Jungle Cruise aka Improv Comedy?!

[tentaguasu]

We did the Jungle Cruise late night at MK last week.

Nightime was definitely the time to do it! Pretty neat at night.

Anyway, our "capitan" was out of his mind. It wasn't just a few jokes, but a complete wacked out improv comedy routing the whole way. Lots of jokes, some slightly off color, lots of sarcasm, etc. Shooting off the gun at inappropriate times. Telling the kids on board to stay in school or they'd end up being a guide on the jungle cruise attraction!

I found it hilarious, one woman seemed a bit put off by it.

I'm wondering - is this all planned? Or is this guy just nuts? Or does Disney tell them to liven up an old attraction as they see fit?

I can see Disney livening things up with a bit of comedy, but this seemed a little much for squeeky clean Disney...

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Pretty sure this is their normal "schpiel" (pretty sure I slaughtered the spelling of that one, if it is even a real word). I've heard many of the same lines every time I go on Jungle Cruise. For the lady that was slightly put off by it....I would tell her to lighten up, she's on vacation!

 

[mirthmaiden]

I think this is one of those situations where if it was the first time I was riding, I wouldn't know quite how to react. But after riding the JC a bazillion times, you welcome the jokes and change of pace. I probably would've thought it was funny, but I can see where somebody from another country (different culture) wouldn't get it.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We had one in Oct late night close to last ride. Well he road me like crazy every thing out of his mouth was directed at me or about me.

It all started because he asked DD if she wanted to steer the boat . I was joking and said she couldn't because she never took a boaters saftey course.

Well DD got to steer the boat and everyone else got a big kick out of it.Half way through it I started to record it on my cell to play back to DW it was that good. I deleted off thinking it was where the car was parked the next day.

This was one of our best boat rides ever and we always hit JC 2 to 4 when in the MK.

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

When I was there in Oct. we had one that was the same way. Ours ways during the day.

 

[tentaguasu]

Interesting - so it's not uncommon but on the other hand it's also not "canned" correct? These guys are sort of making it up on the fly?!

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Probably some of it is played off of guest reactions, but I have heard the line about staying in school or else they could wind up being a guide on the jungle cruise attraction pretty much every time (sometimes it works, more so with male guides, sometimes it doesn't). For whatever reason I always think the ride is better with a male guide, for whatever reason it just seems funnier, and they seem to get into it more, and grab the guests attention more.

 

[tentaguasu]

I think this is pretty interesting. Jungle Cruise is known as a "classic" must-ride, but it's also been panned as being out of touch and old and sort of cheesy. Solution? Instead of revamping it or dumping it, you just play up the cheesey factor and make it a funny, irreverant ride.

Sort of a revamp on the cheap.

 

[silverarrowknits]

From what I understand, there is a "list" of approved jokes/spiels and the skippers get to pick and choose what they want.

The JC can definitely rub people the wrong way, but that is why I like it. It is so very different from most of the other rides in the MK.

 

[shelemm]

The Jungle Cruise is very much a scripted ride. Those jokes are not just made up on the fly. The beauty of it is the talent of the captain to make it seem as if he or she is telling those jokes for the first time.

Not to say, though, that the talk is the same every time. They are free to drop jokes and adapt according to the moment. But the jokes are approved in advance.

The script is even on the internet. I forget the link, but I bet you could find it by doing a search on this board.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I have a friend who is a JC captain. He is certifiable.

There is a script. Let's just say the cm's do invoke a little poetic license sometimes

 

[MichelleVW]

Probably some of it is played off of guest reactions, but I have heard the line about staying in school or else they could wind up being a guide on the jungle cruise attraction pretty much every time (sometimes it works, more so with male guides, sometimes it doesn't). For whatever reason I always think the ride is better with a male guide, for whatever reason it just seems funnier, and they seem to get into it more, and grab the guests attention more.

Nah...the funniest guide I ever had was a girl....omg she had us rolling!!! My best friend would be perfect for the job too...She is so funny and every time we go on that ride my kids look at me and say, "This job would be perfect for Melinda!!"

 

[TiggerStac]

We had a female guide last week and she's probably the best one that I can remember!!

 

[ransom]

The script is even on the internet. I forget the link, but I bet you could find it by doing a search on this board.

Here's one: http://members.aol.com/diziago/jungle.html

 

[cmwade77]

I found the later it gets the more poetic license they take. Also depends on how many people are on the boat and who the lead is that day.

 

[mdfdisney]

My family was on the JC one time when the ride was halted for about 5 to 8 minutes just short of the dock due to some unknown problem. The captain ran off a steady stream of one liners and short jokes the entire time we were waiting. Some were corny, but most were very funny. He even asked some of the kids if they had a favorite joke and let them tell it over the PA system.

And my middle daughter got to "drive" the boat on that ride so overall it was a very magical moment.