The Jungle Cruise, September 1966
The old Jungle Cruise boats looked a lot like big toys, with their gleaming white hulls and candy-striped vinyl awnings. Just pour in some baking soda, and watch it go! Of course they were aged and weathered when the Indiana Jones Adventure opened; somehow they are more realistic, but I don't love them like I used to. Now they're just boats.
This massive stone head, part of the ruins of an ancient Cambodian temple, has always been one of my favorite sights along the Rivers of the World. Time means nothing to this serene countenance, and even the vines of a strangler fig don't bother it.
12 comments:
Major-
Love the straw hats we see on the CM's heads. And I've always strived to have a massive stone head, myself - but at the moment - it's still growing. Check back with me next year...
Thanks, Major.
For many years, I thought that the vines had been carefully grown to cover the face rather than being cast along with the rest of the head. Anyone know (Mike Cozart, perhaps?) what material the head was cast in? Concrete? Resin? Jell-O?
I agree on the boats. The old ones were much more cheerful! Chuck, I think O heard that it was molded out of birdseed. That way it's 100% envirommentally friendly! They put out a new one every week....
Good ol' Jungle Cruise! First attraction I ever rode at Disneyland.
@Nanook - Having a massive stone head would be gneiss!
It would be interesting to know just how many costume variations CMs had for the Jungle Cruise over the years, lots I'll bet. The CM looks a little like Charlie Luciano with that hat. Like most movie sequels, the original boats are still the best. Is that Col Kurtz hiding in the foliage? Maybe Dennis Hopper took this photo. Major, I am almost positive the boats run on Gilbys Gin. I always thought the head was cast out of Maltomeal, but then, as always, I could be mistaken. Thanks for the great scans, Major.
Nanook, I wonder if guests could buy those exact same hats as souvenirs?
Chuck, the Imagineers did a really great job with some of those temple ruins, And I’ve always liked that giant head - I have memories of a photo of it on a Viewmaster reel. I have no knowledge of how the head and vines were made, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was molded concrete.
stu29573, I guess it’s just nostalgia, because in theory I should like the current, weathered boats. But I want those big toys boats!
Melissa, gosh I wish I remembered my first ride at Disneyland. I'd bet money it was the train.
Jonathan, it seems as if the Jungle Cruise CMs had costumes that changed all the time - sometimes in minor ways, sometimes drastically. I'll bet there are dozens and dozens of variations. I thought the boats ran on baking soda and vinegar?
The CM in the load area looks like he's wearing a straw stovepipe hat.
The "stone" head is actually molded from Fluoristan-!
Ah the JC. The first attraction I worked starting in Oct 1970. By then no sandals were allowed (look at the fellow in the front unload position) and there were several variations of costumes...for winter and summer. The boat pictured was running on gasoline...I can tell that from the transmission handle the CM is using. When I started only 2 were still originally powered as such. The others by then on natural gas, the floor accelerator pedal was eliminated with transmission and power combined in a new handle operation. KS
BTW...Major and others...through my network of friends who worked the Keel Boat, we have identified the CM in your previous post and have send a message to alert him. Now waiting a response...
Dean Finder, that CM had to wear tall hats to hide his tall head.
Nanook, Fluoristan? I have visited Fluoristan many times. It is hot there, but the people are lovely.
KS, I’m sure at some point somebody realized that open-toed shoes or sandals were an accident waiting to happen. I think I had photos of summer and winter Jungle Cruise CM costumes a long time ago. Interesting that you can tell that the boat was gas-powered just by the transmission handle. Let me know if you find our Keel Boat pilot!
Major-
Aren't you thinking of Franistan-??!!
Not sure what the stone head is made of, but I'm not taking it for granite.
Love the old JC pics, especially the African Queen connection.
Thanks Major.
JG
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