Jungle Book Cruise?

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Anybody else think that The Jungle Cruise might be fun if it incorporated the characters from The Jungle Book in its narrative and animatronics?

The animals in there are a little stale, and while I love the concept of the ride, it just feels dated and nobody ever wants to go on it with me anymore.

The one way to spice it up a bit is to ride at night - but I think considering they're promoting the 40th Anniversary DVD of The Jungle Book movie, it would have been a nice way to bring more classic characters back into that section of the park.

Side note: If it became a really popular attraction, maybe Disneyland Paris would finally get a Jungle Cruise. It was not deemed important enough to open with that park. Then Hong Kong Disneyland came along, and they chose a Jungle Cruise within Adventureland over Rivers of America and adding Frontierland, for a variety of reasons. But in HKDL the Jungle River Cruise is supposed to take the ride up a notch, since it's sort of making up for no Splash Mtn, Thunder Mtn etc.

I'm not even opposed to changing the boats to something that works better for The Jungle Boat movie, if it's more than a temporary overlay. The only thing I'm attached to is the foliage and the waterways, I would be sad if the area was cleared to make room for a roller coaster and more shops, for example. But I'm not too nostalgic about the 'show' although I know many of you will be shocked and defensive of the attraction the way it is.

Unless the skippers can have the freedom to spiel, there's nothing left to make up for the cheesy still or only-slightly-moving AAs and the slow pace of the ride.

[AwesomeMan33]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

the ride was based on the African Queen and not Jungle Book

[CUatDL]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

Oh, I hope not! The Jungle Cruise as-is, is a classic, one of the few remaining at Disneyland. I hope they don't cartoon it up.

[email protected]

Andy

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

To put it short and sweet ... NO.

[Michael_Lee]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

IMO this idea is truly the first sign of "DANGER"

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

there's nothing left to make up for the cheesy still or only-slightly-moving AAs and the slow pace of the ride.

For cryin' out loud, why can't we have a few "slow-paced" attractions? Why must every attraction move at Mach 2, with laser beams and surround-sound? And why must we continue to think that re-theming a quasi-realistic interpretation of the world's jungle rivers into something utilizing cartoons (again) is a good thing? Have we not learned our lessons with the Treehouse or the Submarines?

Please. If you want something more "fast-paced," there are plenty of amusement parks that cater to the MTV-warped/speed freak/ADD crowd.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

Thanks Steve, you are absolutely right.

When we are at WDW, I LOVE the swiss family tree-house. It's just fun to explore, it doesn't really have to tell "A Story" with statues. The tree IS the story.

Nemo. I've said it many times but a ride based on a cartoon really shouldn't be any more than 5 minutes long. I honestly found myself bored on the Subs. After the initial joy of "I'm on the subs, I'm on the subs" wore off, I realized I was basically watching an underwater cartoon.

For all the reasons that Nemo in EPCOT works (pacing, effects, length of the ride), NEMO w/ the subs fails.

[Coheteboy]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

Anybody else think that The Jungle Cruise might be fun if it incorporated the characters from The Jungle Book in its narrative and animatronics?

The animals in there are a little stale, and while I love the concept of the ride, it just feels dated and nobody ever wants to go on it with me anymore.

The one way to spice it up a bit is to ride at night - but I think considering they're promoting the 40th Anniversary DVD of The Jungle Book movie, it would have been a nice way to bring more classic characters back into that section of the park.

Side note: If it became a really popular attraction, maybe Disneyland Paris would finally get a Jungle Cruise. It was not deemed important enough to open with that park. Then Hong Kong Disneyland came along, and they chose a Jungle Cruise within Adventureland over Rivers of America and adding Frontierland, for a variety of reasons. But in HKDL the Jungle River Cruise is supposed to take the ride up a notch, since it's sort of making up for no Splash Mtn, Thunder Mtn etc.

I'm not even opposed to changing the boats to something that works better for The Jungle Boat movie, if it's more than a temporary overlay. The only thing I'm attached to is the foliage and the waterways, I would be sad if the area was cleared to make room for a roller coaster and more shops, for example. But I'm not too nostalgic about the 'show' although I know many of you will be shocked and defensive of the attraction the way it is.

Unless the skippers can have the freedom to spiel, there's nothing left to make up for the cheesy still or only-slightly-moving AAs and the slow pace of the ride.

I say no to this idea of updating a classic, but YES to the idea of adding a water dark ride in Animal Kingdom using the Jungle Book characters. Put it in their Asia land. It'd be great.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

the MTV-warped/speed freak/ADD crowd.

Excuse me? You have a way with words - especially when trying to be offensive.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

IMO this idea is truly the first sign of "DANGER"

The danger is letting the Jungle Cruise stagnate, even Mr. Disney wanted it "plussed up" from time to time to keep it fresh. Even back in the 60s people were beginning to have a "been there, done that" attitude towards the attraction.

