This is an entry for “Rivers of America” in our Disneyland 101 Glossary: Disneyland Resort definitions in under 101 words, from Mouse Brief.
Rivers of America is the large body of water found in the western portion of Disneyland Park. It is primarily in Frontierland, but New Orleans Square and Bayou Country also share some shoreline. The Rivers of America plays host in daylight hours to the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes and rafts to its central island boasting the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. On select evenings, it is the stage for the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! The Rivers of America features several little vignettes that can be seen from the various watercraft or the Disneyland Railroad.
Thanks for reading this entry for “Rivers of America, you can find even more Disney definitions under 101 words in our Disneyland 101 Glossary. For more on the lands of Disneyland, see: Lands And for more on Rivers of America, keep reading.
Rivers of America in Disneyland, FAQs
Rivers of America was created for the opening of Disneyland in 1955. It provides a lovely backdrop for several Disneyland Park lands and the setting for Fantasmic! Despite not being a Disneyland “land,” Rivers of America also boasts several attractions. Keep reading for more information about Rivers of America in Disneyland Park and answers to some frequently asked questions.
What lands are connected with Rivers of America in Disneyland Park?
Rivers of America is actually quite extensive and winds through much of the western part of Disneyland Park. It is primarily connected with Frontierland but also touches parts of New Orleans Square and Bayou Country (formerly Critter Country).
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is an island surrounded by the Rivers of America and accessible by rafts operated by cast members. The raft leaves from a dock in Frontierland and the island itself is labeled as part of Frontierland. (More on that in the next FAQ.)
What rides can I do at the Rivers of America in Disneyland?
Rivers of America at Disneyland Park hosts four attractions on its waters.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is the name for the land mass surrounded by the River of America. It is one of our favorite places to get away from crowds at Disneyland Park and a great place for young kids to engage in some unstructured play. The island has caves, bridges and a fort for guests to explore. We also appreciate the landscaping which makes this a restful place to be on busy summer days. To reach Tom Sawyer Island, you will need to take one of the rafts which ferries guests back and forth to the island. You can catch the raft near Haunted Mansion and a quick ride will bring you to the south side of the island.
Those Tom Sawyer rafts are a pretty quick ride across a small stretch of the Rivers of America. If you want to spend more time on the water, try Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Sailing Ship Columbia or Mark Twain Riverboat.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes are a Disneyland Park attraction that is actually powered by guests. They are large 20-person canoes that guests paddle. Seriously, there are no motors or tracks aiding these 35-foot watercrafts, but you will have two cast member guides helping you paddle and taking you on a loop around Tom Sawyer Island.
Board Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes at the dock near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. There is not height requirement for this attraction, but keep in mind that it usually has significantly shorter hours than other nearby attractions, so check the Disneyland app or website for operating hours.
Sailing Ship Columbia
Following the same path of Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (but without the power of your paddling) is the Sailing Ship Columbia. This is a replica of an 18th century fully-rigged ship. The ship is so beautiful that, in addition to being something guests can ride, it is featured in Fantasmic!
When it is operating, you can board Sailing Ship Columbia in Frontierland near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Like other attraction on the Rivers of America, the operating hours for Sailing Ship Columbia are shorter than the overall park hours. The roundtrip is about fifteen minutes.
Mark Twain Riverboat
The Mark Twain Riverboat leaves from the same dock as Sailing Ship Columbia and covers the same route, but it calls upon a different part of American history. This attraction is a four deck 19th century paddle boat. The whole thing is powered by a working steam engine. Like Sailing Ship Columbia, Mark Twain Riverboat is so picturesque that it shows-up in Fantasmic!
Where can I watch Fantasmic! at Disneyland Resort?
Pirate’s Lair at Tom Sawyer Island serves as a kind of stage and backdrop for the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! You can watch the show from along the banks of the Rivers of America. The best views are primarily from the New Orleans Square section.
Try to find a spot with a clear view of the south side of the island with no obstructions. Disney also offers dining packages which provide access to reserved viewing areas along the banks of the Rivers of America.
Didn’t Disney close the Rivers of America?
Not at Disneyland! While Disney removed the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, the waters of the Rivers of America in Disneyland Park in California are still flowing strong. The lay-out was reconfigured for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, but the Rivers of America are still very much there!
We think the Rivers of America are one feature that make Disneyland Park a great choice for your Disney trip, and you can read more about why we recommend Disneyland Resort to visitors here: Is Disneyland Resort the Easier Alternative to Walt Disney World? If you are an experienced Walt Disney World visitor looking for tips about visiting Disneyland Resort, read this one: 5 Tips for Walt Disney World Pros Visiting Disneyland.
How can I get a good look at the Rivers of America in Disneyland?
The Rivers of America in Disneyland are actually quite detailed and boast the following scenic features: the Columbia Gorge with five waterfalls, a replica frontier cabin, “an idyllic Native American village,” various animal figures and lovely landscaping.
You can spot these features by walking along some pathways near the Rivers of America or by riding one of the attractions described above. Additionally, you can get some unique views by riding the Disneyland Railroad.
Thanks for reading this post on the Rivers of America at Disneyland.
For more posts explaining Disney terms, see our Disneyland 101 Glossary. And for help planning your visit, see Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Thanks again for reading!