The Mike Fink Keel Boats opened on October 1, 1971, as part of Magic Kingdom’s Opening Day lineup. The attraction featured two boats: The Gullywhumper and The Bertha Mae, named after the vessels seen in the Davy Crockett TV series episodes “Davy Crockett’s Keel Boat Race” and “Davy Crockett and the River Pirates”. These episodes were later adapted into a theatrical release, and the boats used in the show were repurposed as actual props for the attraction.
Guests boarded the keel boats at a dock located to the left of the Haunted Mansion entrance, setting sail on the Rivers of America alongside the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, Liberty Belle Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island rafts. The boats were free-floating, meaning they were not guided by a track, and required skilled navigation by Cast Members—a rarity among Disney watercraft attractions.
Each boat featured dual-level seating, with guests able to sit inside the cabin or on the roof, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Frontierland and Liberty Square. This unique design added a sense of adventure and intimacy, as the boats glided past scenic elements and animatronic wildlife.
Operations became sporadic after a 1997 incident at Disneyland, where the Gullywhumper capsized, dumping guests into the water and causing minor injuries. Though the accident occurred in California, it prompted increased scrutiny and contributed to the eventual retirement of the Magic Kingdom’s keel boats, which ceased regular operation by April 29, 2001, though some sources suggest seasonal use continued briefly.
🧭 Legacy and Remnants
- The original loading dock still exists near the Liberty Square smoking area, and was repurposed as a FastPass distribution zone for nearby attractions.
- During the 2011 Haunted Mansion queue refurbishment, long lines were rerouted down the path toward the old dock, offering a subtle nod to the attraction’s former presence.
- As you sail aboard the Liberty Belle, keep an eye out for a keel boat homage docked at Tom Sawyer Island—a quiet tribute to one of Magic Kingdom’s most rustic and underappreciated adventures.
🎩 Fun Facts and Trivia
- The Bertha Mae was later sold on Disney’s eBay auction site for $15,000 to collector Richard Kraft, and appeared in his documentary Finding Kraftland.
- The Gullywhumper and Bertha Mae were originally 38 feet long, and their designs were based directly on the TV show props, not Imagineering blueprints.
- During Magic Kingdom preview days in 1971, one of the keel boats was reportedly used to shuttle guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the park gates due to limited monorail availability.
- The attraction was classified as a B-ticket ride, making it one of the more accessible experiences for guests using the original ticket book system.
