Disneyland's Forgotten Motorboats | HISTORY

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  • Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
  • 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 UA-cam. 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.
    Footage of Pirates of the Caribbean is credited to LMG Vids:
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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.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 106

  • @trenauldo
    @trenauldo 2 роки тому +20

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

  • @Cwgrlup
    @Cwgrlup Рік тому +3

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

  • @tnt331
    @tnt331 2 роки тому +11

    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!

  • @artnandez
    @artnandez 2 роки тому +20

    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
      @marjoriemargel1567 2 роки тому +3

      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
      @AlextheHistorian  2 роки тому +1

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

    • @Airsally
      @Airsally Рік тому

      I don't remember ever going on that ride.

  • @chaseman113
    @chaseman113 Рік тому +4

    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.

  • @lauri-jeancarlson8476
    @lauri-jeancarlson8476 2 роки тому +9

    I miss Moterboat Cruise so so much

    • @largol33t1
      @largol33t1 2 роки тому +1

      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.

  • @mias5288
    @mias5288 2 роки тому +10

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

  • @kelaarin
    @kelaarin 2 роки тому +4

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

  • @richardlucero3085
    @richardlucero3085 Рік тому +2

    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

  • @edp2260
    @edp2260 2 роки тому +8

    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!

  • @mikekromer2669
    @mikekromer2669 2 роки тому +5

    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.

  • @timwolfers7880
    @timwolfers7880 2 роки тому +7

    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. 😎

  • @raideenj
    @raideenj Рік тому

    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.

  • @noneed4me2n7
    @noneed4me2n7 2 місяці тому

    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.

  • @WestinNReptar
    @WestinNReptar Рік тому +1

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

  • @raypierce5818
    @raypierce5818 Рік тому +1

    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.

  • @michaeltaylor1603
    @michaeltaylor1603 2 роки тому +3

    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!

  • @jetsons101
    @jetsons101 2 роки тому +9

    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.......

  • @olddisneylandtickets
    @olddisneylandtickets 2 роки тому +5

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

  • @riparianlife97701
    @riparianlife97701 2 роки тому +3

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

    • @AlextheHistorian
      @AlextheHistorian  2 роки тому +1

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

  • @gabrielncali8999
    @gabrielncali8999 2 роки тому +4

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

  • @donnie6178
    @donnie6178 2 роки тому +2

    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.

  • @jon-kl9mk
    @jon-kl9mk 2 роки тому +3

    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 !!

  • @gort162
    @gort162 Рік тому

    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.

  • @ericlevitt3769
    @ericlevitt3769 2 роки тому +3

    Another great video Alex, happy memories of this attraction

  • @kendallevans4079
    @kendallevans4079 Місяць тому

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

  • @MrRemark21
    @MrRemark21 2 роки тому +2

    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
    @GrowingUpGarden 2 роки тому +4

    I remember riding this when I was 4 or 5

  • @Syncopator
    @Syncopator Рік тому +2

    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.

  • @davidmiles533
    @davidmiles533 2 роки тому +3

    Hey Alex. Nice to see you.

  • @OfMiceAndTrains
    @OfMiceAndTrains 2 роки тому +2

    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.

  • @richarddelgado8913
    @richarddelgado8913 2 роки тому +3

    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.

  • @chrishintz1077
    @chrishintz1077 2 роки тому +2

    Very nicely done. Nostalgic and informative. Good work.

  • @barbhawkinson659
    @barbhawkinson659 Рік тому

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

  • @TheOceanChannel2
    @TheOceanChannel2 2 роки тому +3

    fascinating, always love abandoned rides!

  • @robertdarby7197
    @robertdarby7197 2 роки тому +3

    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!

  • @tzkelley
    @tzkelley 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @einar90808
    @einar90808 2 роки тому +3

    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...

  • @donnie6178
    @donnie6178 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @FyremaneFoxx
    @FyremaneFoxx 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @Doggeslife
    @Doggeslife 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @davide_design
    @davide_design Рік тому

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

  • @brucesorensen
    @brucesorensen Рік тому +1

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

  • @cunardkevin9278
    @cunardkevin9278 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @TheDavidMancini
    @TheDavidMancini 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you so much for making this!!!

