Liberty Belle Riverboat Explained

Liberty Belle Riverboat
Imagedimensions:250px
Location:Magic Kingdom
Section:Liberty Square
Status:Operating
Closed:TBA
Vehicle Type:Sternwheeler
Riders Per Vehicle:450 riders
Duration:About 12:00
Custom Label 1:Ticket
Custom Value 1:D (formerly)

The Liberty Belle (formerly Richard F. Irvine) is a steam-powered riverboat ride vehicle at Rivers of America, Walt Disney World.[1] It was the second boat ride vehicle to be introduced in this attraction and originally named after the late Disney executive Richard F. Irvine.[2] [3] It was a steam powered sternwheeler replica.[4]

History

The Richard F. Irvine Riverboat was the second riverboat to enter into service on May 20, 1973 in the Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom park.[5] Its other riverboat colleague, the Admiral Joe Fowler, served from October 2, 1971, through fall 1980 when it was destroyed in a dry dock accident.[5] The Richard F. Irvine was completely refurbished and returned to service in 1996 as the Liberty Belle Riverboat. The Liberty Belle underwent an extensive rehab from September 2005 to September 2006 and returned as an attraction ride vehicle.[6] The Richard F. Irvine name would later be reintroduced on one of the ferry boats that travel between the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center, having been renamed from Magic Kingdom II in 1997. Between late October 2009 and early January 2010, the Liberty Belle was used for a live show called Tiana's Showboat Jubilee to promote The Princess and the Frog film.[7] [8] In 2018, the Liberty Belle was completely overhauled with a new boiler.[9] [10]

In August 2024, it was announced that the Magic Kingdom version of Rivers of America would be closed to make way for a Frontierland expansion, based on the Cars franchise. As such, the Liberty Belle was planned to stop operating as well.[11] [12]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Sandler . Corey . Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando: Also Includes Sea World and Central Florida 2001 . December 1999 . McGraw-Hill/Contemporary . 978-0-8092-2639-9 . en.
  2. Book: Caselnova . Anthony M. . Disney By The Numbers: Facts and Figures about the Walt Disney world Theme Parks and Resorts . 25 April 2020 . Anthony M Caselnova . 978-1-941500-60-6 . en.
  3. Book: Steamboat Bill: Journal of the Steamship Historical Society of America . 1999 . The Society . en.
  4. Book: Americana . 1978 . Americana Magazine . en.
  5. Web site: Mongello. Lou. Liberty Square Riverboat. WDW Radio. September 17, 2007. September 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20120614142901/http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/liberty-square-riverboat/. June 14, 2012.
  6. Book: Rich . Jason . Everything Family Gd Disney/Universal Studios & Greater Orlando . 17 September 2004 . Adams Media . 978-1-59337-179-1 . en.
  7. News: Mongello . Lou . First Look - Tiana's Showboat Jubilee at Walt Disney World Videos . 18 June 2024 . WDW Radio . 26 October 2009.
  8. News: ‘Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!’ at Walt Disney World . 18 June 2024 . AllEars.Net . 26 October 2009.
  9. Web site: Kondolojy. Amanda. January 3, 2018. 7 Confirmed Refurbishments Coming Soon to Walt Disney World (January 2018). Theme Park Tourist. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190318011918/https://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20180103/33566/7-confirmed-refurbishments-coming-soon-walt-disney-world-january-2018. March 18, 2019.
  10. Web site: Soberman. Matthew. December 22, 2018. PHOTOS, VIDEO: Liberty Square Riverboat Returns, Burning Cabin Restored at the Magic Kingdom. WDW News Today. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190318012107/https://wdwnt.com/2018/12/photos-liberty-belle-reopens-after-major-refurbishment/. March 18, 2019.
  11. Web site: Bevil . Dewayne . Disney: New ‘Cars’ rides will go on Tom Sawyer Island . Orlando Sentinel . 2024-08-12 . 2024-08-12.
  12. Web site: Zizo . Christie . Newest expansion at Disney’s Magic Kingdom means Tom Sawyer’s Island is going away . WKMG . August 12, 2024 . August 12, 2024.

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