original jungle cruise boats

Accommodations

Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, all reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, recent allears® team blog.

• NEW Character Costumes Revealed for Disney’s Latest Private Island Destination
• The BEST and WORST Decks to Book for the Disney Treasure
• It's About to Get EASIER to See the Parade in Magic Kingdom
• Mark Your Maps -- EPCOT Just Got a NEW Bathroom Update!
• This Popular Disney Souvenir Is on SALE for $20 -- But There's a Catch!
• ( view all posts )

The History and Evolution of the Disney’s Jungle Cruise

Since it opened in Disneyland Park in July of 1955, Jungle Cruise has become one of the most iconic attractions in Disney’s theme park catalogue. Everything from the distinctive ride vehicles, comical tableaus, animatronic animals, and even the purposely over-the-top skipper spiel have become iconic elements of the Disney theme park experience, explaining why the Jungle Cruise has been cloned to nearly every Disney resort around the world.

However, despite its beloved stature, the attraction has met its fair share of controversy over the years, which has led to numerous changes, including a major refurbishment in 2021 .

To analyze this attraction’s controversial history, we must first look at its origins, years before Disneyland was constructed.

The origins.

The origins of the Jungle Cruise can be traced back to the late 1940s, when Walt Disney Pictures began production on their True-Life Adventures series. Beginning with Seal Island in 1948, these somewhat staged wildlife documentaries followed various groups of animals in their natural habitats. The series was so successful with movie-goers and critics that it eventually evolved from two-reel shorts to full-length documentary films that quickly became a cornerstone of Walt Disney Studios.  

Guests would view the animals from skipper-guided ride-vehicles modeled after the titular boat from the 1951 hit film The African Queen, while traveling through a jungle designed by Disneyland landscape extraordinaire Bill Evans.  

Welcome to the Jungle

Jungle Cruise opened with the rest of Disneyland on July 17, 1955. However, a modern guest would be hard-pressed to recognize much of the attraction. Sure they would be familiar with Goff’s general concept, and if they squinted they could imagine how the rather light jungle Evans planted would grow into the lush greenery seen today, but many iconic elements of the attraction would be absent. There was no ad-libbed humor from the skippers, who played the entire experience straight. In fact, there was no humor period.  

The Jungle Cruise, like Disneyland overall, was a massive success upon its opening, quickly becoming an integral part of American pop culture. However, as the park’s first decade came to a close, Walt Disney felt his park needed some new blood. According to legend, he once overheard a child ask his mother to ride the Jungle Cruise and was aghast when the mother responded that they’d ridden it last time and didn’t need to again. Whether this story is apocryphal or not, in the early 1960s Walt brought over animator Marc Davis from the Studios to “plus up” some of Disneyland’s attractions.  

One of the first attractions Davis – who would go on to become one of the company’s most influential Imagineers – worked on was Jungle Cruise. A visual comedian by nature, Davis decided to liven up the attraction by adding the playful elephant pool and comical trapped safari sequences.

These comedic elements in-turn influenced the ride’s skipper narration, which became more and more comical over the years. Davis’ changes led to the attraction becoming even more popular.  

Disney World’s Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise’s status as one of Disney’s premier attractions was further solidified when a version of the ride opened with Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom in 1971.

The Orlando version of the ride was similar to its Anaheim counterpart, though not a direct clone, and served the same purpose as the anchor attraction of the park’s Adventureland section.

Jungle Cruise International

A near-direct clone of the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction opened with Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, but when Disneyland Paris, then known as EuroDisney, opened in 1992, the park became the first “castle park” not to feature a Jungle Cruise on opening day. This was due partially to the cold French climate not being hospitable to water rides and partially because there were several knockoff Jungle Cruises already built at various French amusement parks.

Disneyland Levels Up

While these alternate versions of the Jungle Cruise were being built around the world, the Disneyland original continued to be “plussed” over the years. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, various new animals and show-scenes were added to the attraction. The biggest changes up to that point came in 1994, when the attraction was rerouted and shortened to make room for the then-upcoming Indiana Jones Adventure attraction. In addition, the ride (and the entirety of Adventureland) were rethemed to be set in the 1930s to tie into Indy.  

While these changes were substantial, they were nothing compared to the original plans , which were going to see a portion of the Jungle Cruise take place inside the Indiana Jones show building, as part of a plan to build a massive complex that would house four attractions.  

Holiday Overlays

Following these mid-90s refurbishments, the Jungle Cruise continued to be one of Disney’s marquee attractions. As a testament to said importance, in 2013, both American versions of the attraction were given a holiday overlay and temporarily renamed The Jingle Cruise.

The overlay was so successful that it was greatly expanded for 2014, and remained in both parks through 2016. For reasons unknown, Disneyland dropped The Jingle Cruise from its Holiday offerings in 2017, though the overlay remains a Magic Kingdom staple to this day.  

Controversy in the Jungle

Despite Jungle Cruise’s ongoing popularity, in recent decades the attraction has become controversial due to its purported negative depictions of native people, specifically the “headhunter” party as well as the Trader Sam “head salesman” character.  

In January 2021,  Disney announced that it would be making significant story changes to the Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World to alleviate these issues. Carmen Smith, creative development and inclusion strategies executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, explained the changes in a statement to the Los Angeles Times , saying:  

As Imagineers, it is our responsibility to ensure experiences we create and stories we share reflect the voices and perspectives of the world around us. With Jungle Cruise, we’re bringing to life more of what people love – the humor and wit of our incredible skippers — while making needed updates.

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger added , “The exciting changes we’re making to one of Disney’s most popular classic attractions, Jungle Cruise, reflect our commitment to creating unparalleled experiences that reflect, not only the best in storytelling, but also the values and rich diversity of our world.”

As part of these announcements, Disney made it clear that these changes to the attraction were not going to be related to the upcoming film based on the attraction.

Said film, simply titled Jungle Cruise , was released in July of 2021. The film starred Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti and was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. It was such a hit, a sequel is already in the works.

How do you feel about the upcoming changes to the Jungle Cruise? Do you agree that they’ve been years in the making? Beyond that, how do you feel about the attraction overall? Let us know in the comments below.  

Jungle Cruise

Turn the pages on more disney history at the links below..

• NEWS: The Disney Easter Parade Is Happening TODAY in Magic Kingdom
• The Taylor Swift Eras Tour Movie Just Made HISTORY on Disney+!
• If You Remember These Disney World Restaurants, It’s Probably Time To Join AARP
• ‘Inside Out 2’ ALREADY Made Disney History!
• 4 Disney World Hotels You’ll NEVER Get To Visit
• The Fan-Favorite ‘Behind the Attraction’ Show Is Returning With a NEW Season to Disney+!
• ‘Elemental’ Just Made Disney+ HISTORY!

Trending Now

Check out aerial photos that show the latest construction progress on Universal's new hotel featuring...

We bet we'll be seeing a LOT of people in these new Amazon shirts in...

From time to time, rides and attractions are taken out of production temporarily for various...

What went "wrong" with Disney's Star Wars Hotel? We've got some clues.

A popular Seuss Landing ride will be closed starting on April 27th!

We're here to help you choose where to eat in EPCOT's Germany Pavilion!

We found your perfect Hollywood Studios tee.

A show that was previously canceled by Disney+ recently premiered on a different streaming platform...

These Loungelys would be perfect for a day at Hollywood Studios.

The AllEars YouTube Team played a massive game of TAG in Disney World!

We're sharing the reason why you shouldn't start your day at Magic Kingdom!

Traditional, character-shaped, or cultural celebration -- these are the popcorn buckets that Disney has released...

These are some TRAGIC mistakes I, and so many others, have made in Disney World,...

Let's go over some of the Disney World hacks that took us forever to learn...

If you look at the wait times from April 26th, you might be able to...

We would love to know what Disney World is planning for this abandoned spot!

You don't HAVE to wait in those long TSA security lines at the Orlando Airport...

Looking to stay off-property during your next Disney World trip at a quality, lower-priced hotel?...

Let's talk about some Criminally Underrated EPCOT hotels!

A ride set to get reimagined was closed TWICE yesterday.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us on Social!

Shop the Disney Store | AllEars® Merchandise | Shop Amazon | Press Room | Contact Us

Read more About us or Advertise with us . We respect your right to privacy. Please take a moment to review our privacy policy and terms of use .

Copyright ©1996-2024 AllEarsNet, LLC, All Rights Reserved. AllEars.Net, AllEars® Newsletter and any other properties owned by AllEarsNet, LLC are not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. All Disney artwork, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to Disney Enterprises, Inc. or, its subsidiary, affiliated and related companies. For official Disney information, visit http://www.disneyworld.com

• Jingle Cruise
• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• Indiana Jones
• Skipper Survival Guide
• Theme Park items
• Kinect: Disneyland Adventures
• Epic Mickey
• Trader Sam's
• Tropical Hideaway
• Virtual Jungle Cruise
• Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions
• Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom)
• Jungle Cruise (Disneyland)
• Jungle River Cruise

Jungle River Boats

• Edit source
• View history

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
• 2 Frank Wolff
• 3 Dr. Lily Houghton

A Look at the Jungle Cruise History

The Jungle Cruise is an attraction at Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, and other Disney theme parks around the world. It first opened at Disneyland in 1955 and was one of the original attractions at the park. There is a rich Jungle Cruise history that we’ll be discussing and covering together. Let’s begin, shall we?

