Originally Posted By JobyCA65 Some friends and I got on the Mark Twain for the first time in years last night, and loved it. I forgot how peaceful and enjoyable this trip around Tom Sawyer's Island is, especially in the evening hours.
Originally Posted By danyoung I had a really memorable moment on the Twain's sister ship, the Liberty Belle in WDW. It was evening, and there were very few people on the ship. It was on the back side of the island, and I was up on the top deck forward. You could just imagine that you were a million miles away from an amusement park, cruising up the Mississippi. A very cool, very underrated attraction!
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 I LOVE going on the Mark Twain at night. The view of all the twinkle lights on the shore by New Orleans Square is awesome...
Originally Posted By ArchtMig It's such a rare pleasure nowadays to be able to ride the Mark Twain at night. Not to say that Fantasmic is not worthwhile and great, but it pretty much eliminated the pleasure of riding the Mark twain at night during the summertime. And the park closes early during the off season, so to be there on one of the few days when Fantasmic is not running and the park is open late hours AND they're running the Twain after dusk is a rare treat. And I agree with danyoung in post #2 above, and the feeling of being in the remote wilderness is the same at Disneyland around the backside of the island. And it's one thing I think will be lost forever if they ever do a big development of the BT Ranch / Festival of Fools area right down to the river.
Originally Posted By Grumpy Pete The Mark Twain is especially enjoyable when you are up in the wheel house. It is such a different perspective and it quite fun tooting the whistle and ringing the bell. I bet it is great after sun down. I'll try riding at dusk next month. Thanks
Originally Posted By -PLP- I was at the park last nite as well & it was nice to see the Mark Twain operating in the evening. The weather was great and the fireworks show was excellent too! Have a Good Day everyone.. :')
Originally Posted By TINK-MOBILE We got to ride in the wheel house and sign the book,,,it was a neat time, the young gal Brittni was Fantastic really made our day , then we met Murfsmum and Beth and the day took off to such a high we still haven't come down, to top it off we met 999 Haunts Pirate Brittany and Anees and our daughter was dreamed twice saw fantasmic with everyone and saw The Bill'y with Murfsmum and Beth in the front row and just had a blast...it was the best day ever..sad we didn't meet Lady Starlight , her lil one was not well....we just love the Mark Twain...oxoxox
Originally Posted By JobyCA65 It will be something I do on every visit from here on out...when it's running of course. I love it too, Tink. BTW, we also rode Space Mountain. Again, it's the first time I've been on that in years as well. How did they change the attraction when it was down for rehab a couple of years back? It seemed a lot darker than it used to be. Are there any other signficant differences? I just don't remember completely what it was like before.
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 Joby, The music changed (I think it used to be Dick Dale guitar music and now it's more theme-y. I made up a word there...). Also they took away the big chocolate chip cookie moon and they also take your picture at the end now. This post inspired me to go on the Mark Twain tonight! We got to the park about 7:30 and rode pirates and then had dinner at the Blue Bayou. It was kind of a "date night". Even after 5 years you still gotta have 'em! Then as we were getting out of dinner they were loading people on the ship (no Fantasmic tonight I guess...) so we took a moonlit ride and then headed home. This time we stood up top in the back by the paddle. Had never done that before. It was awesome!
Originally Posted By JobyCA65 Thanks, SB. I think the last time I rode it was even before the Dick Dale music. I don't think there was any music on it in fact. I dig the new, more intergalactic sounding track. It's quite majestic sounding, especially the part on the lifts. Still a great attraction. As for the Mark Twain, the moon was out and shining on Friday night as well, and we stood on the back by the paddle wheel too. Watching NOS disappear around the bend of the river, and surrounded by the trees along the banks, it was pretty amazing. I felt like I was really in the South, on the Mississippi River itself. Could have just ridden it over and over for the rest of the evening! Another great attraction. So Disneyland!
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 The bf and I were watching as NOS disappeared behind us and everything was dark and calm and I said "What would you do if you saw the ghost of Walt walking on the water behind the boat?" He didn't hesitate before saying "Pee myself. 100%." I agreed. LOL. You should def. try the new Space Mountain when you get a chance. Utilize Fast Pass so you don't have to wait too long and enjoy your self!
Originally Posted By smd4 >>>. I felt like I was really in the South, on the Mississippi River itself. Could have just ridden it over and over for the rest of the evening! <<< Guess we can thank Disney, too, for destroying the area 3/4 of the year with Fantasmic? (I've replaced the exclamation point with a more-suitable symbol).
Originally Posted By danyoung >Guess we can thank Disney, too, for destroying the area 3/4 of the year with Fantasmic?< Sigh - and it was such a lovely thread. I think there's more than enough room for Fantasmic! as well as the Rivers of America when the show doesn't run. F! is quite simply the greatest outdoor mixed media show on the planet, and I hope they keep it running forever!
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 I just look at it like this: since we can't always ride the river at night, it makes the times we CAN more special.
