In Walt Disney’s original plans for Disneyland, (which was going to be built on a small lot across from the Walt Disney Studios), an authentic Mississippi steamboat was included.  Although Disney decided that the original location for Disneyland wasn’t going to work, he kept the idea of including a real steamboat as an attraction, and it’s a good thing he did since it has become a favorite for many guests world wide.

            Since the Mark Twain was the first functional paddle wheeler steam boat built in the United States in 50 years, the WED (Walter Elias Disney Enterprises) designers conducted very extensive research to build an exact replica of the riverboats built in their heyday.  The decks were assembled at the Disney Studios in Burbank, while the 105-foot hull was built at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, California.  Since the hull and the decks were built in completely separate locations, there was some concern as to them fitting together when it was time.  Luckily, there was no problem in putting them together and they fit perfectly.

            Although the ship fit together perfectly and it looked like it would be a problem free mission, there were plenty of problems on opening day.  During the riverboat’s first official voyage on July 17, 1955, when the crowd moved to one side of the boat to view a passing scene, the boat would begin to tilt slightly and water poured over the deck.

            Since no one had determined the Mark Twain’s maximum safe passenger capacity, the boat almost capsized on a voyage just a few days later when ride operators waved more than 500 guests on board until the deck neared the water line.  As the ship was on its’ voyage, it came loose from the track and got stuck in the muddy banks due to the sparse vegetation around the river.  Immediately following this incident, the park established a maximum capacity of 300 passengers.

            The Mark Twain has had a very successful run since the park opened in 1955 with only had a few refurbishments.  The first was in the spring of 1995 when all the decks and the boiler were replaced.  Then in 2004, the riverboat underwent a refurbishment to repair the hull, which included replacing the keel.  Also, for the park’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2005, a new, more colorful paint job was applied to the riverboat.

            As you board the riverboat for your voyage on the Rivers of America around Tom Sawyer Island, you are invited to listen to a narration by your riverboat guide and Mark Twain himself speaking of his days as a riverboat pilot.  Your guide will also point out landmarks along the way like the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Fort Wilderness, the remains of a runaway mine train and the canoes.  You will also have many sightings of Native American Indians along your voyage, including a chief on horseback, a boy with his dog and a village complete with a shaman.

            This is a fairly quiet and very peaceful ride – a great place to take a break and get away from the crowded walkways.  The journey takes about 15 minutes and departs twice an hour.  There are a few chairs on the bow of the riverboat on the lower deck.  If you want to sit during the journey, plan to arrive early since this is the only seating on all three levels.  The top deck offers an excellent view of Tom Sawyer Island, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain amongst other great sites.

            If you are looking for a fun and unique experience on the Mark Twain, you can try to ride in the pilot house on the highest level of the boat.  At the pilot’s discretion, a small number of guests are allowed up to help “steer” the riverboat around the river.  You will get to ring the bell and blow the horn.  At the end of the voyage, you will also be handed a pilot certificate signed by Walt Disney.

            Before arriving back at the dock, Mark Twain will leave you with one last thought: “Always do right – it will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

Additional Trivia and Fun Facts

• The Mark Twain’s first voyage around the Rivers of America set off just four days before Disneyland opened in celebration of Walt and Lillian Disney’s 30th wedding anniversary.
• Actress Irene Dunne (Magnolia Hawks in the 1936 movie “Showboat”) christened the Mark Twain Riverboat on July 17, 1955 by breaking a bottle of water from many major American rivers across the vessel’s bow.
• As you pass the boy on the log with his dog, keep an eye out for a “phantom fish” that jumps out of the water.
• The voice of Tony the Tiger, Thurl Ravenscroft provides the voice of the riverboat guide.
• The Mark Twain was the first functional paddleboat built in the United States in 50 years.
• The boat weighs 125 tons, is 105 feet in length, and 28 feet tall from keel to pilot house.  The draft is 2 feet 3 inches and the beam is 26.5 feet.
• During the first few years of operation, passengers could buy a non-alcoholic mint julep aboard or listen to card and checker players re-enact dialogue of that era.
• Occasionally you can catch the Disneyland Band on the lower deck bow to entertain both passengers on the river boat as well as guest on the river banks.
• The Mark Twain Riverboat plays a key role in the finale of Fantasmic as a crowd favorite.