So all my years going to Disneyland, this was the first time trying out the canoe. It's pretty simple. You get a paddle and row through the rivers of America. Very calm and relaxing. Occasionally you'll be riding along with the ducks. The hosts are pretty funny. Reminds me of the Jungle Cruise captains. Not exactly Dad jokes but still Dad humor. Definitely a relaxing ride worth a try! read more

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Take a trip back in time, just around the riverbend and get some upper body exercise on a trip that usually just works the legs! The comedy and camaraderie along the Rivers of America is wonderful as you see the sights of the river up close and personal like you cannot enjoy the sights any other way at Disneyland along the waterway. It's a favorite of our family and we try to ride each trip we take. Come join us and enjoy the trip! read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes - Amusement Parks Near Me - Anaheim, California

Not such a relaxing ride with kids lol, our 8 month old was not happy about having to wear an oversized lifejacket and our 8 year old kept splashing us since she was rowing so roughly. On the bright side we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Rivers of America around Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, seeing ducks gliding through the water! I would recommend this otherwise relaxing, leisurely ride if your kids know how to paddle, otherwise mom and dad should row. 4/5 stars! SYOY! *Song Credit: Tuesday by Sascha Ende Site: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode read more

An attraction that makes you work! Personally, I've never been a fan of this attraction even as a kid as you end up with sore arms and usually in my case, a sunburn from being exposed to the sun while you row. This is definitely an attraction for those looking for a workout during their Disney day at the parks. A skip for me however! read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes - Entrance - Amusement Parks Near Me - Anaheim, California

I've gone to Disneyland several times and I finally had a chance to try out Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes on a Sunday, mid-afternoon, 90 degrees out. It's by far one of my new favorite rides at Disneyland. This is a great workout! Life vests are provided to children. You're provided a paddle, two-by-two on each canoe with a cast member at the front and rear of the canoe. You soon set sail on the Rivers of America. The cast member informs you how to paddle. Depending on whom is your tour-guide, there is comedy relief such as the Jungle Cruise. During the adventure, you'll see sights such as a village and Tom Sawyer Island. Great ride, short wait time, typically no longer than 10 minutes. It's about a 15 minute ride, depending on the paddling from your team members and the canoe leaders. read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes - Amusement Parks Near Me - Anaheim, California

My family and I went on the canoes a long time ago and it's still one of my favorite memories at the parks. About 10 years ago, I suggested the canoes to some friends who had never been on it. They were dismayed that it required actual rowing. Oh, come on! A little manpower goes a long way. Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes is one of the first rides at Disneyland. It's fun if you're willing to put a little work into it, but also, there are two CMs on each canoe helping the group along. Kids under 6 years old are required to wear life vests and everyone gets a paddle to row with. Try not to splash people around you! The CMs tell punny jokes to pass the time. The views of Rivers of America aren't so bad either. Give it a try some time, you might like it. read more

This was a lot of fun. This ride attraction is not offered in Orlando Disney. It's one of the oldies dating back to 1956. When westerns and shows such as Davy Crockett were the big things on TV. Funny, as my gal and I were laughing when we saw this ride here. Like, the liability consequences to begin with! Yet, we both climbed aboard after a quick paddling lesson and instructions the ride attendant. It was actually a blast, and we got our exercise in that morning at the same time! Definitely not a ride for those lazy types, or for those who like the modernized rides more. You're on the canoe for a while with a bunch of others trying to all paddle in unison. Yeah, our canoe guide even told corny jokes along the way. Wholesome entertainment! read more

I have been on this ride twice; once when I was a kid and one time on our recent trip to Disneyland in the month of November last year. My husband suggested we go and I was excited to ride the canoe because it brought back memories of when I was little. Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes are located in Frontierland. There is virtually no wait (which is nice) and quick tip, make sure you grab your paddle before boarding your canoe. Like the Jungle Cruise, they have a cast member in front of the boat that makes jokes for your amusement. This is also a workout; all the guests use their paddles to move the canoe in the rivers of America. It is nice and scenic too as you watch the Mark Twain steamboat sail past you and ducks swim near you. It's nice and relaxing and fun and since there are many canoes, there is virtually no wait time. I recommend this attraction for the nice workout and the nice scenic views of the park. read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes - Sign in front stating regulations and times of operation - Amusement Parks Near Me - Anaheim, California

