Changes to the Jungle Cruise spiel

[wdw4us2]

My sources in the MK inform me that changes are being made to the script for the Jungle Cruise boat captains. They will no longer be able to ad lib any jokes, the Chief is being renamed, nothing will be said as the boat goes through the temple and even the 'pair of docks' joke is being removed. A new script has been issued and CM's were told not to deviate from the new script.

This is due to the fact that a couple of the CM's have been making inappropriate comments and complaints have been registered with Guest Relations.

 

[Jason71]

And the re-rideability goes to near zero. Note to Disney managers: the audio-animatronics along the cruise are now archaic--the skippers ARE the attraction. Ad-libs and all.

 

[ebtbmom]

And the re-rideability goes to near zero. Note to Disney managers: the audio-animatronics along the cruise are now archaic--the skippers ARE the attraction. Ad-libs and all.

Not for everyone, this is my son's favorite ride and it's because of the fake animals. He's not exactly a thrill ride type of guy.

Believe me, I thought I was going to throw them in the water if I had to look at the back side of water one more time after riding 3 times in a day!

 

[kenny]

My sources in the MK inform me that changes are being made to the script for the Jungle Cruise boat captains. They will no longer be able to ad lib any jokes, the Chief is being renamed, nothing will be said as the boat goes through the temple and even the 'pair of docks' joke is being removed. A new script has been issued and CM's were told not to deviate from the new script.

This is due to the fact that a couple of the CM's have been making inappropriate comments and complaints have been registered with Guest Relations.

Where did you hear this?

Just saw this below and states pretty much the opposite. Yes there are some changes but most of the script is staying and they are adding new pieces for the CM's to use.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Jungle-Cruise/News/23Oct2009-Updates-for-the-Jungle-Cruise-coming-soon.htm

 

[Plasticletters]

My sources in the MK inform me that changes are being made to the script for the Jungle Cruise boat captains. They will no longer be able to ad lib any jokes, the Chief is being renamed, nothing will be said as the boat goes through the temple and even the 'pair of docks' joke is being removed. A new script has been issued and CM's were told not to deviate from the new script.

This is due to the fact that a couple of the CM's have been making inappropriate comments and complaints have been registered with Guest Relations.

This would be a huge bummer. I really liked the unique angle each skipper put on the script for the ride

 

[JESW]

If that is true then we will never set foot on the ride again. The great "skippers" are what make the otherwise extremely boring ride worthwhile.

Jill

 

[yuffie]

Where did you hear this?

Just saw this below and states pretty much the opposite. Yes there are some changes but most of the script is staying and they are adding new pieces for the CM's to use.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Jungle-Cruise/News/23Oct2009-Updates-for-the-Jungle-Cruise-coming-soon.htm

I wonder if the

lots of new material will be available for the skippers to use.

is the new script they have to follow? Any changes being done would be reworded to make it sound like a positive thing. If they tell the skippers what to say, then it technically is new material, but it would take away the ad-libing ability.

What is the Chief's name currently? I've only ridden this ride once about 5 years ago, so I don't remember ^_^ Apparently they're changing the name back to the original name "Trader Sam".

Thanks for sharing! ^_^

 

[wdw4us2]

Where did you hear this?

Just saw this below and states pretty much the opposite. Yes there are some changes but most of the script is staying and they are adding new pieces for the CM's to use.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Jungle-Cruise/News/23Oct2009-Updates-for-the-Jungle-Cruise-coming-soon.htm

Heard it from a CM who was at the meeting where they announced the changes. None of the skippers were happy about the changes regardless of what the official company line states.

 

[chesterpdt186]

my family was on the JC friday (oct 23rd) and with out the adlib it SUXS!

I was under the impression we had a bad skipper, now it makes more sense. I do not agree with a cast member making inapporiate remarks. But they use to have to pass their speil,new jokes, by the manager/trainers.
I wish disney would just rescreen everyones speil, and put the CM's on record during thier speil. much like customer service reps are recorded on the phone.

O well another good attraction down the drain.

 

[kmk1180]

My sources in the MK inform me that changes are being made to the script for the Jungle Cruise boat captains. They will no longer be able to ad lib any jokes, the Chief is being renamed, nothing will be said as the boat goes through the temple and even the 'pair of docks' joke is being removed. A new script has been issued and CM's were told not to deviate from the new script.

This is due to the fact that a couple of the CM's have been making inappropriate comments and complaints have been registered with Guest Relations.

ok I'm a former Jungle skipper.

1. You were never supposed to ad lib jokes.

2. Chief, was named Namee. Have no idea what they would change it to.

3. There never was a script in the temple.

4. "pair docks" was never a script joke.

So there's really only 1 change. A new name for the chief.
Not really that big of change. If anything it sounds like they are enforcing the rules.

 

[kmk1180]

And the re-rideability goes to near zero. Note to Disney managers: the audio-animatronics along the cruise are now archaic--the skippers ARE the attraction. Ad-libs and all.

see my previous post.
no real changes so nothing to complain about.

 

[KidDurango]

I have to agree with the kmk1180. As a former skipper, there is no change here. As a skipper, you have never been "allowed" to ad-lib any jokes. There was always a script that contained a couple jokes to choose from for each scene. You were never supposed to talk inside the temple (it tends to echo back and ruin the show for the boat behind you.)
This type of crackdown comes around about every 5 or 6 years. They come down hard on getting skippers back on script. After a little while they turn there backs on a little more deviation, though it is never allowed, and a skipper could always get in trouble for it. Over time though, as is want to happen in a place with the type of people that like working something like the Jungle Cruise, Skippers get more and more creative, and keep trying to top each other and come up with new gags. While some of those may be good, many become increasingly inappropriate, and it gets to the point where everything has to be dialed back again.
As for the Chief's name, it is currently Namee, But that name actually comes from a previous crackdown. Prior to around 1989/ 90 he was known as Trader Sam. They went through a crackdown and retraining of all the skippers on the script. As part of that plan, and in the hopes of getting the Skippers to buy into it, they held a contest to rename Trader Sam. The skippers weren't going to take that though, and no one felt he needed a new name, He was Trader Sam. The skippers made a pact, and no one entered any names into the contest. Instead, they just read the temporary script as it was written, including the space where they had a blank line and (name) written on it where the new name would go. So Chief (name) became his new name.

