I've been very fortunate to do just about everything at Disneyland, even stuff that is rarely available to the general public. I've eaten in Club 33. I've toured Walt Disney's apartment above the firehouse on Main Street. I've taken a ride aboard the Lilly Belle parlor car. But there are a few special treats that guests can do that I hadn't done yet. One of them was riding in the Pilot's House of the Mark Twain Riverboat.

The lower level of the Pilot House features a sleeping area and a sink. The living quarters really enforces the concept of this being the captain's house.

I don't remember where I first heard about being able to ride with the captain of the Mark Twain as she makes her way around Tom Sawyer's Island on the Rivers of America. But it was always something that I wanted to do and never got around to asking for permission to do so. Kathy and I got an early Christmas present when on December 24 we were asked by the captain of the ship to come up and join him for the voyage.

Kathy signs in to the Mark Twain's guest registry.

It was a very casual day for us at Disneyland. We had no agenda to complete, no must-see or must-do events on this trip. As we were passing by the dock in Frontierland, Kathy suggested that we hop aboard since the Mark Twain was preparing to take passengers. Once on the boat, we made our way up to the third deck, hoping to be in position to get a photo of the Disneyland Railroad as it passed by an open clearing in the forest along the banks of the river.

Matthew poses at the wheel of the Mark Twain.

The spot we chose wound up being right outside the "Private" door that led up to the Pilot's House. I heard a voice asking me how many people were in my party. I turned around to see the boat's captain and I responded, "Two." He said, "Come on." I knew what was going to happen next and I grabbed Kathy to follow us. She initially wondered why we were giving up our spot along the railing until she realized where we were going.

The extra height of being in the Pilot's House gives an extraordinary view of locales around the Rivers of America, such as this look at Tom Sawyer's Island.

Just inside the door, on the bottom deck, is a small sleeping quarters with a bed and sink. There were stairs on the left side of this room that led up to the wheelhouse itself. After making the climb to the top, our captain invited us to sign the guestbook and provided a pen for Kathy to do so. I'm sure I had a big smile on my face as I looked around and out the open windows onto the decks below.

Kathy looks out at the rear deck just outside the Pilot's House. This area is filled with costumed characters at the finale of Fantasmic!

We were allowed a number of pictures before we launched. We posed with the giant wheel. We posed as though we were blowing the whistle. We had our picture taken together by the captain. We were told to make ourselves at home.

Our captain surveys the river ahead of the boat. Though the Mark Twain is guided by a rail, he still needs to watch out for other river traffic.

We were asked if we'd like to ring the bell and blow the horn as we left the dock. I asked Kathy if she's like to do it but she graciously allowed me to do it. A number of tugs on the left pulley rang the bell mounted in front of the Pilot's House. Two pulls on the right handle blasted the whistle twice. That sound has long been my favorite sound of Disneyland and I was now the one making it. Very cool!

Signage posted behind the wheel show the hand signals used by cast members along the Rivers of America to aid in safe navigation.

It's no surprise that the Mark Twain is guided by a track under the surface of the Rivers of America, something that makes piloting the riverboat with its large steering wheel somewhat unnecessary. As we glided past the buildings of New Orleans Square, through the waterways filled with rafts and canoes and around the bend to an Indian village, our captain chatted with us, sharing tales of navigating these waters, working at Disneyland and even of carnivorous birds. Occasionally, he had to excuse himself to press a button to activate the next part of the recorded spiel playing over the speakers.

Just outside the front windows of the Mark Twain is the riverboat's bell. Up ahead is the Indian Village.

The view from the Pilot's House was incredible. It is surprising how much of a difference an extra 8 to 10 feet above the top deck makes. People would occasionally look up at us, probably wondering how we got so lucky to be where we were. I know I've looked upon other guests in the Pilot's House in much the same way.

Matthew gives a blast of the whistle as the Mark Twain approaches its dock. The handle on the left is used to ring the bell.

The voyage was much too short and we soon found ourselves waiting for the Columbia to pull out so that we could dock. One last blow of the whistle and one last ringing of the bell would have to suffice for this incredible adventure. But before the trip had run its course, our captain presented us with our very own Pilot's Certificates, which he joked that we could sell on eBay if we'd like. He then lead us back down to the lower level and invited us to return sometime soon.

After our voyage was over, Kathy was presented with Pilot's Certificates signed by Walt Disney.

All in all, it was a magical adventure -- the kind you could only happen into while visiting Disneyland. I was glad to have the chance to experience something new at Disneyland despite having visited on hundreds of previous occasions. And I think that it was a little more special because we hadn't asked to participate in this special activity but rather were invited to experience it. Riding in the Mark Twain Pilot's House is an adventure that I'll look back on with much fondness.

- Story by Matthew Walker; Photos by Kathy and Matthew Walker
Posted February 2, 2006

E-mail Matt at matt@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this article in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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