Look Across the River

Tokyo Disneyland's Western River Railroad provides some great viewpoints as we travel along.

Don't forget to take time to enjoy everything as you travel along!

When You Need a Trip

If you are an avid reader of DF'82, you will know how much we love the Riverboat and any excuse to take you on the many tours around the Thunder Mesa area.

But now, if you want to take a trip and you just happen to be wandering around Disneyland Paris, you can book one yourself!

As you can see from the top of this advertistment, you can book your package through the Thunder Mesa River Packet and Steam Navigation Company. And who wouldn't want to go on the "Safe" and "Relaxing" S.S. Mark Twain?

Now, I need to go and book myself a Royal Package...

Steamy Things A-Foot!

We're nearing the end of our Riverboat cruise - I know, it feels like we've been touring on this boat for days! - and we're about to come upon one of my favourite areas of Frontierland. But first, we pass by the Conestoga Wagon - abandoned, possibly by some of the settlers. You can't see in the picture, but there are also the skeletons of two Ox, buried in the sand.

After that feeling of abandonment, we pass by Geyser Plateau, an area where hot and steamy water spouts into the air and natural mud bubbles.

It's actually quite an eerie place to pass by - especially as we are getting closer and closer to Boot Hill and Phantom Manor.

Is It A Bird? Is It A Plane?

No, it's the Disneyland Paris Railroad! Can you see it - off to the right of the Riverboat, through the trees?

Good Ol' Joe

Next on our whirlwind tour of the Rivers of the West, we pass by Joe's Landing.

Surrounded by Cottonwood Trees, you can see a fisherman - perhaps Joe himself - sitting with his fishing rod, next to his lively and barking dog.

Exit From The Mountain

Yet again showing the detail that Imagineers go into, our cruise along the River on the Riverboat allows us to see some of the beauty of the exit to Big Thunder Mountain.

Most people overlook these pieces of 'added' detail upon exiting the attraction - and who can blame them? They're probably rushing to go ride it again! But as you can see here, from the lookout post of sorts and the oil driller, everything has been created with the intent of continuing the story of Thunder Mesa. Some more examples of why Parc Disneyland is one of the most beautiful parks Disney have ever created!

Maybe tomorrow we'll take a brief escape from the Riverboats and have a look at the Mountain itself...

Views of Frontierland

Following on from Sunday's post, we're all aboard the Mark Twain Steamboat, heading around the Rivers of Thunder Mesa - or, affectionately known as, the Rivers of the West.

The riverboats travel around the rivers anticlockwise, with Big Thunder Mountain remaining on our left-hand sides. I spoke about how interesting the riverboats themselves were in this earlier post, and briefly mentioned how unique Big Thunder Mountain is in Parc Disneyland, and I will come back to this soon.

At the moment, let's enjoy some of the views of Thunder Mesa that we can enjoy from this beautiful turn of the century mode of transport.

This picture shows the infamous Lucky Nugget Saloon, a rib, chicken and beef restaurant with your hostess Diamond Lil. When it opened, the Saloon originally provided an evening show - possibly similar to that style of the original Disneyland' Golden Horseshoe shows - but nowadays it is the host to a 'eat and greet' with some of your favourite Disney characters.

All Aboard...The Riverboat

There are many hidden treasures in and around Disneyland Paris, and one of my favourites is the Thunder Mesa Riverboat.

Although it's too big to really be 'hidden', it is an attraction that is generally overlooked. Similar to it's sisters throughout the Disney Parks, this Riverboat winds around the River (Thunder Mesa, in this case), uncovering some interesting sights.

You can board the Riverboat near Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, at the Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. Shall we hop aboard to go for a little journey around the River and Big Thunder Mountain?