  • @cunardkevin9278
    @cunardkevin9278 2 роки тому +2

    Thanks Alex for this amazing content!

  • @thebear7086
    @thebear7086 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @jsarge3749
    @jsarge3749 Рік тому +1

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

  • @Olyphoto7
    @Olyphoto7 Рік тому

    I miss this attraction, one of my favorites.

  • @Ed_Okin
    @Ed_Okin 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @ravinp371
    @ravinp371 5 днів тому

    I remember the last time I rode this is was pitch dark. My cousin's and I had our own boats and we're waving to my mom while she records and you hear my aunt in the background saying there's no lights. It was kinda scary. Fun, but scary.

  • @jrios29
    @jrios29 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @africanchildren
    @africanchildren 2 роки тому

    This was my favorite ride. I miss it.

  • @CissyPantsCrafts
    @CissyPantsCrafts Рік тому

    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.

  • @anthonycalbillo9376
    @anthonycalbillo9376 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @cnc4243
    @cnc4243 5 місяців тому

    I wish they would bring back a ride like this !

  • @cickihasselblad
    @cickihasselblad 2 роки тому +5

    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
      @AlextheHistorian  2 роки тому +2

      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
      @cickihasselblad 2 роки тому +6

      @@AlextheHistorian I’m sorry about people being complete idiots when it comes to trash and try to destroy other UA-camrs. 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 UA-camr 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
      @AlextheHistorian  2 роки тому +3

      Thank you! That means so much to me ❤

  • @toshibavoodoo
    @toshibavoodoo Рік тому +1

    thanks!!

  • @TheHaloRed
    @TheHaloRed 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @joseharo5975
    @joseharo5975 Місяць тому +1

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

  • @fredlawson9394
    @fredlawson9394 10 місяців тому

    Very Interesting..👍👍👍

  • @rickpontificates3406
    @rickpontificates3406 Рік тому

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

  • @michaelparra6948
    @michaelparra6948 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @largol33t1
    @largol33t1 2 роки тому

    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?" 😁

  • @kendallevans4079
    @kendallevans4079 Місяць тому

    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(?)

  • @sk8fm448
    @sk8fm448 Рік тому

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

  • @tbx59
    @tbx59 4 місяці тому

    Gummybears - bouncing here and there and everywhere

  • @zach1810
    @zach1810 2 роки тому +1

    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.

  • @mr.disney4740
    @mr.disney4740 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @princessmarlena1359
    @princessmarlena1359 Рік тому

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

  • @RFLEEZYUBZ
    @RFLEEZYUBZ Рік тому

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

  • @bradleysmall2230
    @bradleysmall2230 2 роки тому +2

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

    • @AlextheHistorian
      @AlextheHistorian  2 роки тому

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

  • @rayizard5687
    @rayizard5687 Рік тому

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

  • @maddrummer910
    @maddrummer910 10 місяців тому +1

    Wonder if that track is still there under the water

    • @AlextheHistorian
      @AlextheHistorian  10 місяців тому

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

  • @danieltorres1949
    @danieltorres1949 Рік тому

    dawg said shaaagoon

  • @cunardkevin9278
    @cunardkevin9278 2 роки тому +1

    Alex could you also make a video of QE2

    • @cunardkevin9278
      @cunardkevin9278 2 роки тому +2

      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
      @AlextheHistorian  2 роки тому +2

      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
      @cunardkevin9278 2 роки тому +2

      @@AlextheHistorian Sure take your time.

  • @ginogebhart
    @ginogebhart Рік тому

    I’m fan Diensy past .

  • @emilyhoskins7957
    @emilyhoskins7957 2 роки тому

    Justin Scarred already did this video like 7 years ago.

  • @jonrobold9421
    @jonrobold9421 2 роки тому +1

    Chagrin?

  • @TeddyBelcher4kultrawide
    @TeddyBelcher4kultrawide 2 роки тому

    The smoking section

  • @chuck7514
    @chuck7514 2 роки тому

    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

  • @FireLightning16
    @FireLightning16 2 роки тому

    Freakazoid brought me here. 🤣

  • @drakejdf
    @drakejdf 2 роки тому +2

    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
    @michaelleadingham527 Рік тому +1

    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