The idea for the Jungle Cruise was inspired by Walt Disney’s own travels to South America and Africa, where he went on several jungle expeditions. He wanted to recreate the excitement and adventure of those trips in a theme park attraction. The Jungle Cruise was designed to be a boat ride that would take guests through a jungle setting, with animatronic animals and humorous commentary from a tour guide.

When was the Jungle Cruise Originally Built?

The Jungle Cruise attraction was first built at Disneyland in California, and it opened on July 17, 1955. It was one of the original attractions at the park and has since become a classic Disney ride. The attraction was later replicated at other Disney theme parks around the world, including Walt Disney World in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland. While the specific dates of the opening of the Jungle Cruise attractions at these parks vary, they all follow the same basic concept of taking guests on a boat ride through a jungle setting with animatronic animals and humorous commentary from a tour guide. The Jungle Cruise history is a rich one to be sure.

The original Jungle Cruise at Disneyland featured a more realistic, serious tone, with live animals and a lack of jokes. However, over time, the ride evolved to include more comedic elements and animatronics. The tour guides began delivering humorous commentary, and the animals became more cartoon-like.

The Jungle Cruise is a boat ride attraction that takes guests on a journey through a jungle setting. Here is a general overview of how the ride works:

• Boarding: Guests enter the Jungle Cruise attraction and wait in a themed queue area. When it’s their turn, they board a boat that holds up to 25 passengers.
• Departure: The boat leaves the loading dock and enters a canal filled with green-dyed water. The boat follows a track that guides it through a series of jungle scenes, each featuring animatronic animals and special effects.
• Tour guide commentary: A skipper, or tour guide, delivers humorous commentary throughout the ride, pointing out different sights and making jokes. The skipper’s script is pre-written, but they are encouraged to add their own personality and jokes.
• Jungle scenes: The boat passes through a series of jungle scenes, such as a temple ruin, a hippopotamus pool, and a native village. Each scene is designed to be immersive and full of detail, with animatronic animals and special effects like fire, waterfalls, and mist.
• Finale: The boat returns to the loading dock after completing the ride. At Disneyland, the finale features a waterfall that opens up to reveal a hidden path that leads to the exit.

There are many interesting and fun secrets associated with the Jungle Cruise history and in the ride. Here are a few:

• The plants and trees along the ride are actually a mix of real and artificial plants. The real plants are chosen for their tropical appearance, but the artificial plants are used to create a consistent look year-round.
• The water in the Jungle Cruise is dyed green to hide the tracks that guide the boats along the route. The green color also helps to create a murky, jungle-like atmosphere.
• The ride’s skipper, or tour guide, has a script of jokes and commentary to deliver during the ride. However, each skipper is encouraged to personalize their presentation and add their own jokes and humor.
• There are many hidden details and Easter eggs throughout the ride. For example, there is a hidden Mickey Mouse made out of coconuts near the end of the ride.
• Some of the animatronic animals on the ride have hidden features. For example, the rhinoceros has a hidden switch that allows the skipper to make it charge at the boat.
• The boats on the Jungle Cruise have names, such as Amazon Belle, Congo Queen, and Nile Princess, and each name has a unique backstory.
• The Jungle Cruise ride has a secret “backstage” area where boats are repaired and maintained. This area is hidden behind a waterfall and is not visible to guests.

During the Christmas season, Disneyland and Walt Disney World transform the ride into the “Jingle Cruise.” The ride gets a holiday makeover, with the addition of Christmas decorations and themed jokes from the skipper.

Here are some of the changes you can expect to see on the Jingle Cruise:

• Decorations: The ride’s queue area and boats are decorated with festive garlands, wreaths, and holiday lights. There are also themed props and decorations throughout the ride, such as presents and Christmas trees.
• Themed jokes: The skipper’s script is updated to include jokes and puns related to the holidays. For example, the skipper might joke about a “fruitcake disaster” or point out a “gift-wrapped” crocodile.
• Holiday-themed animatronics: Some of the ride’s animatronic animals are given holiday-themed accessories, such as Santa hats or reindeer antlers.
• Special music: The ride’s soundtrack is updated to include holiday-themed music, such as Christmas carols and festive instrumental versions of Disney songs.

Overall, the Jingle Cruise is a fun and festive way to experience the classic Jungle Cruise ride during the holiday season. The holiday version of the ride typically runs from November through early January.

In 2019, Disney released a film based on the Jungle Cruise attraction, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt. The film is a fictionalized adventure story that draws inspiration from the ride’s setting and characters. It was a box office success and has led to renewed interest in the Jungle Cruise attraction.

In 2021, the Jungle Cruise attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World underwent significant changes to remove cultural stereotypes and update the ride’s narrative to be more inclusive. The changes included replacing scenes featuring indigenous people depicted in a stereotypical and offensive manner, and adding new scenes with updated animatronics and storytelling.

This famous ride is so beloved among Disney fans. Next time you’re in Adventureland , hop aboard! You won’t be disappointed. We hope you remember the Jungle Cruise history while riding.

68 Comments

Hi, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am as well delighted to share my familiarity here with colleagues.

Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

This USA casino guixe will make certain you know how to finbd the ideal casino for you.

my web-site … 우리카지노계열

You have made some really good points there. I looked on the net for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

It’s wonderful that you are getting ideas from this paragraph as well as from our dialogue made at this time.

Thanks for some other informative blog. The place else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect means? I’ve a project that I am simply now running on, and I’ve been at the look out for such information.

Thank you, I’ve just been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered so far. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the source?

Howdy! I realize this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established blog such as yours require a large amount of work? I’m brand new to running a blog however I do write in my journal on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!

Excellent blog you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays.

I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back in the future. Cheers

Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.

Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be helpful to read through articles from other authors and use something from their web sites.

Touche. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the good spirit.

Hi there! I understand this is kind of off-topic however I had to ask. Does running a well-established blog like yours take a large amount of work? I am brand new to operating a blog however I do write in my diary everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!

I have read so many content on the topic of the blogger lovers except this paragraph is genuinely a fastidious post, keep it up.

Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the info!

Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks

I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.

It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Exceptional work!

Having read this I believed it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and posting comments.

But so what, it was still worthwhile!

Very energetic post, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be a part 2?

Hi friends, its impressive article about tutoringand completely explained, keep it up all the time.

I love it when individuals get together and share thoughts. Great site, continue the good work!

My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.

Truly when someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other viewers that they will help, so here it happens.

Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next post thank you once again.

Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this web page on a regular basis, this web site is really fastidious and the users are truly sharing nice thoughts.

Hi there friends, its fantastic post about cultureand entirely defined, keep it up all the time.

It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all colleagues about this post, while I am also eager of getting experience.

What’s up, its fastidious post regarding media print, we all be familiar with media is a enormous source of data.

I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been using? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any recommendations?

No matter if some one searches for his vital thing, thus he/she wants to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.

I’m excited to discover this page. I need to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!!

I definitely savored every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new stuff in your web site.

Someone essentially lend a hand to make severely posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual put up extraordinary. Magnificent process!

Valuable information. Lucky me I found your web site unintentionally, and I’m stunned why this accident did not happened earlier!

I bookmarked it.

Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog. You have some really good posts and I feel I would be a good asset.

If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested. Thank you!

You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be actually something that I believe I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complex and very large for me. I am taking a look ahead for your next publish, I’ll try to get the grasp of it!

Terrific work! That is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the net. Shame on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thanks =)

My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content available for you?

I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome web site!

I have read so many content regarding the blogger lovers however this post is in fact a pleasant article, keep it up.

hey there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again soon.

Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a data! existing here at this website, thanks admin of this web site.

Hello, Neat post. There is a problem together with your website in internet explorer, might check this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a large component of other folks will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem.

Hello would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price? Thank you, I appreciate it!

What you posted made a ton of sense. However, consider this, what if you composed a catchier post title? I am not suggesting your information is not good, but what if you added something that grabbed folk’s attention? I mean A Look at the Jungle Cruise History – The Parks Academy is kinda boring. You might look at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create post headlines to get people to click. You might add a related video or a related pic or two to grab readers excited about what you’ve got to say.

Just my opinion, it would bring your posts a little livelier.

Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to see extra posts like this .

Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions?

Many thanks

It’s wonderful that you are getting ideas from this piece of writing as well as from our argument made at this time.

I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also go to see this weblog on regular basis to take updated from newest news update.

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and the rest of the website is really good.

hello there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this web site, as I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again soon.

Asking questions are truly nice thing if you are not understanding anything fully, except this post provides good understanding yet.

Amazing! Its truly amazing article, I have got much clear idea regarding from this paragraph.

Hi there, I found your website by means of Google whilst searching for a comparable topic, your site came up, it appears to be like good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

Hi there, just changed into alert to your blog via Google, and located that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate in the event you proceed this in future.

Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this site is actually fastidious.

Saved as a favorite, I love your website!

I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really really good article on building up new website.

Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.

I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

It’s great that you are getting thoughts from this paragraph as well as from our argument made at this time.

Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this web page, and paragraph is genuinely fruitful for me, keep up posting such articles.

Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for first-time blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.

Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back from now on. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great work, have a nice weekend!

excellent publish, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this.

You should continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

When some one searches for his essential thing, therefore he/she desires to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.

I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road. Cheers

I am genuinely delighted to read this blog posts which includes plenty of helpful information, thanks for providing such data.

Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.

Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses?

If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.

Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, good blog!

