After searching the internet and this forum for more information about the Mark Twain the only thing I could find were pictures of the boat decaying from quite a few years ago, and then a rumour that the Mark Twain would be refurbished in 2015. Does anyone know whats going on with it or whats happened to the Mark Twain? Will we be seeing it again in the future or have I missed some news about it?
No updates on the Mark Twain, unfortunately. There were hopes that it would be refurbished along with the Big Thunder Mountain, but nothing happened. My guess is that it's still rotting under that hanger...
Thats such a shame! Its such a beautiful ship and would look great on the river, especially after the refurb!
Shame to hear that she's just being left to rot. If they really only need one boat, wouldn't it be great if they docked her permanently and either turned her into walkthough exhibit or even a small coffee shop type thing?
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 07, 2017, 11:45:54 PM
Shame to hear that she's just being left to rot. If they really only need one boat, wouldn't it be great if they docked her permanently and either turned her into walkthough exhibit or even a small coffee shop type thing?
It seems that only us fans have such great ideas...
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 07, 2017, 11:45:54 PM
Shame to hear that she's just being left to rot. If they really only need one boat, wouldn't it be great if they docked her permanently and either turned her into walkthough exhibit or even a small coffee shop type thing?
Money alas I presume. From the last pictures of it (which were several years ago) it was in a right state to the point where it would be dangerous and clearly need significant work. It may no longer be economical to fix it at this time. They probably decided there were more important things to spend money on.
It'd be nice to see it but I imagine it's a long way down the priority list when they already have one boat working.
Yeah I understand and agree with their decision to prioritise other things in the parks, but I do hope that it is on their list as it would be such a shame for it to just be rotting away and never see the light of day again. But they're right in putting other attractions like Pirates and Phantom Manor first.
Quote from: claire2281 on May 08, 2017, 08:19:40 AM
Money alas I presume.
Sad but true.
Why does that make me fear that they'll just junk her, and sell parts off to the fans as 'exlcusive souvineers'?
Quote from: msRavenswood on May 08, 2017, 07:55:52 AM
It seems that only us fans have such great ideas...
Aww thanks msR. :D
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 08, 2017, 07:16:48 PM
Quote from: claire2281 on May 08, 2017, 08:19:40 AM
Money alas I presume.
Sad but true.
Why does that make me fear that they'll just junk her, and sell parts off to the fans as 'exlcusive souvineers'?
Quote from: msRavenswood on May 08, 2017, 07:55:52 AM
It seems that only us fans have such great ideas...
Aww thanks msR. :D
That would be a sacrilege to do!
You're welcome by the way! It seems Imagineering is going the wrong way these days (look at the monstrosity called Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout...)
Quote from: msRavenswood on May 08, 2017, 07:20:30 PM
That would be a sacrilege to do!
You're welcome by the way! It seems Imagineering is going the wrong way these days (look at the monstrosity called Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout...)
I think the Imagineers do the best they can to fulfill the "suits" decisions.
I wonder if they'll ever break ranks and say "We know its rubbish, but we've been told to do it"?
Quote from: msRavenswood on May 08, 2017, 07:20:30 PM
You're welcome by the way! It seems Imagineering is going the wrong way these days (look at the monstrosity called Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout...)
Too true.
I'll defend Breakout by saying that it could be a fine attraction if it had been built from scratch and not repurposed a perfectly fine attraction that didn't need replacing. (rights issues aside).
And, they can still do somethings right recently - just look at the details of Pandoraland. Some top notch stuff there.
But the likes of Mission Breakout do not help their cause - at least in the eyes of the fans.
Quote from: A&S&O on May 09, 2017, 12:47:15 PM
I think the Imagineers do the best they can to fulfill the "suits" decisions.
I wonder if they'll ever break ranks and say "We know its rubbish, but we've been told to do it"?
That is an excellent point. A lot of recent decisions do seem to be more "suit" orientated. And sometimes WDI goes along for the ride. Point in example - Star Wars Land. No doubt that was done to ride the wave from the new films, rather than insistance from Glendale that they need to do it.
As for knocking back ideas, I feel that they probably do it more than we think. What we see could very well be a acceptance of the need to add attractions.
What I'm trying to say is, as questionable as some of these recent additions have been (Guardians), just think there could be an even more lame idea that the gang from Flower Street managed to stop, or at least steer in the right direction.
Now as for the Mark Twain.. I guess it is clearly a money issue. In fact, is there much of a demand for two boats on the Rivers of the Far West?
So its just Molly Brown that is working these days?
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 09, 2017, 05:05:48 PM
Now as for the Mark Twain.. I guess it is clearly a money issue. In fact, is there much of a demand for two boats on the Rivers of the Far West?
I'm not sure if theres a demand but I think if they had the ability to it would be nice to swap the boats around every so often. Both are different and I feel like they both have their own feel to them. But as I said I can understand why they are only running the Molly Brown.
^I guess it is just down to cost. One to repair the old gal and another to have her out in the park on a regular basis.
Another idea I've had... what about using it for a characters only thing? Either with guests aboard or just a show we'd watch from the riverbank?
Sort of like what they did with the Disneyland Mark Twain with Tiana's Showboat Jubilee. Except it'd have to be something different for Frontierland.
Here's an excerpt showing the boat portion (its preceeded by a precession through New Orelans Sq.)
https://youtu.be/2BaEZdzaWF0
Some great ideas for repurposing the Mark Twain!
I think they will get round to doing it up to use again as normal but it is a big job and I can't see it being a priority while Molly Brown is running well.
Good seeing on twitter ED92 that there has been refurbishment happening to the River Rogue Keelboats. Would be amazing to have them running again. It's been how many years.....
Yes I saw that! They look great! I've never been on them before and I'm quite excited at the possibility of seeing Frontierland from a different angle/viewpoint.
I loved the river rogue boats. Two experiences on them. Lower deck you are in padded comfort and feel like you are sat on the water and the ducks etc come right next to you. Top deck you are in the sunshine, have awesome views of big thunder and the geysers and are gently rocking along.
I can't remember if it was 1999 or 2002 that we last rode these. They have been shut forever!
Quote from: fan_tasmic on May 09, 2017, 09:02:05 PM
Yes I saw that! They look great! I've never been on them before and I'm quite excited at the possibility of seeing Frontierland from a different angle/viewpoint.
Alas there is only one left apparently and it's kept in working order so it can be used to evacuate Big Thunder Mountain if needed.
Yeah I saw ED92s tweet today. Ah well...