Adventure (and puns) ahead! Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom to be updated

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Some big changes are coming to the classic Jungle Cruise attraction at Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney World announced Monday that the ride will be updated to include some “gnu” adventures and building on the story of the Jungle Cruise.

The update will include “new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love – more humor, wildlife and skipper heart – and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us,” Disney stated in a news release.

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“As part of this story update, we’ll get to follow a skipper and his passengers as their journey goes awry,” said Kevin Lively, a Disney Imagineer and former Jungle Cruise skipper. “That’s right, for the first time ever, the skipper role will not only be that of a live, experienced and witty guide, but also represented by a show figure within the attraction itself.”

Lively said the new expedition will be up a tree, literally, after their sunken boat splits apart and chimps board the wreckage, with “monkey business” ensuing.

But that’s not even “half of the hull story,” Lively said. Boats that used to make their way around the Jungle Cruise river, specifically the Mekong Maiden and Kwango Kate, may make an appearance as well.

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“When we consider making changes to a classic attraction, we focus on ways to ‘plus the experience,” said Chris Beatty, creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering. “The skippers of the Jungle Cruise bring humor to guests of all ages, and we’re excited to be adding to that legacy – along with a new animated skipper – by celebrating their adventures and influence.”

The changes will take place at both Disney World and Disneyland.

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