[Question] Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

[monster heck]

Has this ever been brought up as an idea? I think a dusk dinner on the Twain as it slowly makes laps around the river would be great!

What kind of food would you like on board?

[mickdaddy]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

Great idea but with fantasmic it will never happen!

[Ortizmo2000]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

That would be absolutely awesome if they could do it. I realize Fantasmic doesn't run every night and one could imagine those times for the dinner cruise, but wow I can see it booking up a year in advance due to lack of time and space on the boat.

I'd like a mix of some BBQ fare and the offerings of the Blue Bayou for such a cruise.

[E-StopMyHeart]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

I worked the Twain/Columbia for a year within my ongoing 8 years in the company...and sadly I can tell you that there is absolutely nowhere they could place a kitchen on that boat. The rewiring needs alone would require huge refurb and ovens or warmers would be a major fire risk on an old wooden boat. Maybe a pantry could be done. Drinks could easily be done but the food would have to come from a NOS or FL kitchen and be brought on board just before the cruise. Not the most feasible thing with hot meals I'm afraid...what about when diners want another hot side dish in mid-cruise? Now a cold picnic-style meal with mint julips and a jazz band, that I can see happening on nights when Fan doesn't run.

[calsig31]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

That would be a great idea. I've taken the dinner cruise in Laughlin a couple of times and it was great. I could only imagine how awesome it would be in Disneyland.

[Guest]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

I suggested this idea a while back. Basically, the only option is to cook the foot onshore and cart it over as cargo while guests load. The trip isnt long enough for them to need to cook it on the ship anyway. Put a bar (alcoholic or not) back onboard and you have yourself a great place to eat!

[Bruce Bergman]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

They could pull it off if they did all the prep at NOMK or another kitchen, and had it ready to go as Box Meals in warming cabinets - just roll them on board and keep them plugged in - Fried Chicken and a Biscuit would hold long enough. And the cold things like the Cole Slaw and Potato Salad in a seperate chilled cabinet.

The ship has enough generator capacity for the Fantasmic effects and the Booster Motor, they can spare a few KWH to keep Dinner hot. Or get the steam generator running, that's another 5KW. Heck, make a fitting, get the special hoses, and they can run live steam from the boilers straight to the warming cabinets...

Drinks is easy enough, they can make a Powered ODV Cart with all the selections in it. Same with table-ware, Condiments, Napkins, etc. - you'd have to design it for space-saving, but put it all in one cart and roll it onboard.

Chairs they have pre-made carts you stack 50 or more folding chairs on and go, same thing for folding tables by the dozen. You could make a party pop up inside of 20 minutes with a small army of Gofers doing the duty.

The biggest problem would be No Restroom Facilities on the ship while it's underway - but even that could be solved with a little ingenuity. I could use one of those storage closets at the Stern and convert it to a suitable Marine Head, but they'd have to insist it's for "Urgent Needs Only" - because they won't have that much holding tank space. As long as they don't insist that it be ADA Accessible - that would scuttle the whole deal.

One of those carts could have a little hand-wash sink at one end and a bunch of paper towels for the inevitable sloppy-messy kid clean-up.

--<< Bruce >>--

[Ortizmo2000]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

Possible, yet a logistics nightmare.

[boisemice]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

This would be an amazing experience if they could ever make it happen.

[Guest]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

They could pull it off if they did all the prep at NOMK or another kitchen, and had it ready to go as Box Meals in warming cabinets - just roll them on board and keep them plugged in - Fried Chicken and a Biscuit would hold long enough. And the cold things like the Cole Slaw and Potato Salad in a seperate chilled cabinet.

The ship has enough generator capacity for the Fantasmic effects and the Booster Motor, they can spare a few KWH to keep Dinner hot. Or get the steam generator running, that's another 5KW. Heck, make a fitting, get the special hoses, and they can run live steam from the boilers straight to the warming cabinets...

Drinks is easy enough, they can make a Powered ODV Cart with all the selections in it. Same with table-ware, Condiments, Napkins, etc. - you'd have to design it for space-saving, but put it all in one cart and roll it onboard.

Chairs they have pre-made carts you stack 50 or more folding chairs on and go, same thing for folding tables by the dozen. You could make a party pop up inside of 20 minutes with a small army of Gofers doing the duty.

The biggest problem would be No Restroom Facilities on the ship while it's underway - but even that could be solved with a little ingenuity. I could use one of those storage closets at the Stern and convert it to a suitable Marine Head, but they'd have to insist it's for "Urgent Needs Only" - because they won't have that much holding tank space. As long as they don't insist that it be ADA Accessible - that would scuttle the whole deal.

One of those carts could have a little hand-wash sink at one end and a bunch of paper towels for the inevitable sloppy-messy kid clean-up.

--<< Bruce >>--

Exactly right.

Remember though that due to the length of the cruise, the food would be served rather promptly so storage time would be very minimal.

The real issue is restrooms. Not sure if a perminant porti-potty installation is what Disney is looking for.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

Howdy Pards,

Well...I'm from down New Orleans way...and this here is a great idea. Should be done first class all the way though...none of them box lunch things. We're talkin' real plates and table cloths and cloth napkins and silverware and salt and pepper shakers and candlelight and everything...

Course only the rich folks would be able to afford such a thing...and I sure never could...but, if I won the lottery, boy oh boy, you can bet I'd sign on for this in no time. Taint no doubt about that...

Now...the way I figure it...folks could be welcomed at the dock...brought to their reserved table [no rushin', pushin', kickin', and shovin' to find the right spot...we're talkin' fancy here...] and an Appetizer and some sweet tea or somethin' could be served while the boat is still in dock. [An appetizer is a little bit of tasty food rich folks sometimes eat before they eat, don't ya know?]

