Discovery River Boats, Water attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida
Discovery River Boats was a boat ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom that took passengers on a circular route through different areas of the park. The journey offered views of landscaped environments and water features as the vessel moved slowly across the waterway.
The attraction opened alongside Animal Kingdom in April 1998 but closed after just 16 months in August 1999. Multiple efforts to improve the experience could not sustain visitor interest in the long term.
The boats incorporated educational elements by featuring animal handlers who presented wildlife specimens to passengers during the journey around the park.
Each boat ran on fuel power and held approximately 62 passengers per trip, allowing for relatively small group sizes. Two docking stations at different park locations provided multiple boarding points for guests.
The ride featured distinctive decorative elements such as a fire-breathing dragon cave display in one area and an animated dinosaur bathing scene elsewhere in the route. These themed details were designed to make the journey more entertaining and immersive for passengers.
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