Difference between revisions of "Liberty Square Riverboat"

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==Historical References On The Attraction==
 
==Historical References On The Attraction==
  
*Sam Clemens the pilot on the Liberty Belle is better known American writer Mark Twain. Twain was known as a lover of steamship's specifically those on the Mississippi River, and did captain some steamships himself. In Disneyland, the attraction is known as the Mark Twain Riverboat.
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*Sam Clemens the pilot on the Liberty Belle is better known as American writer Mark Twain. Twain was known as a lover of steamship's specifically those on the Mississippi River, and did captain some steamships himself. In Disneyland, the attraction is known as the Mark Twain Riverboat.
  
 
*Captain Horace Bixby, the Liberty Belle's captain was a real steamboat captain on the Mississippi. Horace Bixby and Sam Clemens met aboard the Paul Jones (a steamboat), and Bixby agreed to take Sam on as his apprentice. Some 21 years after this meeting, the now famous Mark Twain reunited with Captain in St. Louis. Twain talks about Captain Bixby in his book, "Life on the Mississippi".
 
*Captain Horace Bixby, the Liberty Belle's captain was a real steamboat captain on the Mississippi. Horace Bixby and Sam Clemens met aboard the Paul Jones (a steamboat), and Bixby agreed to take Sam on as his apprentice. Some 21 years after this meeting, the now famous Mark Twain reunited with Captain in St. Louis. Twain talks about Captain Bixby in his book, "Life on the Mississippi".
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*The Leadsman, was a crew member who would call out the depth of the water, when the water got shallow. One fathom equals six feet, two fathoms equal Mark Twain (on the attraction at least).
 
*The Leadsman, was a crew member who would call out the depth of the water, when the water got shallow. One fathom equals six feet, two fathoms equal Mark Twain (on the attraction at least).
  
[[Image:Libertynight.jpg|thumb|A closeup of the Liberty Belle at night.]]  
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[[Image:Libertynight.jpg|thumb|A closeup of the Liberty Belle at night.]]
  
 
==Sam Clemens' Sayings==
 
==Sam Clemens' Sayings==

Revision as of 00:13, 16 January 2014

The Liberty Belle Riverboat is an attraction located in Liberty Square.

Liberty Square Riverboat
Libertyday.jpg
The Liberty Belle on the Rivers of America.
Magic Kingdom
Land Liberty Square
Opening date October 2, 1971
Ride duration 25:00 minutes
Previous Name Admiral Joe Fowler (October 2, 1971- Fall 1980) (Retired)

Admiral Richard F. Irvine (1973-1996)

Attraction History

The beginning of the Liberty Square Riverboat, can be traced all the way back to before there was Disneyland. Walt Disney came up with an idea for a "Mississippi Steamboat" attraction at his Burbank Studios. Although the Burbank Studios did not have the land necessarily to build the attraction, the idea was carried over to Disneyland. Walt himself helped fund the attraction, which required the construction of the first American made working steamboat in 50 years. Admiral Joe Fowler, oversaw the construction of the attraction, including a dry dock located in the Rivers of America. The Mark Twain, as the boat was called in Disneyland was built in two separate pieces. The hull was built in San Pedro, California while the deck was built at the Disney Studios in Burbank. Finally, the ship was put together in Disneyland, and the pieces fit to perfection. The Mark Twin Riverboat was up and running on the opening day of Disneyland.

Like many other Disneyland attractions, the Mark Twain Riverboat was selected to duplicated for the unopened Walt Disney World. The riverboat was renamed the Admiral Joe Fowler, in tribute to the man who had helped create both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The Joe Fowler Riverboat opened one day after the park on October 2, 1971. Due to the fact that their not much to see on the Rivers of America in Walt Disney World, live entertainment could often be found on the ships deck.

Since Walt Disney World did not yet have enough attractions to meet demand, in 1973 a second steamboat was built, known as the Richard F. Irvine. The new steamboat was named after Richard Irvine who oversaw the planning and construction of Walt Disney World. The only difference between the two steamboats was that Admiral Joe Fowler had two smokestacks, while the Richard F. Irvine only had one. The two steamboats were staggered in there departure times, so that when one boat was circling Tom Sawyer's Island the other boat would be unloading and loading new guests.

