jungle cruise boat names disneyland

• Jingle Cruise
• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• Indiana Jones
• Skipper Survival Guide
• Theme Park items
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• Epic Mickey
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• Virtual Jungle Cruise
• Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions
• Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom)
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• Jungle River Cruise

Jungle River Boats

The Jungle River Boats are the official names for the boats in the Jungle Cruise franchise.

• 1 Description
• 2.1.1 Decommissioned boats
• 2.2 Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions
• 2.3 Jungle River Cruise
• 2.4.1 Decommissioned boats
• 3.1 Background
• 3.2 Development history
• 4.1 Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
• 4.2 Jungle Cruise
• 4.3 Magic of Disney Animation
• 4.4 Skipper Canteen
• 4.5 Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• 4.6 Tropical Hideaway
• 4.7 Virtual Jungle Cruise
• 5.1.1 Mickey Mouse
• 5.2.1 Disney Parks Presents: Jungle Cruise
• 5.3.1 Kinect: Disneyland Adventures
• 5.4.1 Jungle Cruise Adventure Game
• 5.4.2 Walt Disney's Adventureland Game
• 8 References

Description [ ]

The vast majority of these boats were small steamboats used by the colonial Jungle Navigation Company . Many of them had canopies (traditionally with colourful stripes though are often with a canvas material).

Disneyland [ ]

• Jingle Cruise name: Jingle Belle.
• Jingle Cruise name: Congo Caroler/Candy Cane Queen
• Jingle Cruise name: Ganges Garland/Gingerbread Gal
• Jingle Cruise name: Hondo Hollie/Hanukkah Hattie
• Jingle Cruise name: Irrawaddy Snowman
• Jingle Cruise name: Yule Kissimmee/Kissimmee Under the Mistletoe
• Jingle Cruise name: Nile Nutcracker/Noël Princess
• Comes equipped with a wheelchair lift.
• Jingle Cruise name: Orinoco Ornament/Navidad Adventuress
• Jingle Cruise name: Suwannee Sleigh/Sugar Plum Lady
• Jingle Cruise name: Ucayali Eggnog/Evergreen Una
• Jingle Cruise name: Yuletide Lotus
• Jingle Cruise name: Peppermint Miss

Decommissioned boats [ ]

• Magdalena Maiden
• Mekong Maiden

Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions [ ]

• Amazon Annie
• Congo Connie
• Ganges Gertie
• Irrawaddy Irma
• Kwango Kate
• Orinoco Ida
• Rutshuru Ruby
• Sankuru Sadie
• Senegal Sal
• Wamba Wanda
• Zambezi Zelda

Jungle River Cruise [ ]

• Wheelchair accessible.
• Lijiang Lady
• Nile Nellie
• Yangzi Ying Ying

Magic Kingdom [ ]

• Jingle Cruise name: Eggnog Annie
• Jingle Cruise name: Brrrrr Bertha
• Jingle Cruise name: Candy Cane Connie
• Jingle Cruise name: Garland Gertie
• Jingle Cruise name: Icicle Irma
• Jingle Cruise name: Mistletoe Millie
• Jingle Cruise name: Noel Nellie
• Jingle Cruise name: Orino-cocoa Ida
• Jingle Cruise name: Reindeer Ruby
• Jingle Cruise name: Sleigh Ride Sadie
• Jingle Cruise name: Poinsettia Sal
• Jingle Cruise name: Yule Log Lolly
• Jingle Cruise name: Vixen Val
• Jingle Cruise name: Wassail Wanda
• Jingle Cruise name: Fruitcake Zelda
• Albatross :
• Amazon Lil :
• Amazon Queen : The boat of Al B. Lost in Kinect: Disneyland Adventures .
• Blown-up Bonita :
• Branco Beauty :
• Burning Bianca :
• Fateless Fiona :
• Hapless Hortense :
• Jungle Princess :
• Kissimmee Kimmy :
• La Quila : This was the ramshackle boat used by Frank Wolff .
• Lost Lucia :
• Missing Mele :
• Molopo Marie : The Molopo Marie was the boat of the Falls family.
• Nabbed Naoko :
• Nile Lady :
• Run Aground Sue :
• Sunken Sonya :
• Troubled Titania :
• Unknown Usha :

History [ ]

Background [ ], development history [ ].

Imagineer Harper Goff was largely inspired by the 1951 adventure film The African Queen which involved a riverboat captain named Charlie Allnut piloting a boat called The African Queen . Originally, the boats of the Jungle Cruise had striped canopies in white and either red, blue or green. These canopies were altered for more realistic canopies in the 1990s, tying into refurbishments made with Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

Appearances [ ]

Indiana jones adventure: temple of the forbidden eye [ ].

Tourists are shown in the Eye on the Globe newsreel as using a jungle cruise boat to travel to the Lost Delta.

Jungle Cruise [ ]

In the queue are blue-prints for the boats.

Magic of Disney Animation [ ]

Skipper canteen [ ], sorcerers of the magic kingdom [ ].

Merlin appeared riding a boat with Rafiki while dressed as a skipper. The boats were also illustrated outside the Amazon River Base on maps of Adventureland

Tropical Hideaway [ ]

Virtual jungle cruise [ ].

One of the boats would appear at the beginning and end of the ride.

In other media [ ]

Television [ ], mickey mouse [ ], printed materials [ ], disney parks presents: jungle cruise [ ], video-games [ ], kinect: disneyland adventures [ ], paraphernalia [ ], jungle cruise adventure game [ ], walt disney's adventureland game [ ].

• The skirt of Chief Nah-mee is implied to be made from the red/white striped canopies.
• In Na'vi River Journey , the boats are paralleled with wicker-boats owned by Alpha Centauri Expeditions .

Gallery [ ]

References [ ]

• 1 Lope de Aguirre
• 3 Frank Wolff

Everything You Need to Know about Disney’s Jungle Cruise Attraction

in Disney , Disneyland Paris , Walt Disney World

BEHOLD! The 8th wonder of the world, the magnificent, the amazing (and so on) BACK SIDE OF WATER!! Disney’s Exotic Jungle Cruise attraction has enchanted visitors since its opening day at Disneyland in 1955. That July 17, dapper Guests boarded shiny new watercraft to see animatronic animals in a leafy safari setting, and as the ride artfully aged, Jungle Cruise Skippers kept it fresh and entertained them with puns, jokes and otherwise gut-busting comments, making the attraction an Adventureland classic.

The Jungle Cruise attraction is an 8-minute boat ride through a lush rainforest-landscaped river where “ Guests can chart a course for high adventure on a scenic and comedic boat tour of exotic rivers across Asia, Africa, and South America.” The river, though it looks dirty, is actually clean water dyed with a mucky green dye to make it look dirty and more like a natural river. (This is also to hide the track the attraction ride boats are guided along). Disney Guests will see assorted animatronic animals set into natural-looking settings, a temple overrun with animals, and hear plenty of jokes from live Cast Members driving the boats forward as Jungle Cruise Skippers.

Guests may note that the elephant bathing pool looks so realistic that many photos of the bathing beauties are passed around on social media posing as real elephant photos. But don’t worry, you can take all the photos you want; all the elephants have their trunks on!

Where is the Jungle Cruise attraction?

Jungle Cruise can be found in the heart of Adventureland in Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World Resort) at Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort), Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland (where the boats run in the opposite direction!). Nestled behind some Adventureland tikis, you’ll find it in Magic Kingdom across from Aladdin’s flying carpets.

In Disneyland Park, you’ll find a two-tier queue next to the Tropical Hideaway watering hole as you pass into Adventureland. But don’t worry, both queues are fully accessible and Jungle Cruise Skippers will meet you at the front of the queue entrance to assist you on your watery safari.

There is a FastPass queue for this Disney attraction at both U.S. parks. While Walt Disney World utilizes a digital advance FastPass+ system, Disneyland Resort still relies on both the paper FASTPASS system as well as the digital MaxPass system. You’ll want to pay attention while you walk around in the queue for this classic Disney ride. You’ll see all sorts of jokes built into the decor as well as puns you can tell your family back home. The real treat is the queue soundtrack for the Jungle Cruise. It’s a mock-up of an old radio show hosted by Albert Awol, and is plentiful in puns, jokes, and old-timey sound effects.

The History of The Jungle Cruise

At the time of its debut in 1955, Jungle Cruise was a novel attraction and one of the few at Disneyland that was not based on an animated film or an intellectual property. Imagineer Harper Goff was in charge of designing the attraction, most well known for his work on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea . Inspired by the adventure film The African Queen , Jungle Cruise was originally slated to have real-life animals, as requested by Walt Disney himself. When the price and care of live animals exceeded both budget and capability, animatronic animals were chosen as a show-stopping, consistent choice. (Think about how often animals hide from us at the Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris !)

According to the Disney Parks Blog , the greenery chosen for the lush jungle scenes at The Jungle Cruise was handpicked by horticulturist and Imagineer Morgan “Bill” Evans. “Rather than create a true-to-life jungle though, Bill’s goal was to develop a “Hollywood Jungle,” a mixture of exotic plants and trees that would give the feeling of traveling through exciting and uncharted territories. To create his Hollywood Jungle here in Anaheim, Bill developed some intrepid techniques, like smuggling plant seeds inside the cuffs of his socks and planting orange trees upside down to resemble mangroves.”

Originally planned for the area where Tomorrowland now stands, Adventureland was moved to the west side of Main Street, U.S.A., in order to use the existing large eucalyptus trees planted there by the orange farmers who previously owned the California land. As the plot developed, the trees became larger and lusher, only adding to the jungle feel. The attraction was such as hit in Southern California that another version was added to Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park and was included on opening day at Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.

Ride vehicles on Disney’s Jungle Cruise

When taking your very scenic and giggly cruise around the rivers of the world, you’ll be seated in a multi-passenger boat with a Jungle Cruise Skipper at the helm. He or She will be using a microphone and sound system to share amusing factoids, jokes, puns, and fun surprises along the way. But listen carefully: the purposefully dry delivery of the Skippers means you may miss a few jokes. This is why Disney fans want to experience the attraction over and over again. It’s also worth noting that your cruise script and mood will vary from Skipper to Skipper. Try the attraction a few times and find a Skipper near and dear to your heart!

When you board the boat, a Skipper or two will assist you into the boat and direct you to the right or left. It is important not to step over the “boxes” in the center as it is a trip hazard. If you wish to be seated in a certain area, tell the queue manager. There really is no bad seat, as the boat is open to full views on all sides. Pro tip: ride a bunch of times and experience the cruise from all angles! In 2020, clear plexiglass shields were installed in various sections of the boat, keeping passengers apart.

The Jungle Cruise boats do run on a track, similar to the Liberty Belle and Mark Twain Riverboats. But the engines are, indeed, run by the Skippers. You’ll notice the Skippers are in charge of the forward, rear and holding motions of the boat, though they may spin the “steering wheel” quite liberally.

While the boats are plenty seaworthy, mishaps happen. Disney fans may remember in February 2020, a Jungle Cruise boat sank at Magic Kingdom leaving guests with some wet sneakers and a lot of laughs. No one was hurt, and the boat was rapidly repaired and returned to the convoy. There was another boat of lesser memory in 2004, the Sankuru Sadie, that also sank at Magic Kingdom. After Sadie was repaired, she has been seen (even recently) making her way around the bend.

Did you know? The water flowing in the rivers isn’t really as dirty. Disney just adds a dirty looking dye to hide how shallow the river really is (and the track that guides the boat)! Just look at the Backside of Water gushing at Schweitzer Falls… the water is clean!

The Skipper Canteen Restaurant

Explore the bold, flavorful cuisine of Asia, South America, and Africa with the help of daring riverboat pilots. Influenced by the attraction just across the path, The Jungle Skipper Canteen, which opened in 2015 , is a flavorful dive into exotic flavor adventures while also meeting the needs of the pickiest eaters. 

The Canteen has a berth-y waiting area with vintage fans and amusing decor in every corner. There are three dining rooms, each paying tribute to the Skippers who just guided you down ‘de Nile. The crew’s colonial-era Mess Hall (which is not messy at all, thank you); the Jungle Room, the former family parlor of Dr. Albert Falls himself; and the S.E.A. Room, a secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. (Check out the secret bookshelf door that swings open!)

The most popular dishes on the adult main menu are the Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak, a delicious adobo-seasoned New York strip served with vegetables, chorizo farofa, and caramelized onion purée and red wine reduction. The light-fare sustainable fish served on a cassava cake with wilted greens and guava habanero sauce, and this writer’s favorite, Sankuru Sadie’s Seafood Stew: Shrimp, Sustainable Fish, Mussels, Bay Scallops, and Octopus simmered in a fragrant Coconut Sauce and served with Jasmine Rice (yup… this has to be a joke on the 2004 boat sinking…).

We highly recommend ordering the non-alcoholic Schweitzer Slush, which comes in an optional commemorative steel mug. It’s Frozen Apple Juice and Passion Fruit juice topped with Green Apple Boba Balls, first concocted by the noted explorer and humanitarian, Dr. Albert Slush. Finish your meal with the Kungaloosh!, featuring African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream.

Jingle Cruise Holiday Overlay

During the festive holiday time, the Jungle Cruise undergoes a decorative refurbishment to become the Jingle Cruise. Nope, it’s not a typo, it’s a winter celebration of burlap Santa hats, Christmas jokes, ride additions, and overall holiday spirit.