It's seen better days. I would also be happy with new AA animals that moved around more, maybe even appearing to walk or move from one spot to another. This is definitely not cutting edge animatronics displayed here. They're probably the crudest, technologically speaking, of any Disney attraction featuring AAs.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

Excuse me? You have a way with words - especially when trying to be offensive.

I don't think it was meant as a personal attack on you. he's just trying to point out that if you want high speed thrills then Disneyland probably isn't the best place to go and find them.

[MasterGracey]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

For cryin' out loud, why can't we have a few "slow-paced" attractions? Why must every attraction move at Mach 2, with laser beams and surround-sound? And why must we continue to think that re-theming a quasi-realistic interpretation of the world's jungle rivers into something utilizing cartoons (again) is a good thing? Have we not learned our lessons with the Treehouse or the Submarines?

I agree.

The danger is letting the Jungle Cruise stagnate, even Mr. Disney wanted it "plussed up" from time to time to keep it fresh. Even back in the 60s people were beginning to have a "been there, done that" attitude towards the attraction.

It's seen better days. I would also be happy with new AA animals that moved around more, maybe even appearing to walk or move from one spot to another. This is definitely not cutting edge animatronics displayed here. They're probably the crudest, technologically speaking, of any Disney attraction featuring AAs.

If the Jungle Cruise is growing stagnant, it doesn't need to be updated with cartoons, especially with 40-year-old cartoons.

Also, the Jungle Cruise just got updated for the 50th Anniversary. I don't think there is anything "stagnant" about the attraction except for the skipper spiel.

[Junthor]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

I have a feeling it will be updated anyway when they finish the Jungle Cruise movie....

[AwesomeMan33]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

I have a feeling it will be updated anyway when they finish the Jungle Cruise movie....

thats IF it ever gets finished.

[MasterGracey]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

I have a feeling it will be updated anyway when they finish the Jungle Cruise movie....

Considering the Jungle Cruise film is reportedly set in present-day, I don't see the film doing particularly well, and if the film tanks, we won't see any attraction updates.

The Jungle Cruise attraction is set in, what, the 1930s? The film should similarly be a period film, like Pirates is. Setting attraction films in the present-day, when the source material is NOT in the present-day, is what eventually leads to their demise (see: Country Bears, Haunted Mansion).

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

Considering the Jungle Cruise film is reportedly set in present-day, I don't see the film doing particularly well, and if the film tanks, we won't see any attraction updates.

The Jungle Cruise attraction is set in, what, the 1930s? The film should similarly be a period film, like Pirates is. Setting attraction films in the present-day, when the source material is NOT in the present-day, is what eventually leads to their demise (see: Country Bears, Haunted Mansion).

I agree, the movie sounds like it's off to a rocky start. Sounds more "Eddie Murphy Haunted Mansion" than "Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean."

[AwesomeMan33]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

Considering the Jungle Cruise film is reportedly set in present-day, I don't see the film doing particularly well, and if the film tanks, we won't see any attraction updates.

The Jungle Cruise attraction is set in, what, the 1930s? The film should similarly be a period film, like Pirates is. Setting attraction films in the present-day, when the source material is NOT in the present-day, is what eventually leads to their demise (see: Country Bears, Haunted Mansion).

what part of "loosely based" dont' you understand? They mentioned that like day one



not to mention its said to be set in the 20th century not 21st....so not that present

[MasterGracey]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

If they're going to invest in upgrading them, it might be more entertaining to see the Jungle Book characters and tell one cohesive story with a soundtrack and everything.

Why must every attraction be force-feeding us a story.

Frankly, I'm tired of all of the attractions that force a story upon us. Tony Baxter's Imagineering needs to chill out with their propaganda about all Disney attraction having a story. It's simply untrue and unnecessary.

Can't we just have a WED Imagineering and Marc Davis'-style classic "experience ride" every now and then?

[Dustysage]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

I agree that the Jungle Cruise could use some updating in technology, like they have done with Haunted Mansion. We did get water explosions and piranha for the 50th. I'd like to see more of that kind of thing.

There was also a proposal to have the boats use a motion base (like a water friendly Indy base) which could make it seem that you were entering rapids or being rammed by a hippo, etc. That would have been a nice touch without ruining the spirit of the ride.

I've also thought that they could automate the ride a bit more by having it narrated by an animatronic shrunken head who always delivers the spiel perfectly. Wouldn't require as many cast members and would resolve the problem of bad skippers (and there are quite a few of those out there - especially at Disneyland).

[MasterGracey]

Re: Jungle Book Cruise?

what part of "loosely based" dont' you understand? They mentioned that like day one

Loosely-based doesn't mean they have to completely change time periods. Why do you think Adventureland is so innteresting and evocative? Because it takes us to a different place and time.

Country Bears and Haunted Mansion failed to take movie-goers to a different place and time like their attraction counterparts did. That, and a reliance on "family-friendly" slapstick humor is what led to their box office failures.