Liberty Belle Riverboat
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Liberty Belle Riverboat is the current river boat that roams the Rivers of America at Walt Disney World.
[edit] Facts
- Opened: 1996
- Location: Liberty Square
- Ride Duration: 20 minutes
- Departure times: Departs the Liberty Square Riverboat Landing on the hour and the half hour
This is a fully narrated trip around the Rivers of America.
[edit] History
This steam-powered riverboat was originally named the Richard F. Irvine Riverboat. It was the second riverboat on the Rivers of America, entering into service, as the Irvine, on May 20, 1973. It was completely refurbished and returned to service in 1996 as the Liberty Belle Riverboat.
The Liberty Belle Riverboat was taken out of service in September of 2005 for an extensive rehab. After much anticipation she returned to the Rivers of America in September 2006 and is now plying the waterways again. Having never been christened in 1996, current and former river boaters gathered in Liberty Square, upon her recent return, for a Christening/dedication ceremony. Her godmother Lisa, the first female to be trained on the riverboat, broke the ceremonial bottle on her bow.
In a tribute to the original, and for good luck, a life ring from the Richard F Irvine is kept in the hull of the Liberty Belle Riverboat. When the boat was returned from its most recent rehab, the life ring was missing.
