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We\u2019re embarking on a steam-powered journey along the Rivers of America. On our trip, we\u2019ll visit the magnificent Columbia in the great Northwest, the powerful Potomac in the mid-Atlantic, and the rugged Rio Grande along the border of Texas and Mexico. We\u2019ll hear the voices of the pioneers, the native peoples, and a mischievous character or two, telling the unique stories and legends of life along America\u2019s great rivers. We begin our trip on the mighty Mississippi, headin\u2019 south, and ending up down in New Orleans. <\/span><\/i>~ The Captain, <\/span>The Mark Twain<\/span><\/i> Riverboat<\/span><\/p>\n One of the greatest often overlooked pleasures at Disneyland is watching the activity of the Rivers of America. \u00a0This small body of water has some relaxing ways to sit out the heat of the day, cool off, and burn off a bit of extra energy. \u00a0If you haven\u2019t had the pleasure of idling away an afternoon along the river\u2019s shore, now is the time to do it. \u00a0The Rivers of America and all of its associated attractions will be closed for refurbishment as of January 2016. \u00a0No reopening date has been released but it looks like it will be many months to accommodate the building of the new Star Wars Land that is taking place in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n Mark Twain<\/span><\/i> Riverboat<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Mark Twain<\/span><\/i> is an iconic part of Disneyland\u2019s history and held a special place in Walt Disney\u2019s heart. \u00a0He put up the money to build this boat and even held his wedding anniversary on her decks. \u00a0On board this 28 foot, 19<\/span>th<\/span> century inspired ship you will travel the Rivers of America hearing tales and fun facts about the river men of turn of the century America. \u00a0There are four decks on this vessel; three of them can be traveled in good weather while the boat is in motion (if it is raining, the top deck is off limits). \u00a0The boat is propelled by a large steam driven paddlewheel and the 14 minute ride is relaxing. \u00a0For those who would like to experience a bit of magic, check out the article<\/a> previously posted on the Mouse for Less blog about the riverboats. Sailing Ship <\/span>Columbia This 3-masted, fully rigged replica of an 18<\/span>th<\/span> century merchant ship sails the Rivers of America on most weekends and during peak periods. \u00a0She follows the same course as the <\/span>Mark<\/span><\/i> Twain<\/span><\/i> and the explorer canoes. \u00a0Her 84 foot length holds many interesting finds including her ten cannons and two deck-mounted swivel guns. \u00a0There is a small museum below deck whose displays show just what it would have been like to be a sailor in the 18<\/span>th<\/span> century. \u00a0This 15 minute sail is filled with sea shanties, tales of pirates, and stories of life on the sea. \u00a0To avoid disappointment, check the <\/span>Columbia<\/span><\/i>\u2019s schedule on line before you visit (disneyland.com). Davy Crockett\u2019s Explorer Canoes<\/span><\/p>\n Are you feeling a bit hot? \u00a0Have you over dosed on sugary Mickey shaped snacks and need to burn off some energy? \u00a0You might want to try Davy Crockett\u2019s Explorer Canoes. \u00a0Each 35 foot long canoe seats twenty guests and two cast members. \u00a0These small dugouts are modelled after the smaller canoes used by Native American and European Explorers when North America was being explored and settled. \u00a0There is no motor or track moving these boats along. \u00a0The horse power (or should that be, people power) moving these canoes along is supplied by short paddles and the passengers on board. \u00a0Do not worry. \u00a0You do not have to have any previous experience with canoeing to participate in this attraction. \u00a0And if paddling sounds like too much work, fear not, the two cast members are quite capable of moving the boat along the river \u2013 though your help is always appreciated. \u00a0Small children will need to wear a life vest on this attraction. \u00a0The route taken by the canoes is the same as the <\/span>Mark Twain<\/span><\/i> and the <\/span>Columbia<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0Because guests are so close to the water, this attraction is good on hot days when the water acts as a heat sink. \u00a0Sadly, this attraction is not always open; checking the schedule on disneyland.com will help to avoid disappointment.<\/span> Pirate\u2019s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island<\/span><\/p>\n Tom Sawyer Island has been part of Disneyland from the beginning and it is unique amongst the attractions at Disneyland because Walt Disney himself planned the design of the island: its overall shape, coves, inlets, caves, and other original activities (all of which opened in 1956). \u00a0In 2007, the whole island was reimagined and the pirates took over. \u00a0Pirate\u2019s Lair has added a set of interactive elements. \u00a0On the island you can look forward to caves at Dead Man\u2019s Grotto, rope bridges at Smugglers Cove, a blacksmith\u2019s shop, Tom and Huck\u2019s tree house, climbing, lots of shade, and comfortable places to sit and relax. \u00a0Oh, and there is a rumor that the island contains a large pirate\u2019s stash of gold and gems. \u00a0Best of luck tracking that down, Mate.<\/span><\/p>\n Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island These log rafts shuttle guests from New Orleans Square to the harbor dock on Tom Sawyer Island and back. \u00a0The ride is just a short hop and it takes longer to load and unload the rafts than it does to cross the waterway, but the ride is enjoyable and cooling. \u00a0You can expect to see two of the three rafts out at any time. \u00a0They are named for characters in Mark Twain\u2019s beloved novel, <\/span>Tom Sawyer<\/span><\/i>: the Becky Thatcher, Injun Joe, and Tom Sawyer.<\/span> Fantasmic! a Nighttime Spectacular<\/span><\/p>\n Many nights throughout the year (check schedule on disneyland.com) the Rivers of America come to life with a tale straight from the mind of Mickey Mouse. \u00a0Here you will see good fight evil, love, romance, epic battles, and one of the largest audio-animatronics on the property. \u00a0Through the use of live action, water screens, fire jets, steam, smoke, fireworks, and all of the motorized vessels on the waters, you will be swept away into some of the most enjoyable storytelling in the park. \u00a0Fantasmic! is now a FastPass required show (similar to World of Color at Disney California Adventure). \u00a0There are dining and show options, as well as, free FastPass allocation throughout the day. \u00a0For more on how to acquire a FastPass for this attraction, please see either disneyland.com or the Mouse for Less blog\u2019s post entitled: <\/span>Disneyland’s New Fantasmic! FastPass System<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0 It is important to know that this blog was written when the FastPass options were first offered. \u00a0There is no longer a dessert package and both the Blue Bayou and River Belle Terrace dining options are now seated front and center.<\/span><\/p>\n The Rivers of America have a lot to offer guests. What are your favorite aspects of The Rivers of America?<\/em><\/p>\n We\u2019re embarking on a steam-powered journey along the Rivers of America. On our trip, we\u2019ll visit the magnificent Columbia in the great Northwest, the powerful Potomac in the mid-Atlantic, and the rugged Rio Grande along the border of Texas and Mexico. We\u2019ll hear the voices of the pioneers, the native peoples, and a mischievous…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":42271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4319],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disneyland-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42270"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42535,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42270\/revisions\/42535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"RoA](\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/RoA-4-400x300.jpg\")
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