Disneyland's Forgotten Motorboats

Disneyland's Forgotten Motorboats | HISTORY

Рет қаралды 34,852

Күн бұрын

The Motorboat Cruise was an attraction that started out in Tomorrowland as early as 1955 but was renovated and moved a few times, ending up as the Fantasyland Motorboat Cruise. Low maintenance budgets, and rising costs of construction on other Disney Parks projects around the world, led to the closure of this long-running ride. However, its death was not swift nor fast. Today it is almost entirely forgotten, but reminders still remain.
#Disneyland #Fantasyland #MotorboatCruise
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introducing Fantasia Gardens
1:36 Tomorrowland Boats/Phantom Boats
4:44 The Motorboat Cruise
8:11 Gummi Glen
9:51 Conclusion
CREDIT:
The old footage of the Motorboat Cruise was used for a previous upload of this history video. Unfortunately, I can no longer find the original footage on KZfaq. If you own this footage and have a link to it, I would be more than happy to credit you and put a link here in this description, just contact me at the email below.
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My email: alexthehistorian55@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: I am not a University-educated historian, Alex the Historian was a nickname I got while working at Disneyland as a tour guide. After 5 years of using it as a stage name for my channel, it would be detrimental to the channel to suddenly change the name.

Пікірлер: 105

@trenauldo 2 жыл бұрын

I remember that ride as a kid. Hate that they took it out.

@tnt331 2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad I found your channel and this video. I tried telling my kids that Disneyland used to have boats you could drive and they looked at me like I was going crazy. They might have taken away the boats but they can’t take away the memories!

@chaseman113 Жыл бұрын

Looked awesome seeing all the layers of transportation going at once. Boats, Cars, Trains and a monorail, what a sight. One of my autopia highlights was seeing the monorail glide above me while driving.

@artnandez 2 жыл бұрын

Man, I really appreciate all of those home videos from the 80’s and 90’s. We had a camcorder back in the day, and they were the size of a news cast camera!! I remember my dad lugging around our huge camera when we’d go on trips to disney

@marjoriemargel1567 2 жыл бұрын

I think the videos were earlier.. Fifties? I clearly remember Daddy “driving” one of those boats around the lake . I was 7 years old in ‘59. Same year he passed.

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

I used a lot of home videos from the 80s and 90s in the video

@Airsally Жыл бұрын

I don't remember ever going on that ride.

@lauri-jeancarlson8476 2 жыл бұрын

I miss Moterboat Cruise so so much

@largol33t1 2 жыл бұрын

I miss the one at WDW too. Yes, they had one there in the early 90s. It was at a dock on Pleasure island. And unlike the last version of the WDL boats, these were 100% real. You were free to drive them anywhere around the island. I was shocked by how far I was allowed to go. So how did they get you back? There was a real harbor master in a pilot boat who would drive out and tell everyone it was time to go home.

@kelaarin 2 жыл бұрын

Was always an evening ride for me, just something about the water and greenery in the low light that was fun.

@mias5288 2 жыл бұрын

I never expected to learn this much about boats of varying sizes when I started following this channel, but I'm not complaining :)

@richardlucero3085 Жыл бұрын

Thank yiu. For bringing back a child hood memory. I my self now at 64 y.o. and my 2nd. And my baby brother remember. I wish. My grandkids could experience the joy I had with her two uncles long ago with kids

@raideenj Жыл бұрын

I rode this in 1971 and loved it as a 1st timer at Disneyland at age 10! I thought I was driving the boat. Thanks so much for posting!!! Brings back very fond memories.

@mikekromer2669 2 жыл бұрын

I still have fond memories of this ride, especially at night when you couldn't see the other boats/obstacles and you actually felt you where in control of where you might be going lol. Thanks for the memories of this ride that hardly anyone still remembers anymore lol.

@edp2260 2 жыл бұрын

I did that ride as a kid. I think that it was the "three wheel" era, since it was about 1962 and we had some steering authority. I remember that we could steer somewhat, and could feel the tracks as we banged against them. It is a good thing we did not know that the boats could become wedged and stuck if you tried to pass the boat ahead of you. We probably would have tried it!

@Cwgrlup Жыл бұрын

The boats, autopia, submarines, rockets, and other rides of the old days were really great. I miss the old Disney rides before 2000.