I believe this was literally one of the only rides I have not done at Disneyland. I generally avoid the water rides because of my wonderful fear of drowning. Yup, I have no trust that a canoe full of tourists would not tip over and cause a major disaster. In my effort to move beyond my fears (and having a supportive companion that I trust will save me), I decided to try out the newly re-opened explorer canoes. They suit everyone up with a fashionable and attractive life vest. You get to choose a paddle to fit your height. Explorers are paired two-by-two and get ready to board your canoe. There is a helpful cast member at the front and rear of the canoe. Once on board, they instruct you on canoe safety and how this whole paddling thing is going to work. You get to do one lap around the Rivers of America. Along the way you see Indian warriors and a village. There is a nice view of Tom Sawyer Island and New Orleans Square. The work isn't strenuous. The water is kind of icky, so I wouldn't recommend splashing or trying to drink from the water. We successfully made our way back to the dock without tipping over. I survived and did not drown. I am glad I did it and would be open to going again with the kiddies. read more

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Row, row, row your boat...gently down the stream. At most attractions in Disneyland you wait in a line, get into a vehicle and you are magically whisked away to another place and time. Not here at the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes...you are whisked away to another place and time by your own paddling. Because I am a complete Disney nut and I love to be immersed in all things Disneyland I totally love the canoes. It is basically the same tour of the Rivers of America that you get if you travel on the Mark Twain Riverboat or the Sailing Ship Columbia but you get a super up close and personal tour. Plus you get a workout. The one thing about the canoes is that they operate on an irregular schedule. Most days that they are open they operate from a little after opening to somewhere around dusk so if you want to experience them make sure to ask a Cast Member or check the schedule with City Hall. Just remember that if you want to spend some time on the canoes come prepared to actually do some paddling. The Cast Members who guide the canoe are good at doing their job but it is not very nice to make them do the job of moving the canoe full of people through the river all by themselves. :0) read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes - Row, row, row your boat... - Amusement Parks Near Me - Anaheim, California

Located at the edge of Critter Country are the free floating canoes in Disneyland. It's interesting how you can get a totally different experience on this ride depending on who you have accompanying you in your twenty-seater canoe. The first few times I went on this ride I felt like we almost coasted along with all of the strong adults helping out. Then this last time there seemed to be only four adults (including myself) along with the two guides (one on each end) that were doing all of the work. I couldn't believe how much work it took to only get to the halfway point. You could really feel the difference in how much energy it took out of you. There were just too many young kids going along for the ride, which made it tough for the ones actually doing all of the work. The great thing about this ride is that there is hardly ever a line for it, but the bad thing is that you too could end up on one of those extremely exhausting canoe rides like I was on. #81 / 100 Yelp 100 Review Challenge 2014 read more

A total work out!! As if walking around the park is not enough. If you want to work out your arm, please by all means do go on this "ride". This isn't my favorite attraction but once in awhile, it's kind of fun canoeing around Tom Sawyer Island and listening to the funny jokes your canoe guide make. OR if you want to check out some BUFF men.. haha then yes, go on this attraction! read more

To the staff manning the canoes: if you don't know how to steer, don't have this job! The staff member in the back of the canoe steered us into the rocks. and we bumped into the canoe that set off after us. Latter situation - eh, that's all right - but hitting rocks and teetering isn't my idea of fun. I now know why as a child my parents never took me on the canoes: it's hard work. Especially with people not pulling their weight (e.g. the woman in front of me who just decided to sit there with the paddle across her lap; or the other woman she was with who decided to see how much she could splash the other riders with the nasty green water.) Happy we tried the canoes... but I think they'll be a miss next time. read more