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Jungle Cruise... the animatronic heavy, family-friendly boat ride you can experience while enjoying cheesy jokes told by your personal skipper has become a staple in Disney parks worldwide. While hundreds of guests board the boats every day, very few know the history behind the show scenes and animals features on the ride, and even fewer know just how many changes the ride's layout has gone through since its introduction. 

During its planning stages, Jungle Cruise intended to make use of live animals along the river, but Walt Disney and his imagineers were persuaded to use animatronics after being informed that most of the animals would be shy and reclusive during most of the day.

Because of this, the original concept for Jungle Cruise was reworked to feature a number of animal animatronics. When the ride officially opened in Disneyland in 1955, Jungle Cruise was short and its cheesy jokes favored a more serious and adventure-driven approach. After boarding their boat, guests would first pass by an abandoned Cambodian shrine, overgrown with foliage and currently inhabited by a gang of monkeys.

The monkeys play around the large mossy stones and fight over bananas, but after less than a year of operation, the monkeys were removed from the attraction and never returned. Guests would also encounter giraffes, elephants, lions feasting on a zebra, alligators, and rampaging hippos that the skipper would shoot a prop pistol at in hopes that they would back down. Toward the end of the ride, guests would experience the most controversial aspect of the ride--a hut owned by indigenous headhunters. 

During the next few years of operation, Jungle Cruise experienced its first big update, hoping to entice some visitors to ride again to witness the new show scenes and animals. In addition to some new animals, the indigenous hut was expanded into a full village of animatronics, including the addition of the now iconic Trader Sam.

Around this time, the boat house and attraction entrance were demolished and rebuilt with a new theme after the lookout tower built atop the boat house was no longer in service. It was believed around this time that the foliage in the jungle around the river had grown too tall and too dense for any of the lookouts to see the boats from the tower.

During the early 60s, Jungle Cruise saw another large expansion with an overhaul of the original Cambodian shrine and a new scene featuring a handful of Indian elephants playing and bathing in the river. The expansion's second half changed the lion pride eating a zebra to a larger scene with more lions and more zebra pieces scattered about. Another addition to the show scenes was a rhino standing guard at the base of a pillar while tourists and explorers took refuge just out of range of the rhino's sharp horn. A pack of hyenas watched from nearby, laughing at the explorers' predicament.

The attraction proved to be so successful that Walt Disney World adopted its own version. This second incarnation of the classic ride featured more show scenes and expanded areas, including another reimagined temple and a group of adorable large frogs. Unfortunately these frogs did not make it long into the attraction's history before being removed for being "too cartoony" for the Cruise.

The second incarnation's success encouraged the original to implement some changes of its own. Scenes were added in Disneyland's version where guests would pass by a gorilla facing off against an angry alligator, and a group of alligators snapping at a brave hornbill on a branch just out of reach. Around this time, some of the animals were shuffled and relocated to new areas. The lions were moved to a proper den, and a tiger took up residence within the shrine. 

Both Tokyo and Hong Kong introduced their own versions to their respective rosters and combined aspects from both the original and the Magic Kingdom's versions, as well as adding their own unique scenes and twists. For around twenty years, little changed on the Cruises. A few outdated animatronics that were beginning to show their age were occasionally replaced with new animals, but no scene additions were made for quite a long time. 

In 1993, the attraction's entrance was demolished and updated to fit the aesthetic of the new neighboring Indiana Jones attraction. Because of the addition of this new ride, Jungle Cruise's river was slightly shortened to make room. The hornbill and alligators scene was removed to adapt to this change. The boats were also changed to fit the surroundings and give them more of a jungle boat theme. In 2001, the longtime tradition of skippers firing guns at charging hippos was removed permanently, and four years later, the campsite was changed to add some gorillas playing around with the supplies. The lions were moved from their original spots and into a new expanded location, a group of piranhas chased the boat in a new scene, and a baby elephant was added near the river.

Aside from a few minor changes here and there, Jungle Cruise has not received a major update in several years. Were there any scenes or animals you enjoyed in particular and would love to have return? Let us know how you would like Jungle Cruise to change in the future by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Ellie is a contributing feature writer for Theme Park Tourist who loves to tackle abandoned locations, ride history, and theme park mysteries in her articles. Although she lives out of state, she makes frequent trips to the Orlando parks and is particularly fond of the Universal Orlando Resort. Her favorite ride is VelociCoaster and her go-to snack at the resort is a Big Pink doughnut from Springfield!

Add new comment

Sign up for your free account, about theme park tourist.

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...

How ‘Jungle Cruise’s’ Look Evolved From Disneyland Ride to Dwayne Johnson Movie

By Jazz Tangcay

Jazz Tangcay

Artisans Editor

• Warner Bros. and HBO Aquire Rights to Documentary on Real Life Höss Family from ‘The Zone Of Interest’ – Film News in Brief 2 days ago
• Array Acquires Débora Souza Silva’s Documentary ‘For Our Children’ (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago
• ‘Challengers’: Mike Faist Had to Eat Up to 10,000 Calories a Day and Gain 30 Pounds to Transform Into a Tennis Star 2 days ago

The original Jungle Cruise boat ride first opened in July 1955 at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. and has been amusing visitors ever since.

Over the years, the river has changed with the addition of an elephant bathing pool, gorillas and a new piranha scene. Disney also updated the ride by removing racist and colonial depictions just in time for the release of “Jungle Cruise,” in theaters and streaming on Disney Plus Premier.

The film’s production designer, Jean-Vincent Puzos , had several extensive sets to oversee: a London scene for the movie’s opening and closing and a remote village in the heart of the Amazon. The most complex were the sprawling jungle port town of Porto Velho and boat La Quila, owned by Frank ( Dwayne Johnson ).

Building La Quila

Skipper Frank uses the La Quila to give tours around the river, and it becomes a centerpiece of the film. Puzos pulled from real-life historical references, as well as from adventure classics such as “The African Queen,” “Indiana Jones” and “Romancing the Stone.”

“This was the most important set on the movie. It was a prototype of the attraction and had an ‘African Queen’ style to it. But we wanted to push it visually,” he says.

Popular on Variety

“I researched steamboats and tugboats. I would go to scrap yards, but also looked at photos from books from Canada, South America and North America to ensure I had a landscape of possibilities. We also looked at the boats used by conquistadors from the 16th and 17th centuries.

“Once we had the scale, we decided to build the boat 39 feet long. It could be used by one person, but also fit the tourists who were on the Jungle Cruise at the beginning.

“The first week of prep, I went to Disneyland and met the people behind the scenes including the skipper and saw how the river was used.

“Inside the boat, we based that design on the actual ride with the benches that those passengers sit on. The triangle pattern aspect of the boat combined influences from the ride, the conquistadors and the immortals.

“We built two boats to avoid logistical problems. We had a boat in Hawaii and another in Atlanta that would endure all the effects. “

Porto Velho

Puzos built the port town in Kauai, Hawaii. “It was exciting because there’s the market, a harbor, the boats, a hotel and the restaurant. There’s also Frank’s workshop and Pontoon,” he says.  “When you build a port like that, I love to scout and find locations. So, I built this around this snake of water where there was water on both sides, and it was a dream to build the city around it, with those four boats owned by Nilo.

“I had an incredible construction team who built those sets, the submarine and La Quila.”

More From Our Brands

Miranda lambert surprises stagecoach 2024 with reba mcentire, debuts new song ‘wranglers’, inside a $3.3 million one-bedroom condo in l.a.’s famed sierra towers, messi’s road show shatters another attendance record, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, ncis: hawai’i stars react to cancellation: ‘this is a huge loss for representation’, verify it's you, please log in.

15 Facts About Disney's Jungle Cruise

By stacy conradt | may 9, 2018.

Everyone turn around and wave goodbye to the folks back on the dock … they may never see you again. But then again, you probably never saw them before, either. Here are 15 facts about Disney's Jungle Cruise.

1. WHEN IT DEBUTED, IT WAS A VERY SERIOUS TRIP THROUGH EXOTIC LOCATIONS.

For the first few years, the Jungle Cruise was more of a documentary-style attraction. All of the funny scenes and jokes were added years later—and thank goodness. The ridiculously bad jokes delivered with perfect apathy (“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”) are the best part of the ride for many people.

2. WALT DISNEY WANTED TO INCORPORATE LIVE ANIMALS.

When the ride was still in development, Walt Disney wanted to use live animals. When a zoologist explained that many of the animals were nocturnal, which would leave daytime guests gazing at catnapping creatures, Walt opted for creatures he could control. For a time, however, the ride queue did feature live alligators.

3. DISNEY DROVE A CAR THROUGH THE DRY "RIVERBEDS" TO PROMOTE THE RIDE.

As Disneyland was being constructed, Walt often gave TV viewers a preview of what was being built. Before the Jungle Cruise had water, he drove a Nash Rambler (one of the show’s sponsors) through the “riverbeds” to show off Schweitzer Falls and the crude mechanics of the animals.

4. IT'S THE RIDE THAT LED DISNEY TO VIEW HIS PARKS AS NEVER BEING COMPLETE.

It may be apocryphal, but the story goes like this : Walt was strolling through Disneyland when he heard a young boy asking his mom to take the eight-minute trip through the jungle. Not even slowing her stride, the mother replied something to the effect of, “No, we did that last time we were here.” Hearing that, Walt decided he had to keep changing and improving things in order to keep guests coming back.

5. SOME JUNGLE CRUISE SKIPPERS HAVE GONE ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.

Famous wisecracking skippers include Kevin Costner and Ron Ziegler (Richard Nixon's press secretary). 

