Earlier this year, Disney announced that the Jungle Cruise at both Disney World and Disneyland would be getting a new storyline involving unique scenes and MUCH more!
Jungle Cruise sign in Magic Kingdom
With these new aspects added to the ride, we’ll get to learn more about those characters from the rhino pole scene, and a skipper character will actually be introduced into the ride. But, today we got more info about this refurbishment and things just got WAY more interesting!
Today, Disney shared that they will be adding “more humor, wildlife and skipper heart to the classic attraction.” Additionally, “as part of a much larger effort, this updated experience will welcome new characters from around the world.”
Concept Art ©Disney
We’ve heard a bit about the skipper character being introduced and some of the backstory of those characters in the pole scene. We’re not sure if this is what Disney is referring to, or if there’s even more in store!
Click here to see what we know about the changes coming to the Jungle Cruise so far!
Disney has also shared that the enhancements coming to this ride will also include new scenes along the river that are all interconnected. Disney says that these new scenes will “heighten [the] skippers’ legendary comedic tone.” Unexpected scenarios all along the ride “will give the jungle and animals the last laugh!”
WOW. What Happened Here?! ©Disney
But, if you’re a Disney fan looking to dive MUCH deeper into the story of the Jungle Cruise (and you love the Society of Explorers and Adventurers) you’re going to LOVE what Disney recently shared. Disney recently said that they’ll also be “expanding the attraction’s backstory, centered around Alberta Falls, granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, as the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.”
It’s Alberta Falls! ©Disney
And, as luck (and we have the feeling, a little magic) would have it… Disney recently “uncovered a copy of an interview with Alberta Falls that was featured in a 1938 issue of The Daily Gnus about her and the World-Famous Jungle Cruise.” In it, Alberta Falls shares more about her story, how she got to Adventureland, and more about Dr. Albert Falls and other unique characters that might form part of this backstory.
Learn More About Alberta Here ©Disney
According to her interview, Alberta spent a summer in Adventureland with her grandparents and fell in love with it, so it turned into the summer that never ended. Alberta also shares how her grandfather, Dr. Albert Falls, was part of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA). She said that she learned a lot from her grandparents as well as the skippers. She then inherited the company following her grandfather’s mysterious disappearance…ooooOOoooo!! Then, a skipper suggested they start offering “Jungle Cruises” to tourists and the rest is history!
©Disney
In the interview, Alberta also shares that she hopes guests take away a sense of the beauty and grandeur of the jungle during their expeditions. But, she also hopes they take away their personal belongings!! Seems like that Lost and Found is getting a bit packed.
©Disney
In the interview, Alberta also talks about her trip to Mystic Point. Does that name sound familiar to anyone? Mystic Point is actually a spot in Hong Kong Disneyland which contains the Mystic Manor attraction featuring another member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers — Lord Henry Mystic! It is so cool to see things interconnecting. Alberta also speaks about other excursions she went on and even other members of SEA, like Dr. Kon Chunosuke.
©Disney
Finally, Alberta discusses what it’s like to keep her grandfather’s legacy alive, and how she’s honored to lead the crew of skippers every day.
©Disney
You can see a full image of the interview below.
©Disney
We absolutely love the depth that is being added to the story of this ride. Disney has said that more details about the Jungle Cruise refurbishment will be shared later this year. At the moment, a date on which the refurbishment will begin has not been set. We will definitely keep an eye out for more details and let you know what we find!
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Little too complex for the average Disney visitor to care about. All the backstory of an attraction should be gleaned from the wait in the queue or during the ride. Should not have to read a book get what is going on. This is overkill. Worse than AK’s Chester and Hestor’ Dono-rama. There’s a lot there, but someone has to explain to you, or you won’t get it.
Woke nonsense. Disney is looking to reduce its appeal to maybe 30% of the population.
A lot of fluff that no one who rides the attraction will care about.
I’m hopeful this will be completed before the 50th anniversary. I’m planning to be there in November & don’t want to miss the Jungle Cruise again!
I hope Disney is going to have merchandise for Society of Adventurers and Explorers. That’d be so cool