Disney's Jungle Cruise Gets 'Gnu Magical' Revamps

ANAHEIM, CA —There is no shortage of Disney magic in the plans for revamping The Jungle Cruise. The sit-down boat ride is getting a brand "gnu" update, courtesy of the Disneyland Resort Imagineers.

It's just another thing changing at Disneyland Resort amid the coronavirus closure. Just under one year ago, Disneyland shut their main gates due to the coronavirus pandemic. Though the park has had to lay off employees, and the city of Anaheim has suffered the loss of the largest tourism draw in the county, the minds at Disney continue to modernize and refresh the park.

Here's what we've discovered about this wild journey that is much beloved among Disneyland Resort fans.

There is no bigger star on the Jungle Cruise than the Skippers who drive them. Their cheesy jokes, one-liners mesh with the predictable journey to see the backside of water, among other things.

According to Imagineers, the changes that are coming to the story will "stay true to the experience we know and love," according to a park spokesperson. There will be more humor, wildlife, and skipper heart while reflecting and valuing the diversity of the world around us.

Imagineer Kevin Lively, now a writer and formerly a skipper on the world-famous Jungle Cruise, shared a look at the magic added.

For the first time, a character known as the "Skipper" will be the main spirit of the attraction, as will a couple of boats that went missing some time ago.

The trouble he gets into will largely be the lens from which the newly revamped ride is viewed.

Don't worry. The ride will continue a tradition that Walt Disney started more than six decades ago when he first enhanced the Jungle Cruise. The new creative concept for our river’s journey will be original to Walt Disney Imagineering, just like the attraction itself.

Carmen Smith, Executive, Creative Development & Inclusion Strategies at Walt Disney Imagineering, reflected on the changes to the ride as "bringing to life more of what people love" and "making needed updates."

"As Imagineers, it is our responsibility to ensure experiences we create and stories we share reflect the voices and perspectives of the world around us," Smith says. According to Smith, there is no doubt the ride will keep the humor and wit of the skippers at the forefront of any changes.

According to Kim Irvine, Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, this is not the first time Jungle Cruise has changed.

Changes are "always with the idea that the adventure along the river changes from day-to-day," she says. "Change and enhancement were always favored by Walt Disney."