6. MOST OF THE "EXOTIC" JUNGLE PLANTS AREN'T EXOTIC AT ALL.

How do you get the tropical aesthetic provided by exotic plants without shelling out the big bucks for shipping and maintaining them? Just use Disney’s tactic: “ plant ” an orange tree upside down and let vines grow and twine around the exposed roots.

7. THE WATER IS CLEANER THAN IT LOOKS.

That murky water passengers sail through is dyed brown, dark green, or muddy blue. The coloring serves two purposes: It provides a more realistic portrayal of swampy waters, of course, but it also conceals the fact that the cruise ships are on a track in a pool that’s less than four feet deep in most areas.

8. DISNEY WAS THRIFTY WHEN IT CAME TO THE AIRPLANE USED IN THE RIDE.

If you pony up the cash for a Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior airplane, you might as well get your money’s worth, right? Disney used the back half for the scene near the Jungle Cruise's hippo pool at the Magic Kingdom, and the front half for the Casablanca scene in "The Great Movie Ride" at Hollywood Studios. 

9. SOME OF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE PRETTY LOW-TECH.

You might think that getting the animals’ eyes to glow as you make your way through the Asian temple is a high-tech trick, but it’s really just the opposite. Their eyes are really just marbles painted with a reflective coating.

10. LOOK FOR INSIDE JOKES HIDDEN IN THE QUEUE.

At the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, a pair of crates sits bundled with some barrels as if they’re cargo ready to be shipped. A close look at the addresses reveals that one is going to “Thomas Kirk, Esq., M. Jones, Cartographers Ltd. Field Office, Island of Bora Danno.” The other is addressed to “Kenneth Annakin, Director of Imports, Wyss Supply Company, Colony of New Guinea.”

This is a reference to the Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson . Tommy Kirk played Ernst Robinson in the 1960 film, then went on to play the title character in the 1964 movie The Misadventures of Merlin Jones. James MacArthur, the actor who played Fritz Robinson, later played Danny Williams—you know, “Book ‘em, Danno” on Hawaii Five-O. So that’s the first crate explained. The second crate refers to Ken Annakin, the director of Swiss Family Robinson, and “Wyss Supply” is a little wink to the author of the original book, Johann Wyss.

11. A JUNGLE CRUISE MOVIE STARRING TOM HANKS AND TIM ALLEN WAS PLANNED, AND SCRAPPED.

Buzz and Woody meet Jumanji ? It almost happened. Entertainment Weekly  first reported on a Jungle Cruise movie starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen back in 2011, which clearly never came to be. But that doesn't mean that a movie isn't happening: Though no release date has been set, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Jesse Plemons have all signed on for starring roles in the film.

12. ONE OF THE BOATS ACTUALLY SANK.

Perhaps its name was prophetic, because “Sankuru Sadie” at the Magic Kingdom did, in fact, sink. In 2004, the boat took on more water than it could hold and went under—though, given how shallow most of the water is, it probably didn’t go far. The boat was refurbished and put back into rotation.

13. THERE USED TO BE A KATHARINE HEPBURN CAMEO.

The ride was largely inspired by the movie The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. As a somewhat macabre homage to the film, the Florida Jungle Cruise once featured a little nod to Hepburn—literally. Near the end of the ride, Trader Sam the headhunter cheerily holds up a couple of shrunken heads. “Trader Sam has a deal for you. Two of his heads for one of yours,” is how the joke typically goes. Riders who looked closely would have noticed that one of Sam’s shrunken heads looked an awful lot like Hepburn.

14. ED SULLIVAN RODE THE JUNGLE CRUISE IN A 1959 KODAK COMMERCIAL.

If you want to see what the Jungle Cruise looked like just a few years after Disneyland’s opening day, check out this commercial for Kodak’s innovative new Brownie camera, available for just $74.50!

15. DISNEYLAND'S JUNGLE CRUISE FEATURES A PALM THAT PRE-DATES THE PARK.

Located just outside the entrance of the Jungle Cruise in California is a large palm tree. Referred to as “the Dominguez Palm,” this bit of vegetation has been around way longer than Mickey has been; it dates back to 1896. It’s named after the family who lived there before the land became a theme park. The rancher who sold the land to Disney requested that this particular tree be spared, and Disney obliged, moving all 15 tons of tree from the parking lot area to Adventureland.

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!

A Classic Cruise

The original Jungle Cruise opened on July 17, 1955 at Disneyland Park. Based on Disney’s award-winning True-Life Adventure films, the attraction had a more educational tone. In the early 1960s, Walt Disney introduced more drama and asked animator Marc Davis to sketch some humorous gags. 

Over the years, more “wildlife”—and new wisecracks—were added. These updates, along with our talented skippers, make for fun surprises on every trip down the river.

Disneyland App

Related Activities

The tropical hideaway, adventureland, plan your day with disney genie service, safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for jungle cruise.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Jungle Cruise

Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element. Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element. Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element.

• Jaume Collet-Serra
• Michael Green
• Glenn Ficarra
• Dwayne Johnson
• Emily Blunt
• Edgar Ramírez
• 1.2K User reviews
• 297 Critic reviews
• 50 Metascore
• 5 wins & 9 nominations

• Frank Wolff

• Lily Houghton

• MacGregor Houghton

• Prince Joachim

• (as Quim Gutierrez)

• Sir James Hobbs-Coddington

• Chief's Daughter

• Society Guard

• Society Member

• Society Worker
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt Answer Burning Questions

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Many of the puns Frank uses are taken directly from the Disney Parks attraction on which the movie is based. These "so bad they're good" jokes are one of the reasons why Jungle Cruise skippers are so important to the ride experience.
• Goofs Prince Joachim knows where the trapped Spanish are located. There was no record of this because only Skipper knew where he trapped them.

Frank Wolff : If you're lucky enough to have one person in this life to care about, then that's world enough for me.

• Crazy credits The bay in the Disney logo is seen to have the water glowing purple, and after the Disney logo fully appears the camera dives into the water and leads to the Tree of Life, which opens the film.
• Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: D23 Expo 2019 Extravaganza (2019)
• Soundtracks Nothing Else Matters Reimagined by Metallica and James Newton Howard With featured performances by James Hetfield , Lars Ulrich , Kirk Hammett , Robert Trujillo Written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich Associate Producer and Engineer Greg Fidelman

User reviews 1.2K

• roadrunnerz-96074
• Oct 14, 2021
• How long is Jungle Cruise? Powered by Alexa
• Will 'Weird Al' Yankovic's song 'Skipper Dan' about Disney's Jungle Cruise ride be featured in this movie?
• July 30, 2021 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Thám Hiểm Rừng Xanh
• Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA
• Davis Entertainment
• Flynn Picture Company
• Seven Bucks Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $200,000,000 (estimated)
• $116,987,516
• $35,018,731
• Aug 1, 2021
• $220,889,446

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 7 minutes
• Dolby Atmos
• IMAX 6-Track

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

How ‘Jungle Cruise’s’ Look Evolved From Disneyland Ride to Dwayne Johnson Movie

The original Jungle Cruise boat ride first opened in July 1955 at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. and has been amusing visitors ever since.

Over the years, the river has changed with the addition of an elephant bathing pool, gorillas and a new piranha scene. Disney also updated the ride by removing racist and colonial depictions just in time for the release of “Jungle Cruise,” in theaters and streaming on Disney Plus Premier.

More from Variety

Is 'Jungle Cruise' a Box Office Hit? During COVID, It's Hard to Know

'Jungle Cruise' Docks With $34 Million in Theaters, $30 Million on Disney Plus

Box Office: 'Jungle Cruise' Sailing to No. 1 With Estimated $32 Million Debut

The film’s production designer, Jean-Vincent Puzos , had several extensive sets to oversee: a London scene for the movie’s opening and closing and a remote village in the heart of the Amazon. The most complex were the sprawling jungle port town of Porto Velho and boat La Quila, owned by Frank ( Dwayne Johnson ).

Building La Quila

Skipper Frank uses the La Quila to give tours around the river, and it becomes a centerpiece of the film. Puzos pulled from real-life historical references, as well as from adventure classics such as “The African Queen,” “Indiana Jones” and “Romancing the Stone.”

“This was the most important set on the movie. It was a prototype of the attraction and had an ‘African Queen’ style to it. But we wanted to push it visually,” he says.

“I researched steamboats and tugboats. I would go to scrap yards, but also looked at photos from books from Canada, South America and North America to ensure I had a landscape of possibilities. We also looked at the boats used by conquistadors from the 16th and 17th centuries.

“Once we had the scale, we decided to build the boat 39 feet long. It could be used by one person, but also fit the tourists who were on the Jungle Cruise at the beginning.

“The first week of prep, I went to Disneyland and met the people behind the scenes including the skipper and saw how the river was used.

“Inside the boat, we based that design on the actual ride with the benches that those passengers sit on. The triangle pattern aspect of the boat combined influences from the ride, the conquistadors and the immortals.

“We built two boats to avoid logistical problems. We had a boat in Hawaii and another in Atlanta that would endure all the effects. “

Porto Velho

Puzos built the port town in Kauai, Hawaii. “It was exciting because there’s the market, a harbor, the boats, a hotel and the restaurant. There’s also Frank’s workshop and Pontoon,” he says. “When you build a port like that, I love to scout and find locations. So, I built this around this snake of water where there was water on both sides, and it was a dream to build the city around it, with those four boats owned by Nilo.