@WestinNReptar Жыл бұрын

One of my earliest Disneyland memories is getting stuck on this during the "Gummi Glenn" era. I couldn't have been more than 6.

@noneed4me2n7 Ай бұрын

Grew up with the Anaheim park as my mom’s second husband worked there from the early 80s till retirement around 2010. Me and my brother used to go several times a year. Got to see a lot behind the scenes (boring as kid) and skipped a lot of lines because he knew everyone. Not interested anymore since my own kids aged out and it’s lost a lot of what made it special for me. Love to see all the videos people share of the rides that are no longer around.

@timwolfers7880 2 жыл бұрын

You're exactly correct when you said there were better more exciting attractions in Disneyland, so guests would skip the boats. We rode them as kids, maybe twice. In later visits a second or third ride on the Matterhorn was my priority. 😎

@raypierce5818 Жыл бұрын

I always love riding this after dinner, it was so serene and relaxing. The inside story I heard about its removal was that the old gas engines were putting the park over it’s combined EPA limits. To keep them they would have had to take out something else in its place.

@riparianlife97701 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! And I'm glad you included the video of the bad kid standing up and splashing.

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

He could have fallen in and become a permanent part of the rides history.

@michaeltaylor1603 2 жыл бұрын

IDK If I rode it as a kid. I know I did Autopia. I remember the 1970's paper guide book and it said either race the (tricky or treacherous) rapids! It sounded sooooo COOL!

@jon-kl9mk 2 жыл бұрын

I remember my mom & i first went on these boats, she thought it was free driven ( not on a track) while i was driving the boat she would get mad at me for not going around the slow pokes ahead of me lol. I remember the boat behind us telling my mom that the boats were in fact on a track lol. Poor mom felt embarrassed. Great memories !!

@gabrielncali8999 2 жыл бұрын

I remember this ride! Was so fun! Thank you for this good memory and the history! 😃

@olddisneylandtickets 2 жыл бұрын

I love the attention to detail in this documentary. I'm a Disneyland fanatic and I learned some new things here. Thank you!

@Syncopator Жыл бұрын

I remember the Motor Boat Cruise. It is no great loss, it always seemed like a bit of a dud ride that took up way too much real estate. Regarding serene seating spots at the park, my favorite one was behind the Tuna Clipper. The Clipper was a good place to get a tuna sandwitch for lunch which we always did and would sit at the tables around Skull Rock. Even at peak times it seemed that it was not very crowded-- which may be why they re-did that area-- any area that's not in big demand seems like will be targeted for re-design.

@gort162 Жыл бұрын

I understand why this ride was taken out. For today's over-stimulated youth, this ride would be slow and boring. For the slower paced youth of yesteryear, myself included, this ride was the perfect place to sit, relax, and make a Disney memory with a friend. I wish I could go back in time to the 1960's and ride those boats again. Thanks for sparking a fond memory.

@kendallevans4079 6 күн бұрын

It was a great ride for very small kids. The boats were so slow but still you got the "motorboat" experience

@jetsons101 2 жыл бұрын

Alex, this was another great watch. You improve with every video you make, narration is spot on. I rode those boats many times, they weren't fast but fun. Like your new "logo." You may have changed your name but your skill still shines. Thanks again for your HOURS of work you put into your videos.......

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@donnie6178 2 жыл бұрын

We used to go to the motor boats 1st when we got to Disneyland. Every birthday that me and my brother had. Those were the good ol days when it was cheap prices and not so many thousands upon thousands of people like they have today.

@OfMiceAndTrains 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great video. To this day when I’m at the park with my little Grandaughter we sit on the dock for her to rest and I tell her when I was a little boy I used to drive a motor boat around the waterways here. It was very peaceful and fun under the bridges of the autopia.

@robertdarby7197 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that is the only boat I have driven! I thought the pedal worked! Hope I can find my Dad's Polaroid of the boats!

@ericlevitt3769 2 жыл бұрын

Another great video Alex, happy memories of this attraction

@MrRemark21 2 жыл бұрын

As a thought, at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, I hope if Fantasyland expands, they could bring back the Motor Boat Cruise. That was in Tomorrowland from 1957 to Monday, January 11, 1993.

