Thursday, January 31, 2008

Jungle Cruise Conundrum

Once again my limited knowledge of the park leaves me with questions, this time about the Jungle Cruise. Questions that you can answer! I am wondering if these two photos, taken seven years apart, depict the same area of the Cruise? There are many differences, but then again, there are lots of similarities as well. In this first picture from 1965, You can see the mysterious monkey god sitting in his ruined temple, guarded by an enormous spider. I'm sure the spider has been there for hundreds of years, protecting the monkey god (and perhaps some hidden treasure)!


Fast-forward to 1972, and the scene now shows a different temple, this time housing a golden idol that appears to be surrounded by precious gems. Don't even think about taking the loot, though...it is guarded by another (or the same?) giant spider, a swaying giant cobra, and a couple of hungry crocodiles as well.

I know that the Jungle Cruise has received more upgrades and changes than any other attraction at Disneyland, since Walt wanted to be sure to keep things exciting and new for repeat visitors!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm... Priiiity sure that the monkey god and the spider are still there... Or possibly it's moved...

Damn, now I'm going to have to go on the ride next time I go.

*exaggerated sigh*

Major Pepperidge said...

Yeah, I just don't remember for sure...it seems odd to me that two scenes that are so similar would be in the ride at the same time. But you never know!

Chris Merritt said...

This is weird - because the cobra & golden god really date from 1957 - in 1962 the same spot was rehabbed with the monkey god & spider - one of Marc Davis first jobs at WED by the way... Could it be the dates on your 2nd shot are wrong, or they just waited a really long time to develop them?

FYI - those goofy monkeys in the temple that looked so bad were in this location from 1955 - 57...

Major Pepperidge said...

Well, that's interesting, Chris! I guess I could have made a mistake with the dates. I scanned this months ago! I think I know where the slide is though, I'll try to double check. I seriously doubt that somebody would wait that long to develop their photos...although my mom would leave rolls of film in a drawer until nobody had a clue what was on them.

Anonymous said...

Well, from my perspective this is indeed at the same location. And there are 3 crocs in front of the scene, a smaller croc is to the right and blocked in the picture. I worked the JC (among other rides) between the years 1971-1977. During that time the ride was "plussed" to include the cobra and background. Great memories.

Chris Merritt said...

Yes - same location - but different years. From all the blueprints & photos (& W D Presents episodes) I have ever seen, that golden cambodian god is from 57 to 62, then the monkey god in 1962...

I think the "three" cobras (as opposed to this lone one) were put in during the 70s rehab (in a adjacent location) - another Marc Davis gag, by the way...

Anonymous said...

Yes, the cobras were part of the 70's upgrade. We thought it looked pretty cool compared to what it had been.

Amazon Belle said...

Warning: Long post with Question - Chris Merritt you and anonymous nailed it. It is indeed the same location and I agree that the dates must be mixed up (top photo 1972 and bottom photo 1965). BUT just to mix it up a bit more I have a question (Chris and anonymous along with any other JC skips out there feel free to help me out here).

The three crocodiles migrated north from the Elephant Bathing pool in 1962 to the temple (where you see them in the bottom photo). AND if the photo is re-dated correctly to 1965, THEN when did that monkey god replace the gold idol? The cobra was moved as part of Marc’s restaging of the sunken city in 1976. Could it have been then (1976) or part of the 1964/65 African Veldt addition? Or did someone just sneak in one night and steal the gold idol and left a monkey god in its place. What do you think?

Anonymous said...

I have no idea about that. Crocks were in the same location during my stint. I keep thinking that the "treasure scene" was an enhancement after my departure in '77. I'm fuzzy on that one.