Mickey’s Motor Boat Cruise (1957–1991) was a Fantasyland attraction at Disneyland, offering guests a simulated experience of navigating waterways in small motor boats. Renamed Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen from 1991 to 1993 as part of a Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears overlay, it closed permanently on January 11, 1993.
Below are 10 fun facts about Mickey’s Motor Boat Cruise (1957–1991) and its Gummi Glen retheme (1991–1993):
- Fantasyland-Tomorrowland Border: Opened on June 15, 1957, the Motor Boat Cruise was located on a lagoon between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, with waterways weaving under the Monorail and Autopia bridges, sharing space with the Viewliner train until 1958.
- Arrow Development Design: The boats’ design mirrored a “Boat Ride Apparatus” patent by Edgar A. Morgan and Karl W. Bacon of Arrow Development, a key Disneyland partner (1953–1973), featuring gas-powered engines resembling Harley-Davidson V-Twin motors.
- Hidden Track System: Guests steered three-passenger boats along a hidden underwater guide rail, similar to Autopia, allowing slight wiggling but no real navigation, with murky green water concealing the track for an immersive feel.
- 1959 Area Overhaul: In 1959, the lagoon saw major changes: the Viewliner was replaced by the Disneyland Alweg Monorail, Junior Autopia became Fantasyland and Tomorrowland Autopias, and the Phantom Boats’ lagoon became the Submarine Voyage, but the Motor Boat Cruise remained unchanged. The cruise’s serene lagoon, shielded by oleander walls, was designed to feel secluded, passing under Monorail pylons and near the Submarine Voyage, creating a cozy contrast to the park’s busier areas.
- Ticket Evolution: The attraction required a C-ticket in 1957, upgraded to a D-ticket in 1959, then downgraded to a B-ticket by 1964, reflecting its moderate popularity among families with young children.
- Disney Character Names: Each boat was named after Disney characters, such as Mickey, Minnie, or Donald, adding a whimsical touch visible on the hulls as guests cruised past boulders and floral embankments.
- Speed Control Fix: Initially, boats lacked speed control, causing jams when guests wiggled too much; by the 1960s, Disneyland added throttle control, disabling steering to prevent collisions, with cast members sometimes wading in to free stuck boats.
- Gummi Glen Retheme: From March 15 to November 10, 1991, the ride became Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen for the Disney Afternoon Avenue event, featuring plywood cutouts of Gummi Bears characters making Gummiberry Juice along the waterway.
- Disney Afternoon Context: The Gummi Glen overlay tied to the Adventures of the Gummi Bears TV series (1985–1991), with a new castle-arch entrance sign but no changes to the track or boats, aiming to refresh the aging attraction for kids.
- Closure for Toontown: The attraction closed permanently on January 11, 1993, as its operating budget was redirected to fund the newly opened Mickey’s Toontown, with the loading dock repurposed as Fantasia Gardens and waterways partially filled in by 2007.
