History of Jungle Cruise in Timeline

Jungle Cruise, a beloved Disney theme park attraction, simulates a riverboat cruise through environments inspired by Asia, Africa, and South America. Passengers board replica steam launches and are guided by a live cast member who provides a humorous narrative. The ride features Audio-Animatronic animals and immersive theming, transporting guests to a world of adventure and exploration.

1911: Founding of Jungle Navigation Co.

In 1911, Dr. Albert Falls founded the Jungle Navigation Company, with his granddaughter Alberta Falls later taking charge in the 1930s.

1938: Queuing Area Theming

The Jungle Cruise queue and station are themed as the headquarters of the Jungle Navigation Company, set in a British colony circa 1938, with various props and music enhancing the setting.

1951: Inspiration from The African Queen

In 1951, the adventure film The African Queen provided significant inspiration for the design of the Jungle Cruise ride vehicles.

1955: Boat Theming Changes

In 1955, the Jungle Cruise boats were initially painted as clean replicas but have since been themed to reflect the grunge and wear of actual watercraft, especially after the addition of the Indiana Jones Adventure.

1955: Disneyland Grand Opening

In 1955, the first installation of the Jungle Cruise ride was featured at Disneyland for its grand opening, with various changes made over the years.

1964: Jungle Cruise Featured in Disneyland Television Programs

As early as 1964, the Jungle Cruise soundtrack was used in Disneyland television features.

1968: Jungle Cruise Soundtrack Release

A studio-recorded soundtrack of the Jungle Cruise, narrated by Thurl Ravenscroft, was released by Disneyland Records in 1968.

1991: Addition of Albert Awol

In 1991, Albert Awol was added to the Jungle Cruise during a refurbishment, enhancing the ride experience with his radio commentary.

1991: Queue Enhancements

In 1991, significant enhancements were made to the Jungle Cruise queue, including the addition of music, radio commentary by Albert Awol, and various visual improvements.

1994: Waterway Shortened and Re-Routed

In 1994, the Jungle Cruise waterway was shortened and re-routed, with changes made to improve the ride experience.

1994: River Channel Rerouted

In 1994, the river channel of the Jungle Cruise was rerouted to accommodate the queue buildings and entrance courtyard of the Indiana Jones Adventure.

March 2001: Disarming of Skippers

In March 2001, Disneyland skippers were disarmed of their pistols and no longer fired shots at animals during the Jungle Cruise ride.

October 2004: Rearming of Skippers

In October 2004, ride skippers at Disneyland were rearmed with their pistols, allowing them to resume firing shots at animals during the Jungle Cruise ride.

2006: Jungle Cruise Film Production Planned

Walt Disney Pictures aimed to begin production on a Jungle Cruise movie in 2006, but script revisions and other setbacks caused delays.

2007: Initial Release Date for Jungle Cruise Film

The Jungle Cruise film was initially slated for release in 2007 but faced postponements.

2010: Man-Made Jungle Declared Real

By 2010, Disneyland's man-made jungle was declared to be 'real' due to its self-sustaining ecosystem, having undergone fifty-five years of growth and care.

2013: Jingle Cruise Overlay Introduction

In the 2013 holiday season, a Jingle Cruise overlay was introduced at the Jungle Cruise attractions in Disneyland Resort and the Magic Kingdom, featuring new decorations and a holiday-themed script.

2014: Jingle Cruise Overlay Changes

In 2014, the Jingle Cruise overlay returned with significant changes, including themed show scenes and a rewritten script about lost holiday supplies in the jungle.

2014: Revamp and Renaming

In 2014, the Jungle Cruise ride was revamped and renamed Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions, featuring new special effects and background music.

December 2015: Skipper Canteen Opening

In December 2015, the Skipper Canteen restaurant opened, expanding on the Jungle Navigation Co. storyline and introducing Dr. Albert Falls as the founder in 1911.

2015: Jingle Cruise Overlay Continuation

In 2015, the Jingle Cruise overlay continued with a new scene featuring giant snowmen, building on the changes made in 2014.

January 2016: Four-Month Refurbishment

In January 2016, the Jungle Cruise attraction at Disneyland underwent a four-month refurbishment, reopening in May with a new dock, mechanical repairs, audio system replacement, and tree replacements.

2018: Production Begins on Jungle Cruise Film Starring Dwayne Johnson

With Dwayne Johnson in the lead role and as a producer, production on the Jungle Cruise film commenced in 2018.

2019: First Delay of Jungle Cruise Film Release

The release of the Jungle Cruise film was initially delayed from 2019 to 2020.

2020: Second Delay of Jungle Cruise Film Release Due to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a further postponement of the Jungle Cruise film's release to 2021.

January 2021: Major Refurbishment Announcement

In January 2021, Disney announced a major refurbishment of the Jungle Cruise attraction to remove negative depictions of native people and introduce a new storyline with characters like Felix Pechman XIII and Siobhan 'Puffy' Murphy.