Jungle Cruise

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The Jungle Cruise is a 10 minute winding meandering boat curise through the tropics, along lands populated by Lions, Giraffes, Hippos, Elephants, and other assorted audio animatronic animals. The ride was at least partly inspired by a 1955 documentary film produced by Disney

All of the vegetation in the ride is real, some requiring considerable horticultural attention to combat the hot Floridian summer. Hidden from view, are large gas powered heaters, water misters, and ventilation fans designed to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity for some of the more tender tropical plants.

Geographically the ride is a little odd to say the least, as the scenery alternates between the forests of Southeast Asia and the Nile valley, giving way to Amazonian Rainforests, African plains and Cambodian buildings. All the way through the ride a very jaunty and incredibly corny commentary is provided by the boats captain.

There are sixteen boats in total on the Jungle Cruise, each with a different name. Supposedly, the boats were named after the original cast members that operated the ride when it first opened. The names are: Amazon Annie, Bomokandi Bertha, Congo Connie, Ganges Gertie, Irrawaddy Irma, Kwango Kate, Mongala Millie, Nile Nellie, Orinoco Ida, Rutshuru Ruby, Sankuru Sadie, Senegal Sal, Ucayali Lolly, Volta Val, Wamba Wanda, and Zambezi Zelda.

Close to the exit of the Jungle Cruise, is "Shrunken Neds Junior Jungle Boats" - small radio controlled boats which can be piloted for a few minutes for the cost of a couple of coins. Note that the radio controlled boats are one of the few things within the park that for some reason aren't covered by the entrance passes.