Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes

Are you ready for some exercise? You'll have to paddle if you want to get through this canoe trip around the Rivers of America. Originally called Indian War Canoes, this attraction has been at Disneyland since 1956 and through the years has survived many a threat of cancellation. Fortunately, with up to 16 guests and two cast members in the canoe, the trip around the river usually takes only five minutes or so, assuming you get out of the way of the Mark Twain Riverboat.

Disneyland Resort > Disneyland Park > Critter Country

General Information

Location: As you walk in front of Splash Mountain, the dock will be on the right, before Hungry Bear Restaurant.

Date Opened: May 19, 1971 (July 4, 1956 as Indian War Canoes)

# of Ride Units: Unknown

Ride Capacity: Varies, depending on number of canoes in use. Each canoe can hold up to 16 guests with two cast members.

Restraint Method: None

Ticket Rating: D Ticket

Ride Photo: No

Time Commitment

Open/Close: Only opened on busier days during the off season, and only if the weather is good. Closes around dusk.

Wait Times: Lines generally aren't very long for this attraction, but the ride also doesn't have a very high capacity. If the wait is much over 20 minutes the recommendation would be to just move on.

Length of Ride: 20 minutes

FastPass: No

Single Rider: No

Queue Description: No real queue for this attraction, just switchbacks along the riverside dock.

Access Information

Health Restriction: Riders will be expected to paddle the canoe, though nobody will force the issue. Riders should be capable of that exertion.

Ride Access: The queue is accessible to wheelchairs and ECVs.

Wheelchair Transfer: Riders will need to transfer from wheelchairs and ECVs and then step down into the canoe and reversing to exit.

Service Animals: No

Audio: Cast members leading the trip will give oral instructions, which are pretty self-explanatory.

Weight and Size Issues: The canoes will be very tight for large or tall riders.

Parenting Information

Height Restriction: No

Child Swap: No

Other Issues: Young children will be required to wear life vests. The Rivers of America are only waist to armpit level deep for adults but will be over many children�s heads should they fall out of the canoe, although it is a relatively safe ride.

History and Trivia

At this location: Under different names, this attraction has been plying the Rivers of America since 1956.
The Attraction's History: The canoes opened in 1956 when the Indian Village expansion of Frontierland premiered. Under that guise, each canoe was led by an Indian guide. When the Indian Village closed in 1971 and the area became Bear Country in 1971 the attraction was renamed Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and the guides became frontiersmen. Surviving the translation of Bear Country into Critter Country, the canoes appeared to be closed for good in October 1989, but they returned on a seasonal basis during the summer of 1999 and have been a busy-day attraction ever since.

Other Trivia
A lot of moving without going anywhere: Without ever changing location, the canoes are the only attraction to have been in three different Disneyland lands: Frontierland (1956-1971), Bear Country (1971-1989), and Critter Country (1989-current).