Do you harbor a secret dream to become a member of the S.E.A. (Society of Explorers and Adventurers)?
If so, then maybe you’d like to do a little exploring with me today as we step back inside the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, the still-new restaurant based on the Jungle Cruise attraction.
We’ve already taken a full tour of of the Canteen, including its three dining rooms: the Crew Mess Hall, the Falls Family Parlor, and a once-hidden meeting room for the S.E.A. But now it’s time to check out a few more of those Disney details! And with many thanks to my friend Daniel Wanderman who recently dined there, we’ve got some more to share…
In order to enter the S.E.A. Room coming from the Mess Hall, you must pass through a hallway.
Bookcases lining the hallway from the Mess Hall
As you pass, you’ll notice the hallway is lined with bookcases.
Hallway Bookcases
These shelves previously disguised the room entrance back in its hidden days, and this is where we’re zooming in to check out some of the books on the shelves.
Because pretty much every book in the photos below has some sort of joke or nod to a Disney Legend or Imagineer, I won’t point out everything. Plus, part of the fun will be exploring them on your own (and if you’d like to do that from the comfort of your own home, just click any of the images below to enlarge)!
But we’ll start by noting that the punny humor of the Jungle Cruise attraction is in full force with a few of the books. The Illustrated Guide to Radio Broadcasting was composed by the Skipper behind the Voice of the Jungle you hear in the Jungle Cruise queue, Albert AWOL. Also on the shelf is Boat Evacuation Procedures by Cap. Size.
Jungle Skipper Canteen Bookshelves
I believe the author of Tiki, Tiki, Tikis of the South Pacific is a nod to Disney Legend and score composer, Buddy Baker. This isn’t the only tribute to Baker in the Magic Kingdom, as you’ll also spot his name on a Main Street U.S.A. window above Harmony Barber Shop.
Again, in this next batch we’re looking at the authors, and among them, J. Lasseter (John Lasseter who is, of course, the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Studios) is listed as the author of Great Characters of World Literature, while Sklar (in tribute to Disney Legend Marty Sklar) is the author of Meeting Royalty.
Jungle Skipper Canteen Bookshelves
And who can forget the classic tome FUZNEWI PDMWH CHF JD U 😉 ? It was written by none other than… Albert the Monkey! This isn’t the last we’ll see of Albert, by the way…
A few acknowledgments of the Skipper Canteen’s Adventureland neighbors populate the next group of books; for instance, Native Orange Birds of the Southeastern United States reminds us of the Orange Bird from Sunshine Tree Terrace. It’s written by Dr. Sid Truss. (I had to say that one out loud to get the joke. How about you?)
Jungle Skipper Canteen Bookshelves
Crooning Flowers isn’t only a tribute to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room attraction, but you’ll also spy Sherman and Sherman as the authors (the brothers behind the signature song “Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” and many other classic Disney songs too numerous to mention, but including “it’s a small world (after all)”. Speaking of Tikis, Prof. Boag — referencing the great Wally Boag, who voiced Jose in the Tiki Room among many other critical points in his storied career — penned the classic Songs of the Tiki Bird. And Bathing with Elephants and The Congo Queen serve as reminder of the inspiration behind the Jungle Skipper Canteen, the Jungle Cruise ride itself.
Check out the angle of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. This book is on the moveable bookshelf, the one that would allow entrance into the room. We can only assume that this is the book that members of the S.E.A. would pull to open the wall!
Jungle Skipper Canteen Bookshelves
The books aren’t the only details in the mix, though. The society crest can be found on hats belonging to members like Dr. Alberts Falls (the man behind the name of Schweitzer FALLS from the Jungle Cruise and founder of the Jungle Navigation Co.). Next to his hat, you’ll spot one for Albert the Monkey (primate AND famous author ;).
Society Member Caps
Henry Mystic has one as well, and anyone who has had the good fortune to visit Hong Hong Disneyland will recognize both Henry Mystic and Albert the Monkey from the Mystic Manor attraction in Hong Kong Disneyland.
Society Member Cap
And that brings us to the end of our tour for now. But do you know what the best thing about all this is? It may well be that we’ve barely scratched the surface of all the Disney Dining Details in the Jungle Skipper Canteen!
Did you spot anything else in the pictures above or during your own visit to the Skipper Canteen? Please let us know about your discoveries with a comment below!
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It’s awesome that the books with POTC references have authors by imagineers that actually worked on the attraction(Claude Coats and Blaine Gibson.) After this post I really can’t wait to eat here.
Our amazing waitress, Emma, realized we were huge Disney nerds and basically gave us a tour of the books! The restaurant was empty and we spent 10 minutes reading the titles and authors and cracking each other up! Even she kept finding new ones she hadn’t seen before and she swears they add new ones!
If you stand there looking around long enough, cast members may even come joke around with you. When I was there in December one came up and asked, “Have you seen the Jungle Book? It’s in 3D!” as she pointed it out on the shelf.
We just watched your vlog which showed the books at Skippers canteen. Is the spelling error in the book title ‘Boat Evacution Procedures’ intentional? Surely it should be ‘evacuation’?!
“Fleas Navidad and Other Winter Insects” – Hart
That’s me!! What an honor to be included in such a fun way.