A collection of images and other items from Disneyland, theme parks and other amusement parks. Also look for images and items I find interesting, amusing or both.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Let's Hop Aboard the Mekong Maiden
Just imagine it is a nice spring day in 1961 at Disneyland. Look a Jungle Cruise boat, let's hop on board and take a ride....
I am sure in the 70's they were the "originals". However, we went through a conversion to natural gas during that period. Can't imagine they remain the originals today, but that's just an uneducated opinion.
My understanding is that with the change over to the Indiana Jones themed Jungle Cruise launches, the boats are different. If I remember correctly there was one or two original style boats in back stage storage. Amazon Belle or Kevin Kidney probably have the best information and hopefully they will let us know.
The conversion to the more highly themed boats we see on the river today started under Kim Irvine's watch at SQS, back in 1993 before Indy opened. The boats (the hull, engine and seating arrangements) were still the same back in 1986 - 1993) that they were in 1955 as far as I know (sans the natural gas conversion that anonymous mentioned. Funny, I always thought they were natural gas powered). Only one hull was rebuilt while I was there (the Hondo Hattie) due to an accident with a crane back in boat storage. But even then, I think they built it to the 1955 plan because that is what fits around those sharp turns.
Keep up the great work Matterhorn. I'm still out here checking blogs but don't have as much time to comment.
Nice shot... do you happen to know if the Jungle Cruise launches that are in use today are the same boats that were used in 1955? I'm just curious!
ReplyDeleteI am sure in the 70's they were the "originals". However, we went through a conversion to natural gas during that period. Can't imagine they remain the originals today, but that's just an uneducated opinion.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that with the change over to the Indiana Jones themed Jungle Cruise launches, the boats are different. If I remember correctly there was one or two original style boats in back stage storage. Amazon Belle or Kevin Kidney probably have the best information and hopefully they will let us know.
ReplyDeleteThe conversion to the more highly themed boats we see on the river today started under Kim Irvine's watch at SQS, back in 1993 before Indy opened. The boats (the hull, engine and seating arrangements) were still the same back in 1986 - 1993) that they were in 1955 as far as I know (sans the natural gas conversion that anonymous mentioned. Funny, I always thought they were natural gas powered). Only one hull was rebuilt while I was there (the Hondo Hattie) due to an accident with a crane back in boat storage. But even then, I think they built it to the 1955 plan because that is what fits around those sharp turns.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work Matterhorn. I'm still out here checking blogs but don't have as much time to comment.