June 1957 – March 1991
LOCATION
Fantasyland – The Motor Boat Cruise teetered right on the border of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but the attraction formally landed in Fantasyland’s lineup. Guests found the dock to start their cruise in the shadow of the Matterhorn, between the mountain and the path to It’s A Small World.
BACKGROUND
With the failure of the Phantom Boats in Tomorrowland, Disney and his Imagineers anxiously searched for a new opportunity to bring passenger-controlled boats back into the park. They ultimately carved out a new lagoon on the edge of Fantasyland, where the Mickey Mouse Club Circus used to hold its shows. The new waterway was intentionally designed to shield riders from the rest of the park, creating a more immersive experience than the previous boat tours in Tomorrowland.
EXPERIENCE
Though passengers did have control of the wheel aboard the Motor Boats, they were guided by a hidden track. The cruise wound around large boulders and along floral embankments, including a few turns directly beneath the Monorail tracks. At the conclusion of the loop, riders found themselves back at the dock, once again returning to the bustling surrounding area.
CLOSURE
The Cruise didn’t technically close in 1991. Instead, it went through an overhaul/overlay to become the Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen, part of the “Disney Afternoon” celebration in Fantasyland. However, the attraction never recovered from its lackluster new theming, and the boats docked permanently less than two years later.
TRIVIA
The Motor Boat Cruise’s dock remains accessible today; it’s currently a seating/rest area next to Edelweiss Snacks.
Each boat had a gas pedal, but guests actually had no control over the boat’s speed.
