Archaeology Attraction Archaeology: Discovery River Boats

Disney’s Animal Kingdom park was Walt Disney World’s 4th style park and unlike any other park Disney had produced. After all, the piece de resistances at this park are alive! Ever considering that it debuted in 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has evolved and expanded with the addition of new tourist attractions, expanded lands, and even the wildly popular opening of Pandora– The World of Avatar in2017 So for today’s installment of Tourist attraction Archaeology, we’re having a look at a destination of Animal Kingdom’s past with the Discovery River Boats.

Archaeology What Were the Discovery River Boats?

The Discovery River Boats opened with the park on April 22, 1998, and provided mild cruises around the Tree of Life and past the park’s different lands. There were 2 different docks where guests would board with one at Safari Village (now called Discovery Island) and the other at Asia’s Upcountry Landing.

In addition to the various areas of the park, visitors would see other sights during their ride. There were hot spring geysers in Africa, a rocky cave home to a dragon who breathed out fire, sculptures spraying water, and even an audio-animatronic Iguanadon from the park’s Countdown to Extinction tourist attraction (now referred to as DINOSAUR). Nevertheless, the park eliminated the latter remarkably early in November of1998 Likewise, some claim there was a fixed unicorn statue on display screen during the tourist attraction’s early days however was rapidly removed.

Due to the absence of things to see during the trip, the Discovery River Boats was renamed the Discovery River Taxis later on that year. This was to highlight the boats more as a kind on transportation rather of a real tourist attraction. Cast Members likewise began to bring aboard little animals and animals to teach guests about them during the cruise. While the addition did serve the park’s purpose of animal education, it did little to assist the total flight experience.

In 1999, the Discover River Taxi cabs was renamed once again! Now called the Radio Disney Cruise, guests heard recordings from Radio Disney DJs during the trip. Guests were even informed the DJs were relaying from the top of Animal Kingdom’s signature Tree of Life! Regardless of these particular modifications, the tourist attraction closed for excellent on August 21, 1999.

Archaeology The Initial Vision for the Discovery River Boats

Now Imagineers initially had much larger strategies for the Discovery River Boats which never pertained to fruition due to budget plan cuts. This was also the case for Beastly Kingdom, an area of the park devoted to mythical animals which never became. Several of these scenes were for Beastly Kingdom, such as the dragon’s cave, the little dragon waterfall, and the unicorn. Nevertheless, Imagineers had wanted these scenes to be a lot more interesting. For circumstances, Imagineers wanted an audio-animatronic dragon, just like the dragon from Disneyland Paris, as opposed to just a cave and fire effect.

Archaeology Where Were the Discovery River Boats?

Camp Minnie-Mickey inhabited the land which had actually been set apart for Beastly Kingdom. Here guests consulted with characters and experienced the Festival of the Lion King show which now plays in Africa. In 2014, Camp Minnie-Mickey near to make way for Pandora– The World of Avatar. In a manner, dragons (or banshees) lastly did concern this corner of the park!

Archaeology Why Did It Close?

The Discovery River Boats produced long lines with little to see aboard throughout its prolonged eighteen minute cruise. Numerous visitors grumbled, and each brand-new effort to change the attraction failed to fix its problems.

Archaeology Where Can You Find Residues of the Discovery River Boats Today?

Both the Safari Town Dock and Upcountry Landing dock are still in the park today! Until recently, the Upcountry Landing dock was used as a satisfy and welcome location for Baloo and King Louie.

Currently, the space is being used as an additional seating location. The boats themselves have been used to transport visitors to and from the Magic Kingdom during particular times of year.

Also, guests can see the dragon-shaped rock structure which worked as a small waterfall throughout the attraction’s operation. It shows up when crossing the bridge into Pandora– The World of Avatar or when dining at Wanderer Lounge. The warm springs geysers near the Africa pavilion are likewise still visible, even though they no longer shoot water. They can best be seen when taking the bridge from Africa to Pandora– The World of Avatar.

While I enjoy what the Disney Parks need to use now, I likewise take pleasure in finding antiques and homages to the magic and memories that came in the past and their presence in the parks today. Did you ever experience the Discovery River Boats or its other iterations? If so, please share your experiences!