Last Updated: November 2, 2023
An exciting ride through waterways of the future in plastic-glass boats of ultra modern design
The Phantom Boats have 2 interesting distinctions they represent the first attraction ever to be removed from Disneyland and their one of the only attractions ever brought back from total extinction.The odd looking Phantom Boats were slightly futurist fiberglass vessels with pointy noses inboard motors and huge fins.Fins being the decades fad design featured on rockets and cars.Designed as an attraction where young pilots could motor a boat around the lagoon like an aquatic version of Autopia the attraction soon proved problematic. Boat colors were pink and aqua. They were called speedboats in the 1956 guidebook.
No guide rails allowed guests could pilot the boats anywhere they wanted. Later a Cast Member rode in each boat with the guests.There were 14 boats including police boat (1 police boat). Walt had intended to replace the unreliable Phantom Boats with an attraction similar to high-speed swamp boats. There was even a sign announcing their arrival. They never came to pass, as they were deemed too loud and dangerous.
The attraction suffered numerous problems, as the motors overheated, forcing the cast members to evacuate the guests to the dock. At the time, Imagineers added a back seat for a driver to prevent any engine failures from guests cranking the gas. Despite this, the engines continued to overheat
Nomenclature May 25 1955:
SPEED BOATS (This name maybe changed)
Fiberglass boats of ultra modern design.
Lake cruise 14 boats including police boat (1 police boat)
First permanent attraction to be removed.
There were 14 boats.
Boat colors were pink and aqua
Required a "B" ticket in 1955
Called Speedboats in 1956 guidebook
No guide rails allowed guests could pilot the boats anywhere they wanted. Later a Cast Member rode in each boat with the guests
Walt had intended to replace the unreliable Phantom Boats with an attraction similar to high-speed swamp boats. There was even a sign announcing their arrival. They never came to pass, as they were deemed too loud and dangerous. What's interesting is that the original Skyway attraction poster depicts boats similar to those described as a future attraction in the Tomorrowland Lagoon. Timing-wise, this poster would reflect the same period the attraction was being considered. One look at the poster and one can see that the boats depicted are not Phantom Boats". Secret courtesy of Jon S.
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