Fun on the River

Former Disneyland Keel Boat skipper graciously shared these vintage images from 1988-1989 showing himself (pics one and two) and some of his fellow cast members from when they once worked at the Park. And no…he didn’t fall in after pushing The Gullywhumper away from the dock. This man had skills!

Thank you Bryan for sharing these very fun images of an attraction that is still missed today! Another Daveland reader has put together a VERY cool video about famous graves of Disney Legends, which uses a few photos from the Daveland archives.

See more vintage Disneyland Keel Boat photos at my main website.

Keelboat Celebration!

This week, Bryan Carlson reached out to me to send a graphic in honor of the Keel Boat Anniversary. What’s a Keel Boat you ask? With this YouTube video, you can… re-live the glory days of the most, um, . . . actually, second, uh no, . . . more like one of the top five most popular vehicles to ever traverse the Rivers of America at Disneyland - the Mike Fink Keel Boats. Former skippers re-enact their spiel while showcasing the vistas of their backyards.

As a special treat, here are some vintage images from the Daveland archives showcasing the beloved Keel Boats, starting off with this Summer/Fall 1956 image:

Undated 1950’s:

Wonder what these trucks were there for?

An early color view:

June 1964:

A corner of the Keel Boat shows up in this one showcasing the Fowler’s Inn area:

Final one for today is this beautiful sunset view:

A passenger train and both Keel Boats? Sheer heaven!

See more vintage Disneyland Keel Boat photos at my main website.

The Gullywhumper, March 1957

Today's post hails from March 1957 and shows the Gullywhumper Keelboat taking another lap around Tom Sawyer Island with Fort Wilderness in the background. A closeup of the lucky guests who are aboard:



I have serious doubts that the Gullywhumper permanently docked in front of the non-burning Burning Cabin is the same vessel as the one shown in 1957. Like Fort Wilderness which was torn down for a much inferior replacement, the Gullywhumper is a mere shadow of its former self.



More Disneyland Keel Boats at my main website.

Keelboat Trio

Just because and for no other reason I am presenting a trio of Keel Boat images today. First up…October 1958. Dang, I wasn't even born yet! The Bertha Mae is definitely my favorite Keel Boat; I love the green shutters. I can't quite figure out the sleeveless shirt that the cast member steering the boat is wearing. Must have been a hot day!



Going back two years to October 27, 1956. The 27th; not the 28th or the 26th…these were clearly marked "27th."



This cast member looks like he wandered off the set of Ma & Pa Kettle. What a difference from the sleeveless one of 1958.



Last one is from June 1967. This lads smile is enough to put Mary Tyler Moore out of business. Note the Indian guide behind him; it appears that the Gullywhumper is docked near the Indian Village.



Still got a Kraving for Keel Boats? Kruise on over to my main website.

Trip Report: Photos from Frontierland

OK...I'd gotten my shots of the Market House Starbucks construction site, the former Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Hook hidden in the Peter Pan exit area, assorted Storybook Land shots, and The Court of Angels. Before my friends joined up with me, I decided to use my remaining time taking a spin around the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain.

It is wonderful spending time in Frontierland when the park first opens. Typically, guests rush to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland when the rope drops, and that's just fine with me. It's pretty durn awesome to have Frontierland and New Orleans Square to myself when they are bathed in early morning sunlight. According to the display at the turnstiles, I had a bit of a wait before the Mark Twain was ready for passengers.



Sitting across the way on a bench, I had time to relax and to notice the details...while attempting to dry off from the humidity that hung over Anaheim. Have you ever read the background signs that describe the flags hanging above the dock?



I can't get enough of these edutainment details.



A genuine FauxD© shot of the dock (hope you've taken your dramamine!):



A cast member appeared and let the guests wait in the cool shade of the dock's structure.



My excitement built as I watched the riverboat round the corner and approach the dock:



This cast member did not seem to share my excitement; he just appeared rather stoic.



All aboard!



The gilded crown caps were gleaming in the sun:



I was early enough to be able to get a ride in the Wheelhouse. Once you've done that, it's difficult to ride anywhere else on the Twain.



Inside, the size of the steering wheel is very impressive (and yes, I know the Twain rides on a rail. Thank you for wanting to tell me about that).



The bell that all guests must ring on the trip:



Pulling away, the dock gets smaller...



and smaller...



The sky over Tom Sawyer's Island was a vibrant blue, with the faintest covering of lacy clouds.



The trees have grown so much over the years that they hide all of the paths that little kids can explore upon The Island.



The Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, The Columbia, and The Old Mill...this photo has a little bit of everything. Another benefit of riding up in the Wheelhouse.



The much adorned Castle Rock: proving that less is not always more.



The (former) Burning Cabin is now completely rethemed to Davy Crockett, with the Gullywhumper being the first visual evidence of the change.



As the cabin comes into view, you can hear the homespun voices of Buddy Ebsen and Fess Parker in character as George Russel and Davy Crockett.



I had never noticed just how fluid this animatronic Indian is; check him out on your next trip. It's pretty impressive.



Hidden in the trees is this (not as impressive) mechanical eagle and its young:



Back at the dock, I quickly snapped one of New Orleans Square:



and the still under construction Big Thunder Mountain:



Next up: staying cool in The Enchanted Tiki Room.

See more vintage & current Disneyland Rivers of America photos on my Rivers of America web page.

The Franklyn Taylor Collection: Frontierland, Pt. 2

More from the fantabulous Franklyn T. Taylor collection today, as I continue this week's Frontierland theme.

Obviously, Franklyn loved the Strawhatters, as he seemed to capture them each time he visited the park.





The little tots seem pretty fond of them, too.



There was also an appreciation for the Keel Boats, as Franklyn photographed both the Gullywhumper:



and the Bertha Mae:



The uniform on this cast member seems a bit odd, as if it would be more in line with someone working the Matterhorn.



One more of the Bertha Mae; perhaps this was his favorite Keel Boat.



Journeying around the Rivers of America, there's a nice sharp shot of Fowler's Harbor on the left:



And Fort Wilderness to the right:



It would appear that some guests are attempting to climb the side of the Fort:



The Indian Settlement scene has undergone a few changes over the years; the little brave standing on the canoe is not yet part of the happenings here:



The Burning Cabin:



Not much detail on the dead settler, but I had to zoom in anyway:



A shot of our ROA vessel, The Mighty Mark Twain:



Zooming into the right, you can see the bridge that took guests over to the Chicken Plantation Restaurant:



Westward Ho! These wagons didn't venture too far into the west, but they did provide a nice bumpy journey through the desert scenery of the Mine Train attraction.



The Devil's Paint Pots:



Cactus in the foreground and the sails of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship in the rear:



Last one for today show some of the beautiful rock work done for the Mine Train attraction:



See more Franklyn Taylor Disneyland photos on my Taylor collection web page.