Disaster struck in 1980, when the hull of the Admiral Joe Fowler was badly damaged while entering a back lot dry dock. The exact circumstances of the accident are unclear. One source says that the hull was damaged while being lifted by a crane, while another source says it was split while water was being drained from the dry dock. Either way, it was decided that ship would not be restored. Although the exact location of the ships hull and decks are unknown, we do know that the machinery was sent to Tokyo and used in their steamship. The bell from the Admiral Joe Fowler was added to the #4 engine (the Roy O. Disney) on the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Name Change

In 1996, after the Richard F. Irvine was refurbished, the attraction was renamed the Liberty Square Riverboat however the ship itself was renamed the Liberty Belle. The name change was done to both make the attraction's name easier to remember, and to tie the boat in with Liberty Square. In order to keep the names of Joe Fowler and Richard Irvine in Walt Disney World, in 1999 two ferries that run from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom were renamed in their honor.

Ship Structure

The Liberty Belle Riverboat is a three deck working steamship that has a maximum capacity of 450 people. Guests enter the ship on the middle deck, which features a sitting room, and outside wheelhouse and the captains quarters. Sometimes one lucky family is selected to ride the boat in the captains quarters.

The bottom deck of the boat, is where guests scan see the ships boiler and pistons. The lower deck is also the location of a recently added "viewing platform". Located at the front of the ship, the platform allows guests to get great views of all the attractions scenes. Finally, on the top deck, guests get the best view of the various sights. There is also limited seating available here.


Attraction Plot

The attraction begins with the boats captain, Horace Bixby making sure that everyone is aboard, all cargo is secure and telling the crew to put the boat in motion. His leadsman then to sound off, and to get a depth reading. Finally the engine room puts the boat in motion and Horace Bixby addresses the guests:

"Welcome aboard the Liberty Belle, I'm your captain Horace Bixby and my pilot with me here on the Texas Deck is a young cub that goes by the name of Samuel Clemens."

The trip aboard the Liberty Belle is the 100th journey for young Sam Clemens, who knows the Rivers of America like the back of his hand. Before the Belle leaves port, Sam warns guests to stay behind the railings, as the river pirates are known to lurk around these waters.

The first sight that guests can see from the Liberty Belle, is Fronteirland. Sam comments that Fronteirland was once just a boom town, and although a few trappers, prospectors and Indians, the town is well on its way to becoming a big city. He also mentions that the large peak in the town is known as Chick-A-Pin Hill, or at least was. It seems that the dam burst, and people have begun to ride carved out logs over the ledge. Next, the boat passes Sam's "old stomping ground", Tom Sawyers Island. Sam says that the only way to get to the island is by raft, and he points out points of interest including, Muff Potters Pond, Harper's Mill, Tom's Landing, and Huck's Landing. It seems that Tom, Huck and Sam used to explore the island quite a bit while looking for adventure.

Turning guests attention port side, Sam next points out Big Thunder Mountain. It seems that the water gets so hot over by the attraction that geysers erupt. Indians used to the think that the geysers were spirits, and the also named the mountain, Big Thunder Mountain because of the rain that would come from it. When prospectors and settlers came to the area and were blasting in the mountain, the name stuck. Sam does warn guests, that there has not been blasting in the mountain in some time. Instead all he hears are ghost stories about spirits and runaway mine trains.

The next sight that guests can see, is Beacon Joe and his bait shop. Sam informs guests that Beacon Joe has been marking the river for as long as he can remember. Further down the bank, Powhatan Indians are gathering. Captain Bixby explains that although he has seen various Indian tribes (including the Seminole, Black Feet, and Crow tribes) Powhatan Indians are not usually found this far west. Sam suggests that since there are so many animals in the area, they are simply following the food.

Continuing on, the boat passes an unidentified Indian village. The captain informs guest that the Indians were not sure what to make of the steamboat originally. The called the ship a "fire canoe" and comet of sun. Scenes in the village include Indians cooking, trading, washing and two kids working on canoes. Past the village is the Indian burial ground where the captain explains the Indians lay their dead warriors on a "Bed of Death" and mourn them after nightfall.

Further down the, the Liberty Belle reaches Cutthroat Corner. Sam tells riders that Cutthroat Corner, is the most likely place to find river pirates. Sure enough, pirates can be heard coming from Wilson's Cave. Sam tells guests however that based on the sounds coming out of the cave, "their interests lie elsewhere". Looking back towards Tom Sawyer Island, guests can see Fort Laghorn, which Sam explains began as a trading post before becoming a port.