In 2013, the Jingle Cruise debuted during the Christmas season, opening at Magic Kingdom on November 8, 2013, and at Disneyland Park on November 12. In its early days, the Jingle Cruise holiday overlay mostly kept to the Guest queue area, the boathouse across the dock, and a script with holiday jokes. Later on, the Jingle Cruise overlay became more elaborate, involving extra queue decorations, a story of Santa’s plane dropping Christmas cargo all over the site, additions to the temple interior, even more jokes and fun Cast Member costume additions.

The yuletide overlay continues to get more creative, and fans continue to become more endeared to the holiday version of the attraction. Walt Disney World fans may remember the outrage that was sparked in 2017 when rumors that Jingle Cruise would not return. Fears were assuaged shortly thereafter when the company confirmed its return. (In 2019, the overlay was not present at Disneyland Resort — be sure to check each park’s holiday lineup every year to see if Jingle Cruise will be available.)

As of the present day, the Jingle Cruise set has become extremely detailed. You’ll see not only additions to the set but also literal overlays to typically existing items. Various rustic Christmas trees dot the queue, and you may see an ethanol dispenser that reads ETHANOL altered to say ETHANOEL EGGNOG.

Observant guests will notice the names of the Jungle Cruise boats are altered with new/changed names like Garland Gertie, Icicle Irma, Poinsettia Sal, Yulelog Lolly, Candy Cane Connie, and Mistletoe Millie. It appears that the skippers made cheap yet heartful changes to the boats for the holiday spirit.

Be watchful as you make your way around the rivers of the world, as you’ll see SANTA STOP HERE signs, Santa’s workshop elements, and even a north pole where the safari group climbs. My personal favorite is the costume additions to Trader Sam, who is now called “Trader Sam-ta” and might bring you a shrunken head for your stocking…

The Jungle Cruise Movie

Disney’s Jungle Cruise movie was filmed in Hawaii and Atlanta, GA in the summer and fall of 2018, but the film’s release has been delayed until 2021 . The film will star Dwyane Johnson as Skipper Frank Wolff, and Emily Blunt as Lily. Billed as a “period piece” set in the early 20th century, the Disney attraction comes to life as a riverboat captain named Frank takes a scientist and her brother on a mission into a jungle to find the Tree of Life. In the African Queen -style film, the trio of newly turned explorers must fight against dangerous wild animals and a competing German expedition with possible supernatural forces and innumerable dangers.

The most groundbreaking news to come out of the creation of the film is that the Disney attraction, Jungle Cruise, will be reimagined with the help of The Rock, hopefully tying the film into the river journey (much like Pirates of the Caribbean did with the film franchise). Disney has yet for provide further details of this.

Disney’s Jungle Cruise has continued to enchant the hearts and minds of Guests from all over the world since 1955. Through its growth and humorous nature, the ride has inspired merchandise , a holiday overlay, mugs , a restaurant, and more. chEARS to the Jungle Cruise, we’ll never take it for granite!

What do you love most about The Jungle Cruise? Leave us a comment below, and HIT IT SKIP!

Jungle Cruise

• Water Rides

Head off to Adventure

Highlights of your unforgettable adventure include:

• Ancient Cambodian Shrine Come face-to-face with leaping tigers, lethal cobras and snapping crocodiles.
• Jungle Cruise Safari Camp Cruise past a former camp overrun by explosively curious gorillas.
• Indian Elephant Bathing Pool Venture into this sacred pool where you'll see bathing Indian elephants. Feel free to take pictures—they have their trunks on.
• The African Veldt Behold angry hippos and hungry lions guarding a sleeping zebra.
• Schweitzer Falls Be awed as you take in a true natural wonder—the back side of water!

Cast off on a thrilling expedition where tigers, gorillas, elephants and maybe even a headhunter await your arrival.

Trek to a dusty tropical jungle outpost—overflowing with cargo nets, wooden crates, rusty lanterns and faded marquee signs—and board a weathered tramp steamer for a tongue-in-cheek adventure through some of the world’s most “dangerous” rivers. Led by your trusty skipper, leave civilization behind as you cross continents and oceans through untamed waters rarely seen by man.

A True-Life Adventure During your lively 7-minute journey, encounter awesome wonders of nature amid some of the world’s most exotic locales. Highlights of your unforgettable adventure include: 

• The Mekong River Explore an age-old shrine, home to baboons, cobras and crocodiles.
• The African Congo Cruise past a camp overrun by explosively curious gorillas and witness the beauty of the majestic Schweitzer Falls.
• The Nile River Behold trumpeting elephants, angry hippos and hungry lions—there’s always something “gnu” to see in the area.
• The Amazon in South America A canopy of green trees opens up to a native shrine, a mammoth anaconda and ravenous piranha!

Throughout the sometimes perilous voyage, take in lively narration from your friendly skipper, known for a brave heart and a clever joke… or two.

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Jungle Cruise at Disneyland

Disneyland's Jungle Cruise is — on the surface — a trip down a jungle river. Now here's where the Disney magic kicks in. In that one short trip, you'll see scenes which look like the Nile, Burma's Irrawaddy River, Cambodia's Mekong, and Africa's Congo.

But the real show here is the skippers, who are infamous for their never-ending stream of bad jokes and punny patter. Here's a sample: "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. Would the party that lost the roll of 50 $20.00 bills, wrapped in a red rubber band, please report to the turnstile … we have good news for you. We found your rubber band." Or the always punny: "And, of course, those are lions, ’cause if I called them anything else, I’d be lyin’.”

What You Need to Know About the Jungle Cruise Ride at Disneyland California

Betsy Malloy Photography

Even though it's a little corny, most Disneyland visitors say it's a don't-miss attraction and a Disney classic.

• ​ Location:  Jungle Cruise is in Adventureland.
• Rating:  ★★★
• Restrictions:   No height restrictions. Children under age seven years must be accompanied by a person who is 14 years or older.
• Ride Time:   9 minutes
• Recommended for:   Everyone
• Fun Factor:  Medium, if you don't mind the bad jokes. Low if you don't like slow rides
• Wait Factor:   Medium
• Fear Factor:   Low
• Herky-Jerky Factor:   Low, but once in awhile boats will bump into each other when approaching the unloading zone
• Seating:  The ride vehicle is a boat. It has rows of bench seats facing the center. You step down from the dock to get into it.
• Accessibility: If you're in a wheelchair, ask a Cast Member how to get in. You will have to go up and down a few steps to get on and off the boat. If you're in an ECV, you'll have to transfer to a wheelchair first, then to the ride.  More about visiting Disneyland in a wheelchair or ECV

How to Have More Fun

• Younger children especially like this ride  during the day, but it seems a little scarier at night.
• When the line splits, choose the left one. By doing that, you will get on the side of the boat that faces most of the scenery.
• If you're  friendly with the skipper Cast Member , laugh at their jokes and chat them up, they're likely to be funnier.
• The line at Jungle Cruise can be deceptive , making you think it's short when it isn't and luring you into a maze of queues that you may worry that you'll never escape. And happy that at least it's in the shade. Check a wait times app or ask a Cast Member if the wait time isn't posted.
• Some people think the  Jungle Cruise one of the best things to do at Disneyland after dark .

You can  see all the Disneyland rides at a glance on the Disneyland ride sheet .

While you're thinking about rides, you should also  download the essential Disneyland apps (they're all free!) and  get some proven tips to minimize your Disneyland wait time .

The Disney Jungle Cruise was one of the original Disneyland attractions, introduced on Opening Day, 1955.

Disney Jungle Cruise is one of only three Disneyland attractions where a cast member rides with you (the others are Storyland Canal Boats and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes). It's also one of the few Disneyland rides that is not based on a Disney animated film, although you may notice that the boats resemble those from another studio's classic film "The African Queen" starring Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

When the ride was in the planning stages, Walt Disney wanted to use live animals on the Jungle Cruise, but when he found out that many of them were nocturnal, Imagineers turned to mechanical ones instead.

"Weird Al" Yankovic wrote and recorded a song titled "Skipper Dan" about a failed actor who ended up as a guide on the Jungle Cruise, but sometimes those skippers often go on to bigger things. According to MentalFloss.com, famous wisecracking skippers include Kevin Costner, John Lasseter, and Richard Nixon's press secretary Ron Ziegler.

The water in the Jungle Cruise doesn't look dirty because of poor maintenance: Its clarity is deliberately reduced to obscure the boat's guidance system and other unsightly items.

Just outside the Jungle Cruise entrance, look for a large palm tree. It's the oldest thing in Disneyland and dates back to the late 1800s. When Walt Disney bought the Dominguez family's land for the park, they asked him to spare it. Disney obligated and moved the 15-ton plant from the parking lot area to its current location.

If you can't get enough of those wise-cracking skippers, check out  Skipper Show , which features stand-up comedy from a group of former cast members.

Is It Different than the Jungle Cruise in Florida?

The jokes are no better in California, and the only major difference is that the Anaheim ride doesn't have a cave section.

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First look at the all-new Jungle Cruise in Disneyland

The world-famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland officially reopens on July 16th, 2021, with new adventures, an expanded storyline and more humor as skippers take guests on a tongue-in-cheek journey along some of the most remote rivers around the world. The new creative concept is original to Walt Disney Imagineering, just like the classic attraction itself.

Related – D23 Members will be able to preview Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise before everyone else

Changes to this attraction also are underway in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, with completion expected later this summer.

“We’re excited to be building on the story of the Jungle Cruise to include new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love while adding more humor, more wildlife, and an interconnected story,” said Chris Beatty, an Imagineer who led the creative development of the enhancements. “As part of creative development, we’ve also introduced characters from around the world and took a thoughtful approach to ensure accurate representation of cultures in our story.”

Take a tour of the all-new Jungle Cruise in Disneyland!

The world-famous Jungle Cruise skippers return to share the unique adventure and interactions that guests expect on this expedition in Adventureland. New scenes have fun with the legendary comedic tone of the attraction, and some unexpected scenarios give the jungle and the animals the last laugh!

What’s new:  Disney Imagineers have a longstanding history of updating attractions at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Parks. The expanded backstory centers around  Alberta Falls,  the granddaughter of the world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, who is now proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. New scenes include:

• A safari of explorers from around the world finds itself up a tree after the journey goes awry
• Chimpanzees have taken over the expedition’s wrecked boat
• A Lost & Found location has turned into a Gift Shop run by Alberta’s longtime friend, Trader Sam

Related – New Building Replaces the Pygmy Hut on the Jungle Cruise

Don’t miss:  Jungle Cruise skippers incorporate plenty of gags as they narrate “wildlife” scenes for guests who have boarded a canopied tramp steamer, leaving civilization behind.  Those scenes include:

• Ancient Cambodian Shrine  with leaping tigers, lethal cobras and snapping crocodiles
• Jungle Cruise Safari Camp  is a former camp overrun by “explosively” curious gorillas
• Indian Elephant Bathing Pool  where bathing Indian elephants have their “trunks on”
• The African Veldt  where angry hippos and hungry lions are guarding a “sleeping” zebra
• Schweitzer Falls,  where skippers introduce guests to something they may have never seen before – the “back side of water”!

Changes through the years:  The tone of the attraction was more serious when it opened, on the first day Disneyland Park welcomed guests in 1955. The river has changed course through the years and additions included the elephant bathing pool, gorillas in the safari camp, and a new piranha scene.

Imaginative landscaping : The foliage is designed to look as if it had been created by nature. Since 1955, the Jungle Cruise vegetation has evolved into its own tropical jungle with three levels: the upper canopy, the understory, and the forest floor. The “father” of the attraction’s jungle was a horticulturist and Disney Legend Bill Evans, who directed the landscaping of much of Disneyland in the 1950s.

Did you know?

• The skippers of the Jungle Cruise lead a humorously irreverent expedition, carrying passengers along four rivers: the Nile of Africa, the Amazon of South America, the Irrawaddy of Southeast Asia and the Ganges of India.
• Guests will enjoy the return of the Jungle Cruise and also something new at The Tropical Hideaway – a Pineapple Split! Starting July 16 and while supplies last, it will be served in a souvenir container that looks like a Jungle Cruise boat with a red-and-white striped canopy. This “pineapple split” comes with  DOLE Whip® , blueberries, strawberries and Mandarin oranges, topped with coconut-caramel sauce, crushed plantains, dried hibiscus and toasted coconut.

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15 Secrets of Disney’s Jungle Cruise You Might Not Know

Photo Credit: Disney Dose.

Ever since opening in Disneyland in 1955, the Jungle Cruise has been one of the “boulder attractions” amongst guests who don't take adventure for “granite.” Due to its popularity at the Anaheim location, the ride was introduced to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and officially opened with the park in October 1971.

Since its inception, this classic adventure has whisked millions of eager explorers away on a journey through dense, exotic landscapes, teeming with animatronic wildlife. Walt himself called the ride “the waterways of our man-made jungle.” The Jungle Cruise boasts an approximately 10-minute boat ride through “10,000 miles” of river wilderness, encompassing the Egyptian Nile, the African Congo, the Amazon in South America, and the Southeast Asian Mekong River.

In this article:

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Photo Credit: Walt Disney World.

In this exploration of the Jungle Cruise's hidden wonders, we'll delve into the secrets and behind-the-scenes tricks that bring this jungle to life. This includes the meticulous craftsmanship, the clever storytelling techniques that unfold along the riverbanks, and the artistry behind creating an immersive experience that has stood the test of time.

