Difference between revisions of "Mike Fink Keel Boats"

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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
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| image=KeelBoats.jpg
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| caption='''The Bertha Mae (one of the two Mike Fink Keel Boats) on the Rivers of America'''
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| land= Liberty Square
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| opened= October 1, 1971
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| closed= April 29, 2001
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| custom_label_2 = Based On
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| custom_value_2 = Disney's Davy Crockett
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| type= Boat Ride
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| park= Magic Kingdom
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}}
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The Mike Fink Keel Boats were an attraction in [[Liberty Square]] at the [[Magic Kingdom]].
 
==Attraction History==
 
==Attraction History==
Like many of the Magic Kingdom's opening day attractions, the Mike Fink Keel Boats actually got their start in Disneyland, where the attraction opened in late 1955 <ref> https://waltdatedworld.com/id184.htm </ref>. The free-floating boats were based on the popular Davy Crockett, specifically the episodes "Davy Crockett's Keel Boat Race" and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" <ref> https://www.davelandweb.com/riversofamerica/keelboats.html </ref>.  
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Like many of the Magic Kingdom's opening day attractions, the Mike Fink Keel Boats actually got their start in Disneyland, where the attraction opened in late 1955 <ref name= "dated"> https://waltdatedworld.com/id184.htm </ref>. The free-floating boats were based on the popular Davy Crockett, specifically the episodes "Davy Crockett's Keel Boat Race" and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" <ref> https://www.davelandweb.com/riversofamerica/keelboats.html </ref>.  
  
 
As previously mentioned, the Mike Fink Keel Boats opened with the rest of the [[Magic Kingdom]] on October 1, 1971 <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/mike-fink-keel-boats/ </ref>. The two Keel Boats (named the Gullywhumper and Bertha May) boarded from a dock near the [[Haunted Mansion]] in [[Liberty Square]]. The Mike Keel Boats remained relatively unchanged until 2000, when the attraction's loading was moved to the former [[Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes]] dock in [[Frontierland]] <ref> This change can be seen on the 2000 Magic Kingdom Map ex https://twitter.com/GoAwayGreen/status/1301498221739606020/photo/1. Thank to How Bowers! </ref>. The move was short lived however, as on April 29, 2001 the Keel Boats were permanently closed <Ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mike-fink-keel-boats.htm </ref>.
 
As previously mentioned, the Mike Fink Keel Boats opened with the rest of the [[Magic Kingdom]] on October 1, 1971 <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/mike-fink-keel-boats/ </ref>. The two Keel Boats (named the Gullywhumper and Bertha May) boarded from a dock near the [[Haunted Mansion]] in [[Liberty Square]]. The Mike Keel Boats remained relatively unchanged until 2000, when the attraction's loading was moved to the former [[Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes]] dock in [[Frontierland]] <ref> This change can be seen on the 2000 Magic Kingdom Map ex https://twitter.com/GoAwayGreen/status/1301498221739606020/photo/1. Thank to How Bowers! </ref>. The move was short lived however, as on April 29, 2001 the Keel Boats were permanently closed <Ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mike-fink-keel-boats.htm </ref>.
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==Fun Facts and Trivia==
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* During Walt Disney World's pre-opening previews, on of the Keelboats was used to transport guests from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom.
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* During Walt Disney World's pre-opening previews, on of the Keel Boats (the Bertha Mae) was used to transport guests from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2013/12/08/beachin-bertha/ </ref>.
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* In the [[Jungle Skipper Canteen]], guests can find a book titled "Keel Boats of the Mississippi River" by Mike Fink <ref name="dated"/>.
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* To read a version of the Mike Fink Keel Boat narration [http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2007/02/mike-fink-keelboats.html Click Here]
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==References==
 
==References==
Based on the Disneyland TV shows "Davy Crockett's Keel Boat Race" and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates".
 

Latest revision as of 12:48, 6 September 2020

Mike Fink Keel Boats
KeelBoats.jpg
The Bertha Mae (one of the two Mike Fink Keel Boats) on the Rivers of America
Magic Kingdom
Land Liberty Square
Attraction type Boat Ride
Opening date October 1, 1971
Closing date April 29, 2001
Based On Disney's Davy Crockett

The Mike Fink Keel Boats were an attraction in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom.

Attraction History

Like many of the Magic Kingdom's opening day attractions, the Mike Fink Keel Boats actually got their start in Disneyland, where the attraction opened in late 1955 [1]. The free-floating boats were based on the popular Davy Crockett, specifically the episodes "Davy Crockett's Keel Boat Race" and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" [2].

As previously mentioned, the Mike Fink Keel Boats opened with the rest of the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971 [3]. The two Keel Boats (named the Gullywhumper and Bertha May) boarded from a dock near the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. The Mike Keel Boats remained relatively unchanged until 2000, when the attraction's loading was moved to the former Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes dock in Frontierland [4]. The move was short lived however, as on April 29, 2001 the Keel Boats were permanently closed [5].

Description

After boarding the Keel Boats in Liberty Square, guests would be taken on a free-floating motorized tour around the Rivers of America, taking in the various landmarks and vignettes located on the shore. Along the way the boat would be treated to a humorous narration, by their coonskin cap wearing captain.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • During Walt Disney World's pre-opening previews, on of the Keel Boats (the Bertha Mae) was used to transport guests from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom [6].
  • To read a version of the Mike Fink Keel Boat narration Click Here

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 https://waltdatedworld.com/id184.htm
  2. https://www.davelandweb.com/riversofamerica/keelboats.html
  3. https://d23.com/a-to-z/mike-fink-keel-boats/
  4. This change can be seen on the 2000 Magic Kingdom Map ex https://twitter.com/GoAwayGreen/status/1301498221739606020/photo/1. Thank to How Bowers!
  5. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mike-fink-keel-boats.htm
  6. http://progresscityusa.com/2013/12/08/beachin-bertha/