@GrowingUpGarden 2 жыл бұрын

I remember riding this when I was 4 or 5

@barbhawkinson659 11 ай бұрын

I rode these little boats many times back in the 70s and 80s. The kids I brought with me loved to steer them. 😊

@FyremaneFoxx 2 жыл бұрын

I have fond memories of this ride, even from the year I was a cast member in 1990

@davidmiles533 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Alex. Nice to see you.

@richarddelgado8913 2 жыл бұрын

Mr. Alex I cannot thank you enough for your new videos that you're posting when it comes to the history of disland and not just Disneyland but other attractions all around I appreciate your hard work and keep it going my brother.

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@TheOceanChannel2 2 жыл бұрын

fascinating, always love abandoned rides!

@einar90808 2 жыл бұрын

Legoland has something called "Skippers Yacht Cruise" that is not on a track. Similar to the early versions of this. My eyes started to sweat a bit when I took my 6 year old son on it, and had 'flash backs' to riding this with my dad...

@davide_design Жыл бұрын

There’s something so comforting about your videos. 💙💙

@donnie6178 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing back memories of when i was a kid with my parents and my brother. 💜💜

@chrishintz1077 2 жыл бұрын

Very nicely done. Nostalgic and informative. Good work.

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@tzkelley 2 жыл бұрын

First in-depth history of this ride I've seen. Could you do the swan boats at Disney World, too?

@cunardkevin9278 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex! I've heard about the motorboats and had a lot of question. Your video answered them all!

@brucesorensen Жыл бұрын

I was a ride operator on the motor boats in 1968-69. My first job out of high-school.

@delterraadornments5960 Жыл бұрын

I worked the motorboat cruise in the 80’s!

@Olyphoto7 Жыл бұрын

I miss this attraction, one of my favorites.

@Ed_Okin 2 жыл бұрын

Well done as always! I still enjoyed the boats even though I knew I wasn’t in total control.

@anthonycalbillo9376 2 жыл бұрын

I remember the overhead sky ride, the yellow submarines, and the people mover, but I don't remember this one.

@africanchildren 2 жыл бұрын

This was my favorite ride. I miss it.

@CissyPantsCrafts Жыл бұрын

I remember this ride and riding it. I was sorry they took it out. They took it out just about the time I would’ve been able to “drive the boat by myself“. One of the few pictures we have of our Disneyland trips as a kid includes pictures of us on the boats.

@thebear7086 2 жыл бұрын

A very well-done video. You brought back a lot of memories for me.

@jsarge3749 Жыл бұрын

I've always wondered about this ride! Thank you for making these Disneyland history videos. They really are amazing!

@TheDavidMancini 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this!!!

@jrios29 2 жыл бұрын

I miss the old profile pic, but I understand the direction the channel is going. Keep up the amazing work!

@Doggeslife 2 жыл бұрын

Once they took away steering, the boats became boring. No surprise it failed after that.

@cnc4243 4 ай бұрын

I wish they would bring back a ride like this !

@cunardkevin9278 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex for this amazing content!

@michaelparra6948 2 жыл бұрын

Alex, was the lagoon ever use as a remote control boat area wear you purchased time by feeding quarters to the ships wheel controller?

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

No that was at Disneyland Hotel.

@TheHaloRed 2 жыл бұрын

I remember they named each boat after a Disney character (mostly princesses.)

@joseharo5975 20 күн бұрын

Such a great ride. They could have upgraded and added a fake shark.

@cickihasselblad 2 жыл бұрын

Dear Alex, you changed the name on your channel or am I imagining things? Sorry for being a bad viewer the last months so I ask instead. Love the name anyway🙌💖

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I had to change the name because it was causing a lot of unnecessary animosity from people who thought I was trying to gain notoriety from pretending to be a "historian".

@cickihasselblad 2 жыл бұрын

@@AlextheHistorian I’m sorry about people being complete idiots when it comes to trash and try to destroy other KZfaqrs. We see enough of that hate and destruction in all areas of our lives. Keep doing what I’ve watched you do so well over the past three years! You are an awesome KZfaqr who has faced so many challenges in life and you still manage to do what you do with great research and amazing results!! I have the outmost respect for your work. From one of your original viewers👏🙌💞

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! That means so much to me ❤

@rickpontificates3406 Жыл бұрын

The loading dock area is a great candy trail during the Halloween party. 😊

@toshibavoodoo Жыл бұрын

thanks!!

