This past January, Disney announced Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s version of the Jungle Cruise will undergo changes to address specific scenes that are culturally inappropriate.
Over the weekend, Disney Imagineer Zack Riddley posted on his Instagram account that guests “… may start to notice some monkey business along the river as work begins on Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom. The good news for all of you visiting @waltdisneyworld is the attraction will remain open to guests while our teams update scenes in a phased approach over the next several months.”
In addition, he also gave Disney fans a look at another upcoming scene they will encounter on their updated cruise. This one is a couple of monkeys sitting atop some broken shipping crates surrounded by rare butterflies that have escaped.
In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Chris Beatty, creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering said, “When we consider making changes to a classic attraction, we focus on ways to ‘plus’ the experience. The skippers of the Jungle Cruise bring irreverent humor to guests of all ages, and we’re excited to be adding to that legacy — along with a new animated skipper figure — by celebrating their adventures and influence.”
A Disney spokesperson told the paper, to “expect all scenes that feature unsavory depictions of indigenous characters to be updated.” The LA Times also said that “Disney is not waiting to see how audiences respond to the picture. Consider it an indication that Disney is aware that the ride’s cultural makeover is a necessity more urgent than what marketing calendars may allow. Additionally, a Disney spokesperson says the new figurines will not represent characters in the film.”
Today, WDWNT.com posted an image of the first major change, Trader Sam has been removed from the final scene in the attraction.
According to the website, “Sam, the jungle’s ‘head’ salesman, and all his related props are gone from the rock where he once stood.”
They even noted during their cruise the boat’s skipper “did not acknowledge his absence.”
Additionally, although the Trader Sam bars at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim and the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World are named after the attraction’s now removed figure, Disney says there are no plans to rename the bars.
“As far as Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Resort and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World Resort, no plans are on the way to update them currently,” stated Susuna Tubert, Walt Disney Imagineering.
Last week, Disney announced additional details on the new proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company, Alberta Falls, as well as the new members of the safari party who have been chased up a pole by a rhinoceros.
As the attraction will remain open during the refurbishment, there is no “official” reopening date. However, Disney said all the changes will be completed this year.
