Jungle Cruise at MK - got a special tour!

[reedycreek]

While sitting here on the boards reading others posts, it just occurred to me that I forgot to share something about my vacation to Disney last week that I wanted to tell all of you!

We went on Jungle Cruise around 10pm one night (I think it was the Sat in Oct when the park was open to 11pm). It was just us and one other couple. After we left the pier, the CM said, "do you want to typical Jungle Cruise lecture or do you want to just chat?" Well ceasing the opportunity, we chatted throughout the ride. The CM showed us a few hidden mickeys, and a hidden minnie even. I was amazed that the giraffes right at the beginning of the cruise (i think they were giraffes) are disguised to be Donald, Mickey, and Goofy. If you look at their attire, you will see it, its really cool. definitely not noticeable unless you know. **READ MY POST 2 DOWN FROM THIS ONE WITH A CLARIFICATION ON THIS**

The CM also told us that if they shoot the gun more than once per trip, it is grounds to be terminated by Disney. i couldnt believe that.

We also learned that they recently drained the entire Jungle Cruise a few weeks ago after the hurricanes (it was the first time in 4 years). This person said there was so much debris in the water that the filters were getting clogged and the boats couldnt get through. We learned the first boat that went out after IVAN took an hour to go through the entire ride. So they drained it and cleaned it out. Apparently, there a lot, and I mean A LOT, of cell phones, cameras, and pagers at the bottom of Jungle Cruise.

Oh, and if the CM is not paying attention, the elephant which squirts water from its nose will soak people in the boat. The CM has to time it right (they have like 10 sec from the time they hit the sensor to get through the path). If they are not paying attention, the entire boat gets wet. They said it happens a lot.

We got a cool picture of driving the boat too which was pretty unique. Not to mention when we returned to the pier, they let us go around again to chat some more about the ride. If I think of anything else, I will certainly post it.

 

[Stitchfan]

That is sooooo cool!!!! Thanks for posting

 

[foxfire]

Thanks for sharing! I sure hope the CM is on the ball when I'm on the boat. I wouldn't want to get wet when I'm not expecting it.

I'm going to be on the lookout for the disguised Donald, Mickey, & Goofy. Do post more if you think of anything else!

 

[reedycreek]

I messed up, they were not giraffes with donald, mickey, and goofy. Instead, they are carvings on each of the three canoes on Pygmy beach, on the right, and the beginning of the cruise. Each of the carving is a of a somewhat tribal looking head. But if you look at the features of each of the three, they are really donald duck, mickey, and goofy. Its a stretch, but if you really look at, you will see what the CM was talking about.

 

[PratersloveDW]

Thanks for charing. Sounds like you got to learn some cool stuff!! How fun!!! I don't think I actually wanted to know the part about the CM having to time everything just right so that I wouldn't get wet. Now I know I will be so parinoid!!!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

How awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

[zippeedee]

That is so cool. I love falling into those unexpected special treats.
He's right about the timing and soaking guests. One time I was on the Jungle Cruise with my mom, and we were sitting right up front near the CM. He didn't time it right, and realized his mistake just as the elephant started to soak me. He tried to "protect" me, but ended up jumping on top of me and we both got soaked. It was a very friendly moment. We laughed about it all day!

 

[nmudisneyfan]

That is really cool!
My family was lucky enough to get our own private cruise once too! It was just my mom, dad, sister, and I along with the CM- of course!
The CM was so funny and sat down and chatted with us the entire time.
When we were going behind the waterfall, a CM on a different boat infront of the waterfall pretended to be dead (there was no one in his boat). My family and the CM cheered when we saw him! It was very funny.
It was defiantly a very magical cruise.
The Jungle Cruise has become one of my favorite rides, because of this ride.
Oh and did I mention that the CM was kinda cute? He was.