Sailing Ship Columbia Frontierland Disneyland

Ride Length

Motion Level

Low

Sailing Ship Columbia

Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids/Characters | Dining | Shopping | Interesting Facts

INTRODUCTION

Take a voyage around the Rivers of America on this 18th century sailing ship. The Sailing Ship Columbia is located in Frontierland just across from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It shares the dock with the Mark Twain Riverboat.

 

ATTRACTION

The Sailing Ship Columbia is a full scale replica of the first American ship to sail around the world. It has 10 guns, three masts, and is 84 feet tall. You board the ship by climbing up some rather steep steps up onto the deck. Once on board, be sure to visit the “museum” belowdeck. You’ll see the crew, captain, and surgeon’s quarters as well as the galley, and get some idea of what life was like for the crew in the year 1787.

Once your crew casts off, the ship begins its voyage around the Rivers of America. The voyage is narrated, and guests will hear about the Columbia’s history and some of the areas of the river that the ship is sailing past. One of the ship’s guns is fired at Pirate’s Lair as a warning shot. Recorded background music plays a selection of sea chanteys and spritely nautical music.

 

TOURING TIPS

The Sailing Ship Columbia can be a bit elusive — it operates only on the busiest days, or when the Mark Twain riverboat is down. It closes at dusk.

The trip takes about 15 minutes, and the ship leaves twice an hour. On days when both the Mark Twain and Columbia are operating, one of them leaves the dock every 15 minutes.

Sailing Ship Columbia MastheadWheelchairs/ECV users enter through the exit gate to the left of the dock and talk to a Cast Member for boarding instructions. You must go up/down some steep steps to get on/off the ship.

The deck provides an interesting vantage point for photos around the Rivers of America area.

During Fantasmic! the Sailing Ship Columbia is transformed into Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate ship. It’s an action-packed sequence filled with stunts such as as pirates swinging around the ship on ropes. Jack Sparrow duels with ghostly pirates high in the rigging.

 

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Woody and Jessie from Toy Story make frequent appearances in Frontierland near the Columbia’s dock — check the Times Guide for times and location.

 

DINING

Rancho del Zocalo, offering a selection of Mexican food, is located nearby in Frontierland.

The River Belle Terrace, serving southern specialties like ribs and barbecued chicken, is also close by.

 

SHOPPING

Nearby shops include:

Bonanza Outfitters – Western apparel for men, women, and children.

Pioneer Mercantile – Frontier-themed souvenirs such as Davy Crockett hats and Western style character merchandise.

Westward Ho Trading Company – Candy store with fudge, hard candies, boxes chocolates and cookies.

 

INTERESTING FACTS

The Sailing Ship Columbia attraction opened in 1958.

In 2016-2017, all Rivers of America attractions were closed while the river was re-routed in support of the construction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Sailing Ship Columbia re-opened on July 29, 2017 with a new narration and soundtrack.

The original Columbia is the namesake of the Columbia River in Oregon – in 1792 Robert Gray sailed his ship, the Columbia, up the river and named it after his ship.

The U.S. flag on the ship’s stern is the same U.S. flag that would have been used in 1787.

During Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration, a golden Mickey head was placed on the figurehead of the Columbia.

The cabin on Tom Sawyer’s Island used to be perpetually burning. In those days, the Columbia captains would pretend it was the firing of the Columbia’s gun that started the blaze. Oops.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring Disneyland, please email us. Thank you.

FAQs

How long is Sailing Ship Columbia?

The ride takes 14 Minutes

Find all the attractions by their length

Will Sailing Ship Columbia make me motion sick?

The motion level is Low.
Gentle boat ride.

Details on handling motion sensitivity on your visit