Monthly Archives: June 2017

June 16, 1956 – The Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island Attraction Opens in Disneyland

“Journey by log raft across the Rivers of America and discover a mysterious place rumored to contain long-lost treasure.”

On June 16, 1956, the Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island attraction opened in Disneyland’s Frontierland. The rafts take guests to Tom Sawyer Island, where they can look for the buried treasure as they immerse themselves in the stories of the classic character created by Mark Twain. The dock where guests board the rafts has moved over the years as the Frontierland area has undergone massive changes. The rafts and the island itself have the unique distinction of being the old Disneyland attraction designed by Walt Disney himself. Versions of this attraction have also opened in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.

June 14, 1958 – The Columbia Sailing Ship Attraction Opens in Disneyland

“Sail boldly forth into the wilderness on a full-scale replica of a majestic 3-masted ship from the 18^th century.”

On June 14, 1958, the Columbia Sailing Ship attraction opened in Disneyland’s Frontierland. Based on the original ship that circumnavigated the globe in 1787, the ship was meticulously designed to be extremely accurate to the time, and includes several displays that portray life for sailors in the 18^th century. The ship sails in the Rivers of America, circling the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.