“I had an incredible construction team who built those sets, the submarine and La Quila.”

Best of Variety

What's Coming to Disney Plus in August 2021

Everything Coming to Netflix in August 2021

It's National Lipstick Day: Here Are Our Favorite Celebrity Lip Kits

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter . For the latest news, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Recommended Stories

Nfl draft: packers fan upset with team's 1st pick, and lions fans hilariously rubbed it in.

Not everyone was thrilled with their team's draft on Thursday night.

NFL Draft: Bears take Iowa punter, who immediately receives funny text from Caleb Williams

There haven't been many punters drafted in the fourth round or higher like Tory Taylor just was. Chicago's No. 1 overall pick welcomed him in unique fashion.

NFL to allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps in games beginning with 2024 season

The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.

NFL Draft: Spencer Rattler's long wait ends, as Saints draft him in the 5th round

Spencer Rattler once looked like a good bet to be a first-round pick.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones compared his 2024 NFL Draft strategy to robbing a bank

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made an amusing analogy when asked why the team selected three offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Michael Penix Jr. said Kirk Cousins called him after Falcons' surprising draft selection

Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. said quarterback Kirk Cousins called him after he was picked No. 8 overall in one of the 2024 NFL Draft's more puzzling selections.

Korey Cunningham, former NFL lineman, found dead in New Jersey home at age 28

Cunningham played 31 games in the NFL with the Cardinals, Patriots and Giants.

NFL Draft: Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, picked by Chargers

Brenden Rice played the same position as his legendary father.

Based on the odds, here's what the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft will be

What would a mock draft look like using just betting odds?

NFL Draft fashion: Caleb Williams, Malik Nabers dressed to impress, but Marvin Harrison Jr.'s medallion stole the show

Every player was dressed to impress at the 2024 NFL Draft.

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.

Mark Twain Riverboat

Pirates of the Caribbean

Astro Orbitor

Alice in Wonderland Ride

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Disneyland Train

Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

Storybook Land Canal Boats

Gadget's Go Coaster

King Arthur Carrousel

It's a Small World

Casey Jr. Circus Train

Tarzan's Treehouse

Pinocchio's Daring Journey Ride at Disneyland

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Behind the Scenes: Do They Drive the Boats at Jungle Cruise?

Instead, the boats are propelled along the predetermined track by an underwater system, giving the illusion that the skippers are skillfully navigating through the dense foliage and treacherous waters. This hidden mechanism ensures the safety of both the guests and the skippers while adding to the magical and immersive experience of the Jungle Cruise. Behind the scenes, a team of technicians and engineers work tirelessly to maintain and operate this intricate system, ensuring that every boat glides smoothly along it’s designated route. While the skippers may not have direct control over the steering, their charismatic commentary and comedic timing are what truly bring the Jungle Cruise to life. So, next time you embark on this classic Disney adventure, remember that while the skippers may not be physically steering the boats, their wit and charm are steering you towards a memorable and entertaining journey through the wilds of the jungle.

How Many Boats Are in Jungle Cruise Ride?

When it comes to the iconic Jungle Cruise ride at Disney theme parks, one question that often arises is how many boats are actually in operation. Well, the answer may surprise you. There are a total of 15 Jungle Cruise boats, each with it’s own unique name and character. These boats play a vital role in bringing the jungle-themed adventure to life for visitors from all around the world.

Among the fleet of Jungle Cruise boats are Amazon Annie, Bomokandi Bertha, Congo Connie, Ganges Gertie, Irawaddy Irma, Kwango Kate, Mongala Millie, Nile Nellie, Orinoco Ida, Sankuru Sadie, Senegal Sal, Ucayali Lolly, Volta Val, Wamba Wanda, and Zambezi Zelda. These names not only help distinguish each boat, but they also add an extra layer of whimsy and fun to the experience.

The design of these boats is carefully crafted to resemble the steam-powered riverboats that were commonly used in the early 20th century. From their authentic paddlewheel propulsion to their intricate detailing, each boat is a true work of art. And while they may look vintage, they’re actually modern vessels equipped with the latest technology to ensure a smooth and safe ride for guests.

The Jungle Cruise boats are operated by highly trained Disney Cast Members who’re responsible for steering the course and delivering the hilarious and pun-filled script that’s become synonymous with the ride. These skilled skippers are masters of improvisation and are known for their comedic timing, making sure that every trip on the Jungle Cruise is a memorable one.

Behind the scenes, the Jungle Cruise boats undergo regular maintenance and inspections to keep them in top condition. From routine cleaning to mechanical repairs, Disney takes pride in maintaining the authenticity and quality of these beloved attractions. So the next time you embark on a Jungle Cruise adventure, take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into bringing this classic attraction to life.

The Jungle Cruise boats, known for their whimsical and adventurous journeys, are powered by 4-cylinder Chevrolet engines. These engines provide the necessary propulsion for the 27-foot long boats, allowing them to reach a top speed of 3.2 feet per second. Now, let’s delve into the fascinating details and history behind these iconic vessels.

What Engines Are in the Jungle Cruise Boats?

The captivating and iconic Jungle Cruise attraction at Disney theme parks has left guests in awe for decades. As visitors embark on a delightful journey through exotic landscapes, one question often arises: What engines power these magnificent boats? The answer lies in the heart of these vessels, as the Jungle Cruise boats are equipped with 4-cylinder Chevrolet engines.

These boats, measuring 27 feet in length, may not be the fastest vessels on water, but they glide seamlessly through the tranquil jungle-inspired rivers at a top speed of 3.2 feet per second. The choice of a 4-cylinder Chevrolet engine may seem modest, but it perfectly aligns with the purpose of the attraction – providing a whimsical and immersive experience rather than a high-speed thrill ride.

The selection of a Chevrolet engine for these boats speaks to the longevity and reliability of the brand. Chevrolet has a rich history of producing engines that stand the test of time, ensuring that the beloved Jungle Cruise boats can charm and entertain guests for years to come. These engines offer the necessary power and performance to navigate the waterways with ease, while maintaining the enchanting atmosphere of the attraction.

Behind the scenes, the use of these engines ensures that the Jungle Cruise boats remain a crowd-favorite. Professionals meticulously maintain and service the engines, ensuring that they run smoothly and reliably. This level of dedication guarantees that guests can embark on their Jungle Cruise adventure without worry, immersing themselves in the whimsical and humorous tales shared by the skilled skippers.

The choice of a 4-cylinder engine also helps minimize the noise produced by the boats, allowing guests to fully engage with the immersive experience. The quiet hum of the Chevrolet engine blends harmoniously with the jungle sounds and realistic audio effects, seamlessly blending fantasy with reality. This attention to detail is a testament to the care and consideration put into creating a truly magical experience for every guest.

As guests embark on their adventure, they can be assured that these boats, driven by skilled skippers and propelled by Chevrolet engines, will continue to transport them to a world of wonder and laughter for years to come.

The Design and Construction of the Jungle Cruise Boats

The Jungle Cruise boats are carefully designed and constructed to provide an immersive and safe experience for passengers. They’re built to resemble early 20th-century expedition boats and are equipped with various mechanical and visual effects to enhance the ride. The boats are engineered to navigate through the dense jungle environment, featuring a shallow draft and a durable hull. Skilled artisans and engineers carefully craft each boat to ensure they’re both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. The construction process involves selecting high-quality materials and utilizing advanced techniques to ensure the boats can withstand the rigors of the water. Overall, the design and construction of these boats play a vital role in creating the magical experience of the Jungle Cruise.

Jungle Cruise is more than just a ride – it’s an immersive adventure into the heart of a lush and vibrant jungle. Embark on a scenic journey, gliding through picturesque waterways that bring to life the wonders of nature. From dense forests to exotic wildlife, this classic attraction transports guests to a realm where realism meets fantasy. Originally debuting at Disneyland, Jungle Cruise remains a beloved icon of adventure and discovery for all who set sail on it’s captivating waters.

What Kind of Ride Is Jungle Cruise?

What kind of ride is Jungle Cruise? Jungle Cruise is an outdoor group boat ride through some of the worlds best-known simulated tropical waterways. Youll pass through forest and jungle populated entirely by animatronic animals. The Jungle Cruise was the parks signature ride when it opened at Disneyland in 1955, and it’s remained a popular attraction ever since.

The ride takes guests on a journey along various rivers, with skippers providing humorous and entertaining narration throughout. The skippers scripted jokes and puns have become a beloved part of the Jungle Cruise experience, adding to the rides charm and entertainment value.

Behind the scenes, the boats at Jungle Cruise are actually guided by experienced Disney cast members. The skippers have extensive training and knowledge of the rides mechanics, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for guests. They’re responsible for operating the boats, controlling their speed and direction, and maintaining the overall flow of the ride.

While the skippers play an essential role in guiding the boats, the ride is also equipped with advanced automation and safety systems. These systems help ensure that the boats stay on course, avoid collisions, and adhere to strict operational procedures. This combination of skilled human operators and advanced technology allows for a seamless and controlled experience for guests.