*Who wants to exercise at the Happiest Place on Earth? ...I DO...unless it's burning hot outside... *Davy Crockett's Canoes seems like a hidden gem because a lot of people don't know this attraction exists. For example: Me: Hey, you wanna go on the canoes? My friends: What's that?...I didn't know Disneyland had that. Well there you go. *It seems that the hiring department hires CM's with humor because every time I go, my canoe guide is really funny. Not cheesy funny...Funny! *No matter what you try to do you will get wet. I always paddle correctly but sometimes the person in front or in back of me is out of sync, our paddles hit, and then somehow splashes us in the canoe (feet, leg, face). *Using your arms paddling the canoe is not relaxing but I feel like this ride is just a great way to chill and take a break from the crowds and usual riding on rides. *So if you haven't gone here, GO! And... Row Row Row your boat Gently down the stream... read more

If you want a good upper body workout at Disneyland make your way toward Davy Crockett's Canoes. Don't pass the opportunity to row your way around the Rivers of America, nice green water. The wait in line was 5 minutes, they had plenty of canoes ready to get people rowing. Our Disneyland guide was silly and comical. I get a kick out of the nerdy G rated humor. Keep an eye out for the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Columbia Ship as you circle the river. This is a nice relaxing ride that gets you away from the crowds. read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes - Amusement Parks Near Me - Anaheim, California

The only Disney ride that gives you an upper body workout! As a kid, I always wanted to take a trip on the canoes. When Kathy and I saw the canoe tours going on while on the Mark Twain, we had to do it. Like many of my fellow Yelpers have said, there is no track... in other words, this is a self-propelled ride, and it's up to you and your fellow passengers to get you back to the start. Luckily, everyone on our canoe pitched in. Also, no life vests for us! Yes, you will get a workout. Yes, it's hard work. Yes, the cast members do tell corny jokes (the one about the beaver who built the dam being called Justin made us groan). But, you will have fun going around the Rivers of America portion of the park, and knowing that you actually participated in this adventure, and burned off quite a few of the calories you put on because of those pesky churros! Plus, the feeling of calm as your canoe goes around the area gives one that zen sensation, especially in the quiet parts of the ride. And stroke... and stroke... and stroke... read more

If you want a good arm workout, come here. This is true fun in the sun! Just so you know, there are no tracks guiding the canoe...I asked and won the bet. It is all the passengers and Davy Crockett aka your strong rowing instructor (Disney cast member). Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! This is one of my favorite rides ever. It is a good way to burn those churros away! You go around the Rivers of America and sometimes, if there are two canoes, they have races against each other. So much fun competition! We rode this fun ride and our Disney cast member was hilarious. He also broke his paddle...the second one that day. I guess he is just too strong for the tiny paddles. The downside about this ride is that if the other passengers do not paddle, your canoe goes slower. It is a great ride for everyone, especially kids, maybe not children under 5 because they might be tempted to jump out of the canoe. I recommend this ride for everyone, tourists should try it, but if you cannot ride it, next time. For all you adventurers, like me, definitely ride this ride! The wilderness must be explored! Kawkaw...Rawr! read more

If you want to get a free workout while working on your canoe paddling skills, this ride is the one for you. Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes is a fun ride that will require use of your upper body strength to paddle the canoe with the wooden oars. They do have adult and kid size oars. Kids are required to wear life vests. The tour guides are fun and make the ride more exciting! Since seeing the canoe paddlers, I had wanted badly to try it. Now that I did, I can say that this is one of my favorite attractions in the park. You will paddle throughout the Rivers of America. Along the way, you will see both the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Columbia, as well as the ducks! Be careful how you paddle, as you don't want to bump into another person's oars or even have any of the dirty green water spilled onto you! It s a risk worth taking when riding the canoes of Davy Crockett! Since you are so close to the water, be careful as to not stick out any appendages in the water! Have fun sailing the Rivers of America with this one! read more

