Photo Credit: Yesterland
Have you ever passed a spot in the Magic Kingdom and thought that it looked a little odd or out of place and wondered if there ever was a purpose for it being there. One of the places that I looked at like this was the boat dock to nowhere that sits just along the water way between Cinderella Castle and Tomorrowland. It is easiest to see along the path to the Merida Meet and Greet. I was very curious and decided to see if there was a purpose for this spot when the park opened!
What I discovered was that it had once been a spot for the Swan Boat Ride that was in operation during peak seasons from May 1973 to August 1983. The Swan Boat Ride was a 17 minute adventure that took guests on a journey, navigating the waterway from Tomorrowland past Cinderella’s Castle, continuing on into Adventureland, and wrapped around the Swiss Family Treehouse before returning to its starting dock.
This ride was one of the first rides that Disney abandoned due to cost issues. Another ride to have the same fate was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which closed in the 1990’s. Many years after its closing guest could also still see the remnants of the Skyway. Recently the final pieces were removed to make way for the new Rapunzel themed Rest area in Fantasyland. The next time you wonder past something in one of the parks and think that it looks strangely out of place; it may have actually had a purpose sometime in the Parks History! Are there any lingering pieces around the parks to your favorite Forgotten Disney Attractions?
Written by Tabitha Candebat: Tabitha’s obsession with a little mouse named Mickey began at age 4 when she received her first set of “Mouse Ears”. With over 50 trips to Disney World, she loves to share her knowledge and passion by Planning Disney vacations for other guests. Catch the Disney fever with Tabitha! Email, Request a Quote or Call her at (504)296-6637 today! It’s time to book your next Disney World vacation. Be sure to follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
(Photo Credit: Yesterland)