@fredlawson9394 9 ай бұрын

Very Interesting..👍👍👍

@kendallevans4079 6 күн бұрын

I remember riding them often in the 60's and it seems you had a very small throttle control, in that you floored it and it would make some noise(?)

@largol33t1 2 жыл бұрын

Fun fact, they tried to bring this back to WDW in the very early 1990s. There was a dock at Pleasure Island where you could drive similar motorboats. Unlike the last version of the Disneyland attraction, the ones at WDW were genuine boats and you were free to drive them anywhere around Pleasure Island. Maybe that's why people give me a funny look when asking about the motorboats and I react by saying "Oh, the ones at Disney WORLD?" 😁

@tbx59 3 ай бұрын

Gummybears - bouncing here and there and everywhere

@bradleysmall2230 2 жыл бұрын

4.32 is a good picture where can i find it and more like it..

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Just Google "Disneyland Aerial View 1955" and search the images tab, you'll find lots of high quality images.

@sk8fm448 11 ай бұрын

Disneyland should add more B attractions including the motorboats just to reduce foot traffic in the park. 😊

@princessmarlena1359 Жыл бұрын

It’s the ‘Booger Bog’! Oh wait, wrong boat ride and amusement venue….

@mr.disney4740 2 жыл бұрын

Was such a cool ride...now that area water smells like rotten eggs !

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah its terrible

@maddrummer910 9 ай бұрын

Wonder if that track is still there under the water

@AlextheHistorian 9 ай бұрын

No the entire thing has been completely torn out and repaved in the early 2000s.

@RFLEEZYUBZ Жыл бұрын

Bring em back lol. When we’re they taken out again? Why don’t I remember them? I remember the sky way.

@rayizard5687 Жыл бұрын

You should do one on the Swan Boats at WDW Magic Kingdom

@zach1810 2 жыл бұрын

I remember this ride well. I road on it in the early 90's. A fantastic ride that I wish had lasted longer. I remember returning many years later very disappointed they had been removed.

@danieltorres1949 Жыл бұрын

dawg said shaaagoon

@cunardkevin9278 2 жыл бұрын

Alex could you also make a video of QE2

@cunardkevin9278 2 жыл бұрын

QE2 is also important as Queen Mary because When the transatlantic planes were introduced people started traveling in planes leaving ocean liners. QE2 was built by Cunard line quickly because the industry was declining rapidly, she built with every type of distraction and it worked people started loving QE2 as she was modern, beautiful, fast and stylish without QE2 there want be Queen Mary 2. She has retired and docked in Dubai.

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I'll eventually make a video about the QE2, but I'm still doing research on it. Making these videos aren't a quick process, it takes months of research, not just to read up on it, but to cross-reference my sources and to understand the technology of these ships. I'm also in the beginning process of moving to a new apartment so bare with me. Eventually I will have several videos about the QE2.

@cunardkevin9278 2 жыл бұрын

@@AlextheHistorian Sure take your time.

@ginogebhart 11 ай бұрын

I’m fan Diensy past .

@jonrobold9421 2 жыл бұрын

Chagrin?

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

It means he was reluctant and embarrassed.

@emilyhoskins7957 2 жыл бұрын

Justin Scarred already did this video like 7 years ago.

@AlextheHistorian 2 жыл бұрын

Nah this video was made 100% by myself.

@TeddyBelcher4kultrawide 2 жыл бұрын

The smoking section

@FireLightning16 2 жыл бұрын

Freakazoid brought me here. 🤣

@chuck7514 2 жыл бұрын

Lol nowadays if u were that lady tryna splash u would prob get kicked out. Ughhhh what id do to go back to the old days when bullfrogs roamed the lands

@drakejdf 2 жыл бұрын

Most people won’t like this comment but back in the 70s early 80s it was a great ride to take a toke or have a smoke or just make out with your girlfriend. Another words the good ole days.I just turned 53 and I’ll never return to this amusement park it’s gotten too liberal and political it’s just not fun anymore and way overpriced.I have found much more joy in the outdoors and nature and it’s a lot more affordable. Don’t get me wrong I used to love Disneyland up till about three years ago.

@michaelleadingham527 Жыл бұрын

Alex great video I remember rideing this ride and haveing a smile on my face when rideing it your Naration is spot on I really do enjoy watching your videos

@AlextheHistorian Жыл бұрын

Thank you!