So come aboard, fellow adventurers, as we navigate these waters and discover the enchanting mysteries that make the Jungle Cruise an enduring favorite among Disney enthusiasts of all ages.

It Was Originally the Only Ride in Adventureland

As the gates of Disneyland swung open in 1955, Adventureland made its debut, featuring a lone attraction that stole the show – the Jungle Cruise. Drawing inspiration from Disney's acclaimed True-Life Adventures documentary films and the movie The African Queen , the ride and its surrounding area became a gateway to wild and captivating narratives.

In the early stages, there was a plan to christen the area “True-Life Adventure Land,”  a nod to the documentary series that fueled its creation. However, simplicity prevailed, and the name was gracefully shortened to the now-iconic “Adventureland.”

Above see the current entrance to Adventureland at Walt Disney World!

Real Animals Were Almost Used

In the early days of envisioning the Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney himself dreamt of infusing a touch of authenticity by featuring live animals on the attraction. His passion for creating immersive experiences led him to contemplate the idea of incorporating real wildlife to bring the jungle to life. However, practical challenges and safety concerns soon became apparent. Maintaining the well-being of the animals, ensuring their safety and the safety of the visitors, and the unpredictability and inconsistency of live creatures in a controlled environment posed significant hurdles.

In the spirit of innovation, Disney opted for a groundbreaking solution–Audio Animatronics. This decision not only addressed the logistical challenges but also allowed for a level of creative control that would ensure a consistent and magical experience for every guest. By pioneering the use of animatronics in Jungle Cruise, Disney successfully blended imagination with technology, creating a timeless attraction that captures the essence of the wild in a safe and enchanting manner.

The Skippers Don't Drive the Boat

While the charismatic skippers of the Jungle Cruise may appear to be masterfully navigating the winding rivers with expert precision, there's a delightful secret beneath the surface–the boats are actually on a track! Yes, the magic of Disney extends even to the waterways of this iconic attraction.

Behind the scenes, the boats are guided along an unseen track beneath the surface, ensuring a seamless and controlled journey through the exotic landscapes. What makes the experience truly enchanting is the skillful touch of the skippers. The skippers excel in making you believe they are steering the ship with ease with perfectly timed spins of the captain's wheel. While they can control the speed of the boat and move it forwards and backward, the track guides the boat along the Jungle Cruise's journey. This way, the skippers can focus on bringing the adventure to life with their wit and “niles and niles” of punny jokes.

There's Something in the Water

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog.

Have you ever wondered why the water on the Jungle Cruise river has such a murky appearance? Personally, I have. Come to find out, it's not a natural muckiness! In fact, it's Imagineers employing a clever technique!

The Imagineers introduced a water-soluble dye, tinted in green-brown hues, to give the water an authentic jungle aesthetic. Located behind the “Eighth Wonder of the World” a large pump disperses the dye into the water.

Beyond its visual impact, this dye serves a crucial purpose—it conceals the boat tracks and wiring essential for the animatronics. It also helps give the illusion that the water is much deeper, like it would be in the wild. In reality, the water is only about 4 feet deep in most areas. This thoughtful technique ensures that guests remain fully immersed in the jungle ambiance.

Sensors Help the Skippers

“Does anyone know what kind of snake that is? Begins with P… not Python – good guess though! Plastic!” – Anonymous Skipper

Personally, I was always curious how the skippers had such impeccable timing with their jokes hitting at the exact right moment with an animatronic. If you’ve ever wondered about this too, wonder no more–it's no mere coincidence!

According to DisneyFanatic.com and TPM Vids , there are sensors in The Jungle Cruise that trigger a specific effect to go off when the boat passes. This clever technological integration allows skippers to synchronize their narration and punch lines perfectly. Harnessing the ability to control the boat's speed, skippers ensure that their witty commentary aligns precisely with the sensor signals preceding each animatronic encounter.

An Animator Added the Fun

“It’s okay to take pictures folks, they all have their trunks on.” – Anonymous Skipper

When The Jungle Cruise initially debuted in 1955, it embraced a more educational tone reminiscent of the documentaries that inspired its creation. However, by the early 1960s, Walt Disney envisioned injecting additional drama and humor into the ride to enhance the overall experience. To bring this vision to life, he enlisted the talents of animator Marc Davis, one of Disney's esteemed “Nine Old Men.”

Starting his journey with Disney in 1935 as an animator for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Davis became a crucial collaborator on various iconic rides, including Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, it's a small world, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Walt Disney's request for humorous sketches from Davis marked the beginning of transforming the once-serious wilderness into a “wise-cracking” adventure. Among Davis' notable contributions is the creation of the Elephant Pool scene, leaving a lasting mark on the Jungle Cruise's whimsical evolution.

Too Good for Backstage

In addition to his work on the Jungle Cruise, Marc Davis was enlisted to create entertaining scenes adorning the outskirts of various lands visible from the train, serving as lively advertisements for the attractions within. According to a Marc Davis conversation with Disney Archaeologist Scott Wolf detailed in a Keeping the Magic Alive YouTube video and The Kingdom Insider article , the “Trapped Safari” scene was initially designed as a promotional visual. However, Walt Disney, captivated by Davis' ingenuity, declared that it had to be in the ride.

Fast forward to today, and the once-promotional sketch has evolved into a cherished fan-favorite scene on the attraction. Notably, it has become the “butt-of-the-joke” for many of the skippers' witty punch lines.

Easter Eggs Laid by The Rock

In July 2021, Walt Disney Pictures unveiled the highly anticipated summer blockbuster “Jungle Cruise,” featuring the dynamic duo of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt. While the Jungle Cruise attraction predates the movie, the film drew inspiration from the iconic Disneyland ride. Disneyland's queue, in a stroke of cinematic magic, received some delightful Easter Eggs courtesy of the movie.

Notably, across from Dr. Kon Chunosuke’s insect collection, visitors will discover the map from the film—a map that Dr. Lily (Emily Blunt) reveals to Skipper Frank (Dwayne Johnson), leading them on a quest to find an ancient, powerful healing tree poised to revolutionize medicine.

The Disneyland queue holds additional hidden gems from the movie. Dr. Lily and Skipper Frank's attire is suspended behind Alberta Falls’ office door in the Jungle Cruise boathouse. Frank's coat also adorns Alberta's office, discreetly placed behind a wicker hutch. Further intrigue awaits in the Safari Supply Storage Room, where a Conquistador's helmet serves as another nod to the film's adventurous narrative.

Recent Changes to the Jungle Cruise Attraction

Returning visitors to Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will notice a change in the Jungle Cruise attraction, as the character known as the “Head Salesman” Trader Sam is no longer present in person. Following a 2021 refurbishment at both parks, which aimed to address concerns about cultural sensitivity, several scenes underwent renovations to ensure they were more respectful to Indigenous people.

In response to criticisms regarding the representation of Indigenous people on the ride, Disney Parks took action in January 2021. The refurbishments were designed to “reflect and value the diversity of the world around us.”

As part of these changes, scenes featuring a war party with spears, native dancers, and Trader Sam selling shrunken heads have been completely removed from the attraction. However, Trader Sam is still part of the ride in a different capacity, as guests can now encounter him within the new “Gift Shop,” where he sells explorers' lost items.

Special Holiday Overlays

During the merriest season of the year, both Disneyland and Disney World once joined in the festive transformation of The Jungle Cruise, giving rise to the enchanting “Jingle Cruise” holiday overlay. While Disneyland stopped doing this festive overlay in 2017, Disney World still partakes in the merriment every year. 

From early November through approximately the first week in January, the classic attraction dons holiday decor, ushering guests into a yuletide wonderland.  This joyous holiday makeover, accessible to all park visitors and not exclusive to Christmas event party-goers, brings a delightful twist to the Jungle Cruise experience. The animatronics and scenes get a festive facelift with whimsical decorations, and even the jokes take on a special holiday flair. It's a seasonal spectacle that infuses an extra dose of magic into the already boisterous attraction, making the Jingle Cruise a must-see holiday treat for all park-goers.

Hungry for More Fun Facts?

Our cruise can't come to an end just yet! Here are some additional fun facts about the Jungle Cruise ride:

• Disneyland's Jungle Cruise queue is two stories tall, while Disney World's queue is only one story.
• In Walt Disney World, the legend is the plane that crashed on the Jungle Cruise is actually the back half of the plane from the Casablanca scene on the former Great Movie Ride attraction in Hollywood Studios.
• The Disney World attraction includes a temple tunnel scene and Disneyland's does not.
• Schweitzer Falls was actually named after Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a famous doctor, humanitarian, and Nobel Prize winner.
• Both Disney World and Disneyland locations have Schweitzer Falls, a.k.a. the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” and get to see the “backside of water.”

The Jungle Cruise stands as a true Disney masterpiece, demonstrating that even in the heart of the jungle, magic is very much alive! From the clever storytelling and meticulously crafted animatronics to hidden surprises and festive overlays like the Jingle Cruise, each detail adds to the awe of this iconic attraction.

Whether it's your initial voyage or a return to familiar waters, every twist and turn on this jungle adventure brings forth not just high-seas hilarity and puns, but also reflects Disney's dedication to providing enchanting experiences for visitors of all ages. The next time you embark on the Jungle Cruise, take a moment to appreciate the intricate details that make this expedition a timeless journey into the heart of Disney magic, where the wonder is grounded in the artistry and craftsmanship that brings the adventure to life.

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Jungle Cruise

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This article is about the Disney Parks ride. For the 2021 film of the same name, see Jungle Cruise (film) .

• Magic Kingdom
• Tokyo Disneyland
• Hong Kong Disneyland

The Jungle Cruise is an attraction located in Adventureland at many Disney Parks, including Disneyland , Magic Kingdom , and Tokyo Disneyland . At Hong Kong Disneyland , the attraction is named Jungle River Cruise. Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland are the only Magic Kingdom-style Disney parks without Jungle Cruise in their attraction rosters.

The attraction simulates a riverboat cruise down several major rivers of Asia , Africa and South America . Park guests board replica tramp steamers and are taken on a voyage past many different Audio-Animatronic jungle animals. The tour is led by a live Disney cast member delivering a humorous scripted narration.

• 1 Inspiration and design
• 2.1 Attraction summary
• 2.2 Major changes
• 2.3 Description of specific changes
• 3.1 Attraction summary
• 3.2.1 Boats
• 3.2.2 Major changes
• 4.2 Major changes
• 5.1.1 Major changes
• 5.1.2 Boats
• 6 Gun signals
• 7.1 Television Appearances
• 7.2 Film adaptation
• 10 References

Inspiration and design [ ]

Walt Disney developed the Jungle Cruise alongside Adventureland, inspired by his successful True-Life Adventures nature-film series as Adventureland was originally named, "True-Life Adventureland". Walt originally wanted the attraction to feature live-animals though for many obvious reasons this was opted out for audio-animatronics (though later recycled for Kilimanjaro Safaris ). Imagineer Harper Goff referenced the 1951 non-Disney film The African Queen frequently in his ideas; even his designs of the ride vehicles were modeled after the steamer used in the film. The project was placed on the schedule to open with the July 17, 1955 debut of Disneyland.

When plans began to develop, Bill Evans, the Imagineer responsible for landscaping Disneyland and most of Walt Disney World , faced the daunting task of foresting an entire jungle on a limited budget. Aside from importing many actual tropical plants, he made wide use of "character plants" which, while not necessarily exotic, could give the appearance of exoticism in context. In a particularly well-known trick, he uprooted local orange trees and "replanted" them upside-down, growing vines on the exposed roots. The clean water was dyed brown to prevent visitors from seeing the bottom of the “river”, which varies between three and eight feet deep.

Although Goff and Evans can be credited with the creation and initial design of the ride, Marc Davis , recognized for his work on venerable attractions, such as The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean , added his own style to the ride in later versions and Disneyland updates. The "Indian Elephant Bathing Pool" and " Trapped Safari " were among his contributions. In the 1990s, the ride received theming and aesthetics to imitate the popular Indiana Jones film-series of Lucasfilm as a means of tying into Disneyland's attraction Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye . Later, refurbishments would orient the Jungle Cruise predominately towards campy jokes (most frequently improvised by skippers decades earlier and made part of an official script) and self-referential humor.

Disneyland [ ]

The attraction was in the opening day roster of the park, and has remained open and largely unchanged in theme and story since then. Aside from alterations and maintenance changes, four completely new show scenes have been added to date. In 1995 the river channel was rerouted to make way for the queue buildings and entrance courtyard of the Indiana Jones Adventure.

While the current version and most previous instances have made use of a comedic spiel, filled with intentionally bad puns, the original intent of the ride was to provide a realistic, believable voyage through the world's jungles. The original spiel had no jokes and sounded much like the narration of a nature documentary. Starting with the Christmas season of 2013, Jungle Cruise was given a seasonal overlay called Jingle Cruise and was decorated with various Christmas decorations.

Attraction summary [ ]

The queue and station are themed as the former headquarters and boathouse of the Jungle Navigation Company , located in a British colony within the Lost Delta of India in the year 1938. The queuing area is cluttered with appropriate props, such as pinned insects, an old radio on top of a bookshelf, and a chessboard with miniature animals and decorated shotgun shells replacing the pieces. The extended queue winds upstairs, underneath an Audio-Animatronic hornbill, and then downstairs again. Big band music from the 1930s plays overhead from the Global Broadcasting Service and occasional news breaks by announcer Nigel Greenwater .

