Disneyland Jungle Cruise Reopens With New Story, Same Folksy Fun

Lake Forest CA

13 July, 2021

3:18 PM

Description

ANAHEIM, CA — On Friday, the world-famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Park officially reopens with new adventures, an expanded storyline and more humor. Skippers will take guests on a tongue-in-cheek journey along some of the most remote rivers around the world, according to a park spokesperson. Though the original idea behind Jungle Cruise was far more serious than its ultimate evolution, the campy ride has become a fan favorite. In the latest iteration, Jungle Cruise Skippers are notorious jokesters who entertain their audiences with predictable humor and kitchy fun. According to a Disneyland spokesperson, 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. New treats to eat: 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. 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. Chris Beatty, one of the lead Imagineers for the project, discussed the changes on the project that he led creative development each enhancement. "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," Beatty says. "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 else has changed? Throughout the years many things have been added, from pirahnas to removing the Skipper's pistols. Still, the jungle continues to grow in this warm Southern California climate. 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. Things to look for: 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 crocodilesJungle Cruise Safari Camp is a former camp overrun by "explosively" curious gorillasIndian Elephant Bathing Pool where bathing Indian elephants have their "trunks on"The African Veldt where angry hippos and hungry lions are guarding a "sleeping" zebraSchweitzer Falls, where skippers introduce guests to something they may have never seen before – the "back side of water"!And yes, we are also looking forward to once again get a look at the rarest of natural wonders: the back side of water. To learn more, visit the Disney Parks Blog.