Disneyland Reopens Jungle Cruise Ride in July With A Refreshed Look
Disney Parks Blog has announced that the Jungle Cruise ride will reopen on July 16 at Disneyland. The boat ride has undergone a massive renovation to remove outdated cultural depictions and it has added a woman of color to the attraction.
Disney chairman Bob Iger said the changes to the Jungle Cruise demonstrate the company’s commitment to reflect the, “values and rich diversity of our world,” in its theme park attractions.
Iger tweeted, “The exciting changes we’re making to one of Disney’s most popular classic attractions, Jungle Cruise, reflect our commitment to creating unparalleled experiences that reflect, not only the best in storytelling, but also the values and rich diversity of our world.”
Disneyland to reopen Jungle Cruise
Disneyland reopened April 30 following a yearlong coronavirus closure but the Jungle Cruise remained shuttered.
At Disneyland and at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, gone are Jungle Cruise scenes of shrunken head dealer Trader Sam, a rhino chasing a safari group up a tree and additional, “negative depictions of native people.” Trader Sam is still there in name however as he is no longer a headhunter and instead is now running Trader Sam’s Gift Shop.
More wildlife will be added to the attraction along with a new plot about a Jungle Cruise captain whose journey goes awry.
According to a Disney spokesperson, “The skippers of the Jungle Cruise bring irreverent humor to guests of all ages, and we’re excited to be adding to that legacy — along with a new animated skipper figure — by celebrating their adventures and influence.”
Jungle Cruise Reopens in July
Concept art reveals that the ride now shows a culturally diverse group of boat passengers stuck in a tree while five chimps take over a half-sunken boat. One chimp sits on the roof of the boat while another has taken over the captain’s microphone.
A woman of color is the central character of the new Jungle Cruise rides. Her name is Alberta Falls and she is described as a free spirit descended from world explorers from India and England.
The Jungle Cruise captain is named Felix Pechman XIII. His last name reportedly means, “bad luck man,” in several languages.
Disneyland Renovated the Jungle Cruise Ride
Imagineering creative development and inclusion strategies executive Carmen Smith said in a statement: “As Imagineers, it is our responsibility to ensure experiences we create and stories we share reflect the voices and perspectives of the world around us. With Jungle Cruise, we’re bringing to life more of what people love — the humor and wit of our incredible skippers, while making needed updates.”
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Photos credit: Disney