rivers of America are going away.

 

[HokieRaven5]

With varying material costs today probably would be cheaper to transport the riverboat to Disneyland than build a new one.

They moved the Carousel of Progress across the country, they’d find a way to move a riverboat. If that’s what they chose to do.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I disagree. Each park has places kids can burn energy - I mean just going to the parks takes lots of energy. I’ve never seen any of the play areas particularly busy, seems sufficient enough. And the boat turning into a play space for young kids makes no sense on multiple levels.

Where is such a place in Hollywood Studios? We specifically asked a CM (it happened to be in Toy Storyland) where there was someplace in the park where we could take our DGD, who was 2 YO at the time to play, like a playground or splash pad , and they told us that Hollywood Studios wasn't really set up for toddlers. We were told we'd have better luck at another park!

 

[muppets3d]

With varying material costs today probably would be cheaper to transport the riverboat to Disneyland than build a new one.

They moved the Carousel of Progress across the country, they’d find a way to move a riverboat. If that’s what they chose to do.

The days of Disney doing things for art like Carousel of Progress is long gone. It’s all about what sells lightning lanes, movie tickets, or merchandise - and the riverboat does none of those.

 

[irlandaise]

Disneyland hasn't had a backup boat for 70 years, why do they need one now?

Because they can? Because they could swap a pre-serviced boat in when it’s time for maintenance so that the attraction is not shut down for long?

Since Disneyland already has two ships, they stagger the maintenance so at least one of them is operating for guests. There may be times when both boats are out of commission; I'm not sure. But that must be rare if it does happen.

 

[HokieRaven5]

The days of Disney doing things for art like Carousel of Progress is long gone. It’s all about what sells lightning lanes, movie tickets, or merchandise - and the riverboat does none of those.

Technically General Electric mostly funded the move of the Carousel of Progress.

And in Walt’s day the riverboat was a pay to ride D Ticket, so Disney is just partially going back to how operations ran under him.

Disney has always been about what sells to people.

 

[muppets3d]

Technically General Electric mostly funded the move of the Carousel of Progress.

And in Walt’s day the riverboat was a pay to ride D Ticket, so Disney is just partially going back to how operations ran under him.

Disney has always been about what sells to people.

And if attractions weren't resonating with guests, Walt would have them removed or re-themed or whatever it took. Last year, a few weeks before they announced the new lands and closure of Tom Sawyer's Island, I went over and was one of perhaps a dozen people on the island in the middle of the day. And often had my choice of seating or viewpoint on the riverboat. I love the ambiance those attractions provided to Magic Kingdom, but in the world's most visited theme park - that amount of land has to be put to better use.

I cannot defend what they're doing to Muppets Courtyard however. Muppetvision 3D was never full but it was always well-attended when I was in the park, and yet Star Wars Launch Bay gets to live while it is removed. That one makes no sense.

 

[HokieRaven5]

And if attractions weren't resonating with guests, Walt would have them removed or re-themed or whatever it took. Last year, a few weeks before they announced the new lands and closure of Tom Sawyer's Island, I went over and was one of perhaps a dozen people on the island in the middle of the day. And often had my choice of seating or viewpoint on the riverboat. I love the ambiance those attractions provided to Magic Kingdom, but in the world's most visited theme park - that amount of land has to be put to better use.

I cannot defend what they're doing to Muppets Courtyard however. Muppetvision 3D was never full but it was always well-attended when I was in the park, and yet Star Wars Launch Bay gets to live while it is removed. That one makes no sense.

Correct. Cars and Villains will be vastly more populated than the Rivers of America and TSI ever were. Both provide an expansion of accessible space for all guests as well as the obvious sales of merch, food, LLs.

For Launch bay it’s a question of what property they’re putting in that area. With that and some of the offices it’s a much larger expansion than Muppets Courtyard. Mv3D was given a death blow when they closed off additional thruway access by building Galaxy’s edge and now they need something bigger to draw guests into that segment.

Launch Bay probably has a plan in place or in the works as well, there’s just more logistics involved with work in that area.