Jungle Cruise Skippers disarmed?

[RichP1269]

Friend of mine just got back from Disneyland last week and told me that the Skippers on the JC didn't have their guns to shoot the hippos while he was there.

Did they disarm the Skippers?

 

[Pinup Mommy]

Friend of mine just got back from Disneyland last week and told me that the Skippers on the JC didn't have their guns to shoot the hippos while he was there. Did they disarm the Skippers?

We visited and rode the JC last weekend, 1/25 and our skipper had his gun, it actually really worked well too.

 

[figment_jii]

They had the guns as well in December, but I sometimes the use of seems to be at the discretion of the skipper. I think it all depends on which jokes the skipper wants to use. Some use the gun, some opt to yell at the hippos, some opt to pretend they have a gun, etc.

 

[Eosphotog]

Guns were firing away today. Those hippos never learn.

 

[Gisele]

Guns were firing away today. Those hippos never learn.

Actually, the skips have an arrangement with the hippos. And it's all in the name for entertaining the touristas. It use to be quite different, not nearly as popular either, where a skip would pretend to throw one of the passengers overboard. Normally that action was met with much horror, as well as more than just a few complaints. It was not a big deal though, because the complaint department was and still is headed by that lovable cannibal with a heart, the one and only, Trader Sam.

 

[mom2kandj]

They don't shoot the hippo...they're just supposed to scare the hippo. All skippers must have a gun as it would be used a a signal if their boat died or derailed. If you ever hear 6 shots instead of the standard 2, that means a boat is not moving. That being said, sometimes the gun doesn't fit the joke...

 

[Escape2Disney]

Sometimes they don't shoot because of a passenger. When I take my service dog on the boat, they ask me if it'd startle him. Since it will, they change the joke slightly and yell "bang! bang!" at the hippo instead. They will also ask if someone has a visible intellectual disability.

 

[whoever]

I expect them to be used less and less until they are removed entirely... CA and guns don't agree.

 

[Gisele]

I expect them to be used less and less until they are removed entirely... CA and guns don't agree.

That's a joke, right?

 

[Gisele]

They will also ask if someone has a visible intellectual disability.

What does that mean exactly? And if it is visible, then why the need to ask?
No, really.

 

[DharmaLou]

The gun is the main reason I don't go on that ride, because I have a huge phobia of loud, sudden noises. I've learned to survive the fireworks, but I get panic attacks when I know that something like that is going to happen.

I'm also anti-gun and really, I'm sure there are other methods they could use to alert that there are boat problems - air horn?

 

[Escape2Disney]

What does that mean exactly? And if it is visible, then why the need to ask?
No, really.

An example would be Down's Syndrome. There are physical signs of the disease. Not everyone who has Down's is sound sensitive, but some are. I've seen skippers ask the parents of Down's children about the gun.

 

[RichP1269]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[AlliGirl]

Whether or not to use the gun is entirely at the discretion of the skipper. The intention of shooting the gun is non violent, simply to scare the hippos way (shooting up and into the air). Every gun on every boat is different. On one boat, firing the gun would occasionally dismantle the sound system temporarily. Some guns misfire (sound effect is delayed or non existent). Because of the inconsistencies, it's often easier to forgo shooting the gun.

 

[Californiacicle]

The gun is the main reason I don't go on that ride, because I have a huge phobia of loud, sudden noises. I've learned to survive the fireworks, but I get panic attacks when I know that something like that is going to happen.

I'm also anti-gun and really, I'm sure there are other methods they could use to alert that there are boat problems - air horn?

Yeah, I forgot about the gun part and I'm none too pleased about it. My son doesn't even know what guns are. Guess he'll learn on our trip.

 

[lochcarron]

Apparently someone complained from P.E.T.A. about Disneyland's lack of respect for hippos!

 

[bcla]

Whether or not to use the gun is entirely at the discretion of the skipper. The intention of shooting the gun is non violent, simply to scare the hippos way (shooting up and into the air). Every gun on every boat is different. On one boat, firing the gun would occasionally dismantle the sound system temporarily. Some guns misfire (sound effect is delayed or non existent). Because of the inconsistencies, it's often easier to forgo shooting the gun.

Those are real weapons and not mere replicas. I heard they were Smith & Wesson revolvers that were modified to only take a certain type of blank.

Once I was there and sat close to the guide. Darn near made me deaf as a result. I think over the years they've toned it down by using less explosive. I'm sure they used to use more powerful blanks that could seriously injure if placed against the head (i.e. Jon-Erik Hexum - look up the name).

 

[Malcon10t]

An example would be Down's Syndrome. There are physical signs of the disease. Not everyone who has Down's is sound sensitive, but some are. I've seen skippers ask the parents of Down's children about the gun.

they ask us each trip with he service dog. Dog is used do sudden noises.

 

[whoever]

That's a joke, right?

No, why do you ask?

 

[heybets30]

We rode JC 4 times last week ... All 4 boats had the gin, but it only "clicked", not the bang I know it used to do. All 4 incorporated a joke about misfirings. This was during fantasmic, not sure if that had anything to do with it. No wait during fantasmic, btw- walk-on each time we went!!!