Mark Twain Riverboat Articles

The Mark Twain's illustrious history began with the steel hull built in shipyards in nearby Long Beach. Meanwhile, the wooden decks and ornate superstructure were constructed at Disney Studios in Burbank trucked down to Anaheim and then assembled inside the park.The twin smokestack Mark Twain is an authentic looking replica of the larger sternwheelers that plied the Mississippi in the 19th century.It is an architecturally imperfect some parts were built proportionally to a smaller scale than other parts in accordance with the specific safety and maritime needs at Disneyland.

Disneyland Publicity department claimed that this was the first paddle wheeler built in the United States in 50 years.The boat weighs 150 tons and designed to carry 390 passengers. Required a "C" ticket in 1955 a "D" ticket in 1956-1957,an "E" ticket in 1959

Nearly every description of the Mark Twain includes the words stately and majestic the graceful white ship certainly is both. As the first large paddle wheeler built in America since the early 20th century. It's also historic at 105 ft long and 150 tons. It is Disneyland single most imposing watercraft. Walt Disney wanted a resplendent riverboat in his park long before Disneyland was built early concept drawings always including something that look like the Mark Twain circling what appeared to be the Rivers of America. Tellingly when the ships landing was built it was placed in a highly visible location at the end of the main Frontierland walkway. So the guests would be able to see the dock and dazzling Mark Twain from The Hub. This tempting vision drew many a newcomer deep into the wild frontier.

The ship can hold over 350 passengers though when it debuted, there was no official loading capacity thus there are old tales of cast members accidentally overloading the boat until it almost capsized when all the guests shifted to one side to view the riverbank.On July 13th, 1955 the Mark Twain made a prominent trial voyage at a party thrown by Walt Disney and his wife to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. 4 days later actress Irene Dunne the christened ship during televised opening day ceremonies.

From then on it has endured as one of Disneyland's iconic attractions strangely in its first three decades the Mark Twain swung back and forth being a "C" "D" and even briefly an E-ticket attraction.

The views have also changed dramatically over the decades, but the lovely serene trip hasn't varied significantly. Powered by steam and propelled by its stern paddlewheel the ship travels on a submerged track around appropriately enough the island named after one of Mark Twain's greatest characters Tom Sawyer. On its 12 to 14 minute journey the ship travels about half a mile and takes in panoramic views of island wilderness and attractions in Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country audio-animatronic animals and Mike Fink Keel boats are among the additional sites along the water's edge.

Naturally the Mark Twain has often been a star attraction for special events. In its 50 plus years and 260,000 plus miles the ship has been specially decorated for holidays, paraded jazz combos in front of the shoreline guests and been incorporated into Fantasmic.

From WED Disneyland Dictionary 1968 Mark Twain Is the atmospheric paddlewheel steamboat that is patterned after the Queens of the River, which once plied the Mississippi. A triple-decker, complete with plush captain's quarters, wheel-house and lounges, it is powered by steam. Authentic Dixieland music is played on her decks during moonlight cruises around Tom Sawyer Island on the Rivers of America. During the summer months, guests can enjoy sternwheeler Mint Juleps.

From Steve Birnbaum brings you the best of Disneyland 1982: One of the original Disneyland attractions and the first paddle wheeler built in the United States in half a century, this 150- ton, 105-foot-long, 5/8-scale vessel with its 9-ton paddle wheel circumnavigates Tom Sawyer Island. It passes by River Belle Terrace, the Royal Street Veranda, the docks for the Mike Fink Keel Boats and the Tom Sawyer Island Rafts, piney Bear Country, and takes in a waterfall and an abandoned railroad track which old Disneyland hands will remember as part of the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland attraction lately superseded by Big Thunder Mountain, plus moose, elk, Indians, the burning cabin of a slain settler, and lovely dense woods full of the alders, cottonwoods, maples, and willows that might have been found along the Missouri frontier more than a century ago.

