After you have been walking through the park and it is time to take a rest, I can't think of a better place than this special little spot on the Mark Twain Riverboat. 
Walt Disney thought the idea of a 5/8 scale model steam powered riverboat was so essential to his original vision of the park he mortgaged his vacation home to finance the project. This was the first large paddle wheeler built in the United States in more than 50 years. The location of the boat dock was one of the earliest design decisions. The ship is the visible "wienie" from the hub that draws you through the gates of Frontierland. 
The hull of the ship was built in Long Beach with the upper decks built at the Studios in Burbank. It is roughly 5/8th scale of a full size ship but that isn't consistent throughout the structure. It can hold approximately 350 passengers. A few days before the park opened, Walt and his wife Lillian held an anniversary party and a ride on the Mark Twain was part of that party. It is said that the ship has traveled more than 260,000+ miles in its 50+ years of operation. 
There are two favorite spots. The pilothouse (which will be a different article) and the life preserver box. If you go to the second deck, in between the two rear staircases is a large box. Grab a seat. You will experience a relaxed, humane way to travel around the Rivers of America. There is always a bit of breeze, even on the hottest days. You rarely are disturbed by other as they want to be on top or right at the edges. Whether it is sunny or rainy, you are protected from the elements. You can feel the power of the steam pistons and the paddle wheel on your back as you lean back.
Plus it is fun to think about the time when bands did use this stage. I think back to the incredible performance from Louis Armstrong in the 1962 film called Disneyland After Dark. Thanks to Daveland's incredible collection of historic Disneyland photos, I have been able to share some of those moments. 
To be fair, on really, really busy days, right in the middle of the afternoon, you might get a bit of company. But it is better than the alternatives. I hope you will take ride and let me know how it went.
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