In the queue's entrance is company founder Dr. Albert Falls ' map of the, "Jungle Rivers of Adventureland", a series of supernatural rivers connecting locations across the world into the realm of, "Adventureland". Throughout the queue are references to the lost crew of the Kwango Kate consisting of skipper Felix Pechman XIII , Dr. Kon Chunosuke , Siobhan Murphy, Rosa Soto Dominguez, and Dr. Leonard Moss. Guests also pass by the office of company president Alberta Falls containing her portrait and the cage of her pet bird, Kamaka.

Once aboard the boats, guests are introduced to their skipper and they head into the jungle, allegedly never to return. The first rivers simulated are the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers, representing tropical Southeast Asia. The boats sail through a dense rainforest, and ancient Irrawaddy temple ruins where passengers see a Bengal Tiger, giant spiders, king cobras, and crocodiles. Passing a shrines of the historic King Jayavarman VII (c.1150–1160), a bowing elephant and a metal cobra, the boats enter the Sacred Indian Elephant Bathing Pool where dozens of Indian elephants prance in the water and squirt water at the passing vessels.

The theme transitions to the rivers of Africa, and riders see a family of baboons, and a safari camp that has been overrun by gorillas . The boats careen past the dramatic waterfall, Schweitzer Falls , between two African Elephants, and large termite mounds. A tableau of the African Veldt follows, showing zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes watching a pride of lions feasting on a zebra beneath a rocky outcropping. Beyond the lion's den, an angry rhinoceros has chased the marooned crew of the Kwango Kate up a tree. Antelope and hyenas watch from nearby while hyenas wait at the bottom of the tree for their coming meal.

The skipper then pilots the boat into a large pool, containing the sunken Kwango Kate and belongings of the lost expedition. This disturbs a pod of hippos that signal their intent to attack the boat. Armed with a gun filled with blanks, the skipper fires into the air to frighten them away. The boats narrowly escape and encounter the lost Jungle Cruise boat, The Mekong Maiden being crewed by chimpanzees while chimps along the riverside play with the marooned crew's belongings. The boat also passes another pair of chimps with a magnifying glass and net observing an infestation of butterflies that they had released from their crates.

The boats pass behind Schweitzer Falls (famously referred to as "the Backside of Water") to enter the Amazon River. Skeletal animal remains and warning signs featuring pictures of dagger-toothed fish forewarn the next show scene, where the boats encounter a swarm of leaping piranha. The guests then pass a pool of water buffalo nearby a large python before finding their way to the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Lost & Found . This establishment was left in possession of Indigenous South American, " Trader Sam " who turned the lost & found into a gift-shop to sell of the belongings of guests. In Sam's absence, the shop is overrun by monkeys who snap a photo of guests while they pass by a hornbill (who originally appeared on the rafters of the ride's queue until the most recent refurbishment) and Sam's pet elephant Ellie .

The boats proceed to make their return to the boathouse but not before passing through an uncharted tributary within a Polynesian river. Along the water's edge are Jungle Navigation Company docks along the Enchanted Tiki Room and advertisements for, " The Tropical Hideaway ". A white cockatoo named Rosita appears waiting for a Jungle Cruise boat and turns to sing to and crack jokes at the guests. Finally, the boats return to the Lost Delta where guests disembark.

Major changes [ ]

• 1962 - Addition of Indian Elephant pool
• 1964 - Addition of African Veldt and Lost Safari scenes
• 1976 - Addition of Cambodian Temple and Gorilla Camp scenes
• 1993 - Various minor additions
• 1994 - Addition of boathouse queue
• 1995 - Rerouting of river to accommodate the Indiana Jones Adventure
• 1997 - Replacement of the original ride vehicles
• 2001 - Skippers' guns removed after March 24.
• 2004 - Skippers' guns return starting October 1.
• 2005 - Happiest Homecoming on Earth refurbishment, opened May 4, 2005. Various replacements and reconstructions, addition of piranhas, and updates to Gorilla Camp scene.
• 2013 - Debut of the seasonal Jingle Cruise overlay, which became more elaborate the following year.
• 2016 - The attraction is closed until May for refurbishment to install a new docking system.
• 2021 - New storyline at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom announced on January 25. However, following Disneyland's reopening after being temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Disneyland version of this ride remained closed and the refurbishment was delayed until July 16, 2021. The updated version of the ride soft-opened on July 9, 2021.

Description of specific changes [ ]

The baboons at the safari camp previously sat on the African termite mounds. A total of six lions have been removed since opening day: one that growled when the African Veldt was added, two lionesses from the Veldt that were fighting over a bloody strand of zebra meat, a lion and a lioness that each had a zebra leg in their mouth, and a dead lion hanging on a spit over a fire in the native village. Also removed from the Veldt were African wild dogs laughing at the pride. The native village was originally a dense jungle filled with tikis, masks, and several more natives. Trader Sam previously wore a mask and a gorilla across the channel tried to grab his merchandise.

Starting in 2013, a holiday overlay was added themed to Christmas at both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom with holiday-themed jokes and decorations on the boats, and holiday music on the radio station in the queue in the aptly-named " Jingle Cruise ". This refurbishment ceased in the January of 2017 but continued to be performed at the Magic Kingdom.

In January 2021 , Disneyland and Walt Disney World both drastically changed their Jungle Cruises to remove overt racism from the attraction.

The changes included removing the headhunter tribe, the original trapped safari, the Buddhist statues, and Trader Sam. The headhunters were replaced with a scene of chimpanzees riding the Mekong Maiden, an allusion to a decommissioned Jungle Cruise boat. This attraction also explicitly featured "Adventureland" as a geographic location in-universe rather than an anachronistic combination of locales.

There are 12 vehicles, with a maximum of 9 in operation at any given time. The boats in 1955 were painted as clean, idealized replicas, but have since been given a more realistic theming reflecting the grunge and wear of actual watercraft due to the addition of Indiana Jones Adventure and its ruggedness.

Names in use:

• Amazon Belle
• Congo Queen (gold-painted for 50th anniversary)
• Hondo Hattie
• Irrawaddy Woman
• Kissimmee Kate
• Nile Princess (Wheelchair lift equipped)
• Orinoco Adventuress
• Suwannee Lady
• Ucayali Una (Wheelchair lift equipped)
• Yangtze Lotus
• Zambezi Miss

Names decommissioned in 1997:

• Magdalena Maiden
• Mekong Maiden

Magic Kingdom [ ]

The ride is set in the year 1938 as guests enter the Amazon River Base of the colonial business, the Jungle Navigation Company . The boathouse's radio broadcasts AWOL Airwaves, the service of one Albert Awol who plays music and relays announcements. Within the boathouse are several allusions to the corruption and negligence of the Jungle Navigation Company including a board of lost boats, an escaped orangutans, crates of damaged cargo, attempts to sell a feral tiger, and the employee of the month dying of disease. Additionally is a map of the Jungle Rivers of Adventureland , a series of mystic waterways which make up the jungle realm of, "Adventureland" mapped by skipper Frank Wolff and gifted to the Falls family before being augmented by Alberta Falls for skipper usage.

Throughout the queue are references to a lost Jungle Cruise tour containing the likes of skipper Felix Pechman XIII, Dr. Kon Chunosuke, Siobhan Murphy, Rosa Soto Dominguez, and Dr. Leonard Moss. Guests proceed to board boats on docks across from the shack of the elusive O.I. Cyhu. The skipper introduces themselves and begins to take the boat full of guests down the tropical rivers of the world. The ride starts out in the Amazon River, where the passengers encounter butterflies with one-foot wingspans, or as the skipper might say, twelve inches.

The boat then passes Inspiration Falls, which transitions into the Congo River in Africa. Here, the boats happen upon an empty mercantile called Boats & Baits AND Bites! run by one, "Skipper Sully". This shop is shown to have originally been called Boats & Baits before being turned into a quick-service dining establishment selling exotic fish such as piranhas. The boats proceed to encounter a giant python before making a getaway. After this, the boat then passes a camp that has been raided by gorillas, which transitions the cruise into the Nile River. The boats also encounter a downed airplane with the words, " The Amazing Hathaway Browne " on it, referencing the vehicle's owner.

While making the transition, the boats pass by Schweitzer Falls, named for the company founder Dr. Albert Falls. After encountering two elephants, the boat passes along the African Veldt, where numerous African animals watch a pride of lions eat their kill. The boat then finds the lost crew of the Kwango Kate, referenced in the queue. They have been chased up a tree by an angered black rhino while hyenas wait at the base of the tree for a free meal. After this, the boats encounter the sinking Kwango Kate which is taken over by chimpanzees, some of whom are eating Dr. Chunosuke's rare butterflies. The group then passes by another waterfall, Schweitzer Falls, and encounters a pool of hippos. They are about to charge the boat until the skipper scares them off, either via yelling or gunshot.

They enter a temple which has been destroyed by a natural disaster. Inside the skipper is silent as they encounter, baboons, cobras, and an Indochinese tiger. After they exit, they come across an elephant bathing pool where numerous elephants are relaxing in the water. The boat narrowly avoids being sprayed by water from one of the elephants. Following this, the boat returns to the Amazon rainforest where they find the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Lost & Found . This establishment was left in possession of Indigenous South American, "Trader Sam" who turned the lost & found into a gift-shop to sell of the belongings of guests. The guests see the shop overrun by monkeys before making their return to port.

Due to being opened much later than its Disneyland counterpart, the Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise had much more involvement by Marc Davis. The plane is the back-half of the Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior found at The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios in the Casablanca scene.

The character of Albert Awol was added in 1991 to the Jungle Cruise during a refurbishment:

Around the time of the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom , the skippers' guns were removed. They returned around November 2004 in the form of wired props that played gunfire sounds over the boats' PA systems.

Each variety of plant throughout the attraction was carefully selected by landscape architect Bill Evans to ensure that the foliage would be able to endure Florida's unique climate: hot summers and relatively cool winters. The most difficult aspect of this was making sure these plants had the appropriate look and feel of traditional tropical plants in the equatorial jungle. During the Christmas season of 2013, Jungle Cruise was given a seasonal overlay called Jingle Cruise and was decorated with various Christmas decorations.

In January 2021, Disneyland and Walt Disney World both drastically changed their Jungle Cruises to remove overt racism from the attraction.

The changes included removing the headhunter tribe, the pygmy camp, the previous trapped safari, and Chief Nah-Mee . This attraction also explicitly featured, "Adventureland" as a geographic location in-universe rather than an anachronistic combination of locales.

There are 15 vehicles, with a maximum of 10 in operation at any given time.

Current boats

• Amazon Annie
• Bomokandi Bertha (Wheelchair lift equipped)
• Congo Connie
• Ganges Gertie
• Irrawaddy Irma
• Mongala Millie
• Nile Nellie
• Orinoco Ida
• Rutshuru Ruby
• Sankuru Sadie
• Senegal Sal
• Ucyali Lolly
• Wamba Wanda (Wheelchair lift equipped)
• Zambesi Zelda

Retired boats

• Kwango Kate (Retired in 2000)
• 1973 - Expansion of boathouse queue, frogs removed from Amazon River scene.
• 1986 - African Veldt is enclosed by trees to hide views of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa .
• 1991 - Queue updates, introduction of the Albert Awol music loop. New scripts give Trader Sam the alternate name of Chief Namee.
• 1994 - Crashed Airplane scene is added.
• 1996 - Several figures on the Lost Safari are replaced.
• 1998 - Skippers' guns removed around the time Disney's Animal Kingdom opened.
• 2000 - A canopy structure is removed from the Amazon River scene for safety concerns. Queue is reconfigured for Fastpass and the boats receive a rustic makeover.
• 2004 - Skippers' guns return around November.
• 2016 to 2017 - "Crocs eating children" joke briefly removed after toddler was killed by a real alligator at the Grand Floridian Resort [1]
• 2021 - New storyline added over the course of several months from January through the summer. New Trapped Safari, Chimpanzee Boat scenes, Pygmy Village is turned into a boat and bait shop, and the crashed airplane is turned into an Adventurers Club tribute. Frogs returned in October.

Tokyo Disneyland [ ]

The Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland attractions are very similar to each other, with the exception of a few minor differences. While the boats in the Magic Kingdom's attraction travel counter-clockwise, the boats at Tokyo Disneyland travel in a clockwise direction. The current incarnation of the attraction is known as Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions . This version includes unique effects in the temple, a full musical score, and an alternate experience for nighttime cruises.

The station and surrounding area are themed to a more upscale African city, as opposed to an isolated jungle outpost. This version shares a station building with the park's steam train ride, Western River Railroad . Within the boathouse, voices of Jungle Navigation Company personnel give instructions to guests. The spiels in Tokyo Disneyland are delivered in Japanese and skippers bow to the audience after each joke.

The story focuses on establishing a "friendship with nature", with the Skipper keeping three animal totems in their boat: The Tiger of Courage, the Elephant of Wisdom, and the Monkey of Cleverness. Using one of these three totems and calling upon their matching animal spirits, the Temple's carvings are brought to life in a celebration with man's connection with nature. The first lines from the song " Circle of Life " from The Lion King can be heard when the boat passes through the African Veldt scene. At the end of the attraction, guests encounter Chief Nah-mee (also known as "Salesman Sam") and Ellie who are trading fruit and the three medallions which the skippers have in their boats.

