Trip Report A Bit Of a Scare On The River

[ttrocc7007]

Today (12/13) somewhere around 3:30 - 4:00 PM, my daughter and I were traversing the Rivers of America aboard a Davy Crockett Explorer Canoe. We kept getting to close to the wake of the Columbia and had to stop paddling at least three different times.
At one point the canoe that left after us actually caught up with us (this I am used to, it happens all the time), and headed (for fun) nose first right at us, steering away at the very last moment.
Fortunately all was calm, but then as we began paddling to get away from the second canoe, we approached the rear of the Columbia a bit too quickly.
Our 'navigator' at the rear of the canoe who controls the rudder did not react quickly enough and our canoe seemingly out of contriol began swinging its rear end into the stern of the Columbia.
A couple of guests in our canoe began to scream and several guests began jabbing at the Columbia with paddles in an attempt to distance ourselves and avert a collision.
Our CM working the rudder quickly (and sounding more than a bit frightened herself) began announcing "Please dio NOT use your paddles to push off the Columbia, and please don't scream!'
Our canoe did glance off the stern of rear of the Columbia, and we made our way back to the dock. As a parent, I was a bit rattled, and grateful my daughter took it all in fun.
I couldn't help noticing the large number of temporary CMs working for the holiday crowds. I'm wondering if this was the case on the canoes. I recognized some of the CMs from perevious visits, but not these.

[PirateChick]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Quite honestly, mishaps like this happen more frequently than guests realize. Granted, I have never worked the canoes so I can't say how often things like that happen but I know at Auto especially, there was always at least one "close call" a week. The CMs might have been rookies on your canoe but things happen like that to even the most seasoned veterans. Canoes and Auto are special in the sense there are no breaking zones on the track. If one vehicle gets too close to another they don't stop, they keep going in until a CM stops it manually.

[Mac Daddy]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Yikes. I'm not sure how dangerous that is, but it doesn't sound like someone was following the established rules too closely. I would think the one you would really want to watch out for would be the Mark Twain, but the Columbia still sounds like it could cause a canoe some problems if bumped into...especially if people panic and jump up and the thing capsizes.

Glad you made it back safely, and had a bit of an adventure to talk about when you got back.

[PerformerInWaiting]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Eekkk I wudda been freaked out!!!!!! Well IMO if they r gonna put temp. CMs, they should atleast have an experienced CM and then a temp.

[BiggestDisneyFan]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

That does sound pretty frightening, and I'm very glad that it didn't turn out any worse than a close call. However, I think I would take bumping into the back end of the Columbia, any day, over getting caught too close to the back end of the Mark Twain! Can you imagine what that massive paddle-wheel could do to a canoe full of people? !!!

[PirateChick]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Can you imagine what that massive paddle-wheel could do to a canoe full of people? !!!

If that were the case, I would hope I was sitting at the back of the canoe!

[ryanvalle]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

A similar situation happened to me once where our canoe came super close to the Columbia. Close enough to a point where I could touch it with my hand. The CM operating the navigation ended up using the Columbia to push the boat away from the ship.

To be honest, I'm surprised that there isn't a communication system established between Canoe navigation and Columbia/Mark Twain to allow for a stop on movement in case things get too close. Yes, there are hand signals in place, but let's be honest here, hand signals are primitive and often go unnoticed from such great distance. In addition, when really close to the ships, canoes will hit their blind spots making hand signals absolutely useless.

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Give it a few years and a few more incidents like the one noted above and the lawyers will be ensuring the canoes are gone for good. Besides, why have canoes when the dock could be used as a wonderful shoreline plush store? LOL

[Disneytwins]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

shhhh! don't give them any ideas!

[Donald_Duck]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Give it a few years and a few more incidents like the one noted above and the lawyers will be ensuring the canoes are gone for good. Besides, why have canoes when the dock could be used as a wonderful shoreline plush store? LOL

"Mommy! This is a store! Where are the canoes you told me were right here?"
"They were turned into these shelves holding all those Dumbo dolls, sweety."

[aashee]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

THat's pretty scary stuff Tom. We saw a near sinking on a canoe ealrier in the year. I hope the CMs know what to do in situations like this, sounds pretty unorganized.

[PirateChick]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

THat's pretty scary stuff Tom. We saw a near sinking on a canoe ealrier in the year. I hope the CMs know what to do in situations like this, sounds pretty unorganized.

In the case of a water exit, the person next to you can be used as a flotation device... If all else fails you can just stand up, lol.

[aashee]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

In the case of a water exit, the person next to you can be used as a flotation device... If all else fails you can just stand up, lol.

LOL!

I could stand in that water. In fact, I'd stand on the person who can't swim so my shirt doesn't get wet!

[ttrocc7007]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

THat's pretty scary stuff Tom. We saw a near sinking on a canoe ealrier in the year. I hope the CMs know what to do in situations like this, sounds pretty unorganized.

Honestly Chad, as you well know as a Dad my job was just to keep cool and calm, but as I saw the rear of that Coluimbia coming closer, well I just never knew the boat was so BIG!
I was hoping you would be coming by the meet today. Sorry we missed you, and we'll see you again soon.
Thanks for the expression of concern.

[Fortune Cookie]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Give it a few years and a few more incidents like the one noted above and the lawyers will be ensuring the canoes are gone for good. Besides, why have canoes when the dock could be used as a wonderful shoreline plush store? LOL

"Mommy! This is a store! Where are the canoes you told me were right here?"
"They were turned into these shelves holding all those Dumbo dolls, sweety."

LOL you took the words right off my keyboard!

[aashee]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Honestly Chad, as you well know as a Dad my job was just to keep cool and calm, but as I saw the rear of that Coluimbia coming closer, well I just never knew the boat was so BIG!
I was hoping you would be coming by the meet today. Sorry we missed you, and we'll see you again soon.
Thanks for the expression of concern.

I so wanted to come today, but Miss Ashley had Volleyball and I'm a better Dad than a MiceChatter. That would have freaked me out Tom, I'm glad it was a near hit and not a swim to safety.

[Barbossa]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Bah, cityslickers! You guys should try paddling a canoe on the open sea with swells, like I did in Clayoquot Sound. That was fun! But a heck of a work out.

[royaldisneyfan]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Close call. I woulda freaked out =0 Thanks for sharing your experience.

[aashee]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

Bah, cityslickers! You guys should try paddling a canoe on the open sea with swells, like I did in Clayoquot Sound. That was fun! But a heck of a work out.

If done river rafting in Wyoming but I don't expect to fall there. Plus I'd have a waterproof camera on a real river and leave my Mickey ears home.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: A Bit Of a Scare On The River

I think a lot of cm's you see that you think are temps are really seasonal workers who are employed by Disney on a year roeund basis. My niece goes to UC Irvine but is working there now during her winter break. She says it's funny because a lot of full time help assumes she's a new hire when she's actually already trained in her job. (which is in foods btw)