Disney Parks Will Update Their Jungle Cruise Ride to Correct Insensitive Content
After receiving backlash within the past few years, Disney has decided to update their Jungle Cruise ride in order to value and respect different cultures.
Disney Parks has recently made an announcement regarding one of their most popular rides in both California‘s Disneyland and Florida’s Disneyworld. “Jungle Cruise”, the 65-year-old classic Disney staple, is now receiving an upgrade to signify a new era of diversity and inclusivity. The parks have decided to remove certain depictions of tribal caricatures, specifically ones deemed as offensive to Native peoples. Disney plans on replacing these scenes with new visuals, offering a different experience from what park-goers are accustomed to. While seeking advice from various cultural advisors, the company is making an effort to maintain the ride’s humorous nature, while removing the outdated features.
I am pretty stoked about the changes coming to the Jungle Cruise. Like much of the Disney catalog, it’s a product of its time, and times have changed. Every Guest deserves an enjoyable adventure. The Jungle Cruise hasn’t been a documentary for many years, it should be fun.
— The Main Entrance Cast (@MainEntCast) January 26, 2021
Inspired by the tropical jungles of Africa, Asia, and South America, Jungle Cruise works to replicate a tourist’s riverboat cruise. It was an opening-day Disneyland attraction that was eventually featured in multiple Disney theme parks. The ride is well known for its tour guide; Skipper, and their comedic narration. Filled with realistic animatronic animals, and a plethora of plant life, Disney succeeded in making a lifelike jungle that transported guests into another world. But despite its ongoing accomplishments in popularity, people over the years have expressed concern over some of the insensitive depictions. This includes the indigenous populations dressed as headhunters, and objectionable period language, to name a few.
Exciting enhancements are coming to the Jungle Cruise in Disneyland park at @Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at @WaltDisneyWorld Resort later this year! Here’s a first look from Walt Disney Imagineering at some of the “gnu” magic being added: https://t.co/B8HF1peLdF pic.twitter.com/2mWI8RPl3K
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) January 25, 2021
Hearing these criticisms, Disney is striving to make their parks feel as safe and inclusive as possible. Cast members and park executives have expressed gratitude and excitement for the creative changes to come.
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