October 17, 2008: Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland

[Werner Weiss]

Welcome to a great attraction in the tradition of the Jungle Cruise—only this time it’s the environment and animals of North American wilderness areas instead of those of the world’s jungles.

Although there been a Yesterland entry for the Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland for many years, it had tiny pictures. I've updated the entry with more pictures, larger pictures, and a longer article.

Link to Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland at Yesterland

Please discuss it here.

[Eagleman]

I miss Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland ...
It was like a trip into a National Park...

The waterfalls of Cascade Peak was also great part of
Rivers of America....

I hope Nature’s Wonderland can be re-born ..
maybe over the sister park D C A !
Thank for the feature...

[Eagleman]

I miss Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland ...
It was like a trip into a National Park...

The waterfalls of Cascade Peak was also great part of
Rivers of America....

I hope Nature’s Wonderland can be re-born ..
maybe over the sister park D C A !
Thank for the feature...

[Yendorb]

Great update Werner. I loved those little trains. Too bad you didn't have a picture of the mountain goats on cascade peak.

[RenMan]

I never got to go on it, which makes me sad. My family visited Disneyland in '78 and I suppose BTMRR was under construction then. I must've just missed out on a chance to ride the mine train.

[2DieFR]

Another piece of Nature's Wonderland left behind is the bear scratching his back against a tree. It was repositioned at some point so you could see it from the Mark Twain or Columbia. Unfortunately all that remains today is the faux tree, sitting amongst real ones, with a slot halfway up the trunk where the mechanism once lifted the bear up and down.

[Wendygirl]

I'm also one of the old timers who misses this ride. I loved going into the dark Rainbow Caverns with the soft music and the glowing pools of water. I also remember those rocks that looked like they'd fall on you and the cactus that looked like people. And the Mineral Hall with its glowing rocks. Sigh. Great photos. I wish our family had taken photos or even home movies of this ride.

[JennyandMickeyMous]

Ive never been on that ride. I found out about it on Yesterland. I like seeing the track thats still there.One time when I went to disneyland I saw a little kitten walking along the track by the abandend train. The kitten was cute. I love Disneyland.

[KISSman]

This is one attraction I really wish I could have gone on. I love the audio for it on the 50th Anniversary CD set and by the sound of it, I'm pretty sure I would have enjoyed this sort of ride. I wish something like this would make a return to the park.

[davewasbaloo]

I really miss it. Although I like Big Thunder, I love the Mine Train, especially the Rainbow Caverns. and some how, without the burning cabin, the proper fort and Cascade Peak, the Rivers of America seem to have lost a lot of it's soul.

I was mortified when I went to DL in 2002 (last time to my home park before that was 1986), I couldn't believe the falls had gone!

DL used to have so many weenies to photograph, these days it feels limited.

[Werner Weiss]

Another piece of Nature's Wonderland left behind is the bear scratching his back against a tree. It was repositioned at some point so you could see it from the Mark Twain or Columbia. Unfortunately all that remains today is the faux tree, sitting amongst real ones, with a slot halfway up the trunk where the mechanism once lifted the bear up and down.

Interesting. I never knew that.

[Circa1966]

It's unfortunate that instead of taking a bulldozer to Cascade Peak, Disney didn't take a repair crew and shore it up for another 20 or 30 years.

[davewasbaloo]

It's unfortunate that instead of taking a bulldozer to Cascade Peak, Disney didn't take a repair crew and shore it up for another 20 or 30 years.

Indeed, I think that is what broke my heart most of all.

[triesch]

Interesting. I never knew that.

Here's a picture I took of the bear, Werner. Feel free to add it to your site (and crop as needed), if you wish :



This photo was taken in 2005. At that time, he was just past the Indian Village on the mainland (left) side of the river. I'm not certain if it's still in the same spot.

Also, I don't have confirmation of this, but I remember reading (in one of Al's articles, I believe) that the loss of Big Thunder Falls created some unanticipated problems for the River. Apparently, the falls weren't just scenic, but were actually serving to aerate the river's water, keeping it fresh. Another sad example of the short-sightedness of the Pressler era.

-Jon

[JennyandMickeyMous]

Ive been looking at the front of the train and they look the same. Do you think they are the same?