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Liberty Belle Riverboat

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Liberty Belle Riverboat
The Liberty Belle Riverboat in October 2005
Magic Kingdom
AreaLiberty Square
Coordinates28°25′11″N 81°34′58″W / 28.4196°N 81.5829°W / 28.4196; -81.5829
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 20, 1973; 51 years ago (May 20, 1973)
Closing dateTBA
Ride statistics
Vehicle typeSternwheeler
Riders per vehicle450 riders
DurationAbout 20:00
TicketD (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 is a steam-powered sternwheeler replica.[4]

History

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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 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.

The Liberty Belle underwent an extensive rehab from September 2005 to September 2006 and returned as an attraction ride vehicle.[6] 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

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References

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  1. ^ Sandler, Corey (December 1999). Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando: Also Includes Sea World and Central Florida 2001. McGraw-Hill/Contemporary. ISBN 978-0-8092-2639-9.
  2. ^ Caselnova, Anthony M. (25 April 2020). Disney By The Numbers: Facts and Figures about the Walt Disney world Theme Parks and Resorts. Anthony M Caselnova. ISBN 978-1-941500-60-6.
  3. ^ Steamboat Bill: Journal of the Steamship Historical Society of America. The Society. 1999.
  4. ^ Americana. Americana Magazine. 1978.
  5. ^ a b Mongello, Lou (September 17, 2007). "Liberty Square Riverboat". WDW Radio. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Rich, Jason (17 September 2004). Everything Family Gd Disney/Universal Studios & Greater Orlando. Adams Media. ISBN 978-1-59337-179-1.
  7. ^ Mongello, Lou (26 October 2009). "First Look - Tiana's Showboat Jubilee at Walt Disney World Videos". WDW Radio. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  8. ^ "'Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!' at Walt Disney World". AllEars.Net. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  9. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 3, 2018). "7 Confirmed Refurbishments Coming Soon to Walt Disney World (January 2018)". Theme Park Tourist. Archived from the original on March 18, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Soberman, Matthew (December 22, 2018). "PHOTOS, VIDEO: Liberty Square Riverboat Returns, Burning Cabin Restored at the Magic Kingdom". WDW News Today. Archived from the original on March 18, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (2024-08-12). "Disney: New 'Cars' rides will go on Tom Sawyer Island". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  12. ^ Zizo, Christie (August 12, 2024). "Newest expansion at Disney's Magic Kingdom means Tom Sawyer's Island is going away". WKMG. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
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