Wild European iris and Southern rose mallows, some with blooms eight inches across, line the shores, and ducks can be seen preening themselves and chasing each other through the water along the way. All in all, the ride is more pleasant than thrilling- but it does provide a respite from the crowds on a busy day-especially when the Jazz Minors are aboard to liven things up with their peppy brand of Dixieland jazz. And if you manage to get one of the few chairs in the bow, the Mark Twain also offers a golden opportunity to put your feet up.

The ducks are real; the other animals come to Disneyland thanks in part to the efforts of Bob Mattey, who also helped design the creatures that haunt the jungle river in Adventureland. The flag that flies atop the stern of the Mark Twain has 34 stars and 13 stripes-a design that dates from the mid-19th century.

Flags on the Mark Twain dock:It's always fun to pick out the eight flags that fly above this Frontierland landing. The John Cabot Flag, the first flown over the American mainland as the Constant flag brought settlers to Jamestown in 1607 and the Mayflower transported the Pilgrims to Plymouth 13 years later, bears the red cross of St. George on a white field. The King's Colors Flag, the one that flew over the Colonies for over a century, superimposes England's red cross of St. George on Scotland's white cross of St. Andrew on a blue background. The Continental Flag, carried at the Battle of Bunker Hill, is red with a green pine tree on a white field in the upper corner. The Pine Tree Flag, carried by the American navy when it amounted to a mere six ships, bears a green pine tree and the words AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN in black on a white field.The Grand Union Flag, which General Washington raised at Cambridge in 1776, has 13 stripes and, in the upper corner, the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andrew on a blue field. The Betsy Ross Flag, adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, has the same 13 red and white stripes, but in the upper corner, representing the new constellation of states rising in the sky, a circle of 13 stars shines on a blue field. The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that suggested the words of the national anthem to Francis Scott Key at Fort McHenry in 1814, has 15 stars and 15 stripes. And, finally, there's Old Glory with its 13 red and white stripes and 24 stars. Adopted in 1818, it was named in 1831 by a young Salem, Massachusetts, sea captain. Labels identifying the flags can be found on the flagpoles.

Specs Capacity 1560 per hour -- Capacity per load 390 -- Cycle Time 15:01 -- Load Time 3:01 -- Unload Time 3:01 -- Trip Time 13:23 -- Dispatch Interval 15:01 -- Trips per hour 4 -- Distance Traveled 2300 feet Speed 2.2 MPH

Disneyland Publicity department claimed that this was the first paddle wheeler built in the United States in 50 years.

The 105-foot-long hull was built at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, California. The superstructure was constructed in a soundstage at the Disney Studio in Burbank.

The boat weighs 150 tons and designed to carry 390 passengers. Overall length 105 ft.; Height (keel to pilot house 28 ft; Draft 2 ft 3 inches; Beam 26 ft., 6 inches

Morgan Evans designed the landscape for this attraction

Irene Dunne christened the Mark Twain

Required a "C" ticket in 1955

Required a "D" ticket in 1956-1957

In 1956 the phone extension for the Mark Twain landing was 397

Required a "E" ticket in 1959

Required a "D" ticket in 1964-1965

From WED Disneyland Dictionary 1968
Is the atmospheric paddlewheel steamboat that is patterned after the "Queens of the River," which once plied the Mississippi A triple decker, complete with plush captain's quarters, wheel-house and lounges, it is powered by steam. Authentic Dixieland music is played on her decks during moonlight cruises around Tom Sawyer Island on the Rivers of America. During the summer months, guests can enjoy sternwheeler Mint Juleps.