The History and Evolution of Jungle Cruise at Disneyland

• The Jungle Cruise ride was one of the original attractions at Disneyland when it opened in 1955.
• It was designed by Walt Disney himself and was meant to be a lighthearted and humorous boat tour through various jungle settings.
• The ride featured animatronic animals, lush foliage, and a playful skipper who narrated the journey.
• Over the years, the Jungle Cruise has undergone several updates and changes.
• In 1962, the ride received a major overhaul with the addition of more detailed sets and audio-animatronic figures.
• Throughout the decades, new scenes and characters were added to the Jungle Cruise, including an encounter with a rampaging hippopotamus.
• In recent years, Disney has focused on making the ride more inclusive and less culturally insensitive.
• In 2021, Disney announced that they’d be updating the Jungle Cruise to remove problematic scenes and depictions of indigenous peoples.
• These updates aim to create a more respectful and inclusive experience for all guests.
• Despite the changes, the Jungle Cruise remains a beloved and iconic attraction at Disneyland.

Source: Jungle Cruise | Magic Kingdom – Touring Plans

Instead, an elaborate system of underwater tracks and guide rails guides the boats along the predetermined route. While they may not physically control the direction of the boats, their storytelling and charisma add a magical touch to the experience. So, the next time you find yourself aboard the Jungle Cruise, remember that the skippers are the true captains of this whimsical journey, steering the course of laughter and adventure for all who come aboard.

Related Posts

How much are spa treatments on norwegian cruise, is a nile river cruise a good vacation option, how far is athens airport from cruise terminal, can you take children on a viking river cruise.

• Account Settings
• The Disney Bundle
• Parks & Travel
• Walt Disney World
• Disney Cruise Line
• All Parks & Travel
• Movies Anywhere
• Disney Movie Insiders
• 20th Century Studios
• Accessories
• Disney News
• Disney on Broadway
• Disney on Ice
• Disney Live!
• Walt Disney World Resort
• Disneyland Resort
• Aulani - A Disney Resort and Spa
• Adventures by Disney
• Disney Vacation Club
• D23: The Official Disney Fan Club

EARN POINTS AND UNLOCK REWARDS FOR MOVIE PURCHASES WITH DISNEY MOVIE INSIDERS

Jungle Cruise

July 30, 2021

Action, Adventure, Comedy

Join fan favorites Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt for the adventure of a lifetime on Disney’s Jungle Cruise, a rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance.

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 2h 7min Release Date: July 30, 2021

Directed By

Produced by.

• motionpictures.org
• filmratings.com

Now Streaming | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Disney+

The Cast of Disney's Jungle Cruise and Behind the Attraction | What's Up, Disney+

Mystery Crate Featurette | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Experience it July 30

Cast Camaraderie Featurette | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Experience it July 30

Arrow | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Experience it July 30

Listen Up | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Experience it July 30

“How Nice of You to Join Us” Clip | Disney’s Jungle Cruise

Action Side by Side | Disney’s Jungle Cruise

Get Tickets and Pre-Order Now | Disney’s Jungle Cruise

Imagine | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Experience It July 30

Hang On | Disney’s Jungle Cruise | Experience It July 30

Big Adventure Featurette | Disney’s Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise | Dr. Lily Houghton Trailer | July 30

Jungle Cruise | Skipper Frank Trailer | July 30

Jungle Cruise Trailer | In Theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access July 30

Disney’s Jungle Cruise – New Trailer

Disney's Jungle Cruise - In Theaters July 24, 2020

Related articles, news disney jun 30, interviews on the set of disney’s jungle cruise with the cast and crew.

June 30, 2021

News Disney Aug 26

We can't wait to go on an adventure with emily blunt and dwayne johnson in jungle cruise.

August 26, 2019

Join fan favorites Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt for the adventure of a lifetime on Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE, a rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton.

Recommended Movies

Inside Out 2

Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Haunted Mansion

The Marvels

Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder

Black Widow

Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings

Marvel Studios' Eternals

Artemis Fowl

Explore Georgia:

Designing the World of Disney’s ‘Jungle Cruise’

Disney’s Jungle Cruise , which floats into theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on July 30, tells the heart-racing—and often hilarious—story of Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), a doctor in botany who hires skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) to embark on a grueling journey up the Amazon River in search of a legendary tree that can cure all human ailments. Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra ( Non-Stop ,  The Shallows ) turned to French production designer Jean-Vincent Puzos ( The Lost City of Z , Amour ) to help bring this otherworldly journey through a verdant mystical jungle on a creaking old tramp steamer so dramatically to life.

Puzos designed a variety of vivid tableaux for the film—including a London set where the movie opens and closes and a remote village in the heart of the Amazon jungle—but perhaps most impressive was the sprawling jungle port town of Porto Velho. Built on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, a visitor would be excused for mistaking the set for an authentic Amazonian village, circa 1916. Every structure—from the Porto Velho town set and Nilo’s (Paul Giamatti) jungle cruise operation and tavern to Skipper Frank Wolff’s steam cruiser, La Quila , and his home on the water—is a functional building not a mere movie set façade. Each building is replete with artifacts, furniture, books, trinkets—and this focus on authenticity helps give the film its naturalistic flavor.

“It’s an exciting challenge when you read a script and it has a description of an arrival in a city on the Amazon River with a couple of streets, a big market, a harbor with four boats, a hotel, a restaurant, a cruise company building and our hero Frank’s skipper building workshop and pontoon,” says Puzos. “You begin to divide the space and reinvent a landscape composed by many other spaces, and bend your research in a unique direction to create a cartography where every set is directly connected to the next one. And when you find an incredible location in Hawai‘i, it’s the beginning of an adventure of a lifetime. What makes this set so special is its gigantic scale, the complexity of the landscape and the visual power of the vegetation—which gave us a rich range of shooting possibilities.”

Puzos, who says the Porto Velho set took one month to scout, two months to design and four months to build, dress and landscape, says the biggest challenges his team faced were location and weather. “First of all the location was so wild, so dense in terms of vegetation, so hard to define during the survey—full of scars, holes, cliffs covered by bushes. The access was nearly impossible. We relied on drones to scout the location. When construction got up to full speed, the weather changed, and we had rain every day, flooding the sets and slowing down the construction.”

When asked for a favorite location on the Porto Velho set, Puzos says, “Every building was my favorite! In terms of architecture, the hotel was a pleasure of complexity and simplicity, following a strong pattern of Spanish/Portuguese style of colonial architecture. In terms of design, the vertical building of Frank’s workshop, standing in the water, was an iconic shape in the middle of the location. For Frank’s steam ship, I tried to visualize the journey of a conquistador constantly rebuilding his boat with debris and pieces of other boats, and constantly rebuilding his engine. In terms of colors, Nilo’s Tavern was designed like a rusted building of metal, showing all the variations of textures and colors of a piece of metal lost in the jungle, from dark rust and almost black to golden, sunny orange. In terms of fluidity, the market was designed and built for an epic action scene. This building symbolized our design: to treat the entire location like a garden, to stay fluid in the ground plan, to mix the interiors and the exteriors, and remove some roofs to see inside.

“For this set, the amount of information we wanted the audience to receive was extremely rich. It was important to define every character with a space, an idea, a building or a tool like a boat. This set helps define the story. When the audience sees the port town set, I hope they will see a tribute and an homage to a famous Disney attraction. I hope they will dream of arriving by train in the middle of the Amazon and immediately enter a world of adventures. I hope they will see a rich and charismatic city—and feel the danger of leaving it.”

For director Jaume Collet-Serra, Jungle Cruise  offered the opportunity to make the type of storyline he “loved as a kid, but had never gotten the chance to make, something like  Romancing the Stone . Visually, I wanted to make a movie with a lot of scope. That would feel like you’re on an actual journey through the Amazon. And this set really helped us bring that to life.”

Five Things to Know About the Jungle Cruise

Every trip to Walt Disney World should include a couple classic attractions. Peter Pan, it’s a small world, and of course, the Jungle Cruise. If you’re a first-timer to WDW, you’ll want to be sure to add the Jungle Cruise to your itinerary – you won’t be sorry you did! And if you’ve ridden before, you already know why you need to sail again. Here are five things you should know about this classic pun-tastic ride – including why you should plan to be sent up the river on your next trip.

1. A river runs through it.

The full name of the attraction was originally the Jungle RIVER Cruise. Because you’re cruising down a river (four rivers actually, but we’ll get to that), not just through the jungle. It still bears that same name at Disneyland Hong Kong. But most of us continue to call it the Jungle Cruise, because who has time these days for an extra two syllables? I shore don’t.

2. You gotta go with the flow.

The original version at Disneyland was inspired by Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures films and the classic movie, “The African Queen.” When it was first imagined, the attraction was way more serious than today – no jokes or puns at all. Walt wanted it to be more like Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom. He wanted live animals throughout the attraction before learning that wasn’t the best idea. When the Walt Disney World version opened on October 1, 1971, it was an instant hit.

As time passed, the Jungle Cruise became more about the skipper’s pun-filled narration and visual humor of the scenes. The freedom of the skippers to spin their own spiels while sticking loosely to a script means that you’ll never have exactly the same ride twice. And because the ride has been able to retain much of its vintage charm over the years, the Jungle Cruise remains a classic Disney attraction.

In January 2021, Disney made the announcement that the ride would be updated. New characters, new scenes, more humor, and more wildlife would be added. There was a sense that some of the scenes had become dated and out of step with the times. Scenes of the “headhunter” party and the Trader Sam “head salesman” – portraying negative representations of native peoples – would be eliminated. The experience would, as Bob Iger tweeted, “reflect, not only the best in storytelling, but also the values and rich diversity of our world.”

Updates at WDW were completed in August 2021 including:

• a new skipper’s office in the queue
• trapped skippers up the pole menaced by a rhino
• a sunken boat near the hippos
• chimps on the wrecked boat
• and animatronic characters added to Trader Sam’s.

