Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America Attractions Return to Disneyland Park this Summer with New Magic #142

When the iconic Disneyland Railroad and the Rivers of America attractions return to Disneyland park this summer, guests will discover new magic aboard these classic experiences. As we first shared last year, and seen in the artist’s rendering below (courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering), the gorgeous new north bank of the Rivers of America will feature a beautiful new waterfront and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel.
The Rivers of America will continue to celebrate the Mississippi, Columbia, Missouri and Rio Grande rivers, enhanced now with a new Columbia Gorge section, highlighted by thundering waterfalls – signaling the return of large waterfalls to the rivers. Longtime Disneyland park fans will remember Big Thunder River Waterfall and Twin Sisters Waterfall; five spectacular new waterfalls along the Rivers of America harken back to these favorites – all on display for guests aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.

Guests will also experience these features from aboard the Disneyland Railroad, which will travel across the rocks on a trestle that will even extend onto the river, providing a breathtaking view of the new waterfalls. And, for the first time ever, the Disneyland Railroad will be making a left-hand turn as it circles the park.

Fri, May 19, 2017

Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America Attractions Return to Disneyland Park this Summer with New Magic

by Erin Glover, Editorial Content Director, Disneyland Resort

When the iconic Disneyland Railroad and the Rivers of America attractions return to Disneyland park this summer, guests will discover new magic aboard these classic experiences. As we first shared last year, and seen in the artist’s rendering below (courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering), the gorgeous new north bank of the Rivers of America will feature a beautiful new waterfront and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel.

The Rivers of America will continue to celebrate the Mississippi, Columbia, Missouri and Rio Grande rivers, enhanced now with a new Columbia Gorge section, highlighted by thundering waterfalls – signaling the return of large waterfalls to the rivers. Longtime Disneyland park fans will remember Big Thunder River Waterfall and Twin Sisters Waterfall; five spectacular new waterfalls along the Rivers of America harken back to these favorites – all on display for guests aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.

Guests will also experience these features from aboard the Disneyland Railroad, which will travel across the rocks on a trestle that will even extend onto the river, providing a breathtaking view of the new waterfalls. And, for the first time ever, the Disneyland Railroad will be making a left-hand turn as it circles the park.

In addition to the new waterfalls, Disneyland park fans will spot some familiar faces along the Rivers of America as well as throwbacks to Frontierland’s past. The Indian Village, now in a new location, will include a more prominently featured Shaman, seen telling the story of how the hummingbird taught the Indian chief to make a flute.

We’ll have more to share on these returning attractions soon – including opening dates – so keep an eye on Disney Parks Blog.

I want to thank Erin Glover for sharing her article from the Disney Parks Blog.
I cannot wait to ride one of my favorite Attractions once again.

DISNEYLAND RAILROAD RUMORED A RETURN OF NATURES WONDERLAND NEAR NEW STAR WARS LAND #80

We went to Disneyland this past Sunday 8/7/2016 and talked with some of the engineers, One had showed us how the track had looked before the renovation of the Rivers of America and new Star Wars Land area.

And showed us the new track layout as seen in the picture above.
He said the new layout with have a bit of a upward climb leading to a trestle where the railroad will cross over the river. I asked him if this will make it a shorter trip around the park. He said actually it will be a longer  and slower trip due to the turns and the climb. Did you know that the track has been changed a few times before? yes the original tracks back in 1955, ran right behind Casey Jr.s Railroad. and then was changed when they added The Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World. So I guess it is always changing as Walt Disney once said himself. "Disneyland will never be finished as long as there is Imagination still left in the world"

I asked the engineer if they would be building a tunnel under Star Wars Land, Like how they have it where you run through Splash Mountain. He said he wasn't sure, But had heard a rumor that they may have a tunnel that would run through the same area where Natures Wonderland once was. like the tunnel you could see when walking from Frontierland towards Fantasyland.

After that I got to sit in the cab of the #1  4-4-0 engine " C.K. Holliday and chatted with Engineer Cara, She was well informed about the steam engines that run on the tracks. she showed me all the gauges and switches that run the engine, She told me that the C.K. Holliday had just come back from being re-furbished 2 days after they closed the ride. so the engine has not been run and wont be until next summer 2017.

I have ridden in the coal car seat before and noticed the gauges were missing, they were set up to look like a Hidden Mickey. They now have a Tachometer in front of the older gauges. I have always wanted to pull the bell cord, But she said rules and regulations do not allow guests to do that, as there might be someone on the tracks that they cannot see. therefore they don't want to scare them, if the train might be running. she said there is a Train at each station, Main Street (where I was) New Orleans Square, and Tomorrowland. Not at Mickey's Toontown as that is too close to the construction area. I then got to get some up-close pictures of the engine.
I want to Thank my wife for getting me a birthday present of "The Lillybelle" Tickets.

We also had gone to Club 33 that day for our wedding Anniversary, later that day we ran into "George" and his friends who had been earlier that day at Walt Disney's Barn. I started talking to him and we traded. He gave me his sticker, and I gave him a napkin from Club 33. Thanks George

I want to thank all the Engineers who helped us on Sunday.
I would also like to dedicate this blog to one of the most beloved and friendliest Cast Members, who was a Train Conductor and a Motorcar and Omnibus driver on Main Street. He passed away a few months back, as Cancer cut his journey short. You will be missed. Vern P. Smith

remember to view larger pictures, just click on them.

Disneyland Park Guests Get a Peek at New Star Wars-Themed Land. #63

In April, we celebrated the official groundbreaking of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, and beginning today, Disneyland park guests can get a glimpse of this exciting and immersive experience. A new image has been unveiled on the fence along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland – one of the entry points to this never-before-seen planet in the Star Wars galaxy – revealing more about what guests will find in this all-new land.

Nestled between towering spires of rock, this thriving port contains a seemingly familiar architecture of markets, landing zones and buildings. Click here for a larger version of the image above. Look closely and you may find hints of some of the thrilling experiences that are coming – like the Millennium Falcon peeking out of one of the cargo bays, marking the location where guests will get the opportunity to pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.
The 14-acre land will be the largest-ever single-themed land expansion at Disneyland Resort. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog – we’ll continue to bring you updates as we learn more about this planet, as well as the citizens, aliens and droids who populate it.

This was originally posted by Erin Glover ,on Disney Parks Blog.
By clicking on the picture it will become bigger.
( Just a note from me) I am glad to see that the Disneyland Railroad still exists, if you take a closer look at the sketch, you will see a wooden trestle running over the Rivers of America.