There are 13 vehicles, with a maximum of 12 in operation at any given time.

All boat names, except Orinoco Ida, are alliterations.

• Kwango Kate
• Wamba Wanda
• Zambezi Zelda
• Mid-1990s/Early 2000s - The blank-firing guns are replaced with wired props that play gunfire sounds when used.
• 2008 - Chief Nah-mee (Salesman Sam) offers bananas instead of shrunken heads starting March/April.
• 2014 - The original Jungle Cruise closes on January 6 to undergo a revamp. It reopens on September 8 as Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions. The skippers' guns and the skulls/skull imagery were removed during the revamp.

Hong Kong Disneyland [ ]

The shape of Jungle River Cruise 's route is significantly different compared to the others, and circumnavigates Tarzan's Treehouse . A grand finale is included with a battle between angry fire and water gods. Three languages are regularly available: Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. Each language has a separate queue, allowing visitors to experience the journey in their preferred language.

The queue takes place in a small boathouse less elaborate than the boathouses found at the other parks. After winding through the queue, guests board one of the boats and meet their skipper who speaks either English, Cantonese, or Mandarin, to accompany the park's guests who speak many different languages themselves.

The boats then depart and head down the river, past Tarzan's Treehouse where the skipper tells guests to wave goodbye to the guests traversing the treehouse, for they will never see them again. The boats then drift past a mother Indian elephant and her calf playing in the water, followed by another elephant showering in a waterfall. A large bull Indian elephant emerges from the water squirting a plume of water at the boats with the guests narrowly avoiding the free shower.

The vessels then drift down a narrow stream past ancient Cambodian ruins which have been claimed by the jungle. Giant spiders and king cobras watch the boats as they move on. Up ahead several crocodiles are seen resting on a small beach, while a school of hungry piranha are jumping in the hopes of attacking the guests. The boats escape into Africa and they pass a large safari camp where several curious gorillas have discovered clothes, guns, hammocks, and books, as " Trashin' the Camp " plays on a nearby 1930s radio. The African Veldt comes into view where antelope, giraffes, zebras, and African elephants stare at the boats. The vessels then drift into a small pool where a pod of hippos try to tip the boat. Several feet ahead a rhino is seen chasing a safari group up a tree while several hyenas look on laughing.

Skulls and cloth impaled on broken bamboo sticks appears as tribal drums and horns fill the air. The skipper tells guests that they have entered head hunter country and must quietly sneak by. The boats slowly pass through the main village where several upright shields rest in the tall grass. A native notices the boats and all the shields now revealed to have head hunters behind them begin firing spears and poison darts at the boats as they narrowly escape into a rocky canyon. In the rocky canyon, the boats stop near two unusual rock formations that look like faces, revealed by the skipper to be the fire god and the water god who constantly feud over their differences. The fire god sets the river ablaze while the water god vomits a water bomb, causing the flames to die and the whole canyon to become a cloud of steam. The boats escape the canyon and pass a baby elephant before returning to the boathouse.

• 2006 - Piranha Attack and Trapped Safari scenes added, enhancement of Gorilla Camp, African Veldt, and Headhunter's Territory
• 2007 - Temporary scene added during the " Pirate Takeover " summer event (from May to August); attraction name changed to "Jungle River Cruise: Pirate Takeover!"
• 2015 - Seasonal overlay added during Halloween event; attraction name changed to " Jungle River Cruise: Curse of the Emerald Trinity "
• 2024 - Trapped Safari redone, S.E.A. references added throughout. [2]

There are 9 vehicles, with a maximum of 8 in operation at any given time.

• Congo Queen (Wheelchair Accessible)
• Lijiang Lady
• Yangzi Ying Ying

Gun signals [ ]

The Disneyland version of the attraction uses live revolvers firing blanks. They are always fired at the Hippo Pool scene, but are also used to signal to the dock in the event of an emergency. Each signal has a different meaning, and is signified by the amount of shots fired using the louder emergency blanks:

Live guns were used at the Magic Kingdom until 2001, when they were replaced with fake props and an on-board sound effect.

In popular culture [ ]

• In the Disney's Sing-Along Songs video Disneyland Fun during "Following the Leader", Jungle Cruise made an appearance.
• In the film Tarzan , gorillas in Tarzan's troop homage the gorillas of the jungle cruise when they hold a rifle to their eye.
• Jungle Cruise was parodied as Timon and Pumbaa's Virtual Safari on The Lion King Special Edition.
• A stand up comedy show featuring only Jungle Cruise Skippers, called The Skipper Stand Up Show, has been doing shows in Fullerton, California since May 2006.
• Disney's "Fab Five" characters, cruise boat and the "River Expedition Company" boathouse were incorporated into an original painting and limited edition print offering by artist Randy Souders entitled "Jungle Cruise" created for the 1999 Official Disneyana Convention at Disneyland .
• In Australia's Disneyland special: The Wiggles Live at Disneyland Park , Greg and Murray are on this ride thinking they're in the wrong place.
• In the " Mickey Monkey " episode of the 2013 Mickey Mouse shorts, the "Fab five" ride a Jungle Cruise boat and accidentally abandon Mickey in the jungle. In the later episode " Wish Upon a Coin ", Goofy briefly appears dressed as Chief Nah-mee.
• A Chibi Tiny Tales short involved the characters of the DuckTales reboot riding the attraction.
• The ride was the subject of the Weird Al Yankovic song Skipper Dan

Television Appearances [ ]

• A behind-the-scenes look at Jungle Cruise was featured in the Disney+ Original series Behind the Attraction .

Film adaptation [ ]

The film adaptation , originally scheduled for release in 2007, has experienced various delays and changes. The shooting of the film, originally scheduled for 2006, was cancelled. Moreover, the original screenplay by Josh Goldstein and John Norville was reportedly rewritten by Al Gough and Miles Millar. This original screenplay followed a group's riverboat journey through a jungle in search of a cure and was to have featured a contemporary setting. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen were set to star as a Skipper and a frustrated passenger respectively until this version was cancelled.

A new version of the project starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt was announced in 2017, with a planned shooting time in the Spring of 2018. This version of the project is described as a comedic action-adventure film in the vein of Indiana Jones and the attraction's original inspiration, The African Queen . Jack Whitehall joined the cast as "Disney's second openly gay character". [3] Said character was criticized due to being a campy gay character portrayed by a heterosexual actor who is also subject to coded jokes by Dwayne Johnson's character about his sexuality. The film was eventually released on July 30 , 2021 .

• Jungle Cruise is one of the few original rides at Disneyland that is still open today.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom has two attractions inspired by the Jungle Cruise. One is Kilimanjaro Safaris which reuses Walt's original plans for a faux environment with real animals while the other is the alien jungle cruise of Na'vi River Journey which is an Avatar-themed reimagining of the attraction.
• Both Kevin Costner and John Lasseter worked there as captains of the boats in Disneyland. [2]
• In a popular story recounted by Jeff Lange, a writer for weblogging site Jim Hill Media, an experience at the Jungle Cruise helped bolster John Lasseter.
• Disneyland Paris used to have a Jungle Cruise themed gift-shop called Trader Sam's Jungle Boutique but this was replaced with the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost .
• The name of the Jungle Cruise's most famous boat The Congo Queen was likely a tribute to Charlie's boat The African Queen from the film.
• The Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise featured a container of, "Rose's Leech Salt" referencing a scene in the Jungle Cruise where Rose Sayer helped Charlie Allnut recover from leeches. Also in this queue was a map of the Congo with the words, "Follow the Route of the Jungle Queen" and highlighted route passing Ponthierville where a church was illustrated. This alluded to how the film of the African Queen was partly filmed in Ponthierville, most notably within its cathedral and by using, "The Jungle Queen" as a surrogate name for the African Queen of the film.
• One of Chief Nah-mee's heads was allegedly made to resemble the head of Katherine Hepburn as a tribute to her character Rose Sayer.
• In Bengal Barbecue is a (photoshopped) photograph of Charlie Allnut and Rose Sayer riding the Zambezi Miss past the original lost safari in the African veldt.
• In Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar is a post-card sent to Trader Sam from Charlie Allnut, offering his advice and services.
• The Jungle Cruise film takes influence from the African Queen with Frank Wolff even being modeled after Charlie Allnut.
• The Minnie Mouse section of Magic of Disney Animation featured the poster for a film called, "The Jungle Cruise" modeled after the poster for the African Queen albeit with Mickey Mouse as Charlie Allnut and Minnie as Rose Sayer.
• The clothes of Frank Wolff and Lily Houghton are hung up in Alberta Falls' office in Disneyland. The map of the Amazon river is framed in the boathouse and a conquistador hat seemingly references the villainous Lope de Aguirre. While difficult to see, the chimp's map aboard the Mekong Maiden is signed by, "F.W." AKA Frank Wolff from the film.
• During the world premiere of the Jungle Cruise, one of the boats was turned into Frank's boat La Quila.
• In the Magic Kingdom, there is an office with Frank's hat, Lope de Aguirre's helm and the map of the Amazon in Alberta's office. The map of the Rivers of Adventure is also signed, "F.W." for Frank Wolff, a major character from the film.
• During the Jingle Cruise, a crate addressed to Rosita's owner Nilo Nemolato from the film was added to the African Veldt.

Gallery [ ]

References [ ]

• ↑ https://www.disney-magical-kingdom-blog.com/2024/07/The-Society-of-Explorers-and-Adventurers-SEA-Connection-Added-To-Hong-Kong-Disneyland-Jungle-River-Cruise.html
• 1 Sar-Chasm
• 3 The Emotions

Disney Parks

World-famous jungle cruise reopens at disneyland park on july 16, 2021, with new adventures and more humor.

Published: July 16, 2021

The world-famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Park officially reopens on July 16, 2021, with new adventures, an expanded storyline and more humor as skippers take guests on a tongue-in-cheek journey along some of the most remote rivers around the world. The new creative concept is original to Walt Disney Imagineering, just like the classic attraction itself.

Changes to this attraction also are underway in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, with completion expected later this summer.

“We’re excited to be building on the story of the Jungle Cruise to include new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love, while adding more humor, more wildlife, and an interconnected story,” said Chris Beatty, an Imagineer who led creative development of the enhancements. “As part of creative development, we’ve also introduced characters from around the world and took a thoughtful approach to ensure accurate representation of cultures in our story.”

The world-famous Jungle Cruise skippers return to share the unique adventure and interactions that guests expect on this expedition in Adventureland. New scenes have fun with the legendary comedic tone of the attraction, and some unexpected scenarios give the jungle and the animals the last laugh!

What’s new: Disney Imagineers have a longstanding history of updating attractions at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Parks. The expanded backstory centers around Alberta Falls, the granddaughter of the world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, who is now proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. New scenes include:

• A safari of explorers from around the world finds itself up a tree after the journey goes awry
• Chimpanzees have taken over the expedition’s wrecked boat
• A Lost & Found location has turned into a Gift Shop run by Alberta’s longtime friend, Trader Sam

Don’t miss: Jungle Cruise skippers incorporate plenty of gags as they narrate “wildlife” scenes for guests who have boarded a canopied tramp steamer, leaving civilization behind.  Those scenes include:

• Ancient Cambodian Shrine with leaping tigers, lethal cobras and snapping crocodiles
• Jungle Cruise Safari Camp is a former camp overrun by “explosively” curious gorillas
• Indian Elephant Bathing Pool where bathing Indian elephants have their “trunks on”
• The African Veldt where angry hippos and hungry lions are guarding a “sleeping” zebra
• Schweitzer Falls, where skippers introduce guests to something they may have never seen before – the “back side of water”!

Changes through the years: The tone of the attraction was more serious when it opened, on the first day Disneyland Park welcomed guests in 1955. The river has changed course through the years and additions included the elephant bathing pool, gorillas in the safari camp and a new piranha scene.

Imaginative landscaping : The foliage is designed to look as if it had been created by nature. Since 1955, the Jungle Cruise vegetation has evolved into its own tropical jungle with three levels: the upper canopy, the understory and the forest floor. The “father” of the attraction’s jungle was horticulturist and Disney Legend Bill Evans, who directed the landscaping of much of Disneyland in the 1950s.

Did you know?

• The skippers of the Jungle Cruise lead a humorously irreverent expedition, carrying passengers along four rivers: the Nile of Africa, the Amazon of South America, the Irrawaddy of Southeast Asia and the Ganges of India.
• Guests will enjoy the return of the Jungle Cruise and also something new at The Tropical Hideaway – a Pineapple Split! Starting July 16 and while supplies last, it will be served in a souvenir container that looks like a Jungle Cruise boat with a red-and-white striped canopy. This “pineapple split” comes with DOLE Whip® , blueberries, strawberries and Mandarin oranges, topped with coconut-caramel sauce, crushed plantains, dried hibiscus and toasted coconut.

View on DisneylandNews.com

Life in Mouse Years

Melisa tours disney, 10 secrets of disneyland’s jungle cruise.

Melisa Rice Attractions 0

Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise takes you through the adventurous history of this classic opening day attraction. Combining adventure and humor, your tour guide takes you through the Jungle where you may see lions, tigers, and elephants! Oh my!

Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is one of the attractions that I love to ride each trip! Being that it is one of the 12 opening day attractions that still exist, it has definitely stood the test of time (and corny jokes) to be one of the busiest attractions at the park. Today I would like to share some secrets and history of this attraction.

What is Jungle Cruise?

First up, for Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is to explain what the Jungle Cruise is. The Jungle Cruise is a motorboat cruise ride in Adventureland. A Skipper takes you on a guided pun-filled tour through four different areas. The Mekong River, The African Congo, The Nile River, and The Amazon in South America. Along the way, you see crocodiles, elephants, hippos, lions, and more during your comical excursion. 

The Jungle Cruise is Based on Documentary Films and a Movie

Second on the list of Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is that when Disneyland opened in 1955, the Jungle Cruise was originally themed after the film series called “True Life Adventure” that Walt Disney produced. Most specifically the one that is about lions titled, The African Lion. In addition to the documentary film being an inspiration, the ride’s boats were themed after the 1951 movie The African Queen. The African Queen stared Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn, which had steamer boats, from this novel-based film. 

Real Animals Were Considered Before Audioanimatronic Animals 

Next for Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is that REAL animals were considered by Walt Disney before he decided to use Audioanimationic Animals. Live animals would be exciting and fun to see. Especially back in 1955, however, Walt Disney realized that the animals would most likely be sleeping during the day. As a result, Walt decided to use the Audioanimationic animals for the attraction.

Creative Imagineer Creates a Jungle On A Budget

Another on the list of Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is that the jungle was made on a tight budget. The funds for Disneyland were running low. Therefore, the Imagineer that was tasked with Landscaping, Bill Evans, had to be very creative when designing the jungle plant life. While some plants were imported, the creative part of the landscaping came when Bill Evans took orange trees and replanted them upside down. He then added vines to the roots to make it look exotic. 

Bill did such a wonderful job on the design and development over the years that the Jungle Cruise is considered a “real” and self-sustaining ecosystem. 

There Are Twelve Boats and They All Have Names

Next on the list of Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is that there are twelve boats. Although there are twelve boats in existence at Disneyland, only eight are operated at a time. Also, each of the twelve boats is named. They are:

• Congo Queen
• Amazon Belle
• Nile Princess
• Kissimmee Kate
• Orinoco Adventures
• Suwannee Lady
• Zambezi Miss
• Ucayali Una
• Hondo Hattie
• Yangtze Lotus
• Irrawaddy Woman

The Boat Designs Changed Over the Years

Another secret is that The Jungle Cruise boats were originally light-colored with striped canopies that varied in colors. For example, some were red and white stripes, green and white stripes, and yellow and white stripes. There have been many color variations over the years.

In 1994 the boats were all changed to look weathered and worn. As well as cargo colored canopy’s to match the theming of Indiana Jones. The attraction for Indiana Jones was being added next door (and took over part of the Jungle Cruise). As a result, the Disney Imagineers wanted to combine the look of the new theme being added to Adventureland. 

Tour Changed From Educational to Comical

When The Jungle Cruise opened in 1955, the tour guides spiel was more of an educational tone. Teaching about the Jungle and the animals. Later in 1962, The Jungle Cruise was changed to have more comedy happening. Not only with the Tour Guides puns, but also with the addition of four new scenes that were funny. 

Disney Imagineer, Marc Davis, who worked on Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion, added two of the new scenes in The Jungle Cruise. The Elephant Bathing Pool and the Rhinoceros Chasing Explorers Up the Pole. I have thoroughly enjoyed these scenes over the years. 

Length of the Track Was Shortened

Another on the list of Secrets of Disneyland Jungle Cruise is that the track was shortened from what it was when it first opened. In 1955 when Disneyland opened, The Jungle Cruise Track was 1,920 feet long. When Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye attraction was being added to Adventureland in 1994, the track for the Jungle Cruise was altered by shortening it as well as rerouting part of it. 

Details About the Water in the Jungle

Next up for Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is about the water. Disney controls the color of the water in the Disney Parks. Originally the water was dyed a brown color. After a few years, it was then changed to a green color. Fairly recently, Disney has changed the color again to a blue-green color. Although I had noticed during my last trip it was looking a bit brown. 

You may be wondering why does Disney dye the water? Well, that is so they can hide the rides track system that is in the water, in addition to other mechanical parts that are in the river. This helps to keep with the Disney magic that creates the illusion that you are on a real boat tour! I have to admit, I tend to forget that the attraction runs on a track.

The Water Connection

The water in the Jungle Cruise is connected to other waterways in Disneyland. This is a really fun fact. The water in Frontierland for Rivers of America connects to the moat around Sleeping Beauty Castle. Next, it continues to the water at the entrance of Frontierland and it goes under the entrance to Adventureland. It then flows next to the Tiki Room and then flows into The Jungle Cruise. Which then goes into the Rivers of America. The circle of water life. hehe

Day vs. Night

Finally for Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is that the day tour is different from the night tour! I love riding The Jungle Cruise both during the day and at night. It is different to ride it at night and while each tour is different depending on your guide, the nighttime Jungle Cruise can be very different and a lot of fun!

For example, when you ride at night, your Guide has to shine a spotlight on things so that you can see what is out there in the jungle. Another example is that they can do completely different jokes that will only work at night. Like our guide did during our last trip. He went on and on after we saw the huge African Bull Elephant that it was so rare and he guaranteed that it was the ONLY one we would ever see. Then he shined the light over to another African Bull Elephant. After a few seconds, he turned the light off and said “that was a giraffe.”  I love it!

If you can go on The Jungle Cruise closer to closing time, that is one of the BEST times to ride. The Cast Members really get into it and they seem to be a lot more fun/funny. I recommend it if you are able to do that. It is so much fun!

In Conclusion

The Jungle Cruise is one of the twelve opening day attractions at Disneyland. Thereby withstanding the test of time and is still going strong today! There are so many fun secrets of this attraction. I hope that I was able to share something that you didn’t know about before in this post 10 Secrets of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise.

Did you enjoy this post? You may also enjoy my 10 Secrets of It’s a Small World post!

Curious what is new at Shop Disney? Check out the latest toys and other items in the link below!

Questions or Comments?

Do you have any questions or comments on today’s post? Please feel free to leave them in the comments below. I would love to help!

If you would like to know what the current status of Disneyland is, you can find it at Disneyland’s official website here .

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, jungle cruise – adventureland – magic kingdom, {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"breadcrumblist","itemlistelement":[{"@type":"listitem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/","name":"attractions"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/search\/walt-disney-world\/all\/all\/all\/","name":"walt disney world"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/search\/magic-kingdom\/all\/all\/all\/","name":"magic kingdom"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":4,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/search\/adventureland\/all\/all\/all\/","name":"adventureland"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":5,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/magic-kingdom\/jungle-cruise-adventureland-magic-kingdom\/","name":"jungle cruise"}}]} attractions > walt disney world > magic kingdom > adventureland > jungle cruise, recommended by, ride length, lightning lane single pass, lightning lane multi pass, ride seating photos & advice, jungle cruise highlights:, disney genie+ attraction.

• Sail the world’s most exotic rivers in a river boat
• Hear iconic “punny” jokes from the Skippers on this family-friendly Disney classic!

Introduction | Attraction | Ride Logistics | Dining | Interesting Facts

Introduction.

Travel on the world’s most exotic rivers to see mechanical animals and ancient ruins. Be prepared for surprises along the way, including some very punny jokes! Jungle Cruise is located in Adventureland, across from the Enchanted Tiki Room, just beyond the Swiss Family Treehouse.

Queue — As you wind your way around a deceptively long queue through theJungle Cruise offices, be sure to note the fun details. For example, there’s a chalkboard with a list of missing boats and persons, with names like “Ilene Dover” and “Anne Fellen.” There’s also a Menu Board that’s good for a laugh!

Also listen to the overhead chatter of the Cast Members to help while the wait time away. The really bad jokes they tell give you an idea of what you’re in for on the cruise itself!

Jungle Cruise — You board canopied launches patterned after the boat in the movie The African Queen that have whimsical names like “Bomokandi Bertha”, “Irrawaddy Irma,” and “Amazon Annie.”

After the launch leaves the dock, the skipper then pilots you through the dangerous waters of four “rivers”: the Amazon in South America; the Congo in Africa; the Nile in Egypt; and the Mekong river in Cambodia in Southeast Asia. Along the route, a variety of mechanical animals and explorers are encountered, including a herd of bathing elephants in the Elephant Pool, some lions enjoying their dinner, angry hippos who might attack at any moment, and the infamous Trader Sam’s Gift Shop 

The launch also passes by a waterfall  (the notorious backside of water!) and several spraying fountains, so you may get a just a little damp on this 10-minute excursion .

In addition to being sprayed, you will also be peppered by a barrage of bad jokes and puns from your skipper! The cruise concludes with more funnies as guest disembark at the same point from which they started.

During the holidays, Walt Disney World decorates the Jungle Cruise with an overlay, turning it into the Jingle Cruise.  Look for decorations and Santa hats along the river, plus they even renamed the boats with a Christmas theme!

RIDE LOGISTICS

Lightning Lane access for the Jungle Cruise  is available with the purchase of  Genie+ . This is a very popular attraction, with standby lines usually 45-70+ minutes long.

Accessibility:  Riders in wheelchair/ECV may remain in them at this attraction but will need to wait for the “Bomokandi Bertha” boat.

Assistive Listening Devices from Guest Services Can Be Used Here.

Ears to the World, Disney’s show translators, are available here for guests with limited English fluency. Guests may choose from one of five languages: French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. Ask at Guest Relations at the park entrance.

The cruise takes on a whole different feel when ridden in the evening in the dark — this is also a less crowded time to take the ride.

This attraction has one very dark patch during which you cruise through a cave. It may not be advisable for folks with a fear of the dark or claustrophobia .

Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen is located across from the entrance to the Jungle Cruise. Experience “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” in one of several unique dining rooms – including a crew mess hall and a once-hidden secret meeting room of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers. This table-service restaurant is staffed by Jungle Cruise Skippers.

Magic Kingdom Restaurants At A Glance

The Agrabah Bazaar  across from Magic Carpets of Aladdin may sell some Jungle Cruise themed merchandise, along with Disney merchandise from The Enchanted Tiki Room and “adventure” movies such as Aladdin and Moana.

INTERESTING FACTS

Hidden Mickey Alert : In the cave Temple, look for the Mickey-shaped arrangement of three plates.

Jungle Cruise opened at the Magic Kingdom in 1971 .

The first version of the Jungle Cruise was very serious , based on Walt Disney’s True Life Adventure series. It wasn’t until a few years later that the Jungle Cruise “skippers” began adding jokes and funny stories.

Rumor is that the beached plane you see while on your jungle tour is really just half a plane — the other half was in the Casablanca scene in the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Jungle Cruise boats are 27 feet long, and reach a top speed of 3.2 feet per second , using a 4-cylinder Chevrolet engine.

Just outside the attraction, there is a small lake that used to be the home of Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats, which allowed wannabe skippers the ability to pilot miniature boats via radio-controlled remote controls. Captains would pilot their boats through a number of obstacles and of course, try to ram other boats while in the process. This attraction was not included in the basic admission price and required additional funds to play. The Junior Jungle Boats were installed in 1997, and discontinued September 20, 2012.

After the launch leaves the dock, the skipper then pilots you through the dangerous waters of four “rivers”: the Amazon in South America; the Congo in Africa; the Nile in Egypt; and the Mekong river in Cambodia in Southeast Asia. Along the route, a variety of mechanical animals and natives are encountered, including a herd of bathing elephants in the Elephant Pool, some lions enjoying their dinner, angry hippos who might attack at any moment, and a shrunken head salesman: the infamous Trader Sam. 

How long is Jungle Cruise?

The ride takes 8 Minutes Find all the attractions by their length

Is Lightning Lane Single Pass available for Jungle Cruise?

No Jungle Cruise is not eligible for Lightning Lane Single Pass Find Lightning Lane Single Pass attractions

Is Jungle Cruise included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass?

Yes Jungle Cruise is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass Find more Lightning Lane Multi Pass attractions using our search

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I’ve Sailed on All the Disney Cruise Ship Classes- See Which One Ranks Best!

In the cruise industry, groups of ships are called “classes” which is used to categorize ships that were created with the same general design. The first ship in the class is what names the class of ships. For Disney Cruise Line, there are currently three different Disney Cruise classes for their fleet of five ships.

In comparison to other cruise lines, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is relatively small but there are also more ships coming soon! The Disney Treasure sets sail later this year with the Disney Destiny setting sail in 2025. This doesn't even include the new Asia based ship, the Disney Adventure , plus MORE unnamed ships coming soon in the future. 

I have sailed on the first ship of each Disney Cruise Line class and I'm going to rank the differences between these designs and see which one comes out on top!

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What Are The Three Disney Classes?

Currently, the Disney Cruise Line has three different classes of ship: Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Wish.

The Disney Magic is the original Disney Cruise Line ship with the other ship in its class called the Disney Wonder . The Disney Dream is the second in the classes with its sister ship called the Disney Fantasy . And the most recent class of ships is the Disney Wish . The two upcoming Disney ships, the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, are both Wish class ships.

Each of these ships has differing designs and size based on its class which guests can often have strong opinions about!

