(July 17, 1955—Present) BACKSTORY: Required WED designers to conduct extensive research to recreate a steam powered riverboat from 50 years before. Decks assembled at the Burbank Studios while the 105' hull was constructed at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, CA (where the Sailing Ship Columbia’s hull was also built). When the hull & decks were put together at Disneyland they fit perfectly. Joe Fowler, Disneyland’s construction supervisor and former navy admiral, insisted on creating a drydock for the ship along the Rivers of America. Walt, dismayed at how much land was taken up by the massive excavation, referred to the drydock as "Joe’s Ditch" and then “Fowler’s Harbor.” Disney funded its construction out of his own pocket when corporate funds fell short. On the first “fill-the-river” day, the water pumped into the Rivers of America soaked through the riverbed. Fowler found a supply of clay to replace the soil stabilizer used to line the river, and the second “fill-the-river” day was successful. The maiden voyage was July 13, four days before the park officially opened, for a private party celebrating Walt & Lillian’s 30th anniversary. Before the party, as Fowler was checking to make sure everything would be ready for the 300 invited guests, he found Lillian sweeping the decks of debris and joined in.
Irene Dunne, star of 1936’s “Showboat,” had trouble breaking a bottle of water (from many major American rivers) across the vessel’s bow for its christening on Dateline Disney. During the riverboat’s first official voyage, when the crowd moved to one side of the boat to view passing scenes, the boat would list from the side and water poured over the deck, as no one had determined the Mark Twain's maximum safe passenger capacity. This caused it to almost capsize a few days later when ride operators continued to wave more than 500 guests on board until the deck neared the water line. The ship came loose from its track and stuck in the muddy banks. The park quickly established a maximum capacity of 300, still in effect today. During its first few years of operation, passengers could buy a non-alcoholic mint julep or listen to card & checker players re-enact era dialogue. Occasionally the Disneyland band would play music on the lower deck bow. Underwent a major refurbishment Spring of 1995, during which all the decks and the boiler were replaced. When the Rivers of America was drained in 2002, the boat was noted to have considerable hull damage. It underwent a refurbishment in 2004 to repair the hull & replace the keel. For the park’s 2005 50th Anniversary a more colorful paint was applied. In Spring, 2007, the Mark Twain underwent an extensive refurbishment. Cast members have dubbed the Mark Twain “The Floating Breakroom” (due to how little has to be done to pilot it) and “The Floating Birthday Cake” (because of its color and ornamentation).
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Click for original attraction poster
Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below.
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