Worth noting: Back in 2013, the Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise received one of the park’s first holiday overlays. The “Jingle Cruise” has holiday-themed jokes and Christmas decor courtesy of homesick skippers. This festive overlay is offered during the Disney Christmas season starting in November and ending shortly after New Year’s Day. Our family had a holly jolly time when we experienced it!

In 2015, the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen restaurant opened in Adventureland further expanding the Jungle Cruise’s mythology. Here, the skippers are your servers, and the menu reflects flavors from all the parts of the world featured in the Jungle Cruise, as well as a few of the puns! How a-boat that?

3. You visit four rivers until you “Congo” no further.

As you probably know, the ride is an outdoor boat tour which Disney describes as, “a 10- minute, 10,000-mile journey that you won’t soon forget!” During your ride, you’ll glide through the Amazon in South America, the African Congo, the Egyptian Nile, and the east Asian Mekong River.

Your skipper pilots you safely through “the world’s most treacherous waters,” all the while delivering a pun-filled narration. You’ll come across scene after scene of audio-animatronic wildlife, visit a mysterious temple, and – pay attention here – the eighth wonder of the world! As you pass under the waterfall (insert famous “backside of water” joke here) and a couple of spraying fountains, you may get a little … damp.

4. Waiting can be an “oar-deal,” but you won’t get seasick.

No need to pack your Dramamine; the Jungle Cruise is a gentle, slow-moving boat ride. While there’s a lot of water involved, the depth is never much greater than three feet. We think it’s the perfect family attraction as it truly offers something for everybody. As such, the Jungle Cruise has retained its status as a must-do ride when visiting WDW. Lines can get really long and standby wait times often exceed 60 minutes, especially during the middle of the day.

While the main part of the queue is covered, it’s not enclosed, and those waiting in the extended queue may be exposed to the elements. The mid-day sun can become an issue for some. If you can’t ride Jungle Cruise when Adventureland opens or near closing time, visit a bathroom before you get in line and bring along a refreshing beverage and the SPF of your choice.

Once under cover, you’ll quickly see that the queue itself is one of the most richly themed at WDW. Be sure to read all the signage and take note of all the props. You’ll discover that the visual humor and pun-tastic narration of the Cruise begins before you even board the boat! As they say, “getting there is half the pun” – er, I mean “fun.”

5. The nuts and bolts.

You’ll board your exciting ride from the dock in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. It’s next to the Swiss Family Treehouse and across from The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Lightning Lanes are available for this ride through Genie+ which can help you avoid the long lines and cut down on your wait.

While the Jungle Cruise boats are covered, certain weather conditions may result in the attraction’s closure.

Each Jungle Cruise boat accommodates around 30 guests. To board, guests must step over a moderate-height wall onto a bench and then down a moderate step. Cast Members usually lend a hand to help guests step from the dock and into the boat, as well as to disembark. Guests may remain in a wheelchair/ECV.

Bench seats line the interior perimeter of the boat with some seating provided in the middle. There are no safety restraints due to the slow-moving nature of these ride vehicles. There are no health and safety advisories for the Jungle Cruise and there is no height requirement to ride.

The bottom line.

The Jungle Cruise is the perfect ride for those who want a classic Disney attraction laced with puns that make even Dad groan. Some say it’s even better at night. Whenever you ride, the Jungle crews will ensure your Jungle Cruise is simply “pun-derful.”

What’s your take on Jungle Cruise? Must-do or skip it? Let us know in the comments.

You May Also Like...

Just in time for the newly updated Jungle Cruise's reopening comes this new Dole Whip sundae served in a miniature boat.…

It's time to get back to the Jungle. That's because the Jungle Cruise will be reopening at the Disneyland Resort on…

For those of you who are unaware, the Jungle Cruise at both the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and at…

All the Walt Disney World resort hotels have pools for use by the entire family. However, there are a few resorts…

• Disney Cruise Line Wi-Fi Review
• 5 Reasons You Must Visit Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood This Summer

Bob Jacobs lives in Wisconsin where he retired as Editorial Director for a well-known catalog company. He and his wife Cristie have four children, seven grandchildren and a cocker spaniel named Penny the Dog. They’ve visited Walt Disney World regularly since 1992.

6 thoughts on “ Five Things to Know About the Jungle Cruise ”

I love this attraction at night. I’ve taken it I don’t know how many times but now that I’ve started taking it at night I love it again. Also very handy because getting a lightning lane later in the evening means you can turn a few others before you book it with genie+

Great suggestion! and yes, the nighttime trip is LOTS of fun! Thanks for sharing!

Love Albert AWOL’s background music!

After seeing your comment, I did a little online “research” and read that Albert was replaced by his sister, Skipper Missy, at WDW. But to be totally honest, I have to admit that this past December I don’t even remember hearing ANYTHING as we waited in line. Anybody have any recent info?

It is helpful to know that this attraction, despite its age, remains quite popular. I recommend it and would suggest further that riders spring for Genie+ Lightning Lanes to book a ride time and avoid a surprisingly long wait.

Thanks for your suggestion. Our last visit, we were in line as the wait times went from 30 to 40 and finally 60 minutes. We were surprised, indeed!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

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.

Latest posts

These Are Our Favorite Disney Approved Strollers and Accessories

How to Get from EPCOT to Disney Springs

Art of Animation Bus Schedule (Updated)

12 of the Biggest Rides at Disney World

Easy Directions to Animal Kingdom Lodge

Small Details You Missed In Jungle Cruise

One of the original Disneyland rides finally has a movie to its name. "Jungle Cruise," starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt , is the adventure-filled big-screen adaptation of the attraction that boasts more than 60 years of corny jokes and skipper-led boat rides through a campy, animatronic-filled jungle.

At its heart, the Jungle Cruise ride is about bringing the wonders of the world's rivers and jungles to Disney parks' visitors. Passengers of boats named after famous rivers (Amazon Belle, Nile Princess, Suwannee Lady, etc.) get to see animatronic exotic animals and plant life from around the world, all in one place and under 10 minutes.

Jungle Cruise has been a beloved Disneyland attraction since day one, and is one of the few original rides from opening day in July 1955 that's still operating. There have been some major changes to the original Jungle Cruise ride over the years, including injecting the journey with a lovable stream of silly, punny jokes from the skippers and ridding the ride of racially insensitive and outdated imagery.

"Jungle Cruise" the movie showcases a spin on the spirit of the ride with a nostalgic riverboat adventure in the vein of "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Indiana Jones," and "The Mummy." Johnson and Blunt star as skipper Frank Wolff and Dr. Lily Houghton, respectively, on a journey down the Amazon river in search of an ancient healing tree that purportedly holds the power to change modern medicine forever. Of course, there are some nefarious characters they meet along the way who are also after the tree's petals — called "tears of the moon" — including a German prince (Jesse Plemons) and a group of tropical zombie conquistadors led by Aguirre (Édgar Ramírez).

As a movie based on an attraction in Disneyland, "Jungle Cruise" is chock full of Easter eggs and other small nods to the ride's Adventureland home. Here are some you may have missed.

Dr. Albert Falls

A fictional character in the Jungle Cruise/Adventureland universe, Dr. Albert Falls was introduced in the attraction as a joke — the namesake of the famous Schweitzer Falls, which he "discovered."

Albert Falls' characterization grew with the expansion of the Jungle Cruise backstory in 2015. Now, Albert's books and other items found on his travels are featured on shelves in the Skipper Canteen restaurant, and there's a bronze bust of the famed fictional explorer in Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel.

In the "Jungle Cruise" film, Dr. Albert Falls is an offscreen character whose travel documents, maps, and an arrowhead are sought after by Blunt's Dr. Lily Houghton and Plemons' Prince Joachim in their search for the coveted healing tree. In the beginning of the movie, Lily breaks into and snoops around an English archaeological society's archives and finds the arrow she's looking for inside a crate labeled with "Dr. A. Falls." Albert Falls is also briefly mentioned a couple of other times in the film when Lily and Frank are discussing the exploration of the Amazon and the search for the "tears of the moon."

Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.

Founded by the aforementioned Dr. Albert Falls, the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. is a fictional business set within the Adventureland and Jungle Cruise world of Disney parks. It's the parent company and operator of the Jungle Cruise tours of the world's rivers and also boasts the popular Skipper Canteen mess hall-style eatery. The company was introduced to Disneyland's and Magic Kingdom's Adventureland as part of updates to the parks in the 1990s.

The Jungle Navigation Company's Skipper Canteen menu is also full of nods to the Jungle Cruise attraction, including dishes named after Albert Falls and the attraction's boats. There's also a "Not Piranha" sustainable fish dish, which is made all the more funny after seeing Frank serve up fresh piranha in the "Jungle Cruise" movie.

Also in the film, a sign bearing the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. logo is seen at the docks, where harbormaster Nilo Nemolato (Paul Giamatti) manages a fleet of river boats. Unlike Albert Falls, Nilo is a crusty, sunburned businessman — a memorable tertiary antagonist to whom Frank owes money.

Rosita the cockatoo

Fans of Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room were likely thrilled to see a brief but memorable "Jungle Cruise" cameo by Rosita the cockatoo.

The white-feathered Rosita is one of the "showgirl birds" who appear in the attraction perched on a mobile and singing "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing." However, Rosita's spot on the mobile is empty because she left the group for adventures elsewhere. She now inhabits various spots around Disneyland, including the Tropical Hideaway and a riverside cage on the Jungle Cruise attraction.

