Wednesday, September 21, 2011

2 From the Jungle Cruise, 1956

The good old Jungle Cruise! It has undergone many changes and updates over the years, but it is essentially still the same fun ride it has been since the day the park opened. May I suggest the addition of a Johnny Depp animatronic? Genius, right? Anyway, here's a lovely, color-saturated photo of the loading dock. This is from the days when the skipper's spiel was more dry and straightforward... the humor evolved later.


There's a rare rhinocerworst, laying his eggs by the water so that, when they hatch, the babies can swim to freedom. They will eventually return to this same shore to smoke cigarettes. Let's kill him and grind up his horn for aphrodisiacs. Er, not for me, for a friend - yeah, that's it!

13 comments:

Jason Schultz said...

The first shot is especially interesting for the view of the Plaza Pavilion patio above the boat. I'm not sure I have ever seen that woodwork in the distance before. I'd love to be able to grab a meal and watch the Jungle Cruise boats now.

Chiana_Chat said...

The Tahitian Terrace evolved later too! But even at that early point it looks like the veranda was a great place to sit and maybe have something to eat. I'm gonna have that pic on the desktop for a bit here.

As for the rare rhinocerworst, that's a neat pic and hilarious commentary.

TokyoMagic! said...

Egg-laying, cigarette-smoking rhinocerworsts.....too funny! I remember reading (in Entertainment Weekly, I think) about a Jungle Cruise movie that was supposedly being made. This was a couple years ago....I wonder what ever happened to it? I'm still waiting for "It's A Small World....The Movie!"

Major Pepperidge said...

Progressland, thanks for pointing out the Plaza Pavilion woodwork. I agree with you and Chiana, it would be nice to sit there by the water and watch the boats come and go.

TM!, I think it was recently announced that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen were supposed to star in an upcoming Jungle Cruise movie. If they add those two to the ride I think I may stop riding it forever.

Thufer said...

Make that another vote for sitting right there and watching for Trader Sam to come from around the 'bend'.

Be free little rhinocerworst; be free...oh sorry, got taken away in a 1956 moment.

JG said...

That detail of the Victorian fretwork sticking out the thatched roof is one of my favorite contrasts in Disneyland, similar to the Omnibus in front of Tomorrowland.

You can still see it today if you stand in front of the Tiki Room patio entrance and look up to the left, the east wall of the patio is the west wall of the Plaza Pavilion, one side of the gable roof is victorian, the other is thatched. It's a hoot.

That whole terrace area in the photo now seems to be screened in, I can't recall being able to see into the restaurant area at all from the cruise.

That terrace is grossly under-used, it seems like such a great place for a restaurant. The Pavilion has been shut for years too. What's up with that? There's money to be made here, get with it!

JG

TokyoMagic! said...

JG, the Plaza Pavilion is currently being turned into a bakery with a Mary Poppins theme

RemainSeatedPlease said...

In '56, the spiel may have have been humorless, but the Jungle Cruise costumes were hilarious. In particular, the CM with his back to us at the load position - that striped shirt is an eye catcher. Definitely a look they need to bring back to the Jungle.

Orange Co Native said...

On you tube there is a series of Disneyland programs called 'Every Role A Starring Role. One of the programs centers on the cast members that trim and take care of the plants on the Jungle Cruise attraction.

The plants now have become so big and mature that it is now actually a jungle that keeps the heat of the sun out and smaller tropical plants survive and thrive. The temperature is also cooler due to this immense jungle that now exists.

Kind of interesting series.

Major Pepperidge said...

Thufer, there is nothing more beautiful than a free rhinocerworst.

JG, I think I'll be at the park on t he 27th, so I'l ltry to remember to look from that vantage point!

TM!... Mary Poppins? Really?

RemainSeatedPlease, if you look at vintage photos of the Jungle Cruise, it is amazing how many different costumes were used over the years. Turtlenecks, Hawaiian shirts, safari garb, those striped, vaguely Central American-looking shirts, and just plain old striped shirts; to name but a few!

OC Native, the jungle really is impressive nowadays, and I love it when you get to pass through the spray of water mist!

PsySocDisney said...

Sooo that rumored movie would basically be buzz and woody in the jungle?? speaking of contrasts, sheesh... it really is a small world after all... :P

orange Co Native said...

Yeah. The spray mist is just malaria. Not to worry. Well at least that is what the boat captain says every time.

Nancy said...

Major, you crack me up!

look at how crystal clear these images are. that blue a sky is not found often enough at Disneyland....gorgeous.