Explain Jungle Cruise's Popularity to Me

[DisSurfer878]

Okay fully disclaimer: I have never been to WDW, though I have planned THREE trips so far lol. Hoping this one sticks, trying to lock it down!

But in playing with the app, Jungle Cruise at MK always has insane lines. Like, 70-90 minutes. In Disneyland CA (which I've visited 100 times) I've never seen it past 60 unless it was like NYE. And most frequently it sits between 35 and 45 min.

Is Jungle Cruise at MK some life changing experience? Because... look, I LIKE Jungle Cruise. It's super cute and fun. But like, I wouldn't wait 2 hours for it. Help me understand here folks.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Loading and unloading the boats is a slow process. Thus, the longish waits.

Loved this ride as a small child. Not as much as an adult. But I will say, as an adult, its a ride that is much more interesting at night than daytime

 

[fairestoneofall]

It is a must-do for our family. I would recommend going in the evenings. We had about a 20-minute wait last Friday night around 7:30 pm (9 pm park close).

 

[popy]

Nostalgia they say, and it’s been around since the get go. If that anything to you, but for me it is not worth a dime, or a no min wait.
if you ever road it, it never changes, but that is the way with most everything now days at Disney. I road it in Disney land over 50 years ago ,same old song, same ole dance,Nostalgia don’t you know?

 

[kydisneyfans]

It's a ride the entire family can do. Some can't do coasters, spinning rides, everyone can do this. It does load slowly though, thus the wait.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It gets a boost every year with the holiday overlay, and it got another when the movie came out, and possibly some want to see the changes that were recently made to the ride.

It's also a low capacity ride (the boats are pretty big but they don't hold a huge number of guests, plus it takes time to load and unolad them, so it won't move as quickly as a continuous loader) and nobody wants to wait forever for it.

 

[CindysMice]

It’s just a classic. My teenage niece has it on the top of her must do list for our trip. I asked her why and she said she sees it a lot on social media and it’s really cool right now… so I think for the moment it’s especially trendy.

 

[DisSurfer878]

It is a must-do for our family. I would recommend going in the evenings. We had about a 20-minute wait last Friday night around 7:30 pm (9 pm park close).

Is it really a better ride after dark? I haven't ridden Jungle Cruise in Dland after dark on a long time to remember haha

 

[holden]

For me, it's nostalgic. I used to love it as a little kid, so we usually try to hit it.

 

[scrappinginontario]

As others have said, it's a classic. We ride it once per trip.

 

[DisSurfer878]

It gets a boost every year with the holiday overlay, and it got another when the movie came out, and possibly some want to see the changes that were recently made to the ride.

It's also a low capacity ride (the boats are pretty big but they don't hold a huge number of guests, plus it takes time to load and unolad them, so it won't move as quickly as a continuous loader) and nobody wants to wait forever for it.

I will say the one or two years they brought Jingle Cruise out west I LOVED it. Really bummed it didn't stick

 

[Disney.Dreamin.Dee]

It had a small cult following (of which I've always been a part).
Then they made a movie with The Rock last year and suddenly everyone wanted to ride it.
That's pretty much it.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

Is it really a better ride after dark? I haven't ridden Jungle Cruise in Dland after dark on a long time to remember haha

I prefer the atmosphere at night, and depending on the skipper you sometimes get more “adult” oriented jokes at night (still kid friendly of course) or at least some different jokes than the usual.

 

[DisSurfer878]

It had a small cult following (of which I've always been a part).
Then they made a movie with The Rock last year and suddenly everyone wanted to ride it.
That's pretty much it.

I did love that movie lol

 

[ars0525]

It's nostalgic. They have re-done some scenes & the script. A movie recently came out. All ages can ride it. The jokes are corny & yes depending on the Skipper/boat group can be quite hilarious. It's also one of the 1st rides you come to if entering from the Hub so most people just follow along that path & go "oh look a ride get in line".

I think some people don't get the humor or think it's something much more serious based on their reactions during the ride. Truthfully it's only in my adult years have I found it funny & something I try to do unless the line is crazy long (30 minutes is probably my limit). As a kid/teen it was an ehhhh ride for me.

 

[Brocktoon]

It's all about how well the skipper plays it ... think of it as a corny interactive live comedy show. One of the best scenes where the recent movie 'nailed it' involved the groaning tourists

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Agree - nostalgia and the recent movie release! And we ride to see if perhaps a captain comes up with some really stupid pun we have not yet heard in 30 years!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Same reason Peter Pan has similar waits.

 

[chris benton]

Nostalgia.
The theming for kids.
The corny, corny, CORNY jokes.
The slow ride.
The immersion for kids.

I wouldn't wait an hour for ANY ride, 2 hours wouldn't even cross my mind. I'd laugh. JC I'd maybe wait 30 minutes for, if I had to go with a kid who had never been on it.

 

[SteveH]

Some nostaglia as I remember riding it at Disneyland, when I was at Tokyo Disneyland we didn't understand a thing the Skipper said, but his antics were just as fun. Our kids loved it at both Disney World and Disneyland so for it we always start with it or ride it early on when we first arrive. Knowing Walt had his hand in on it is a big deal too. Corny or not I still laugh at the jokes and look forward to the ride.