A Two For One Sale:
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The "Jungle Cruise" ride is a 1955 original attraction in Adventureland. Largely unchanged since opening day the "Jungle Cruise" was , sad to say, not a big hit. Designing the ride was some what of a challenge as the Disneyland Landscaper Bill Evans had to be creative in his landscape design. He up-rooted orange trees from the grove that Disneyland was built on and re-planted them upside down and grew vines on them. He substitute many trees native to California to give the effect of a tropical climate. The water was dyed brown so that the guest could not see the bottom of the shallow canal which varies from 3-8 feet.
Supposedly this is the ride that inspired Walt to start "plussing the show" as he called it. One day he heard a mother tell a child that they did not need to go on that ride since they had already been on it. Walt's main concern was, as always the Guest. In 1955 all that the Jungle Cruise had to offer was a tropical feel ad the Elephant pool created by Marc Davis. So began a somewhat continual renovation of the ride. Today the ride is based on a 1930's era British expedition to the tropical jungles of Africa. The Boat house is designed to resemble a base camp with expedition equipment and even an old friend of Walt's a talking parrot.
Another part of "plussing " the ride that is the most entertaining for kids and adults alike are the jokes and antics of the famed river boat drivers of the Serengeti. Common jokes are:
- Now behold the backside of water!
- Wave goodbye to all the people you'll never see them again.
- Wow it looks like those gorillas finally go that jeep turned over.
- Don't worry Hippos are only dangerous when the wiggle their ears.
- and finally... This is Trader Sam he is having a sale today two of his heads for one of yours.
June 6, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Dave - I've been out of it for a few weeks - we've missed checking here. I'll bring the girls on this weekend so we can catch up on all your fun posts! They LOVE that you've done this for them - thank so much!
June 21, 2008 at 6:55 AM
The girls don't remember the jungle cruise very well - we better make sure we stop this year!
July 6, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Dave - I'm an old Jungle Skipper and love to see anyone posting with enthusiasm for one of Walt's greatest attractions!
Stop by and see me over at "Jungleis101@blogspot.com" if you get a chance! And please scoot all the way forward as you enter---that's how we keep our seats clean and dry here on the Jungle Cruise!
Mike