In the "Jungle Cruise" film, Giamatti's character, Nilo, has a pet cockatoo named Rosita, who repeatedly squawks the memorable line "Frank owes me money" after Lily and Frank break into Nilo's office. In press notes, Disney said the Moluccan cockatoo's real name is Lover Girl and was one of Giamatti's favorite co-stars — in fact, it was actually Giamatti's idea to include a cockatoo as his character's sidekick.

The Backside of Water

It's the eighth wonder of the world and one of the greatest continuous jokes in theme park ride history: the backside of water. Jungle Cruise ride fans will laugh at this joke no matter how many times they've heard it and seen the other side of the famous Schweitzer Falls. Boat skippers tell passengers they like to call it "O2H."

In the "Behind the Attraction" series on Disney+, imagineers behind the Jungle Cruise ride and some longtime skippers said the backside of water joke is an essential part of the experience. If the joke isn't told, guests will remind the skippers of their misstep.

Likewise, including the backside of water joke was a must for the "Jungle Cruise" film. It was featured prominently in the first trailer for the film with Johnson proclaiming to his passengers, "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for ... the backside of water." That joke, and all the others Frank deadpans, elicit groans and eye rolls from the tourists.

In a similar nod to the human-made river cruise at Disneyland, the character Frank is shown to have rigged many of the tricks in the water and along the shore to give his boat tour a more adventurous feel. To create the backside of water, he put together a system of water troughs and pulleys to produce a small waterfall at the best moment to deliver the one-liner.

All the puns

The Jungle Cruise ride we know and love today isn't the same one that ferried passengers along the world's rivers on Disneyland's opening day in 1955. For almost a decade, nature and wildlife education was the focus of the original Jungle Cruise attraction. The corny "dad jokes" and dry humor didn't make it into the ride until the 1960s. Alongside the backside of water, skippers now make jokes about a group of lions eating a zebra "on the rocks" and sharing the meal "with pride." There's also the Nile crocodile named Ginger who ... snaps. The skippers call her "one tough cookie."

Johnson's character Frank really leans into the punny skipper role in "Jungle Cruise." Kicking off a spiel of hilarious and cheesy puns, he points out a pair of toucans beak-wrestling in a nearby tree, noting "only two can play." When he gestures to some sandstone rocks, Frank says  "some people take them for granite" one of his "boulder attractions." As Frank continues, his audience's groans and eye rolls grow in intensity. He even prompts a silent "wow" from one passenger after saying he got "canned" from his previous job at an orange juice factory because "I couldn't concentrate."

Later in the movie, when Frank, Lily and McGregor (Jack Whitehall) are being taken to the village of native "headhunters" (really Frank's hired performers), Frank says it's not a great place to "be headed."

Animatronic Hippos

The Jungle Cruise wouldn't be the Jungle Cruise without its animatronic animals, especially the hippos. In the Disneyland ride, the boat slowly moves through the hippo pool while the skipper tells the passengers to stay still so as not to rock the boat and disturb the massive animals. At one point, the skipper "fires" a fake pistol to scare some of the hippos away from the boat.

A brief but similar scene happens in the "Jungle Cruise" movie. As Frank narrates the many ways the Amazon jungle has killed previous explorers — "everything you see in the jungle wants to kill you ... and can" — the boat rumbles past a stationary fake hippo protruding from the water. Then, as Frank is activating a bunch of his tricks to entertain the passengers, he uses a pistol kept near the boat's wheel to fire at a rope and unleash the mechanical roaring hippo.

Hippos aren't native to the Amazon region — a fact pointed out by a young girl on the boat, whom Frank shushes — so they aren't seen again in the rest of the film. There are, however, about 80 hippos living around Colombia's Rio Magdalena. These hippos are the descendants of the "cocaine hippos" owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar, who brought them to the country in the 1980s.

At the beginning of 2021, the Jungle Cruise ride received some major storytelling updates to get rid of "negative depictions of native people," which included getting rid of the unofficial Jungle Cruise mascot, the Trader Sam animatronic. Though Trader Sam had different animatronic iterations in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, the character was described by critics as a racist caricature of Indigenous African peoples.

Trader Sam got another revamp in the "Jungle Cruise" movie. In the film, Veronica Falcón portrays Trader Sam as the leader of the tribe of Indigenous people who guard the healing tree. She makes several quips about "working" with Frank in playing outdated stereotypes of native peoples for his river cruise story and how she makes money off of colonial notions of her people.

The portrayal of Trader Sam and her people doesn't always hit the nail on the head when it comes to reimagining the character. There is a moment when Trader Sam dons Lily's brother McGregor's top hat in a small nod to the Magic Kingdom version of Trader Sam, who's not only holding several shrunken heads but also wearing one as a necklace. But critics have said the new Trader Sam is a "hearty attempt to reimagine a less racist version of the character."

The Nautilus?

This one may be a bit of a stretch, but Prince Joachim's submarine (also known as unterseeboots during World War I, when the film is set) is strangely reminiscent of the Nautilus vessel from Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

Plemons plays the cartoonishly villainous German prince who brings a submarine to the Amazon and frees the squad of supernatural bad guys to help him claim the healing tree. Though the interior of the submarine is cold and cramped, Joachim somehow also has extravagant, luxurious quarters that solidify his bumbling caricature of a colonizing villain.

The famous Nautilus submarine was created by Jules Verne and featured in his novels "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (1870) and in the Disney film of the same name from 1954. The Nautilus is shaped like a fish and has a shingled ramming fern at the bow. Joachim's submarine boasts a similar serrated ramming fern at its bow, but so did many other German UB-II-type submarines during World War I.

Magic Kingdom at Disney World had a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction that featured a 20-minute submarine ride aboard an adapted version of Nautilus, but the ride was shuttered in 1994.

The African Queen

The 1951 adventure classic "The African Queen" is one of the key elements that inspired the layout and storytelling of the original Jungle Cruise boat ride in Disneyland. Seventy years later, its inspiration lives on in the "Jungle Cruise" film.

The film is based on the 1935 novel of the same name and stars Humphry Bogart as a skipper ferrying a woman (Katharine Hepburn) down a river in a boat named the African Queen. The movie is also set during World War I and has long been heralded by critics as thrilling, adventurous, and funny with a hint of lighthearted romance. 

While "Jungle Cruise" is obviously based on the theme park attraction, it clearly also takes inspiration from "The African Queen." Looper's review of the film said Johnson's Frank "looks like the human growth hormone version of Bogart" with Blunt's character giving "her ambitious scientist a little glint of Hepburn."

Frank also sports a nearly identical skipper outfit to Bogart's Charlie Allnut, complete with a red scarf tied around his neck and a black-billed white cap. The design of Frank's creaky, hodgepodge riverboat named La Quila also pays homage to Charlie's African Queen.

Disney's True-Life Adventures

Though "Jungle Cruise" is set in 1916, it does have a nod to "Disney's True-Life Adventure" nature documentaries, which premiered in the late 1940s, ran through 1960, and inspired the original Jungle Cruise attraction at Disneyland.

During a quieter moment in "Jungle Cruise," Blunt's character Lily uses a box camera to capture motion pictures of the wildlife and scenery of the jungle while sailing down the Amazon River. She captures soundless, black and white shots of butterflies, birds, and foliage while Johnson's Frank stares in awe. He's never seen a motion picture camera before, so Lily lets him try it out.

Lily also explains the excitement of motion pictures and how they can bring any place in the world right to you. It's a similar sentiment shared by Walt Disney and his team when shooting and sharing the "True-Life Adventure" features as well as creating the Jungle Cruise ride. Both the feature and attraction were made to bring the world to an audience — and give that audience a greater appreciation for wildlife and nature.

Nothing Else Matters

Yes, veteran heavy metal rockers Metallica reworked an orchestral version of "Nothing Else Matters" for a key scene in Disney's "Jungle Cruise" movie. It's an unexpected but delightful detail that somehow fits in a flashback scene set in the mid-1500s with Spanish conquistadors and a tribe of Indigenous people in the Amazonian rainforest.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich talked about the Disney collaboration in September 2020, saying it goes back to "lifelong rock fan" Sean Bailey, who is Disney's production president. Ulrich worked with "Jungle Cruise" score composer James Newton Howard to rearrange "Nothing Else Matters" into a piece that's instrumental (pun intended) to the dark, frenzied scene. In an interview with Collider, Ulrich said the version is a "very unusual" morph of the iconic song.

The scene is a flashback to the 1560s, first in Algiers and then in the Amazon, as Aguirre (Ramírez) and his fellow mercenaries search in vain for the healing tree to save Aguirre's daughter. Just as they're at their weakest, the group is saved by the tribe that guards the tree. In a bout of anger-filled impatience, Aguirre and his men kill most of the tribe because of their reluctance to share the secrets of the tree. They are then cursed with immortality and an inability to leave the sight of the river or else face brutal consequences.

The scene is quick and feels a bit jammed with a lot of plot points that can be hard to follow, but the new arrangement of "Nothing Else Matters" is a dizzying, welcome addition to a score otherwise filled with spirited adventure ballads.

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• What to do in Moscow City, if you’re not mega-rich
• Moscow after dusk: 10 places to drink, dance, and groove
• 5 things you must do in Moscow in 2018 between football matches (or without them)
• Sandwiched between Moscow and St. Petersburg: How to spend a perfect weekend in Tver 
• 24 or 48 hours in Moscow: Where to go and what to do in 2019

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.