Thunder Mesa Riverboats - Possible Spoiler

[k-herm]

What I'm saying here might kill the magic; don't read on if that would upset you...














...The thing is I'm convinced the two paddleboats are guided by underwater rails and all the captain does is relegate the power. Any thoughts on this?

 

[ukstitch]

What I'm saying here might kill the magic; don't read on if that would upset you...














...The thing is I'm convinced the two paddleboats are guided by underwater rails and all the captain does is relegate the power. Any thoughts on this?

The answer is written after this in white font. Just highlight the big blank space using the mouse to view it: Yep, the larger boats are guided on rails as you say. The smaller keelboats, however, are real boats which can go where ever :The answer ends before this colon.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Still a nice ride when its not freezing cold.

 

[Brandis]

Of course, the "river" is far to narrow for those big boats to be steered manually.

Sometimes, if they go around the bend a bit too fast, you can feel how the ship is pulled around on the rail.

If you ever saw one of the "Making of" films that were shown on TV around 1991, there is footage of the empty river and you can see the rail. It is the same system as with the smaller boats in "Jungle Cruise".

However, the Keelboats (and the Canoes, when they were still around) are steered by the CM aboard.

Marc

 

[k-herm]

Thanks ukstitch .

 

[Cyrano]

Okay that has finished Disney for me now

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Okay that has finished Disney for me now

 

[cap'njack.]

If I'm not mistaken there is a photo in the Photo Shop on Main Street of the river before it was filled with water, showing the rails quite clearly.

 

[leebob]

Okay that has finished Disney for me now

Yep, I wonder if it's too late to cancel my trip?

 

[Bolanette87]

Okay that has finished Disney for me now

Bob xoxox

 

[ukstitch]

Wikipedia explains quite nicely how these boats work and what the various CMs on the boats have to do during a voyage here