Then...just before the main course...[fancy, rich people food...no hamburgers or hot dogs or turkey legs or nuthin'] the twilight cruise around the Rivers of America begins. Maybe a little bit of live Dixieland Jazz playin' in the background. [Did you fellers know that the great Louis Armstrong once played on the Ol' Mark Twain? He sure did. Back in '62 it was...Walt put it on one of his TV shows...mighty special.]

As we pull back into dock...and time for a bathroom break if folks need one...the show ain't over. Nope. After a few minutes...we take off again for the dessert portion of the cruise... And, I think the folks at Disney could dream up some mighty fancy desserts to choose from...

This part might be just a little quieter...a little more romantic you might say. This would be the part where the young fellers would get down on their knees and propose to that pretty girl they love...or, there might even be some slow dancin' or somethin'...as "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Bella Nolte" plays softly in the background...

Taint no doubt about it...this here would be a memory to be cherished for a lifetime...and taint the first shindig ever to happen on the ol' Mark Twain ya know... A few days before Disneyland opened back in 1955 Walt and Lilly celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary at the Golden Horseshoe and on the Ol' Mark Twain...which wasn't old back then...nope, it was brand new. So new in fact that they say Lilly was spotted sweepin' the decks of some left over sawdust and stuff before the guests arrived...

Yep...a dinner cruise on the Ol' Mark Twain would be a memory to cherish for all time...what a wonderful idea! A truly wonderful idea...

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan

[monster heck]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

Howdy Pards,

Well...I'm from down New Orleans way...and this here is a great idea. Should be done first class all the way though...none of them box lunch things. We're talkin' real plates and table cloths and cloth napkins and silverware and salt and pepper shakers and candlelight and everything...

Course only the rich folks would be able to afford such a thing...and I sure never could...but, if I won the lottery, boy oh boy, you can bet I'd sign on for this in no time. Taint no doubt about that...

Now...the way I figure it...folks could be welcomed at the dock...brought to their reserved table [no rushin', pushin', kickin', and shovin' to find the right spot...we're talkin' fancy here...] and an Appetizer and some sweet tea or somethin' could be served while the boat is still in dock. [An appetizer is a little bit of tasty food rich folks sometimes eat before they eat, don't ya know?]

Then...just before the main course...[fancy, rich people food...no hamburgers or hot dogs or turkey legs or nuthin'] the twilight cruise around the Rivers of America begins. Maybe a little bit of live Dixieland Jazz playin' in the background. [Did you fellers know that the great Louis Armstrong once played on the Ol' Mark Twain? He sure did. Back in '62 it was...Walt put it on one of his TV shows...mighty special.]

As we pull back into dock...and time for a bathroom break if folks need one...the show ain't over. Nope. After a few minutes...we take off again for the dessert portion of the cruise... And, I think the folks at Disney could dream up some mighty fancy desserts to choose from...

This part might be just a little quieter...a little more romantic you might say. This would be the part where the young fellers would get down on their knees and propose to that pretty girl they love...or, there might even be some slow dancin' or somethin'...as "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Bella Nolte" plays softly in the background...

Taint no doubt about it...this here would be a memory to be cherished for a lifetime...and taint the first shindig ever to happen on the ol' Mark Twain ya know... A few days before Disneyland opened back in 1955 Walt and Lilly celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary at the Golden Horseshoe and on the Ol' Mark Twain...which wasn't old back then...nope, it was brand new. So new in fact that they say Lilly was spotted sweepin' the decks of some left over sawdust and stuff before the guests arrived...

Yep...a dinner cruise on the Ol' Mark Twain would be a memory to cherish for all time...what a wonderful idea! A truly wonderful idea...

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan

Dan, you really brought this to life as I was reading your post! Excellent work!

[chesirecat]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

I worked the Twain/Columbia for a year within my ongoing 8 years in the company...and sadly I can tell you that there is absolutely nowhere they could place a kitchen on that boat. The rewiring needs alone would require huge refurb and ovens or warmers would be a major fire risk on an old wooden boat. Maybe a pantry could be done. Drinks could easily be done but the food would have to come from a NOS or FL kitchen and be brought on board just before the cruise. Not the most feasible thing with hot meals I'm afraid...what about when diners want another hot side dish in mid-cruise? Now a cold picnic-style meal with mint julips and a jazz band, that I can see happening on nights when Fan doesn't run.

The Mark Twain did serve drinks at one point, in the middle of the boat there is (or at least was) a small counter service area where you could get a drink. I bet they stopped it because of people throwing cups overboard, spills drinks on the stairs of the boat which could cause a bad accident, or the extra-work of stocking it or something.

They used to sell stuff like brownies on Tom Sawyer Island too.

For practicality, a lot of this stuff was taken out, I doubt they'd ever put it back.

Though if they wanted to get creative, they could sell special souvenir Mark Twain cups, which are screwed shut with a straw, that would be collectible enough that folks wouldn't throw them into the river and which wouldn't cause a mess if dropped. That and brownies would be awesome.

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

I think its a wonderful idea! Might have to make a couple trips around the Island to pull it off, but I'm okay with that!

I remember the Mark Twain used to serve drinks on the first deck. Don't recall that lasting too long.

[MrsMonroe]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

[Juni]

Re: Dinner cruise on Mark Twain

No, no no no no no no no. I could easily see it being set up where if you do not have a dinner reservation, "sorry but you can't enter the boat". DL does not need yet another place where the normal person cannot go and is exclusive for those with money.

Traveling around the rivers at night is a special treat and I do not want that taken away.