 

[disney1990]

He was Trader Sam. The skippers made a pact, and no one entered any names into the contest. Instead, they just read the temporary script as it was written, including the space where they had a blank line and (name) written on it where the new name would go. So Chief (name) became his new name.

That is hilarious.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

I think one of my favorite lines was right before going into the temple when the skippers say "Oh a cave! Maybe it leads to a gift shop, we are in Disney World you know" Hah.
Next time I go on the Jungle Cruise I'm not as worried about the script as I am getting squirt by the elephant on the left hand side. The skipper last time wasn't paying enough attention and went too fast through that part of the river and about six people got nailed with the water. I was sitting on the other side of the boat and was soacked for a couple of hours. So yeah, I'm fine with the script either way as long as they are going the right speed!

 

[JoShan1719]

"...inspires you to go..." is going? Too bad, I kinda liked that one. I never had any inappropriate jokes made when I went on, but that doesn't mean there weren't any. We'll see how big the changes really are, I guess.

 

[Golf4food]

All I know is the funniest ride we ever went on was in September late on a Sunday night during a 1 am EMH night (Labor Day weekend) and we rode around 11:30 p.m. and got Skipper Scott. Right from the get go at boarding he was cracking jokes with the dock hands, passengers, etc. Didn't stop from there. He used lines we've never heard and I've ridden the JC at least 50 times or more over the years. He had us crying we were laughing so hard. Never laughed so hard on a JC ride and we've had some good skippers in the past. Jonas Brothers jokes, Britney Spears jokes, LOST jokes, baby hippo joke, Willy Wonka boat song during the cave scene, horror movie sounds in the cave (ch-ch-ch-ch, ka-ka-ka-ka), etc. It was a riot. One of our best and funniest experiences on any ride or anywhere on WDW property ever. If that is a crime, then shame on Disney management - THAT should be what it is all about. Nothing more magical than something we can still laugh about today and will likely always laugh about.

Keeping it clean? Absolutely. Not letting the skippers have a little fun with what is otherwise quite frankly a stale attaction? No way.

 

[skipperjohn]

i thought i would clear up some confusion of the new spiel changes:

1. Yes "inspires you to go" is no longer in the OG (script), lots of skippers are quite upset about this, personally i dont really care, no one laughs at it anyway.

2. We are only allowed to use the jokes in the new spiel and not allowed to deviate....this has always been true at the jungle cruise, but the skippers deviate anyway, so nothing will really change here

3. The new spiel contains many jokes from the Disneyland jungle cruise making the sleeping zebra joke, ginger snaps, among many others approved and in the OG now. This is great news for skippers making many of ours spiels almost entirely OG. (this includes the awesome pebbles joke at the lost safari WIN)

4. Chief Namee, is now referred to Trader Sam (like in disneyland), but we are allowed to call him either name, from what i understand from my trainer management isnt going to crack down on his name, as long as we dont call him Mary Poppins anymore.

5. We have REQUIRED safety spiels at load and unload now, this is a good change, saves us from lawsuits and liabilities if someone's kid fall in the water or someone loses a thumb when we attach the rope to the ropeboat (yes that happened)

6. The spiel and approved variations script is much much much longer than our old spiel. This is excellent because we have much much much more leeway in making a unique cruise while avoiding getting getting in trouble with management.

7. Spieling in the temple has never been allowed ever. Skippers do it anyway, including me. But there is a spot in the temple where managers can easily hide, so when we do it, we are doing it at our own risk to entertain you the guest.

but honestly when it comes down to it, most skippers arent going to change, they will adjust for when a manager rides their boat, but all in all your favorite jokes that arent in the approved spiel (plasticus mechanicus, britney spears, plastic snake, worlds tallest cheetah etc.) will still be in many of the skippers spiels.

skippers dont like change, they will fight almost any change that comes to the jungle because generally they are bad changes....but they dont really understand how much of a blessing this new spiel will be. this is a step in a good direction for AD/LIB management. The new spiel goes in to effect in mid-November. so those of you who are afraid of losing your favorite jokes, go ride the jungle crusie asap, but let me tell you you really have nothing to worry about.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Skipperjohn, your information (& insight) is greatly appreciated!

BobK/Orlando

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've been on the DIS for a while now and this is the FIFTH time I've seen this. Each time with a CM in the meeting where the new "rules" came down.

Each time everyone gets up in arms and complains that without the ad libs they won't ride the attraction anymore.

What happens? Well historically, each time, the skippers keep doing ad libs, and really nothing changes.

The way I read this - its a new script ... and that's it.

Ad libs were never "allowed" and therefore if you deviate from the script, it had better be squeaky clean with no chance to offend. And Mickey forbid, if you did tell one that offended or could be construed as offensive, you could always find yourself sweeping Main Street AFTER the guests have left for the day or scrubbing crap off the side of the boats. Sounds like this is still the case.

Nothing new here at all in my book.

*** Posted before reading SkipperJohn's comments that pretty much summarize my own.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'm glad they're changing Namee's name back to Trader Sam.

Since I was a kid "ginger snaps" has always been in the script.

I've only ever had 1 skipper that did the correct pause in "it inspires you to go........ deeper ect." They've always just said "it inspires you to go deeper into... So not big loss there.