Jungle Cruise Debate - Who is Right?

[HLAuburn]

Well, we just got back from a great trip, but DH and I are having a debate over something. On the Jungle Cruise at MK, do the guides actually steer the boat or are the boats on tracks and the guides just "pretending" to steer? We're seriously arguing over this, and I won't tell you which I think b/c DH says I'll sound stupid, but I think I am right!

Anyone know for sure?

 

[SammieG]

the boats are pulled around. from under the water. (I think they might be on a track via a chain or something, but I could be making that up! But I do know the guides do not steer!

 

[umbluegray]

Interesting question.

I just assumed the boats were on tracks. I figured that the CM is interacting with the passengers so much that they can't really focus on steering the boat, especially since they mostly face the back of the boat instead of the front.

I wonder what the answer is.

P.S. C'mon... you can tell us. Which do you think it is?

 

[AU Tigger]

They are definitely not steering the boat...and it's probably a good thing!

 

[tinkerbell6]

Definitely on tracks of some kind! I remember visiting WDW as a kid (7 or 8 years old) many years ago and being chosen to "drive" the boat. I took it very seriously, of course, even though I now know that my steering skills didn't make any difference at all!

 

[Sammie]

They are on a track, there is some play in the steering just like the cars at the Racetrack at MK, that allows you to steer a little.

 

[AU Tigger]

Just curious...who won?

 

[Caylin]

The boats are on wheels and ride in a trench at the bottom of the river. There's a panel that's got hinges (something like that) that makes the boat rock, therefore providing the illusion of a bobbing boat. There's a car battery that makes the boat go and a control that tells the boat forward or reverse. The only control the skipper has is over whether the boat is going forward or backward. A friend of mine is a former skipper, so I'll take her at her word.

 

[cleo]

The boats are definitely on a track, as noted already. Sometimes you'll get a captain who 'forgets' to drive, but somehow you're always right where you should be. The water is also tinted that muddy color so you can't see the moat and the tracks, making it appear more realistic.

Whoever said 'it's on a track' wins.

 

[HLAuburn]

Just curious...who won?

LOL, well I have to admit, my DH with the Auburn BS and MBA won. Maybe I shouldn't have transferred to UAB after all.

Seriously though, the CM who was "driving" our boat must have really had it down! It really looked like her was steering! He'd spin the wheel really fast on sharp turns and stop it to straighten out... . It looked real to me. But after thinking about it, I realized that's a little dangerous and risky, and it doesn't really make much sense. But it looked real! and isn't that the point, afterall??!!

Now I feel stupid I even asked!

 

[eeyore45]

LOL, well I have to admit, my DH with the Auburn BS and MBA won. Maybe I shouldn't have transferred to UAB after all.

Seriously though, the CM who was "driving" our boat must have really had it down! It really looked like her was steering! He'd spin the wheel really fast on sharp turns and stop it to straighten out... . It looked real to me. But after thinking about it, I realized that's a little dangerous and risky, and it doesn't really make much sense. But it looked real! and isn't that the point, afterall??!!

Now I feel stupid I even asked!

Excuse me, but I believe you just confirmed the whole reason for Disney - the magic - you should write WDW Communications and congratulate your skipper - Your skipper helped you believe in the magic!!

That is not a reason to feel stupid in the least -

for me, that is a reason to go on the Jungle Cruise - I want your Skipper!!

 

[HLAuburn]

Excuse me, but I believe you just confirmed the whole reason for Disney - the magic - you should write WDW Communications and congratulate your skipper - Your skipper helped you believe in the magic!!

That is not a reason to feel stupid in the least -

for me, that is a reason to go on the Jungle Cruise - I want your Skipper!!

Thanks, that was a nice response. Now I don't feel so stupid! I DO believe in teh magic, even if I was wrong LOL

 

[AU Tigger]

Hey!!! War Eagle!! I finally found one!

 

[AU Tigger]

And you TRANSFERRED?? *Gasping incoherently!*

 

[Kirsten77]

The boat is on wheels, that why the water is that color, so you can't see the wheels. We were told by a CM on the keys to the kindgom tour, but you can't tell your kids!

 

[Dznefreek]

The boats are not exactly on a track they have wheels that ride in a trench. They are motor driven by the "Captain" and ride between a pair of guide rails similar to IASW and POTC except that they are just below the surface of the water. The water is tinted so you cannot see the rails

 

[lynninpa]

Well, last year my son was asked to steer the boat while the "captain" "entertained" us. So I must say, the boats are on some sort of "tracks".

 

[makinorlando]

Well, you learn something new every day... I never really thought about it!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

jungle cruise boats may be on a track, however, keep in mind, kilimanjaro safari trucks are NOT

 

[caribear]

I went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour a couple of months ago and they take you behind the scenes of the Jungle Cruise. The boat is in a trench....think of your bathtub, but much narrower. The boat has small wheels that roll along inside this trench. The skipper does control the forward and backward motion.