As Disney gets ready to unveil the newly reimagined Jungle Cruise at Disneyland next Friday and at Walt Disney World sometime this summer, today the Disney Parks Blog gave fans a sneak-peek at what they can expect on their next visit through the jungle.

In the video, Imagineers Kim Irvine and Chris Beatty discuss how they approached the changes and how Disneyland and Walt Disney World Imagineers worked together to ensure each of the new scenes had the same humor as the previous version.

“When we set out to update the Jungle Cruise, we had three goals that were important to us as we went through our development,” stated Beatty. “One, keep it classic. This has to remain the Jungle Cruise everyone knows and loves. Two, bring a sense of inclusivity to this project. We want to make sure that everyone that everyone rides the Jungle Cruise can see themselves in the characters and in this experience. And three, it has to be about the Skippers. The Skippers bring this experience to life.”

Alberta Falls, the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd., is also preparing for explorers at Disneyland on the 16 July and soon at the Magic Kingdom Park, where this classic experience will be complete this summer. “Disney Imagineers have collaborated on this bicoastal project to create new characters who come from around the world, with an expanded storyline and some fun surprises for you to discover.

The “gnu” magic includes new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love – more humor, more wildlife, and skipper heart. At Disney Parks, we continue to look for ways to enhance classic attractions and elevate the experience for all of our guests.

The enhancements include several new scenes and new characters from around the world – beginning with a trapped safari party that finds itself up a tree after their journey goes awry. You can count on our skippers to share the unique adventure with the jokes and fun interactions that make them world-famous! 

Imagineers could be monkeying around a bit, up until the tour officially opens on July 16. Here’s a tip we got from the dock: Disneyland skippers are getting up to speed in their tramp steamers, and there’s a chance you may get to stow away on an early expedition starting today!”