Here’s how the ‘Jungle Cruise’ movie compares to the Disney World ride
Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” — based on the popular attractions at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Tokyo, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland in Anaheim, California — officially debuted on Disney+ and in theaters July 30. Spoilers ahead, so beware!
The film is part “Pirates of the Caribbean” — with epic fight scenes, a variety of watercraft and a group of evil men turned monsters — and part “The Mummy,” as the relationship between “Jungle Cruise” siblings Lily (Emily Blunt) and MacGregor Houghton (Jack Whitehall) is akin to that of Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) and Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah). The sisters are both notoriously adventurous and ahead of their time, while the brothers tag along for the ride. Plus, parallels can be drawn between skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser): Both are slightly untrustworthy, yet still relied upon for their expertise in each film’s journey.
Here are a few ways the new movie relates to the Magic Kingdom ride.
Scenic details
Jungle Cruise takes Disney World visitors on a tour of exotic rivers across Asia, Africa and South America — including the Amazon River, which is the setting for the film.
Many of the animatronic beasts featured in the ride can be seen throughout the film but especially in an early scene in which Johnson guides a group of tourists down the Amazon. Some creatures are real, but in this scene, they’re fake like the ride as he points to a boa constrictor in a tree or cuts ropes to trigger surprises like a hippo emerging from the water.
And no Jungle Cruise trek would be complete without seeing the eighth wonder of the world: the backside of water, which cleverly works its way into this scene.
Dad jokes
Those who have survived a Jungle Cruise journey know the ride is famous for its puns. Watching the
film, I wondered if and how this humor would be incorporated. I wasn’t disappointed by Johnson’s precise delivery of favorite jokes and some new ones while passengers aboard his boat cringe and groan. A humorous sequence of note: “You know, before
this, I used to work in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. Couldn’t concentrate. Yeah, they put the squeeze on me, too.”
The vessels
The boats visitors board at Disney resemble Johnson’s
craft “La Quila,” though they aren’t quite as run down and feature a large canopy with greater shade.
Trader Sam
The male, animatronic Trader Sam no longer exists at the Magic Kingdom, as Disney continues to update the ride with new scenes that emphasize diversity in backgrounds and interests. But Sam still plays a role by running Jungle Cruise’s new lost and found gift shop. Trader Sam also makes an appearance in the movie but instead has been reimagined as the strong, quick-on-her-feet female leader (played by Veronica Falcón) of a peaceful tribe.
Grand finale
As Jungle Cruise nears its end, theme park travelers enter a dark, abandoned temple. The movie’s epic fight scene toward the end features a similar setting.
“Jungle Cruise” is in theaters now and available on Disney+ with Premier Access for $29.99 (plus the cost of a subscription). Want to go on your own Jungle Cruise adventure in Central Florida? Check out the Magic Kingdom ride.
Email me at kchristiansen@ orlandosentinel.com. Want more theme park news? Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/ newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/ attractions/theme-parkrangers-podcast.