Jungle Cruise Review
Emily Blunt and The Rock not included
You want something that is all about relaxing while you take a boat ride around Magic Kingdom? You’ve come to the right place. Jungle Cruise has a lot of baggage on its shoulders, and it’s yet another classic that exists inside the most popular theme park in the world. This chill boat ride is “only” fifty two years old, as it launched way back when Magic Kingdom opened its doors in 1971.
As one might have expected, this boat ride has also received a ton of updates throughout the years to keep up with times. It even got a movie with Emily Blunt and The Rock in 2021! So, should you hop on this riverboat ride and explore the (animatronic) wildlife? Sure, especially if you want to travel back to a time when theme park rides were more simple and still managed to be very charming.
The Good
What do you do in Jungle Cruise, other than… cruising a jungle? Well, this seven-minute boat ride simulates a trip through different rivers in South America, Africa, and Asia, showcasing a bunch of wildlife you would only be able to see on those continents. Sure, they are all animatronics of hippos, chimps, elephants, and more, but they are all well done. There was even a recent update in 2021 which added even more animals. Kids will probably have a great time here, even more so since each boat has a Disney cast member acting as a tour guide, and they do a good job talking about all the different fauna and throwing jokes around.
Jungle Cruise takes you through some of the most popular rivers in the world in a short amount of time, like the Amazon river and the Congo river. I do like the fact that this isn’t an indoor ride, which makes you more immersed as if you are actually traversing a river in search of adventure.
Some guests might be disappointed that this isn’t exactly a real safari like Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris, but the animatronics are all well made and have that nostalgic charm. You will also be happy to know that they are animatronics once you find out that you come face to face with giant snakes and spiders. Yeah, keep them away from me, thank you very much.
The Bad
There are a few interesting setpieces as well. You'll encounter waterfalls, encampments taken by gorillas, and even a scene with poachers trying to escape from an angry rhino. Just remember, this is a leisurely ride that may lack some excitement. It's mostly an opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery while recharging your energies. Personally, I wish the animatronics received an upgrade, perhaps drawing inspiration from Na'vi River Journey in Pandora. Currently, they appear somewhat dated with limited movements.
Will Kids enjoy it?
Most young children will really enjoy it. It's also a fantastic option for parents with toddlers, as there's a high likelihood they'll find joy in this gentle boat journey. The variety of wildlife and charming set pieces dotted throughout the seven-minute tour will surely grab their attention.
Teenagers might find this a bit boring and too long. After all, there's nothing particularly impressive about the animatronics, and they may prefer the excitement of thrill rides like Space Mountain or even Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