"Are you ready for some manual labor?!" Bow, our effervescent guide, shouted this at the start of the canoe ride and it really sets the tone for this "ride." But what you realize 5 minutes in is who skipped the shoulder day at the gym because suddenly no one is rowing. Then again, you might be stuck behind the one over enthusiastic rower that slaps the water so hard you get a nice mouthful of green water. It just takes you out of it and makes it hard to be a good sport about being an explorer. If you're insistent on getting the canoe experience after watching people do it and thinking "that could be fun" then you might be in for a rough ride. Even the cast members know its a raw deal. Our guide Bow actually asked us to shout and scream that we had a great time as we were docking to entice other park patrons to their doom. *For those that like to try everything once, the key is to sit at the very front. Or don't ride at all and take the Columbia or Pirate Ship instead. Both traverse the same Rivers of America and you actually get to take in the sights on your own leisure. read more

Hey Family, I know we're on vacation and all at Disneyland, but do I have some tiring work for you! I'm not sure what sort of sick sick parent brings their kids to Disneyland only to make them conduct back breaking arm tiring labor in order to go in a circle. I mean, sure, it's a great way to justify eating that second Churro. And I'm pretty sure that P90X has this listed as one of their reps, but you seriously need to paddle your canoe. This stuff is hard work. I'm at disneyland to relax. Not work! It's bad enough that my legs are going to be killing me by the end of the day, now I have to deal with my arms killing me as well?! I mean, COME ON! Careful with splashing children who aren't anything more than dead weight and if I had my way, would be on their way to the bottom of the rivers of America. But yeah, this ride exist and I feel like maybe there shouldn't be cast members who work this, so much as gym memberships to work out on it. read more

Yes, you have to paddle. No, you cannot record the whole trip. Yes, it is manpowered. No, there is no track. Yes, you will get wet. read more

Grace C. was helping me do all the things once before my pass expired after the whole experience I asked, "WHY am I doing HARD labour at the happiest place on earth?!?" LoL...for those that have a soft spot for pretending you were an early explorer or rowing, this is your jam!! I just didn't like that I did it on a day when it was 100ish ~40C and I was wearing black sooo bad combo plus choose your company wisely...the chick in front of me was off rhythm so she kept splashing me!! =X ~*~ it's fun and exhausts all little ones quickly I highly recommend doing this ride with your crew buds...no splashing and easier on you! ;p read more

First off dont paddle on a full stomach,because paddling is a real work out! The canoes is kind of hidden. it helps to stretch your hands out before in a circular motion so your muscles don't start hurting afterwords. The canoes starts off with your leader who will tell a joke or two every few minutes. Some instructors will tell you how to row and some wont (2 out of 3 times they will explain how to do so). All you have to try to do is to go with the flow and row at the same time. If you are lucky you wont be in the middle of children because they seem to not row correctly and splash you with the dirty green water. Half way through the ride you get a small break, and by the end your hands will most likely hurt. Its a fun attraction where you work out and see the beautiful scenery. read more

I have been to Disneyland more times than I can count but I have never once been on the canoes... until now. For some reason I thought you had to pay for this, since Disneyland isn't cheap. But I'm glad I checked it out! The line goes fast, since the canoes are fairly large, so we waited about 10-15 minutes. They make any child under 8 wear a life vest, and offer them to other children who might feel uncomfortable without them. They have two sizes of paddles so the children can help (ha) and larger paddles for the adults. We actually got to sit in the very front of the canoe, so we got an interesting experience since we "set the pace" for the canoe and got to talk to the rower in the front every once in a while. Beware of small children directly in front or behind you - I was rowing on the side of the adult, but my boyfriend wasn't as lucky. The little girl behind her (cute as she was) would splash him every time her oar came out of the water. So he walked off the ride looking like he had just got off Splash Mountain! It is very nice to see Disneyland from a different perspective and go around Tom Sawyer's Island. I say to try this out! This ride does give your arms a bit of a workout, so be prepared. It's one of those things I'm glad I tried, but I probably won't do again. read more

