It’s no surprise that there are some potentially murky issues surrounding some of the earlier attractions at Disney parks. Times change. We get that. The “Indian War Canoes” might not be the most appropriate name for a fun bit of exercise around the Rivers of America so Disney went with “Davy Crockett‘s Explorer Canoes.” Splash Mountain’s characters are set to be replaced with those from a movie more aligned with modern culture. The Native American depicted as a “Cigar Store Indian” is . . . still there, standing ground outside what hasn’t been a tobacconist since 1990.
Enter the Jungle Cruise, stage left. We love the Jungle Cruise, right? But haven’t some parts started to feel a bit, well, dated? We can all laugh at the depictions of a gorilla wearing a hat. Piranhas that sometimes attack the boat? Great. A man offering us two shrunken heads for one of ours? Maybe a bit uncomfortable, but what a punchline! Several brown-faced guides climbing up a pole to get away from an angry rhino? Even after some revisions over the years, it’s not the best image.
Enter Kim Irvine now, stage right. I don’t know how much she was involved, but she has a statement to make and here it is: “The Jungle Cruise has changed course many times over the years - always with the idea that the adventures along the river change from day-to-day [sic].” Seems like Disney is stating that some of the scenes that were funny when Marc Davis designed them in the 1960s might not be the best jokes in this country’s current climate.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, big changes are a-coming. Maybe not monumental, but we shall see. The well-known scene depicted at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World shows several guides climbing a pole to get away from an angry rhino. These guides have changed over the years to reduce skin tone and change dress to indicate maybe the bottom fellow (ha!) is the leader of the expedition. The newly proposed scene will reimagine these characters as an ill-fated expedition much like your own! Now climbing the pole will be a birdwatcher, an entomologist, a wildlife painter, a photographer, and a actual Jungle Skipper.
The crew’s exploits will be fleshed out further with intricate backstories for each. Of course, most of this will never be known to any but the most stalwart Disney Internet Historians. Most guests will see their grounded tour boat packed with curious chimpanzees pretending they’re people and will be content.
While Disney claims they will not integrate characters from the upcoming Jungle Cruise film, there is a lot that can change. Most likely, the native headhunters chanting will get the axe. Trader Sam continues to depict a stereotype, but we all love his Grog Grotto and Enchanted Tiki Bar. How will Disney make all of this work out?
No matter how our favorite shrink/bartender fares, it looks like Disney is addressing concerns over another of its more problematic properties. Just like the lascivious pirates of Pirates and anthropomorphic animals of Splash Mountain can attest, Disney isn’t afraid to make changes to accommodate a larger audience. It’s hard for some of the stalwart fans to see changes to their favorites, but it’s happening regardless of any Change.org petition.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming changes? Do you think Dwayne Johnson will have a beefy animatronic flexing along with the backside of water? Do you buy into the more sensational theories around Disney’s multicultural, stranded crew? Let us know below! We’ll see you cats in the parks someday probably.
Aren’t you excited I included a bit about Kim Irvine? I know I am.
Curious which Jungle Cruise is better? I know I am. Our pals at The Supreme Resort decided it for you. Check out their take on the subject here!