Required a "D" ticket in 1970's

From Steve Birnbaum brings you the best of Disneyland 1982:
One of the original Disneyland attractions and the first paddle wheeler built in the United States in half a century, this 150- ton, 105-foot-long, 5/8-scale vessel with its 9-ton paddle wheel circumnavigates Tom Sawyer Island. It passes by River Belle Terrace, the Royal Street Veranda, the docks for the Mike Fink Keel Boats and the Tom Sawyer Island Rafts, piney Bear Country, and takes in a waterfall and an abandoned railroad track (which old Disneyland hands will remember as part of the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland attraction lately superseded by Big Thunder Mountain), plus moose, elk, Indians, the burning cabin of a slain settler, and lovely dense woods full of the alders, cottonwoods, maples, and willows that might have been found along the Missouri frontier more than a century ago. Wild European iris and Southern rose mallows, some with blooms eight inches across, line the shores, and ducks can be seen preening themselves and chasing each other through the water along the way. All in all, the ride is more pleasant than thrilling- but it does provide a respite from the crowds on a busy day-especially when the Jazz Minors are aboard to liven things up with their peppy brand of Dixieland jazz. And if you manage to get one of the few chairs in the bow, the Mark Twain also offers a golden opportunity to put your feet up. The ducks are real; the other animals come to Disneyland thanks in part to the efforts of Bob Mattey, who also helped design the creatures that haunt the jungle river in Adventureland. The flag that flies atop the stern of the Mark Twain has 34 stars and 13 stripes-a design that dates from the mid-19th century. The hull of the paddle wheeler was built at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, the superstructure at Walt Disney Studios. Constructed in sections and then dismantled, it was shipped over the Southern California freeways in pieces and then reassembled at Disneyland. Flags on the Mark Twain dock: It's always fun to pick out the eight flags that fly above this Frontierland landing. The John Cabot Flag, the first flown over the American mainland as the Constant brought settlers to Jamestown in 1607 and the Mayflower transported the Pilgrims to Plymouth 13 years later, bears the red cross of St. George (an X) on a white field. The King's Colors Flag, the one that flew over the Colonies for over a century, superimposes England's red cross of St. George on Scotland's white cross of St. Andrew (a plus sign) on a blue background. The Continental Flag, carried at the Battle of Bunker Hill, is red with a green pine tree on a white field in the upper corner. The Pine Tree Flag, carried by the American navy when it amounted to a mere six ships, bears a green pine tree and the words AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN in black on a white field. The Grand Union Flag, which General Washington raised at Cambridge in 1776, has 13 stripes and, in the upper corner, the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andrew on a blue field. The Betsy Ross Flag, adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, has the same 13 red and white stripes, but in the upper corner, representing the new constellation of states rising in the sky, a circle of 13 stars shines on a blue field. The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that suggested the words of the national anthem to Francis Scott Key at Fort McHenry in 1814, has 15 stars and 15 stripes. And, finally, there's Old Glory with its 13 red and white stripes and 24 stars. Adopted in 1818, it was named in 1831 by a young Salem, Massachusetts, sea captain. Labels identifying the flags can be found on the flagpoles.

[Live Person]

Welcome, this is your Captain speakin', best you please finish all your food and beverages before you comin' on board, along with cigarettes, tobacco or whatever you like. Please watch your step, grab your young children by the hand, firmly by the hand that is, and come on board.

This heres' the first boardin' call for the steam ship Mark Twain. All aboard.

[Captain]

Secure all cargo, all passengers aboard.

Bowman, cast off bow lines.

Engine room, ahead one quarter.

Engine room, ahead three quarters.

Ledge man, sound off.

[Ledge man-singing]

By the mark, Mark one, Mark Twain, Half Twain, Mark three, Mark four, Deep four, Ocean deep.

[Captain]

Howdy folks, Welcome aboard the Mark Twain riverboat. This is your captain speaking to ya, from the pilot house up here on the Texas deck. Now leaving on journey up rivers of America and into the western frontier. For your safely, please do not seat on the handrails. The river can get mighty unpredictable in these parts, and gosh, we sure hate to lose anyone.

With me up here in the pilot house, is a man well-known in these parts, Mr. Mark Twain, the fame writer for whom this very boat is named.

