Disneyland/Disneyana (20th Century)

Disneyland – Jungle Cruise "Amazon Belle" Park-Used 52" Wooden Boat Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1950 - 60s). A rare park-used hand-cut wooden sign from the Jungle Cruise steamboat Amazon Belle. The Jungle Cruise was one of the original attractions of Disneyland, and opened as the "Jungle River Cruise" in 1955. It travels along a waterway using a concealed guidance system through areas themed to Asia, Africa, and South America. The boats in 1955 were painted as clean, idealized replicas of a 1930s steamboat, but have since been given a more realistic theming reflecting the grunge and wear of actual watercraft due to the addition of the adjacent Indiana Jones Adventure and its ruggedness. A variety of changes were made over the years, including enhanced audio effects, updates to the storyline, and the removal of culturally-sensitive material, however much of the attraction's experience remains just as it was during the Parks opening year. This is one of the earliest boat signs from the top of the Amazon Belle. The 52" painted wooden sign is an impressive artifact of Disneyland history, and presents in Fair condition with some paint wearing around the lettering and surface wear from use. There is some edge wear and mounting holes from its original installation near the bottom. HID09710052018 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved