when did the Jungle Cruise get funny?

[huhwhat]

I am not sure I like the attempt at humor.....seems like the CM's just blah blah blah the entire time......some are full of puns but not very funny... I do not remember this as a child....was this always the intention of this ride?

 

[Granny square]

It has always been a punfest. The dry humor was one of the disney highlights was the jungle guide.

What else are they supposed to do? Pretend the animals are real?

 

[ssleblanc]

I always remember it having corny puns and jokes. The first time I rode it was in the early 80's. The corny jokes is something that stands out in my mind about the ride. I think some CM's are better at the delivery than others. The last time we went, our CM/guide was hilarious.

 

[Albytaps]

When I was a kid I remember it being epic. The guide even shot at the hippo's open mouth!

But, for many years now they've been telling the same jokes in different tones as the CM's are different. Some get into it more than others but most of the lines are the same.

 

[LaurenT]

Love Jungle Cruise. The stupid, corny humor makes the attraction. Without it, it's just a boat ride past a bunch of fake animals...why bother?
Well folks, I hope you all enjoyed your trip around the jungle. I had such a good time--I'm going to go again! [low voice]...and again, and again, (sigh...) and again...Stay in school kids!

 

[grimley1968]

I am not sure I like the attempt at humor.....seems like the CM's just blah blah blah the entire time......some are full of puns but not very funny... I do not remember this as a child....was this always the intention of this ride?

According to a biography I've read (3 times now) of Walt Disney, his original intention was for JC to have live animals and be a much bigger attraction. Obviously, this was pared down greatly and ended up using AA's. I think of Kilimanjaro Safaris as kind of a more realized version of what Disney originally wanted JC to be. I can remember riding this from back in the 70's, and it was pretty pun-filled even then, though maybe not quite as much as now.

 

[jrtoastyman]

In my experience, my enjoyment of the attraction is directly tied to the joke delivery of the captain, because some are definitely better than others and can make me laugh at jokes I know are coming and have heard several times. Eliminate the corny jokes, and there's not a heck of a lot to the ride at all, IMO.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

Ging into the way back machine, I believe in the early 70's Steve Martin was a Jungle Cruise captain. And he also worked in the Magic Shop.

 

[LaurenT]

Here's a great link to a list of JC jokes (Disneyland, but interchangeable for the most part).

http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~yoda/jungle.htm#return

 

[Herfnerd]

Started going to Disney World in the late 70's and I remember JC always being tongue-in-cheek humorous - nothing like today but still pun filled just the same.

Being on of the oldest AA attraction, I'm sure they had to do something to make it interesting.....

 

[minnie mum]

In my experience, my enjoyment of the attraction is directly tied to the joke delivery of the captain, because some are definitely better than others and can make me laugh at jokes I know are coming and have heard several times. Eliminate the corny jokes, and there's not a heck of a lot to the ride at all, IMO.

That's how we feel too. Back in the olden days when we first started going, I believe the captains were allowed a bit more freedom with ad libbing. Now in our ultra PC days they keep a tighter rein, I think. But a great delivery can trump old material just about every time. And I kind of like that I know most of the routine by heart.

 

[lucas]

John Lasseter was also a Jungle Boat skipper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lasseter

 

[lucas]

Interesting Jungle Cruise link!

http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/disneyland/secrets/adventure/Jungle.html

 

[joe1946]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZXehYg-Xnw

 

[MrsDuck]

I love the puns!

 

[gardener14]

At Disneyland, long before The Jungle Cruise existed at The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, I think the ride was meant to be a little more realistic and less humorous. I think the jokes evolved over time. Here's a representation of The Jungle Cruise in 1956, at least from Walt Disney Studios point of view. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUVIk6xS5qY

 

[larryz]

....some are full of puns but not very funny... I do not remember this as a child....was this always the intention of this ride?

Yep... puns and bad jokes, with a dash of innuendo for spice.

At Disneyland, long before The Jungle Cruise existed at The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, I don't think the ride was meant to be more realistic and less humorous. I think the jokes evolved over time. Here's a representation of The Jungle Cruise in 1956, at least from Walt Disney Studios point of view. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUVIk6xS5qY

Couple of mild puns in there, with the obvious intent being not to give away the real narration... but a real blast from the past -- thanks for sharing!

 

[ttintagel]

It totally depends on the skipper you happen to get. I've had some who phoned it in, and some who had me in stitches, even with the same old bits.

I do feel that the official joke book could use some new additions, though. No need to retire the old ones, just give the skips some more variety to choose from.

 

[MareSINY]

Love the JC!! And agree its all in the delivery of the captain. A week ago Sunday night I had a very funny captain. We had a mishap at the end of the ride and I'm still not sure if it was staged. As we got to the dock the capt got on the speaker and said something about the boat won't reverse. The engine was revving us forward. All the CMs rushed over and started tying the boat off to the doc. The capt said this wasn't part of the ride and then made a joke about getting off while we still could. We all left laughing, but I think there really was a malfunction of some sort.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[jrtoastyman]

Love the JC!! And agree its all in the delivery of the captain. A week ago Sunday night I had a very funny captain. We had a mishap at the end of the ride and I'm still not sure if it was staged. As we got to the dock the capt got on the speaker and said something about the boat won't reverse. The engine was revving us forward. All the CMs rushed over and started tying the boat off to the doc. The capt said this wasn't part of the ride and then made a joke about getting off while we still could. We all left laughing, but I think there really was a malfunction of some sort.

Yeah, that's definitely not part of the normal shtick. Bonus!