Originally Posted By phruby Who here has been in the Mark Twain's wheel house? Did you get invited or did you ask? What was it like "driving" the boat?
Originally Posted By smd4 I went a few times in the 1980s/1990s/early 2000s. I asked all times. It's neat and very historic. You get to go through the "Texas," where there's a small bed, then up the (steep) stairs to the pilot house. The wheel is fairly massive. You can turn it, but obviously, it doesn't do anything. The steam pipe to the whistle goes up in the front corner. The cords for the bell and whistle are nearby. Behind you is a small desk (where the "pilot's certificates" used to be kept), and the door to the top deck, where you can see the eight buckets with rounded bottoms for fire protection (with rounded bottoms, the crew counldn't use them for anything else). The boat has functional side windows--they drop down into the walls of the wheelhouse, and a cover hinges over them. If you want to raise them, a leather strap will allow you to pull them up. The pilot will instruct you on blowing the whistle (proper sequence) and ringing the bell. It's a lot of fun, and a great perspective on the river.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 We did it once, and it was great. You just have to be the first ones to ask on a given ride, so try to be among the first to board, and then head straight upstairs and knock on the door. Ask politely and if you're the first, they should say yes. I loved ringing the bell and (especially) blowing that low-pitched whistle. When the pilot told me I could do it, I was like "Me??? You want ME to blow the whistle of the Mark Twain??" (Picture Charlie Brown saying "Me?? You want ME to direct the Christmas play??") You knew you could do it, but you still felt a little "I'm not worthy" moment.
Originally Posted By skidca We did it last year and it's a blast. Make sure and get your pilots certificate Just ask when you enter the waiting area that you'd like to pilot the Mark Twain You might have to wait one or two trips but so worth it
Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s We've piloted three times and have enjoyed it each time. We went just about first thing in the morning and have never had to wait for a turn. Be sure to sign the book while you are up there too. Unfortunatley, the one time they had certificates available was the time my daughter and I were on Pirates while my son and husband piloted. When we went with all four of us on two subsequent trips, each in a different month, no certificates were available. The kids were bummed, so be prepared for that. My daughter still waits to this day for hers, so we'll have to do it next year when we go again.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 My certificate was signed by Walt Disney himself. Don't try to tell me it was a mere reproduction. It was Walt Disney himself, I tell you!!
Originally Posted By ImTempest We were told about it by a conductor on the Disneyland train. He said just go to the Mark Twain, gave us the name to ask for, and we were escorted to the wheel house when we got there. Tons of fun - great view! The certificate we got is in a frame on our living room wall!
