Sorry, But There’s Absolutely ZERO Chance You Knew This About Disney’s Jungle Cruise Ride

How much do you really know about Disney’s Jungle Cruise rides?

Found in Adventureland at Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland, the Jungle Cruise is absolutely a Disney Parks ICON. Debuting for the first time in 1955 when Disneyland opened, the Jungle Cruise has been around since the beginning of the Disney Parks, accumulating an illustrious history.

If you’re a Disney Parks expert, you may know some of these Jungle Cruise facts. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and learn a thing or two about the funniest ride through the jungles of Africa, Asia, and South America!

Each Version Has a Different Fleet

The relationship between ride replicas at Disney’s different theme parks is a bit complicated. While some duplicate attractions are carbon copies, others have some VERY noticeable unique quirks and differences.

This is the case with the Jungle Cruise, which is wildly different at each park. Each ride has different routes, scenery, queues, and even boats!

In fact, each Disney Park has a unique fleet of Jungle Cruise boats featuring unique boat names.

At Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, the boat names even change during the holidays to fit the Jingle Cruise themes.

The Water Looks Gross By Design

When sailing aboard the Jungle Cruise, you’ve probably noticed that the water is a murky green and looks unsanitary. This is be design.

The water clarity — also called turbidity — is actually controlled to hide the ride’s guidance system and other mechanical hardware and platforms. We hate to spoil the ride, but the boats aren’t actually directed by a skipper but instead a track.

The waterway was originally dyed brown but eventually became green and then a bluish-green. The murkiness of the water effectively hides all the tech while adding to the fabricated authenticity of traveling down a wild river.

The Ride Was Initially Supposed to Be Serious

Known for its world-class puns and ample supply of laughs, the Jungle Cruise was once meant to be taken seriously.

Originally, the ride was meant to be an educational experience, providing a realistic depiction of the world’s jungles with a narration akin to a documentary.

Guests weren’t really into the seriousness of the attraction, so in the 1960s, jokes were added and have evolved over time. Now, to keep the ride fresh and different each time you experience it, Skippers pick their favorite jokes from a huge script, keeping the experience fresh.

Disneyland’s Version Has a Tree Older Than the Theme Park

Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise opened with the park in 1955, but one of its scenic elements is almost 60 years older than the park itself.

The Dominguez palm tree is the oldest living thing in Disneyland and has been around since 1896. The land used to be orange groves and farm land, and the previous owner — Ron Dominguez — asked Walt to spare the tree.

The tree itself was a wedding gift, and now the Jungle Cruise boathouse is situated around its trunk.

Kevin Costner Was a Skipper

While it’s not super uncommon to see celebrities act as Skipper these days, one celebrity actually was a Jungle Cruise Skipper before he became famous.

A local student at California State University Fullerton, Kevin Costner also worked at Disneyland — including as a Jungle Cruise Skipper. He would later take his talents to the silver screen and have a huge and lasting movie career.

An Homage to Katherine Hepburn

Before the element was changed, the Jungle Cruise used to have an homage to a famous classic actress.

The ride is said to take a ton of inspiration from the 1951 film The African Queen starring Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, and there are (were) some tributes. For example, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland both have a Kwango Kate, which may be a reference to Katharine Hepburn. Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise has a boat called the Kissimmee Kate, although this could also be more of a reference to the 1948 musical Kiss Me, Kate.

Although the Magic Kingdom’s Chief Nah-mee has since been removed, there was a more notable reference. The chief was in possession of a shrunken head that was apparently made to resemble Hepburn, as well.

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