Jungle Cruise-Go,Stay,Change?

[1000th happy haunt]

Jungle Cruise in Disneyland recently went through a refurb. The original attraction is still there, but they've added a few enhancements. It made it a fresh and new experience.

 

[luv2nascar]

I don't get the long lines for this ride. It is soooo boring to me. Cheesy to boot. Change it at the very least.

 

[tomerin]

Not everything has to be super high tech, you know ! Yeah sure, the jokes are corny, but that's what I love about it.

couldnt agree with this statement more.

there is enough space available in WDW to expand instead of getting rid of the old wdw classics.

kids enjoy the simplicity of the ride. my teens even got a kick out of the cornyness of this ride. i just enjoy all that is WDW

 

[bytheblood]

My thoughts........The Jungle Snooze could use some serious renovations. It has become so cheesy. Six Flags-like. I really think that they need to modernize it a bit, without killing the "original" appeal. I do not mind the attraction personally, but the animatronics could use some help.

 

[bytheblood]

I can never figure out why people want to destroy time classic park rides. If you're not happy with the rides, go some place else................ cut...................Screaming rollercoasters are for the teenagers....cut...........informative and well represented.....cut..................

Well - you know what they say about opinons...................

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

Keep! If you've never been on JC at night, I definitely recommend it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We finally did the Jungle Cruise this week after several trips that we did not go on the JC. It was a blast and Bwana Bill was great. Our son got to pilot the boat through the tunnel for Bwana Bill.

 

[chrome64]

I wasn't always a big fan of the Jungle Cruise. But, then I started listening to the Inside the Magic Podcast with Ricky and Skipper Ben. Hence the name, Skipper Ben is a former JC skipper. He does a segment on the show each week and tells what life is like for a cast member. He has converted me and last week when we were in the World, we rode the Jungle Cruise and I was laughing the entire time. Sometimes, you just need a new perspective on things and you may find that something that you once hated is now your favorite ride!

If anything maybe the animatronics need an overhaul but, I think that it is important to keep at least some of Walt's original creations.

On the same note, if you haven't seen them before, you simply must go to the Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents. For years I skipped those rides because I thought they were boring. But, now I appriciate them for the wonders that they are. Walt and his team designed and built these things in a day and age when those types of things were suppose to be impossible. Just think what we could accomplish if we all adopted the Blue Sky philosophy!

 

[dixipixi]

I'm all for keeping the Jungle Cruise, but I do think it could be updated a little bit. I've always thought that having the boat go through a whirlpool, or down a couple of small drops (nothing big, definitely not a flume drop or anything) would be nice.

MJM, I thought the idea about adding the Disney animals was a nice one.

I love all the attractions that Walt himself actually had a hand in developing, but we need to remember that he was all for innovation and keeping things moving forward.

Like I said, definitely don't get rid of it....but a little redo couldn't hurt.

BTW, I am the only member of my family that will ride. Everyone else went once and they refuse to go again. I know, I know...they're

 

[sambahat]

OK, I'm going out on a limb here, but I say replace it entirely!

I enjoyed it as a kid and it has a special place in my heart, but I don't think any ride should be beyond replacement. Allow me to explain.

On another thread on this board, there was a discussion about whether WDW would be around in 100 years or not. Most had the opinion that it would indeed be around. This got me to thinking: how would it survive?

Walt succeeded by innovation and taking risks. If WDW (or any of the other parks) stayed intact for that long, would people still enjoy it or as time passes would it seem more and more like a nostalgic amusement park? A thing of the past? It's happened before: Coney Island, the World's Fair, Cypress Gardens, etc. In my humble opinion, next to something drastic like terrorism or natural disaster, this is the largest long-term threat to WDW.

Parents want their children to experience the same magic they had when they were kids. At some point, however, kids will begin to roll their eyes at the corny attractions onto which their parents drag them. Newcomers to WDW will wonder what the fuss is all about for some rides. Rides will become classic... then only the die-hard fans will appreciate them. That's when the danger starts. No new fans. No new magic.

