The Rivers of America in Disneyland. Seen in shot are the Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer's Island, and Big Thunder Mountain.
The Rivers of America is a staple feature of the Disney Parks, frequently affiliated (and located in direct proximity to) the Haunted Mansion.
Description[]
The Rivers of America is an artificial river which loops on itself and is made to be an anachronistic depiction of a great number of American rivers which can be observed from different parts of the park. All parks have boats which travel along the river for guests to ride, most notably being the Mark Twain Riverboat in California and Liberty Belle Riverboat in Florida.
In Walt Disney World and Disneyland, it has Tom Sawyer's Island located in the centre of it while in Disneyland Paris (where it is known as Rivers of the Far West) it has Big Thunder Mountain located within it on Big Thunder Island. In Disneyland it passes through Frontierland, New Orleans Square and Critter Country while in Walt Disney World it only passes through Frontierland and Liberty Square.
Haunted Mansion Connections[]
Disneyland[]
The Rivers of America is found directly across from the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square. In the context of this mansion's story, the Rivers of America is analogous for the Mississippi River which cuts through New Orleans in real-life.
While riding aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, they will make explicit references to the Haunted Mansion, talking about the urban-myths regarding the estate.
Unused[]
In the 1990s, a proposed mega-theme for New Orleans Square would have had catacombs going underneath of the Rivers of America in-order to connect to Tom Sawyer's Island. This would have been accessed via the crypt of Jean Lafitte within the cemetery of the Haunted Mansion. Remnants of this unused installation can still be found throughout Tom Sawyer's Island and New Orleans Square.
Performances[]
During the Haunted Mansion's 50th anniversary event, the Rivers of America had boats holding characters such as the Cadaver Dans on them going through Haunted Mansion themed performances.
Merchandise[]
Merchandise will sometimes refer to the Haunted Mansion as being, "Riverside property" because of the mansion's proximity to the Rivers of America.
Walt Disney World[]
Howling Dog Bend marker
In the Magic Kingdom, the Rivers of America is once again found directly adjacent to the Haunted Mansion. Part of the exterior queue for the mansion is even made from what appears to be an old harbour for the rivers. In the context of this mansion's story, the river is made to be the Hudson River which cuts through New York with the Haunted Mansion being found in the Hudson River Valley.
The river-bend by the Haunted Mansion is named, "Howling Dog Bend" in a buoy, likely for how the howling affiliated with the exterior of the mansion used to be heard from the river in this area. The river itself is also fairly visible from the family plot in the ride's queue. The spiel of the Liberty Belle Riverboats mention the mansion having been built on ancient indigenous burial grounds, being a possible cause for the manor's history.
Disneyland Paris[]
In Disneyland Paris, the Rivers of America are known as the Rivers of the West and are found exclusively in Frontierland. The river is set within the fictional region of Thunder Mesa (likely located in Arizona) and has many features connecting to the stories of both Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Phantom Manor. The Mark Twain Riverboat found here was even once captained by Phantom Manor character, Rowan D. Falls.
Performances[]
For Phantom Manor's re-opening following the 2018 refurbishments, the Rivers of the West were used to show off characters such as the town Mayor, reopening access to Ravenswood Manor.
Other Connections[]
The Ghost Gallery[]
The Hudson River (as portrayed by the Rivers of America) plays a role in this backstory for the Haunted Mansion's backstory in this cast-member created story. The most notable tie-in involves, "Howling Dog Bend", a location found on the rivers in Walt Disney World nearby the Haunted Mansion. The Ghost Gallery puts forward that the bend was named for Master Gracey's pet dog, Hellhound who died along the river and whose ghostly howling gives the bend its name.
Additionally, the character of Little Leota is said in this story to have died within the river, causing her body to wither to the size of a doll.