[Mark Twain]

Captain, it is my pleasure.

Yeah, it sure feels good to be back on the river. Years ago, I made my living as a river boat pilot. It was a gentle life, here as the steam boat whistles far off around the bend, riding the broad majestic river. It was this river that sent me about becoming a writer, and it has not done wrong by me yet.

[Captain-Talking about the Haunted Mansion]

Over there across the way is what used to be the grandest mansion in these parts, its been sitting there empty for, what must be 20 years!

[Mark Twain]

Yep, that mansion looks pretty respectable from the outside, but the townsfolk tell me a whole different story. They say its haunted, and at late at night, when the rivers' real quiet, strange and unearthly sounds reach out from that old house.

[Captain]

Now hold on there Mr. Twain, your starting to scare the youngsters, not to mention me!

[Mark Twain]

Sir, truth is the most valuable thing we have, I believe we should be, economical with it.

[Captain-Talking about Splash Mountain]

Now coming up on the port side is the famous, and strangest mountain in these parts. Those folks who have explored it from the inside say that their is music in its caves and laughter in its falls.

[Mark Twain]

Ha Ha Ha, Now who is telling stories here?

[Deck Watch]

Attention, Deck watch, stand by for river traffic.

[Captain]

Over there to port is a canoe landing, where local guides meet traders and explorers to lead them into the wilderness.

[Mark Twain]

Yeah know, with all the traffic plying the river now days, its a wonder theres any wilderness left!

[Captain]

We're just passed Fort wilderness, the last outpost of civilization on the river.

[Ledge man-singing]

Mark three, mark three, quarter left three, half twain, half mark twain, quarter left, red flag, red flag and touchy.

[Captain]

If your new to the river, your probably wonder about those calls. Now thats the ledge man calling out the depth markings to keep us from running a ground.

[Ledge man-singing]

Mark twain

[Mark Twain]

Yeah know, back when I was a river boat captain. On many a night of storm and fog, we would be straining our ears to hear that call. Thats the welcomeist sound of all to a river man. These two sweet words, Mark Twain. Safe water.

[Deck Watchman]

Attention, Captain. Settler cabin a fire off starboard bow.

[Captain]

Yeah, I see it. Poor souls, I'm afraid we're too late to help.

[Mark Twain]

Captain ah, Pardon my opinion, but ah, its looks as if that fire was caused by just plain carelessness. Those folks are not only losing their own homes, but the home of those eagles as well. My sympathy goes to the eagles.

[Captain]

Yep, It looks like the sides are clear, man in the forest.

[Captain]

We're now entering Indian country, up ahead is the local chief coming to welcoming us.

[Deck Watch]

Indian Village ahead, Captain

[Captain]

Yeah know,....

[Captain]

Tracks off the port side lead to Big Thunder Mountain, site of the biggest gold strike in these parts. But in spite of its riches, that mine's been riddled with trouble and strange happens for as long as I can reminder.

[Mark Twain]

I, for one, am not at least surprised, this area is the outskirts of sacred Indian ground. Although I myself am not prone to superstition, some folks believe that restless spirits have taken over the mountain itself.

[Captain]

Its looks more like a family of restless marmots have taken over that wrecked train.

[Captain]

Up ahead is Big Thunder Falls, that means we're in the last stretch of wilderness, just ahead is the landing where are our journey ends. I would like to ask those passengers on the upper two decks to kindly start your descent to the lowest deck and prepare to go ashore. You may find the stair ways on the right side of the boat and to the rear, provide easier passage. Any partin' words, Mr Twain??

[Mark Twain]

Yeah, I would like to leave the folks with just one thought for the day. Always do right. This will gratify some people, astonish the rest.

[Captain]

Thank you, Mr Twain. And thank you all of you for traveling with us aboard the Mark Twain river boat. We hope to see again real soon!

[Captain]

Engine room, approach landing at one quarter speed. Man the bow line. All passengers, stand by to go a sh