Worse place to sit is behind and in front of kids. My entire right side is soaked with Rivers of America water. Yay green water. The cast members are fantastic at keeping you entertained though. Love it! read more

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes is a fun adventure that requires you to put your back in it and keep paddling. Sure, you can complain that you didn't come to Disneyland to exercise, but would it really hurt to work off some of those churros you've been stuffing your face? For the record, I didn't find this "ride" all that strenuous, but I've canoed and kayaked before so maybe I knew what to expect. Would I join Davy Crockett on another canoe adventure? You bet! Right now through I'm in the mood for a Dole Whip Float! read more

Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee, Rowing 'round a River he always sees. Taking guests with never ending glee, Anyone can ride, even a child of three. Davy, Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier. Good: It is the only ride powered by YOU! Bad: It is the only ride powered by YOU! Final: Go have a great time in an unique attraction in Disneyland! read more

The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoe ride is one of the coolest "rides" at Disneyland. It's real. It's organic. It's primal. It's you and a paddle against the water. And the stinky life jackets just add to the reality that, however improbable, your old fashioned canoe can still capsize at any given moment. Up to 20 people and two guides enter each canoe. The people (that's you) provide the movement, and the guides steer and/or point out the "sights" - Tom Sawyer's Island, a rustic cabin, an American Indian village, random wilderness themed animatronics... And then, somewhere in the middle of the ride, a kind of Zen thing happens. Everyone and everything just syncs, together, in meditative harmony. Even the guide senses it and becomes quiet. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. And for a moment, you just relax into the canoe gliding on the surface on the water. The ride takes but a moment. And then you're done. And you're happy. read more

The closest thing to an actual workout (besides schlepping from land to land) at the otherwise Laziest Place on Earth. I dig the fact that guests have to paddle to get around Tom Sawyer's Island to grab a glimpse of some mighty dated AudioAnimatronic scenes of Native Americans and stiff and stuffed woodland creatures. Trivia: an attraction canoe currently resides poolside at collector home, Kraftland. read more

One of the best rides in the park. I came early here with my best friend and we splurged on a VIP purchase pass so that we didn't have to wait in the long line-up. I love how the actors were in full character. Not a fan of boat rides but this was fun. read more

The canoes aren't a bad ride, in fact, it shouldn't really be considered a ride at all. You paddle the canoe! You, along with the other people in the canoe, including two cast members, paddle yourselves along the Rivers of America. Watch out for the Mark Twain Riverboat creeping up behind your canoe! read more

You definitely have to be in the mood and know what you're in for but if you are ready to row a boat (canoe) while seeing the park (specifically the Rivers of America) from a totally unique vantage point this "ride" is very rewarding. But yeah, they make you row. They aren't agro assholes about it (as I assumed as a kid, so stayed away from it) but the captains definitely work under the assumption that everyone who waited in line understood that they were all going to do some sort of physical work on the ride. It makes sense. And they do call out those who aren't at least trying but its usually in a passive aggressive way that makes you wonder if the captain secretly wanted to work the Jungle Cruise. I don't know why but I feel like I should add that apparently the cast members here tend to be what I'm told is "hunky" due to them pretty much working out their upper bodies constantly on the job. So if that's a thing for you, there you go. A lot of things which should be obvious can happen on this ride. People suck sometimes and the ones in front of and behind you will probably piss you off in some way. You'll likely get wet - but in that awkward drippy way rather than an evenly-spread out traditional water ride way. Its a fucking canoe powered by tourists who don't know anything. Everything you're imagining in that is true. But there's no reason for that to be a bad experience. Its just not at all like anything else in the park - which is a great thing. The canoes are only open when the park is at its peak attendance and part of that makes me sad but the reality of it being open year round would probably mean that we'd all have to wait about 20 minutes for a canoe to get reasonably staffed with enough people to make it move. That also means that when the park is ungodly busy you have an almost surefire thing to do which won't be much longer than a 20 minute wait. See what I did there? read more

