The Jungle Cruise

You're got to appreciate Disney's ability to change.  While it may not always be for the best, there are times that they improve the show by being able to adapt.  Such is the case with the Jungle Cruise.

When it was originally rolled out, it was to be treated realistically  but as time has gone on, the ride has begun to look more and more dated.  While the audio-animatronics still function and easily convey what they're supposed to be, they are much less convincing than some of their counterparts.  How do you keep the ride popular?  How do you keep the people coming back to see it?  You make it funny.

Each trip on the Jungle Cruise is different, which is what makes it a great Disney attraction.  While many jokes are re-used from skipper to skipper, there is a good chance you'll hear something different.  It's less about the actual ride and more about the pun filled stand up routine that goes on.  The jokes are often simple, but it's amusing, nonetheless.

Some of my favorite jokes:

• Seeing the backside of water
• The wingspan of the butterflies
• Favorite plants
• The pair of docks
• The Macarena statues*
• Getting the point in the end

Now, I'm not going to explain any of those jokes to you.  If you've ridden the ride, you may pick up on some of them.  If not, you may ride it in the future and hear one, so I don't want to ruin it for you.  That's the beauty.  You could ride it hundreds of times and never hear all of those.**

Of course, the theming is quite good too, which further plants this ride in my mind as a classic.  The queue line has random bulletins and a jumping spider.  It's simple stuff, but it's funny.  I really want to adopt one of the kittens they have an ad for.***

The Jungle Cruise is in now way, shape, or form a technologically advanced ride.****  Yet, it survives, finding its niche.  People like to laugh, even if it is at something silly.  It's a good boat ride and a great show.

*I have only ever heard one skipper make this particular joke, and I have ridden this ride many, many times.

**You could hear them all.  Some of them are actually pretty common.  Hearing all the jokes is like catching all the Pokemon.

***Once again, if you've paid attention when there, you'll know what I'm talking about.

****Not anymore, at least.