 The Rivers of America span Frontierland, New Orleans Square and Critter Country. While visiting Frontierland, Disneyland park guests can cruise back in time on a 14-minute sightseeing voyage aboard a recreation of the glorious 19th-century steam-powered paddlewheel riverboats that carried people and cargo up and down the mighty Mississippi.  A Legendary Vessel Board the 110-foot-long, fully rigged Columbia and sail away into a long-forgotten time. Marvel at the towering mainmast and inspect the cannons and deck-mounted guns the crew used to repel pirate attacks. As you cruise around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, relive the pioneering adventures of the original Columbia, the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. It took the real Columbia 3 years to sail around the world, but your voyage will last about 15 minutes. Venture below the main deck and find historical displays recreating the living conditions of 18th-century sailors. Celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of the brave explorers who filled in the final details of the world’s map.      The Mark Twain Riverboat and Big Thunder Mountain are reflected in the Rivers of America in Frontierland at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. Frontierland brings to life the natural beauty, excitement and promise of the American West in the 1800s.  The landscaping of Critter Country creates a backwoods area that looks as if it had been created by Mother Nature herself. When the area was redesigned in the 1970s, more than 165 trees were planted, adding to the 100 trees that were already transplanted from other areas of Disneyland. One Canary Island Pine weighed more than 18 tons. The main trees in Critter Country are monterey, Canary Island, aleppo and Italian stone pines, honey locust, white birch and evergreen elm. Overgrown grasses and a large selection of shrubs add to the land’s forest feel. The tranquil Hungry Bear Restaurant is a relaxing area to have a meal. Extra seating overlooking the Rivers of America can be found on the first story of the shaded terrace.  Along the Mississippi The Mark Twain is an authentic reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi River. A working steam engine converts the water from the Rivers of America into steam that in turn powers the large paddle that propels the boat. Featuring meticulously detailed wood craftsmanship, the 28-foot tall, 105-foot-long riverboat is comprised of 4 pristine decks: Pilothouse, also known as the top deck, features the wheelhouse and Captain’s Quarters Promenade Deck includes a salon and a collection of vintage photos and maps Texas (or Sun) Deck is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors as you float down the river Main Deck includes the boiler and pistons that run the paddlewheel A gorgeous new Columbia Gorge section is the backdrop as guests enjoy their journey aboard the Disneyland Railroad, one of the original Disneyland attractions. Guests also enjoy this new landscape, including five spectacular waterfalls, from the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. The north bank of the Columbia Gorge, complete with a beautiful waterfront and 5 sparkling waterfalls. A rustic frontier cabin, An idyllic Native American village, A busy beaver at work chewing on the train trestle, Mountain lions relaxing in the sun, The Disneyland Railroad steaming into the wilderness .  In Critter Country, every day is a “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” kind of day. As Disney legend has it, deep in the backwoods of Disneyland Park was a land filled with woodland creatures that walked and talked, much like humans. Curious explorers discovered this land, located in the wooded area beyond New Orleans Square and Frontierland. Critter Country today remains a restful world filled with shady trees, babbling brooks and all kinds of playful animals, from the honey-loving bear that is stuffed with fluff to a hodgepodge of creatures from the briar. Critter Country is home to three attractions: Splash Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. This land also features one of the most restful dining areas at Disneyland, the Hungry Bear Restaurant.  Meet Winnie the Pooh and Friends After your journey, come greet Characters like Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. Please check the Disneyland app for specific times. Get lost in the pages of A.A. Milne’s classic tales as you glide through Pooh’s most memorable adventures. Board your beehive and get swept up in a gust of wind with Piglet, Gopher, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo. Band together with Tigger and friends to stay afloat in a torrential downpour. Celebrate sunny days and togetherness as Pooh finally gets his paws on some honey. This visual extravaganza filled with classic Disney songs is sure to delight cubs of all ages!       Old school photo with Tigger 2002.
Here’s a movie that will never be released in the United States. Back in 2008 I was searching everywhere for a copy as I’d always wanted to see it and especially as it ties into Splash Mountain at Disneyland - nobody had a copy, couldn’t get a copy, never going to happen etc etc. Then I went to visit my redneck aunt and uncle during the summer, and of all places this DVD is sitting in their dvd cabinet. My uncle wanted to see it again so my aunt found a copy from China and ordered this... he watched it once and it was enough for him, so needless to say I brought this DVD back with me at the end of my summer vacation. @ahfdvds  Hop inside a hollow log and float through a colorful bayou as you follow happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit to his “laughing place.” But be warned: Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of this wayward hare. Glide past over 100 talking, singing, storytelling Audio-Animatronics critters who inhabit Splash Mountain and offer up their own slice of down-home culture. Sing along to classic Disney ditties, including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Then, brace yourself for the big finale—this musical cruise ends in a thrilling 5-story splashdown!  A LAUGHING PLACE - Guests take a plunge down a 5-story waterfall on Splash Mountain in Critter Country at Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. The rollicking log flume ride is based on the animated characters and sequences from the classic Disney film, "Song of the South."   Song of the South is a 1946 American live-action/animated musical film produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures. It is based on the collection of Uncle Remus stories as adapted by Joel Chandler Harris, and stars James Baskett as Uncle Remus. The film takes place in the southern United States during the Reconstruction era, a period of American history after the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The story follows seven-year-old Johnny (Bobby Driscoll) who is visiting his grandmother's plantation for an extended stay. Johnny befriends Uncle Remus, one of the workers on the plantation, and takes joy in hearing his tales about the adventures of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear. Johnny learns from the stories how to cope with the challenges he is experiencing while living on the plantation. Walt Disney had wanted to produce a film based on the Uncle Remus stories for some time. It was not until 1939 that he began negotiating with the Harris family for the film rights, and finally in 1944, filming for Song of the South began. The studio constructed a plantation set for the outdoor scenes in Phoenix, Arizona, and some other scenes were filmed in Hollywood. The film is predominantly live action, but includes three animated segments, which were later released as stand-alone television features. Some scenes also feature a combination of live action with animation. Song of the South premiered in Atlanta in November 1946 and the remainder of its initial theater run was a financial success. The song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Original Song and Baskett received an Academy Honorary Award for his performance as Uncle Remus. Since its original release, Song of the South has remained a subject of controversy. Some critics have described the film's portrayal of African Americans as racist and offensive, maintaining that the black vernacular and other qualities are stereotypes. In addition, the plantation setting is sometimes criticized as idyllic and glorified. Because of this controversy, Disney has not released Song of the South on any home video format in the United States. Some of the musical and animated sequences have been released through other means, and the full film has seen home video distribution in other countries. The cartoon characters from the film have continued to appear in a variety of books, comics, and other media. The Disney theme park ride Splash Mountain is based on the film. -wikipedia  This attraction includes 950,000 gallons of water, 3 dips and a 5-story drop. Where you’re seated will determine how wet you’ll get. Riders in the back may experience a sudden splash or spray; those who opt for the front can expect to get soaked.
Many of the critters in the cast originally made their Disneyland park debut at the classic show America Sings, where they performed patriotic melodies in Tomorrowland from 1974 to 1988. |
My Story
Growing up in Los Angeles in the 70s/80s we visited Disneyland on a regular basis and often after school, before "Annual Passes". 
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