Earlier today, the world famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Park reopened to guests after going through numerous changes to the opening day attractions that introduce new characters and stories to the 65+ year old jungle.
The new story elements begin to take shape in the attraction’s queue, telling the story of different characters and elements passengers might encounter on their jungle adventure.
Alberta Falls – Proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company
Alberta was born in 1911. Her mother, Sneh, was a world-renowned artist from India and her British father, Albert Falls Jr., was an art scholar. Young Alberta was always considered a rambunctious “free spirit” who was most at home during the family’s summer visits to grandma and grandpa Falls in Adventureland. She climbed trees, swam in the river, and enjoyed a special bond with her explorer grandfather and her “adopted family” of skippers who enjoyed the fearless little girl’s adventurous nature.She began to accompany her grandfather on his trips around the world where she was introduced to renowned botanist Dr. Moss in Nova Scotia and then-budding artist Rosa Soto Dominguez in Mexico City. On one of their wild adventures to New Zealand, Alberta picked up a new travel companion, a kakapo flightless parrot. When Dr. Albert Falls vanished in 1930, Alberta took control of the company and vowed to preserve the reputation of the Jungle Navigation Company. Moreover, to ensure that her grandfather’s legacy would be remembered by people all over the world, she began to promote the guided tours that we know today as the Jungle Cruise.
Felix Pechman XIII
Felix Pechman recently left his home in Silver Springs, Florida, and landed a position as a skipper with the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. In an unexpected turn of events, Alberta had no choice but to ask him to lead his very first boat tour with her VIP guests. Unfortunately, Pechman’s trademark bad luck has followed him to the jungle.
Dr. Leonard Moss
Dr. Leonard Moss is an acclaimed Canadian botanist. Having successfully photographed and cataloged every plant in the frigid Nova Scotia peninsula, Dr. Moss decided that his next photo excursion should be to a warmer climate.
Rosa Soto Dominguez
Celebrated Mexican artist Rosa Soto Dominguez, known in the art world as La Rosa, was on her way back to Mexico City from her latest gallery opening in Paris when she received a special invitation from her very close friend, Alberta. Rosa looked forward to their reunion in Adventureland when she would also get to paint some of the exotic wildlife, especially given her fascination with rhinos. As luck would have it, she ended up a little too close and personal with one.
Dr. Kon Chunosuke
Japan’s preeminent entomologist and a member of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Dr. Kon Chunosuke has traveled to the jungle on a mission to find new specimens for his world-class collection of insects. As an admirer of Dr. Falls’ legacy, Chunosuke was hopeful that this younger Falls would be able to lead the way to the legendary Myrmecoleon, also referred to as the “lion of ants.” Unfortunately, he has only been able to find butterflies, mosquitos, and a rhino.
Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy
Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy traveled all the way from the small island of Dingle, Ireland, to pay a surprise visit to her distant cousin twice removed on her father’s side, Alberta. Siobahn was nicknamed “Puffin” because of her love for the puffin birds that nest in the rocks of her seaside hometown. Many believe that it was Puffin’s love of exotic birds that drove Skipper Felix to get a little too close to an oxpecker perched on a particularly grumpy hippo.
While the props set the scene for all the new characters, it also helps tie the attraction into the lore of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.), which is an ever expanding story telling universe that links many attractions at Disney Parks around the globe together. These storylines are also set to become part of a new series coming to Disney+. One crate even features “Hightower Industries,” referencing the company of Harrison Hightower, a central character in Tokyo DisneySea’s version of Tower of Terror who was modeled after famed Imagineer Joe Rhode.
Also in the queue are references to the neighboring attraction that took Adventureland by storm back in 1995, Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Featured are crates being shipped to Henry “Indiana” Jones, as well as artifacts seemingly from within the temple itself.
The classic attraction is also sporting a new marquee. The differences are subtle however, with the most notable change being the removal of tribal spears and replacing them with paddles and oars.
The World Famous Jungle Cruise is now officially reopen at Disneyland Park.