Before returning to port, the leadsman calls out one more time and the Liberty Belle passes the Haunted Mansion. Sam says that rumor has it the mansion was built on Indian burial ground, and now 999 ghosts haunt it. He says however, that he does not believe in these stories, insinuating that the people who say they've seen ghosts have been drinking. Finally the Liberty Belle reaches port and Sam and Captain Bixby say goodbye and dock the boat.

If you want to hear the Liberty Belle narration click below:

Changes in the Script

The narration aboard the Liberty Belle, has grown and changed with the expansion of Frontierland. Tom Sawyer Island, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad have all been added to the Liberty Belle Riverboat.

In 1992, the Powhatan Indians were added to the attraction in order to tie the ride in with both the new Disney movie Pocahontas, as well as with the Walt Disney World Radio.

Before 2005, a burning cabin was seen beyond Fort Langhorn. Here guests would see the cabin on fire, and a settler laying on the ground with an arrow through him. The narration would comment on how the settler was a victim of an Indian attack. Later, the scene was changed so that the arrow was removed, and the narration commented that the settler drank too much moonshine. Finally, in 2005 the effect was removed, due to corrosion in the pipes. Now the cabin is deserted and no mention of it is made.


Historical References On The Attraction

  • Sam Clemens the pilot on the Liberty Belle is better known as American writer Mark Twain. Twain was known as a lover of steamship's specifically those on the Mississippi River, and did captain some steamships himself. In Disneyland, the attraction is known as the Mark Twain Riverboat.
  • Captain Horace Bixby, the Liberty Belle's captain was a real steamboat captain on the Mississippi. Horace Bixby and Sam Clemens met aboard the Paul Jones (a steamboat), and Bixby agreed to take Sam on as his apprentice. Some 21 years after this meeting, the now famous Mark Twain reunited with Captain in St. Louis. Twain talks about Captain Bixby in his book, "Life on the Mississippi".
  • Crates located on the banks of Frontierland have the name "Tell City Tool Co." on them. Tell City is real town located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Indiana. Tell City was one of the United States first "planned cities", and attracted many settlers with free land. The only stipulation for the land, was that settlers had to build a house worth at least $125.000. In the early days of the town, steamship was the only mode of transportation, so the town was an obvious choice for addition to the attraction.
  • Wilson's Cave is a reference to the real river pirate Jim Wilson. In the 1790's Jim Wilson opened Wilson's Liqueur Vault on the Ohio River in Illinois. Wilson would lure guests into what is now known as the "Cave-In-Rock" cave, and rob or even kill them.
  • The Leadsman, was a crew member who would call out the depth of the water, when the water got shallow. One fathom equals six feet, two fathoms equal Mark Twain (on the attraction at least).
A closeup of the Liberty Belle at night.

Sam Clemens' Sayings

During the narration of the Liberty Belle, Sam Clemens gives various philosophical sayings. All though these phrases were not actually spoken by Mark Twain, they are written to give the character a similar personality. Sayings Sam Clemens says include:

  • "Well now I always figure it is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, then to open it and remove all doubt."
  • "It seems to me that when I was younger, I could remember everything whether it happened or not. But as I grow older I seem to remember only the things that never happened at all."
  • All my life it seems I could never tell a lie that anybody could doubt, nor a truth that anybody could believe."
  • "Believe me when I tell you, truth is the most valuable thing we have, so I make sure I only use it with economy."
  • "I was born humble captain, but mostly it's worn off."
  • "I believe we ought never to do wrong captain, especially when others are looking."
  • "My feeling is these days there's a lot less frontier and a lot more civilization than is truly necessarily."

Trivia

  • One of the crates on the Frontierland bank says "71" in honor of the year the Magic Kingdom opened.
  • Another crate says Russel’s Falls, the crate is named after Davy Crockett's sidekick George E. Russel.
  • An Audio Animatronic dog outside of Beaker Joe's will turn its head as a fish jumps by.

Watch the Attraction!

If you want to see the sights that the Liberty Belle has to offer, click below. The narration is not included in the video.

References

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/03/liberty_belle_riverboat_part_2.html

http://www.twainquotes.com/19020608.html