Disney Magic Class- The Original Disney Cruise Line Ships

The Disney Magic is the original ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The Disney Wonder is also part of the Disney Magic class. This is the smallest class of ships in the fleet averaging about 84,000 tons. The Disney Magic debuted in 1998 and was followed by the Disney Wonder in 1999.

While both of these ships are the oldest in the fleet, they've both had recent updates so neither of the ships feel outdated. But you will notice the small size in comparison to the Disney Dream and Disney Wish class. Percentage wise, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are around 20-30% smaller than the other classes.

Disney Magic Class Destination Based Itineraries

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Due to the ship's small size, they are often used for itineraries that are more destination based where guests are getting off the ship more often like with European and Alaskan cruises .

The small size is a plus for cruisers looking for a ship that is easy to navigate and does not require long winding hallways or long elevator waits. Sometimes bigger doesn't always mean better and you get a small intimate feel with the Disney Magic.

Disney Magic Offers Best Tangled Experience

The Magic also has the plus of being home to the Tangled dinner show and the Tangled live Broadway show making it a win for Tangled fans! This is my favorite dining experiences on all of the Disney Cruise Line ships!

But if prioritizing Tangled isn't a big deal to you, each ship does offer it's own level of Broadway caliber shows! So regardless of which one you sail, you will see the best entertainment out there on any cruise line ship.

Disney Dream Class- A Fan Favorite

The Disney Dream class includes the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. This is a fan favorite amongst Disney Cruise Line fans for its spacious and easy to navigate design. The Disney Dream set sail in 2011 followed by the Disney Fantasy in 2012. The size of these ships are larger than the Disney Magic at about 129,000 tons.

The Disney Dream classes large size is very notable when compared to the Disney Magic including more space for all the offerings on the ship like the pool decks, adult only areas, and youth clubs. In fact, the teen club on the Disney Dream (called The Vibe) has its own private pool deck. The layout of the ship also segregates the adult lounges in their own space which makes the nightlife easy to access and also includes a late night buffet.

Disney Dream Adult Only Areas Are Best

The design of the adult only spaces is part of what makes the Disney Dream classes a fan favorite along with the abundance of offerings that just naturally come with a larger cruise ship.

This ship also offers one of the best Rainforest Room experiences on the Disney ships with an enclosed hot tub space that looks out over the water. You really can't beat the adult only areas on the Disney Dream class.

Disney Dream Lacks Interactive Dinner Show

While the adult only space and youth clubs shine, there is no interactive dining show on the Disney Dream class ships. The closest you get is Animator's Palette which includes screens featuring Crush that talks to guests.

You can find a Tangled dinner show on the Disney magic, a Princess and the Frog dinner show on the Disney Wonder, and a Frozen dinner show on the Disney Wish. So when it comes to your dinner experiences, they are a bit less immersive in this sense.

Disney Wish- The Newest Disney Cruise Class

The Disney Wish is the newest in the lineup of Disney Cruise classes with two more ships in this class coming in late 2024 and 2025. It's the biggest of all the classes but still pretty similar in size to the Disney Dream class at about 140,000 tons.

Surprisingly, this newest Disney class was met with a bit of controversy from regular cruisers since its design differed so much from the Disney Magic and Disney Dream classes. Most of the pushback seems to focus on two areas: the lack of midship elevators and the way the adult only areas are space out on the ship.

Disney Wish Lacks Midship Elevators

All the other class of ships offer midship elevators so the lack of midship elevators on the Disney Wish is pretty noticeable since you spend more time walking to the front or back of the ship to use them. This also does create long lines at peak times of day although we easily avoided that by just going up the stairs a floor to catch them.

But if the sacrifice of midship elevators was to create that impressive Grand Hall then I think it is worth it. The design and beauty on the Disney Wish is absolutely unmatched when compared to the other class of ships. The design of the Great Hall is themed around the idea of enchantment and even includes a nightly show paying tribute to Cinderella.

Disney Wish Offers Immersive Lounges

As for the adult only spaces, they are more spread out although the lounges on the Disney Wish are impressive especially with the cool Star Wars themed bar. But they are mainly located right off the Great Hall with the Princess & The Frog themed lounge being placed in the center of a walkway.

There are more lounges on another floor but that just further separates these adult spaces. So the critique here is warranted but the immersion of these lounges are so great that Disney likely did not want to hide them away off the beaten path.

Newness of Disney Wish is Huge Advantage

Since the Disney Wish class is the newest, it does offer more than the other classes with that advantage of size and recency. The Disney Wish is the only class of ships to feature the first ever water slide attraction, the AquaMouse, which takes guests past immersive screens of Mickey and friends before the big slide goes around the ship deck.

Although both the Disney Magic and Disney Dream classes feature the AquaDuck water slide, which is a two person raft experience, but it is missing that element of interactive screens which qualify the AquaMouse as an attraction.

Which Disney Cruise Ship Class Ranks Best?

My gut instinct is to lean towards the Disney Wish because the beauty and immersive elements on that class of ship are so breathtaking.

But this is something that's not necessarily linked to the layout itself which is often what really defines a ship class. As we've seen with the updates to the Disney Magic class, immersion and beautiful designs can be added later as potential upgrades to keep ships current.

Disney Dream Class Ranks Best

So if we considering the superior Disney class in terms of layout and design, the Disney Dream class of ships comes out on top. The layout of the adult only areas and youth clubs make logical sense plus they are both far more spacious on the Dream classes. The Rainforest Room on the Disney Dream classes is a win with the spectacular set up of the hot tubs with an ocean view.

As for navigation, the Disney Dream class is the easiest to get around with three elevator systems spaced throughout the ship making the ship itself feel quick to get around on. This comes in handy when you are doing back to back activities and need to get from one place to another in a hurry.

The biggest drawback on the Disney Dream classes is the lack of an immersive dinner show like the Disney Magic and Wish classes currently offer. But that's a small drawback when you compare the superior layout so based on my experience sailing on all these ship classes, the Disney Dream ranks best.

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READ MORE – 11 Weird Things We Can’t Believe Were Once at Disneyland

Disneyland has changed and evolved quite a lot since its opening in 1955. With the park's history comes an interesting past, including some things that we look back on today and find really weird…from real alligators in the Jungle Cruise to live mermaids in the lagoon of Submarine Voyage. See the 11 weird things we can't believe were once at Disneyland !

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride breaks down, guests towed through course by second boat

Video shows a cast member tying a rope around the front of a boat and tugging it through the rest of the course.

Select Disneyland guests were treated to a little more than a view of the backside of water aboard a recent trek on the park's classic Jungle Cruise boat ride attraction .

The beloved experience — which opened alongside the park in 1955 — reportedly broke down during a recent excursion, and video from the incident shows two cast members attempting to move riders along the ride's course with help from a second boat.

The clip, obtained by the Disney Food Blog (above), shows the broken boat's skipper discussing a "check service engine" malfunction while another joins two of the vessels together with a rope.

"We're going to go ahead and continue our journey. You're going to feel a slight tug," the cast member tells the guests, without missing an opportunity to continue cracking jokes on the microphone, in-line with the tone of the rest of the ride. "No worries, guys, here we go. We're now under someone else's power. We're saving gas."

EW has reached out to Disneyland representatives for comment.

An opening-day addition to Disneyland, Walt Disney 's entertainment resort that debuted in Anaheim, Calif. over 68 years ago, Jungle Cruise takes riders on a leisurely excursion through remote waterways, where they encounter various scenes depicting vicious animals, bathing elephants, and more, all while skippers make comical observations about the surroundings.

Like many Disney attractions have , Jungle Cruise was adapted into a movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, which released to theaters in 2021. A Jungle Cruise sequel is currently in development, with its stars expected to return for another journey.

Watch Jungle Cruise riders get towed through the attraction in the video above.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

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Jungle Cruise

Head Off to Adventure

Embark on a river cruise where dangerous beasts and dry wit abound. Board a canopied tramp steamer piloted by your trusty skipper, who will expertly navigate you through some of the world’s most treacherous waters.

Steam past lush foliage, butterflies and waterfalls on the Amazon in South America. Glimpse an abandoned camp overrun by curious gorillas on the shores of the African Congo. 

Along the Nile, watch for bathing elephants, angry hippos and hungry lions. Be on the lookout for a tribe of headhunters recently spotted in the area. Your cruise continues down the Mekong River in Asia, home to baboons, cobras and other fearsomely life-like creatures. 

It’s a 10-minute, 10,000-mile journey that you won't soon forget!

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Disney Park Nerds

Jungle Cruise at Disney World: An Unforgettable Adventure Awaits

The Jungle Cruise at Disney World is an iconic and immersive boat ride that takes guests on a humorous and thrilling journey through the exotic rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America, featuring animatronic animals, engaging skippers, and special effects.

This attraction has been delighting visitors with its blend of adventure and comedy since its inception, making it a must-see for guests of all ages.

• The Jungle Cruise at Disney World is a beloved boat ride adventure through the rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America, featuring animatronic animals, special effects, and humorous skippers.
• Originating at Disneyland in 1955, the ride has evolved over the years, incorporating updates and cultural sensitivity changes while maintaining its core experience of jungle exploration.
• Offering tips for an enhanced visit, such as planning for morning rides, utilizing Fastpass, engaging with the skippers’ jokes, and capturing photos, ensures guests enjoy this iconic and immersive attraction to the fullest.

The Jungle Cruise Disney World Experience

The Jungle Cruise is a boat ride that takes visitors on a journey through the rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America.

The ride is led by a live skipper who provides a lively and humorous commentary throughout the trip. As the boat navigates the simulated rivers, guests are treated to a variety of scenes and attractions, including a jungle temple, a camp of safari explorers, and a raging waterfall. Along the way, guests will also encounter animatronic animals such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and even a pair of feuding gorillas.

One of the unique features of the Jungle Cruise is its use of special effects. As the boat travels through the rivers, it encounters various obstacles and challenges, such as a herd of stampeding elephants or a sudden rainstorm. These special effects add an element of excitement and surprise to the ride, making it a thrilling and immersive experience.

In addition to the animatronic animals and special effects, the Jungle Cruise is known for its witty and humorous skippers. Each skipper has their own style and personality, and they are trained to deliver clever jokes and puns throughout the ride.

This adds an entertaining and entertaining aspect to the Jungle Cruise, making it a favorite among visitors of all ages.

Jungle Cruise at Disney World vs Disneyland

The Jungle Cruise, a flagship attraction at both Disneyland and Disney World, offers guests a whimsical voyage through exotic landscapes filled with animatronic animals and engaging skippers.

While the essence of adventure and humor remains consistent between the two parks, there are distinctive elements and updates that differentiate the experiences, highlighting the unique charm of each location.

• Location and Landscape : Nestled in the heart of Adventureland, both versions of the Jungle Cruise immerse guests in a lush, tropical setting. However, the surrounding environment and architectural nuances of each park lend a unique backdrop to the rides, influencing the overall ambiance and thematic details.
• Ride Updates and Cultural Sensitivity : Disney World’s Jungle Cruise has received more recent updates, particularly in efforts to enhance cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. These changes include modifications to scenes and narratives to reflect a more respectful portrayal of cultures, alongside the introduction of new scenes and animatronic characters.
• Route and Narration Variations : While the general path of the river journey shares similarities, each version of the Jungle Cruise has its own specific route, with variations in the sequence of scenes and the specifics of the animatronic animal encounters. The skippers’ scripts also vary, offering location-specific jokes and storytelling that add a unique flavor to each ride.
• Historical Significance and Evolution : Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise holds the title of being one of the original attractions since the park’s opening, carrying a rich history and evolution over the years. Disney World’s version, while equally cherished, has its own timeline of updates and enhancements that reflect changing technologies and guest expectations.

History of the Jungle Cruise Disney World

The Jungle Cruise at Disney World, an original attraction since Disneyland’s opening in 1955, embodies the spirit of adventure that Walt Disney himself cherished.

Inspired by the real-life expeditions of early 20th-century explorers, this ride was designed to transport guests into the heart of exotic landscapes filled with animatronic animals and plants.

Despite numerous updates and enhancements over the years to include new scenes, animals, and cutting-edge technology, the core experience of embarking on an exploratory river journey guided by a humorously narrated tour remains unchanged.

• Original Inspiration : The Jungle Cruise was inspired by the expeditions of early 20th-century explorers, aiming to capture the thrill of discovering uncharted territories and exotic wildlife.
• Walt Disney’s Vision : As a keen adventurer, Walt Disney sought to recreate the excitement of exploration for his theme park guests, leading to the creation of this immersive ride.
• Technological Evolution : Over the years, the Jungle Cruise has seen significant updates, including the introduction of new animatronic animals and scenes, as well as the integration of modern technology and special effects to enhance the guest experience.
• Contribution of Marc Davis : The animatronic animals, a hallmark of the ride, were designed by Disney legend Marc Davis, a key figure among Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” whose work elevated the standard for animatronics in theme park attractions.
• Enduring Popularity : Despite being more than 60 years old, the Jungle Cruise continues to be a beloved attraction at Disney World, cherished by both young and old for its nostalgic charm and engaging storytelling, making it a timeless must-see for visitors.

Tips for enjoying the Jungle Cruise Disney World

Planning your visit to Walt Disney World’s Jungle Cruise can transform a great experience into an unforgettable adventure. This iconic ride, known for its humor-filled journey through exotic landscapes, offers a unique blend of entertainment and exploration.

