Dear Lou...

We went to Disney World this weekend and rode the Jungle Cruise. Although outdated we were surprised that the cast member conducted the boat with such sarcasm. Yes the fake animals are cheesy and outdated. My husband and I did not like the tone and felt it went against the nature of Disney. Was this just the guide on our boat or is this now more the norm for this ride?

-Anne

"Ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention please? Due to circumstances beyond our control...the Jungle Cruise WILL be operating for the rest of the evening...Thank you."

"Hello and welcome to the world famous Jungle Cruise. My name is BOB and I'll be your skipper, guide, captain, cruise director and dance instructor for the next five exciting days and six romantic nights."

This, or something like it, may be some of the first words you hear from your Skipper on the World Famous Jungle Cruise in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom.

From the park's opening day on October 1, 1971, the Jungle Cruise has traversed dangerous rivers from around the world... right in Orlando. It hasn't changed much over the years - it's still a relatively low-tech, slow-moving "adventure" that still retains much of the original Disney "magic" that some of the newer attractions just don't have. What makes this attraction stand out, however, is not the elephants blowing water, but the Cast Members, you r "Skipper", and their ultra-corny jokes.

Originally intended to have live animals, it was decided that Disney-created ones might behave better. Not true for the Skippers, though, who began to introduce a new element into the attraction as time wore on - improvisational humor.

For years, the Jungle Cruise, like all other WDW attractions, had a very regimented script, handed out to and memorized by Cast Members before they were given the helm. In time, the Cast Members (CM) began to add their own personal touches to the attraction. And, barring some isolated incidents, Disney has been (seemingly), pretty OK with it. Now, it is accepted, and almost expected, of Skippers.

That's not to say that there hasn't been exceptions, however. On October 11, 1997, the Orange County Register reported that 8 Cast Members who were Skippers on the Jungle Cruise were let go for making inappropriate comments or jokes that were not in keeping with the theme of the attraction, which is said to be based in 1938. The subjects of the jokes and remarks were never released.

For years, the Jungle Cruise was rumored to be on it's way out - especially when Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom (original name) was announced. However, it is the nostalgia and "new-adventure-every-time" appeal that keeps the attraction as one of the most popular in all of Walt Disney World. In fact, Disney just announced that they are planning a feature film based on the Jungle Cruise!

So, what about these ad-libbed, sometimes off-the-wall spiels? Well, when you give someone a microphone, almost anything can happen, right? The "official" script is now merely a rough guideline, and the CMs have a pretty good deal of latitude. A good Skipper can make or break your Jungle Cruise voyage. The jokes are still usually a little "cheesy", but warrant a smile nonetheless. OK, they may not be the most hysterical things you ever heard, but hey...

As far as the jokes getting a little out of hand or un-Disney-like... well, without having been there or heard exactly what was said, I really can't speak to that. Are the Cast Members often sarcastic, use tongue-in-cheek humor? Sure. Is it meant to be rude, insulting or offensive? I have to think not.

That being said ... "Wave good-bye to all the beautiful people on the dock... Now wave good-bye to the ugly ones, too... don't want to leave anyone out..."