The Motor Boat Cruise (1957–1993) was a delightful, if understated, gem in Disneyland’s Fantasyland, offering a leisurely boat ride through scenic waterways. This gentle attraction, which later got a whimsical Gummi Bears makeover as Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen, chugged along for over three decades before docking for good due to low popularity and high upkeep costs.
Here are 10 fun facts about this charming, oft-forgotten ride that once bobbed near Dumbo and the Matterhorn, packed with nostalgic tidbits and Disneyland lore!
- A Fantasyland Classic: Debuting in 1957, the Motor Boat Cruise was added to Fantasyland two years after Disneyland’s opening, filling a lagoon area near the Storybook Land Canal Boats. It gave guests a relaxing way to explore the park’s early waterways.
- Mini Captains at the Helm: Guests piloted their own small, gas-powered boats along a guided track, giving kids and adults a taste of being a skipper. The boats, decked out in bright colors, moved at a leisurely 2–3 mph, perfect for a stress-free cruise.
- Scenic Serenity: The ride wound through lush, landscaped channels flanked by trees, rocks, and waterfalls, offering views of Fantasyland’s icons like the Matterhorn and Monstro the Whale. It was like a mini Jungle Cruise, minus the skippers’ wisecracks.
- Gummi Bears Takeover: In 1991, the ride was rethemed as Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen, inspired by Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears TV show. New signage and colorful backdrops of Gummi Bear caves and forests added a playful, candy-colored twist, though the route stayed the same.
- A Neighbor to Icons: The cruise shared its lagoon with the Storybook Land Canal Boats and ran parallel to the Fantasyland Autopia, creating a bustling water-and-road hub. Its dock was steps from Dumbo, making it a cozy part of Fantasyland’s heart.
- Low Thrills, High Costs: Despite its charm, the ride was a “C-ticket” attraction with minimal excitement, overshadowed by thrillers like the Matterhorn. High fuel and maintenance costs for the gas-powered boats didn’t help, leading to its closure on January 11, 1993.
- Fantasyland’s Big Makeover: The ride’s removal was part of a broader Fantasyland expansion, clearing space for new attractions and a less cramped layout. The lagoon was later repurposed, with parts of the area supporting Mickey’s Toontown (opened 1993) and future developments.
- Hidden Legacy: The Motor Boat Cruise’s waterways left a mark—some of the original channels were integrated into the Storybook Land Canal Boats’ layout. Curved landscaping near Casey Jr. Circus Train, as nods to the cruise.
- Nostalgic Fan Love: Though not a headliner, the ride has a cult following. The Gummi Glen retheme was a quirky attempt to tie the ride to a then-popular Disney cartoon, complete with signs for “Zummi’s Waterfall” and “Grammi’s Kitchen.
- Often Forgotten: The Motor Boat Cruise is often cited as one of Disneyland’s least memorable attractions because it was just boats far from a cruise.