The Canoes are the only ride in all of Disneyland that do not run on a track, through a chute, or in an otherwise controlled fashion. You could park your canoe right in front of the Mark Twain and get slowly mowed down. You could run aground. You could chase ducks. Canoes are weird to call a ride, since they're really just a form of transportation, and it's almost sad that we're so indoorsy as to consider them a ride, but Frontierland used to have mule rides and whatnot, and canoes are frontiersy. These require more physical effort than any other ride, but you spend all day giving your feet and legs exercise, may as well give your upper body a workout too. The entrance for the Canoes is a bit confusing; it's all the way down by the Hungry Bear restaurant, not near the rafts that go to Tom Sawyer's - uh, Pirate - Island, and it's down a short set of stairs. I like that it's next to the restaurant because you can go wash your hands after your ride very conveniently. Personally, while I enjoy canoeing, I'd enjoy it more if my canoe wasn't full of strangers who keep their paddles in the canoe and expect us to make up for them not paddling, children dragging their (child-sized) paddles in the water and making things harder, and people who just can't seem to follow along with one single direction: "stroke!" Our coxswain (do you use that term for frontier-themed canoes?) seemed a bit frustrated and kept having to stop everyone because we weren't moving well due to the uncoordinated rowing. Like, badly enough that as my four friends and I were leaving, he actually thanked us for being the only ones to follow directions (about 20 people fit in the canoe and only five of us understood paddling?). I actually wouldn't have minded going even more slowly and enjoying the view of Tom Sawyer's - er, Pirate - Island; I found myself watching the paddles so I didn't hit my friend's (near the end, I also found myself trying to figure out how to splash the woman behind me whose paddle never went in the water)(expect to get splashed, period. Maybe keep your mouth closed, 'cause I'm sure the Rivers of America are chemically-treated to avoid cholera, but waterfowl spend a lot of time in there, too, ifyouknowwhatImean). We took two breaks to let our arms and shoulders relax, and it happened to be itty-bitty duckling time at Disneyland, and we stopped right next to a group of them, which was squee-worthy. And that's a very cool thing about the canoes: it provides the most quiet of any other ride, because you get to be away from crowds and enjoy ducklings and see actual trees. It's a nice thing to do if you're feeling overstimulated. I don't always have patience for people who can't follow directions, which I guess is my issue with the Canoes, and is not intrinsically part of the ride (maybe it is). The more of your own trustworthy friends in your canoe, the better. read more

This is great to do on a hot day - you build up a sweat, then run off to splash mountain for a cool down. If you are lucky, you will get a good guide and a good boat of people too! read more

Fun times on a canoe. Only man powered ride in Disneyland. So nice, I rode it twice.

This ride is my favorite. My friend and I ride it all the time. Rogelio tells the best jokes. Would give it 5 stars if Drew weren't there.

If you come to Disneyland on arm day, don't worry - here's how to get your workout! This ride does close early to clear out the River of America for Fantastic, but there's never really a wait and it's a cool way to see your way around the park. Your arms will be sore from paddling, and the canoe leaders think they've got mad jokes like on the Jungle Cruise, but it's a nice fun thing to do at the park if you're tired of waiting in lines and sitting on rides. read more

It was myself, my wife and two guides who rowed out canoe around the island. Tgd rest of the passengers couldn't row to save themselves. The guides thanked me for helping. The ride seems to only run on weekends during the fall and winter. A good workout, but a bit tiring if nobody wants to help .Disney ride description says that the guides are supposed to be capable of getting everyone around by themselves read more

I love this ride. I rarely find other people that do, because they actually make you paddle and do some physical activity. And I should clarify: I love this ride in the morning....not in the blazing afternoon sun. If you're not afraid of a lil' rowing, check these canoes out. If you are averse to physical activity, though, you probably won't like this. You're missing out, though! read more