Skull Rocked

[Speedway]

Does anyone else think that removing Skull Rock and Captain Hook's ship was a step-back, themeing wise? I was looking at pictures at Yesterland, and it seems such a lush way to break up the coloured concrete of Fantasyland, much like the Sub Lagoon did at the Magic Kingdom.

Why was it removed?

[MasterGracey]

I wish I could have been alive to see it - but I wasn't so I really can't say. Pictures and seeing something in real life is never close to being the same. But Fantasyland in its current state is absolutely gorgeous, so I'm not complaining either way.

[Trader Sam]

Hmmm. What if the old motor boat ride area was redone as a Neverland area? Part of it could be a recreation of the old skull rock and Hook's ship, while the rest could be forest/cave area to explore and play. Trees could have little doors and windows, suggesting fairy homes. Meet indians. Play hide-and-seek with Princess Tiger Lilly. See real mermaids.

Of course, the monorail track would detract from it.

[Alan]

It was moved when that area was redeveloped I believe in the 80's. They moved Dumbo and opened up the area leading toward IASW. Crows were pretty large then with World and Videopolis. Skul Rock and the Pirate ship were in the way.... and who really likes Tuna Fish sandwhiches in a hot amusement park?

[danyoung]

I had just discovered this area right before they ripped it out. Enjoying a tuna sandwich while sitting on deck of the ship, with the Skull Rock waterfall pouring out into a small but beautiful lagoon - sigh, I miss it!!!

[HBG2]

I remember them very well (being an old fart), and they are the thing I probably miss most from the old Fantasyland.

They took them out because they took up a lot of room, and the new Fantasyland needed that room, that's all.

One of the best things about that thing was the eating area along the back pathway of Skull Rock cove, under canopies. A cool spot to be on a hot summer's day. There's a nice picture in the Disneyland Forever book.

[MasterGracey]

I thought Skull Rock and Hook's ship were removed because of wood rot that would have been too costly and impractical to repair/replace?

[sleepyjeff]

The wood rot is pretty much right. It was moved for the room but they did intend to keep it by putting up closer to Small World...but durring the move it fell apart due to that wood rot. Something similar happened to another ship in WDW(except it was an actual ship).

[Mojave]

... Crows were pretty large then...

Crows have always been large at Disneyland, even today. Probably because the AA mechanisms take up so much space.

[Speedway]

Crows have always been large at Disneyland, even today. Probably because the AA mechanisms take up so much space.

You should be on the stage.

[RobotMirror]

I thought Skull Rock and Hook's ship were removed because of wood rot that would have been too costly and impractical to repair/replace?

See, I've never been sure that I buy that explanation. Disney has embarked on more expensive projects than repairing, or even rebuilding, a rotting wooden ship, similar to those that were very commonly built in the 15th century.

I think they may have used that as an excuse to make better use of space in what has become a very crowded area, or even to just get rid of a restaurant that was, from all accounts, not very popular.

I'm willing to bet the yearly cleaning and maintenance at any of the disney hotel pools was more than to completely rebuild a wooden ship.

[cellarhound]

As a kid I remember it from the very first time I went to the park... I loved it... I also loved tuna...

And yes, it is a thematic step back... I can honestly say that it isn't the same without that ship...

I would even go so far to argue that Peter Pan is the best Disney Animated Feature ever made. Which is why Peter Pan Flight is the most popular dark ride in fantasyland...