Now don't get me wrong. I do not advocate a whole-sale replacement of old rides simply because they are old. There should be a balance of new and old. However, all attractions experience some sort of life cycle. At some point, they must die and make room for new. Not all at once, but as a part of the long-term life of WDW. It's a "circle of life" thing.

I think Jungle Cruise is one of those attractions whose time has come. Yes, it was a good attraction. It served its purpose well and we will miss it dearly. It is time for it to depart us and join that Theme Park in the Sky. It will be live eternally in our memories along with its brothers 20,000 Leagues and Mr. Toad. Dearly beloved, let us not mourn its passing, rather let us rejoice in the magic and joy it gave us when it was here. May it rest in peace.
A moment of silence please...

 

[lal32]

When we were at Disney World in October it was my first time there in 13 years. I loved the fact that the ride was exactly as I remember it, down to the terrible jokes! I say - Don't change it.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Keep the cruise but please, oh please, can the stupid Tower Of Terror joke as you are loading me onto the boad (in my wheelchair). It's unnecessary and embarassing.

 

[CinderellaPug]

As my wife says, it allows the cast members to infuse their own personality into it to make it fun. She has become a big support of the Jungle Cruise and laughs out loud at the puns. ug:

 

[pinchy]

I can never figure out why people want to destroy time classic park rides. If you're not happy with the rides, go some place else. These are not thrill rides, MK was built by Walt to have a place to go for the family to enjoy. Screaming rollercoasters are for the teenagers, Disneys time classic rides are relaxing, informative and well represented. Refurbish rhem but never scrap them. COP is just about our favorite along with TikI Birds. Hated to see them take apart Country Bear Jamboree.
I've heard complaints over EWP, its old, get rid of it. Its been running forever, its free and still brings goose bumps to us watching it.
Leave the parks alone, up grade or add but never scrap or replace, its would never be the same.

they got rid of the country bear jamboree?? (sorry occasional user here - I'm obviously very behind with news)

I loved the country bear jamboree but I didn't think much of the jungle cruise... it was very clunky... someone mentioned a refurb so perhaps its not clunky anymore. I think the idea is lovely in principal but when I went it was in need of an update.

someone else mentioned the hall of presidents - that place made me feel queasy and angry I'm afraid... I just don't believe in workshipping politicians

 

[disneyfreak74]

KEEP it!!! Way too many memories of my GREAT GRANDmother and my family riding it. Not being quite old enough to understand the jokes but laughing because she did!!! NOW my DS laughs and I'm almost sure that he doesn't have a clue about some of it!!!!!

 

[MomofKatie]

I say keep it as-is.

DD7, however, wants to change it to feature Disney animal characters.

 

[ericafny]

MJM please do not get me started on how upsetting it is to not be able to ride Mr. Toad anymore. I dearly loved that ride. It did make it more bearable to find the hidden Toad memorbilia in the ride though. Pooh was a nice replacement. I quite enjoy that ride. I absolutely detest Test Track. I know a lot of people like it, but for us country boys and girls who've lived out on rural roads trust me it is nothing special. Test track can't touch the pot holes that I've put my car over! HA!!

I agree with you about Mr. Toad's Wild Ride...I remember loving that ride from the first time I ever went to WDW...However, I can't understand how you don't LOVE Test Track! Living in NY we drive over ALOT of potholes around here too....Give it one more try....It truly is an AWESOME ride!!!

 

[dgaston]

For Pinchy: In DISNEYLAND, Country Bears Jamboree was torn down to make room for an outdoor Winnie the Pooh ride. It's part of Critter Country, but many DL fans aren't sure about the value of the trade. At least they didn't fill up their 20,000 Leagues space with a playground.

 

[Msslaydbug]

It isn't my favorite ride in the whole part , but I love that it is a classic and they have kept it around for this long !

 

[DisneyCP2002]

This ride is a classic and should never be replaced. Now I'm all for updating it but replacing it, never.