The Boothill Boys are two characters from Disney Parks.
History[]
Background[]
The Boothill Boys are two anthropomorphic vultures who work as 19th century undertakers. Given their species and eagerness for their work, it is likely that they use their occupation as a means of feeding themselves. They get their name from boot-hills, makeshift burial-grounds from the old west where the vultures likely were often seen.
Development history[]
The Boothill Boys were designed by Marc Davis to be characters in the defunct Tomorrowland attraction America Sings in Disneyland. Following the attraction's closure in the 1980s, the Boothill Boys were moved (along with many other America Sings animatronics) to the new attraction, Splash Mountain in Critter Country. The Boothill Boys were subsequently recreated for every version of Splash Mountain throughout the Disney Parks.
As of the announced closure of Splash Mountain in 2020 (done due to the ride's history of embellishing racism), the fate of the two vultures is unclear. As Splash Mountain closed permanently at Magic Kingdom in January 23, 2023 and closed permanently at Disneyland in May 31, 2023.
The Boothill Boys were replaced by Mama Odie, and Juju for the lift-hill scene of the new attraction. However, it is still unknown if they will appear in the retheme attraction at Disneyland.
Appearances[]
Disney Parks[]
America Sings[]
In America Sings, the Boothill Boys appeared in the third-act of the attraction, themed around the Wild West. The two vultures appeared perched on a dead tree and sand, "The End of Billy the Kid". This being a song recounting the killings and subsequent death of the famous outlaw gunslinger.
Splash Mountain[]
In Splash Mountain, the Boothill Boys appear on the lift-hill nearing the ride's climactic drop. As guests in their logs go up to Chick-A-Pin Hill and approach Br'er Fox's lair following the fox's capture of Br'er Rabbit, the vultures make their perch on a thorn branch overhead of the guests. The two vultures stare down ominously at guests while cracking dark jokes about the fate of the guests and of Br'er Rabbit, clearly presuming the deaths of both parties for their own gain.
Gallery[]
Disney Parks[]
America Sings[]
.png "Boothill Boys (America Sings).png (1.42 MB)")
Splash Mountain[]
.jpg "Boothill Boys (WDW).jpg (843 KB)")
Development[]
Concept Art[]
Miscellaneous[]
Trivia[]
- The Boothill Boys are similar to the vultures from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). In Walt Disney World, the vultures from the film appear overhead of guests on a lift-hill in Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; their positioning being very reminiscent of the vultures in Splash Mountain.
- The Vultures are some of the few America Sings characters who were more notably featured in merchandise and paraphernalia for Splash Mountain. In 2015, the fictional sports team name for Splash Mountain made for March Madness promotional material was slated as, "The Briar Patch Vultures" with the Boothill Boys as the logo.