By integrating these tips into your visit, the Jungle Cruise promises to be a highlight of your Disney World adventure, offering laughter, learning, and lasting memories for everyone involved.

To maximize your enjoyment, consider these strategic tips designed to enhance your expedition:

• Optimal Timing : Aim to embark on your Jungle Cruise adventure in the morning or early afternoon. This timing helps you avoid the larger crowds that typically gather later in the day. Additionally, weekdays often see fewer visitors than weekends, providing a smoother experience.
• Fastpass Advantage : Utilize the Fastpass system to bypass the regular queue, significantly reducing wait times. Fastpasses can be obtained at kiosks near the attraction or through the Disney World app, allowing for advanced planning and convenience.
• Engage with Your Guide : The skippers of the Jungle Cruise are renowned for their witty commentary and entertaining facts about the ride’s sights. Listening closely not only enhances the fun but may also enrich your knowledge of the jungle’s inhabitants.
• Capture the Moment : The vivid scenery and animatronic wonders you’ll encounter make perfect photo opportunities. Keep your camera at the ready to preserve your memories of the journey, and don’t hesitate to ask your skipper for brief stops to snap the perfect shot.

Updates and Enhancements to Jungle Cruise at Disney World

The Jungle Cruise attraction at Disney World has seen numerous updates and enhancements over the years, aiming to provide guests with an even more immersive and engaging experience. These updates have introduced new features and made significant changes to enhance cultural sensitivity, ensuring a ride that is both entertaining and respectful.

1. Distinctive Features Between Disney World and Disneyland

Although the Jungle Cruise at Disney World and Disneyland shares many similarities, there are notable differences that set them apart. Disney World’s version has been expanded and updated more extensively, incorporating changes for cultural sensitivity and adding new scenes. The rides at both parks have different routes and narrations, offering guests a unique experience depending on the location.

2. Addressing Cultural Sensitivity

Disney World’s commitment to promoting a more inclusive experience is evident in the modifications made to the Jungle Cruise. The ride has removed outdated stereotypes and insensitive jokes, replaced certain animatronic animals, and introduced new scenes to reflect a more culturally sensitive perspective.

3. Duration and Location of the Ride

The Jungle Cruise ride typically lasts about 10-15 minutes, though this can vary slightly. It’s located in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom, a land designed to immerse guests in the mystique of the jungle, tropical islands, and the allure of piracy.

4. Outdoor Adventure Awaits

As an outdoor attraction, the Jungle Cruise takes guests on a journey through an artificial river landscape, complete with animatronic animals and lush jungle scenery. Certain sections of the ride are covered, providing shade and enhancing the overall experience.

5. A Unique Experience at Night

Experiencing the Jungle Cruise at night offers a different atmosphere compared to the daytime. The nighttime lighting can highlight the jungle’s mystique and enhance the visibility of animals and scenes along the route. While some guests prefer the detailed visibility of daytime rides, others find the night ride uniquely enjoyable, thanks to the added ambiance and the entertaining commentary from the boat captain.

Get All Your Disney World Planning Answers Here

Just starting your journey? Begin with our Walt Disney World Planning Guide to get a solid overview. Still deciding on the best time to go? Our guide on When to Visit Disney World will help you choose the perfect dates. Need a place to stay? Don’t miss our comprehensive Disney World Hotels Guide .

Ready to book? We’ll help you find the best discount Disney World tickets so you can save big. If you’re wondering about dining plans, check out our Complete Guide to Disney Dining Plans . And don’t forget to lock in those Advance Dining Reservations early!

Make the most of your time in the parks with our Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and strategies. We’ve also got specific guides for each park: Magic Kingdom , Epcot , Animal Kingdom , and Hollywood Studios .

Know what to ride with our top picks for Magic Kingdom rides , Hollywood Studios rides , Epcot rides , and Animal Kingdom rides . Planning to visit the water parks? Don’t miss our guides to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon . For a full overview, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World .

Before you head out , make sure you’re fully prepared with our Disney World Packing List , including the 10 essentials you’ll want to remember.

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Complete Guide to Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom

Grab your suitcase and get ready to set sail on an adventure-filled river tour. Jungle Cruise is one of several fan-favorite classic attractions remaining at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

This water safari is led by experienced Skippers, who navigate your boat through the rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America. Your pun-filled guides will not only make you laugh ’till you cry, but will also make sure you get up close and personal with the eighth wonder of the world — the backside of water!

Now let’s sail into our Jungle Cruise guide .

Before we get too far into it, make sure you check out our guide on the Best Rides at Magic Kingdom for information on every attraction and show at Magic Kingdom.

In this article

Jungle Cruise Quick Facts

• Location : Magic Kingdom, Adventureland
• Height Requirement : Any height
• Suitable for: All ages
• Attraction Length: 10 minutes
• Do We Recommend : Yes. It’s an original opening day attraction and a must-do ride.
• When to Visit : Typically at opening/within the first hour or closer toward park close
• Scheduled Refurbishments
• Tip(s): Ride at night for a unique experience and shorter lines; Holiday season the ride is themed with an overlay called “Jingle Cruise.”

Description: Jungle Cruise is a river boat ride where animatronic animals and dad jokes abound. Every Jungle Cruise Skipper has their own unique “routine”, so every ride is a little bit different. Kids who are easily scared should be told ahead of time the animals they are about to see are not real.

You can find Jungle Cruise in Adventureland across from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin . Here’s the location on the map:

Download the PDF

How to Ride Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise has a Standby Line and Lightning Lane. There is no  Single Rider Line .

The Standby Line for Jungle Cruise is typically the lowest first thing in the morning and at the end of the evening. The middle of the day will see the longest lines with sustained wait times of over 60 minutes.

Jungle Cruise is not available during Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Hours . So, if this ride is a priority for you, planning accordingly is a must.

D o I need to use Genie+ at Jungle Cruise?

Jungle Cruise is available with Genie+  and we highly recommend using it at this attraction.

Aside from Peter Pan’s Flight , the Jungle Cruise is the second most booked ride on Genie+ at the Magic Kingdom. It’s a highly-popular ride that many park guests make a must-do during their park day. Unless you hop on this ride first thing, you should plan to reserve a Genie+ time for later in the day.

Make sure you check out our  touring plans for Magic Kingdom  for more Genie+ advice.

Rider Switch/Child Swap

Jungle Cruise is for all ages and heights. Therefore, Rider Switch , the system that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one, is not offered for Jungle Cruise.

What to Expect When You Ride

The Jungle Cruise queue is completely outdoors, with most of the line covered from the sun. While the ride doesn’t have an interactive queue like many other attractions, there are plenty of sights and sounds to enjoy.

You will find the queue decorated with prior passenger cruise logs and journals to read over. Also as you get closer to the loading station you can watch the tour boats pulling into and leaving the loading dock.

The music in the queue is also fun, including listening to what the announcer has to say.

Ride Vehicles

The ride vehicles for Jungle Cruise are small river boats. There is seating around the entire interior of the boat for guests to sit. Each boat can accompany approximately 30 guests.

There is a small 6 inch gap you must step over and down into the boat. Most guests are able to board with little to no help. There is a pole to grab on to help stabilize your boarding process in addition to Cast Members who will assist guests as needed.

You will ride in the tour boat with other groups, but your party will always be seated together next to — or at least near to one another.

There are no safety restraints, seat belts or life vests. You simply sit down and ride around inside the boat.

Accessibility Information

Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV while on the Jungle Cruise. A select number of boats are wheelchair accessible and have space for a single wheelchair. This includes manual, power, or ECV.

The majority of wheelchair sizes have no problem fitting on the boats. There is a separate wheelchair accessible entrance where your party can wait to board their boat.

You’ll want to speak with a Cast Member at the attraction entrance (at the top of the path that leads to the attraction) for details and directions.

Sign language interpretation and assistive listening are also offered on the Jungle Cruise ride on certain days. To obtain a schedule listing exact days and times, visit Guest Relations in the park.

Motion Sickness

Jungle Cruise’s boats are slow-moving and don’t have any fast turns, so motion sickness seems very unlikely. That said, you are riding in a boat on the water. Feel free to check out our guide on motion sickness  that’s filled with additional information and tips.

On The Ride

Ride spoilers ahead!

Prepare to sail away on an adventure of a lifetime as your cruise boat arrives into the loading dock. After some brief safety guidelines and a clear to go, your Skipper starts the tour sailing your cruise boat away from the dock and into the jungle.

Your first cruise stop in the jungle will be the Amazon rainforest where it rains 365 days a year. Here you will see beautiful butterflies with an impressive wingspan and the rushing waters of Inspiration Falls.

Next the tour will embark to the depths of Africa on the Congo River. You will pass by your Skippers pet python snake and a camp being broken down by Gorillas.

Cruising over to Egypt your Skipper will take you to the infamous Nile River which spans about 4,000 miles. Capture photos of the African bull elephants among the boulders. Long neck cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and lions are seen resting amongst one another. A rhinoceros is seen trying to make his point, chasing a group of explorers up a pole.

Watch out for danger as you enter crocodile country. Sail past the impressive Schweitzer falls which is named after the famous Dr. Albert Falls.

You will enter a hippo pool which will require some expert navigation from your Skipper as you see another tour cruise boat that did not fare so well going through them. A family of chimpanzees is seen taking over another tour cruise boat.

Next up is what everyone came to see, the 8th wonder of the world — the backside of water!

Prepare for dark encounters as your cruise boat enters the Mekong River in the heart of Cambodia. Your Skipper will take you through an Asian jungle shrine where you will pass a 500 pound tiger, several cobra snakes, giant spiders, shiny gold artifacts, and Buddha statues.

As you exit the tunnel you will find yourself in the middle of an Indian elephant bathing pool. Feel free to take as many pictures as you like. Beware — these elephants have been known to spray the boat, so watch out!

There’s no visit to the jungle complete without a stop to see Trader Sam’s gift shop.

As your tour boat approaches the dock again wait on your Skipper to give the word to gather all your belongings and disembark.

Trust us when we say to fully experience this ride, you need to try it yourself because the Skippers add a whole new level to each attraction scene. Their puns and jokes are the point of the cruise.

Is Jungle Cruise Kid-Friendly?

Overall, Jungle Cruise is very kid-friendly, as all ages and heights are permitted to board and ride.

However, keep in mind some of the animals on the cruise are very realistic and may scare little ones. There is also a short scene in which the boat rides through a very dark, almost pitch-black cave with several animatronic snakes and tigers that could be scary for children.

Anyone riding with kids may want to tell them the animals aren’t real prior to riding.

Kids are also required to remain seated completely during the entire tour. There is no exchanging of kids from one parent to another while the ride is in motion. Due to the nature of this ride being open and on the water, the Skippers are very strict about this.

We have a full guide on several other things that might scare little ones at Disney World .

Strollers are not permitted on the Jungle Cruise boats. They can be left in the designated area near the attraction entrance or with a non-rider.

Jungle Cruise was one of the original attractions ready in 1971 on Magic Kingdom’s opening day. It was also an opening day attraction at Disneyland Park in California back in 1955.

Ironically, before becoming known for its laughs and silly jokes, the attraction as a whole was initially more of a serious tone with only a few jokes inserted here and there.

The original script for Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise was written by Winston Hibler and inspired by Disney’s True-Life Adventure African Lion film. This gave the ride its more serious and educational tone, but that all changed in the ’60s when Imagineer Marc Davis took over and turned the ride into what many know and love today.

During the holidays, Jungle Cruise receives a holiday overlay and becomes the “Jingle Cruise.” The ride format stays basically the same with the addition of fun holiday-themed jokes and pretty seasonal decorations.

Believe it or not, but the holiday Jingle Cruise actually hasn’t been around that long — only since 2013!

In January 2021, Disney announced that some much-needed changes were coming to the Jungle Cruise on both coasts. Those updates are now complete.

Some of the enhancements included incorporating an animatronic skipper, new characters (like Alberta Falls), adding new jokes (don’t worry, many of the classics remain), and freshening up the story by adding chimpanzees, new explorers being chased up the pole, and making the Skippers more of a focus.

Here was the concept art for these updates that were previously shared by Disney:

Most importantly, the outdated depictions and problematic scenes have been removed .

As Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Portfolio Executive Chris Beatty told D23, “This is not a re-envisioning of the entire attraction. It’s the Jungle Cruise you know and love, with the skippers still leading the way, and at the same time, we’re addressing the negative depictions of ‘natives.'”

This also means the removal of Trader Sam from the final scene of the ride. But he isn’t totally gone; Trader Sam is still part of the attraction in a unique way.

The final scene features a Lost & Found Gift Shop with a sign indicating that it is managed by Trader Sam (in place of the Trader Sam animatronic). As stated by Disney, “But, while he’s out lost and finding some new inventory, it’s the animals that get the last laugh!”

Other Fun Details

• Rumor has it that when you enter the hippo pool, you’ll see the back half of a plane on the right, and, apparently, the front half was used in the Casablanca scene in the now-permanently closed Great Movie Ride.
• The Jungle Cruise is not based on a movie, but it did inspire one. The new live-action Jungle Cruise starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt was released on July 30, 2021 giving nod to this classic attraction.
• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is a nearby Table Service restaurant themed after the Jungle Cruise. It has a unique menu, serves alcohol, and is just as fun as the attraction. Reservations are recommended.

Other Attractions in Adventureland

• Jungle Cruise
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room