Jungle Cruise Question

[cd&kids]

I'm hearing the attraction has been updated. The last time we were there was '96 and we were really disappointed...just seemed outdated.
I will say it was a brutally hot day and the line was awful....so maybe we just had a lousy attitude! But I'm just wondering if it's worth trying again!
Thanks!

 

[Ratpack]

As of last July, I don't recall it being any different.

 

[KristaTX]

I don't know if it's been updated much since '96, but I doubt much has changed. How good it is all depends on how funny your driver is. However, we rode it at night for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and this was fun. It added a little spookiness. Also - we did it not long before the fireworks, so there was no line at all.

 

[Rneighh]

Jungle Cruise is a classic that needs to be enjoyed in that light. We have become a society of high-tech thrill seekers. The simpler things are more subtle and you have to slow down and enjoy them for what they are.

I still enjoy sitting on my front porch drinking lemonade and watching the cows grazing in the pasture.


Renee

 

[dw123]

We were on it just a couple weeks ago, and it was the same as it was 5 years ago. The captain's jokes are the best part. I loved it when I was a kid, but I agree that it now seems outdated.

 

[donna in Oz]

Try riding JC after dark and just before the park closes . . . the "skippers" seem to take a whole different approach.

For example, (and I quote), "Anybody know what kind of snake that is??"

"A plastic snake!!"

Cracked us up . . . . . . . .

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We were there in April, and it seemed the same with the exception that there was no gunshot. I don't know if this was our driver or if it has been taken out. I was disappointed because my mom likes to tell the story about how it scared my brother when he was four. This was my son's first trip, and he is 4. My kids did enjoy it though. We had a FP and waited maybe 2 minutes.

 

[elemusing]

The good news is that you can get a FP and not have to wait in that line this time.

 

[Maude4Disney]

We were on JC in April and thought it was different than the last time we had been on it....almost 5 years ago. But I couldn't tell you what it was exactly that was different. I thought it was better and like some others have said, alot depends on your driver.

 

[kilee]

This is just my opinion, so please don't everyone jump on me..... if you have a significant wait for this ride, I wouldn't do it. If you can fastpass it or the wait is short, then it's an "okay" way to relax for a little bit. This one is just a little to outdated for my taste.

 

[hAm53]

If you want to a new experience on the Jungle Cruise, take it after dark. Its soooooooo much cooler at night. You can still see all of the "animals" even though its dark.

~Chris

 

[FunkyRooster]

The fun part about the ride is if you have a good Captain it makes all the difference. When they really get into it, even the stupid jokes are funny. I loved the comment one made when we were passing the natives that were jumping around by the fire. He said something like "that's what happens when you lose the key to the restroom". I started laughing sooo hard and it still cracks me up for some reason everytime. It was just the way he said it that made the ride. I wouldn't wait too long for that one though because it's just not worth it if it's hot and if there is a line.

 

[Joyciemc]

I agree, the skipper makes the ride. We rode once during the day, and it was just 'okay'. When we tried it at night, we had a great skipper... "Uh oh, a downed plane. That can only mean one thing- hippos!!" My bf and I laughed about that all night.

 

[AngieBelle]

Oh, Jungle Cruise is definately much better at night...so much more atmosphere.

I just got hired in attractions in Adventureland and Liberty Square so there's a chance I could get to work Jungle Cruise!

 

[sarahj]

We were there in April and it didn't seem any different to me. It was our longest wait and I am not sure I would wait again to see it. The driver was funny, but having been to AK the day before and having seen real hippos, elephants, etc, seeing fake ones on JC just didn't do much for me. Never been on it at night, so perhaps that is better! Enjoy!

 

[geffric]

We have been on the JC and had a skipper that was also performing at a local comedy club. He was terrific... anotehr time the skipper was really working with the kids on the cruise and made it fun for them, i.e. they got to help steer the boat and wear his hat.... but then we were ther in end of March and had a skiiper that was very VERY new. We knew the jokes better and DH got so upset with the skiiper that he stood up and did the lines and jokes for us , since the skipper couldn't remember them...

Depends on the skipper but I would never just wait in line FP and go do something usefull with the time.

 

[Disnsyncey]

this is a must do every time we go to MK.....and we go like every 2 weeks!

Its my favorite ride in MK.....I dunno why. It does depend on the skipper to make it good, but I think part of the fun is seeing what kind of skipper you get. I had almost the worst one ever about 3 weeks ago, but the week after, I had an awesome one. Some/Most of the most hilarious jokes hat the skippers say are banned and they could get fired for saying them, so lets hope they don't check too often! But one thing that has changed in the past couple months is that they took the python in the tree out.......there's just a little jet in the area it used to be in.

 

[Safari Steve]

Some things have changed since 1996, but you probably wouldn't notice unless you have a photographic memory.
~The Amazon has been completely re-done. Pre-2001 rehab the canopy was made of an arched pipe structure with artificial plants entwined around it. Now, the canopy is made of real trees, with the giant butterflies now resting on large, more realistic logs and rocks.
~The boats have been replaced. The new boats have quieter engines, better sound systems, and a larger capacity. They are also better themed and sit lower in the river, for a slightly different view.
~Until just recently, guests confined to wheelchairs (who absolutely can not transfer) were not able to ride. Now, thanks to a lift system, they can. (Guests who can transer are asked to transfer due to capacity and operational issues.)
~A lively tarantula now resides near the loading area in the Jungle Cruise queue.
~The skippers no longer carry guns, and do not shoot the hippos (this change occured with the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom, out of concern for sending a consistent message of conservation.)

I agree that it all depends on how good your skipper is.
Some of my favorites:
Whining Wilderness William
Skipper Jeff L.
Skipper Heather C.
Jungle Alvey
Danger Bob
Skipper Walter
Jungle Jim