Subsonic Radio

I know this is a hot button issue, and there seems to be an equal amount on both sides of the issue. Should the Jungle Cruise CMs stick to the script they are given, or should the be allowed to ad lib? Even though I have seen it many times, I think it takes away from the attraction when they ad lib. The humor can be funny, but I think it makes for a terrible experience for someone who has never experienced it before. Thoughts?

Unless the new effects are really top notch, I think that minor ad-libs are okay, it keeps the cm happy and also lets the frequent guest know that each ride will be a little different. Now if the ad-libs get to the point of just being a stand up act then I say no, so basically its something that needs to be given a light touch.

Jack

Personally I would like to see more dialogue overall, and a few less puns. There are plenty of cheesy effects that the continuous line of puns is just too much. If I remember right when I was young it was treated more as an adventure, with the puns telling themselves for the most part. Now its just a continuous stream of bad jokes that the poor cast member gives somewhat lifelessly.

Assuming you had intelligent and trustworthy skippers I would allow them to play the ride by ear. Depending on how certain jokes are received at the beginning of the ride they could decide how best to provide entertainment the current boat will enjoy. Not only would it make the boat happier it would provide a challenge for the cast members to provide a better product.

On the other hand the product needs to be such that it brings good memories for future generations. Though this is the debate as to what really is best. People that have never seen the Electric Light parade, Peoplemover, Bear Country, .... can't say what they see is worse, the same as if you grew up on the bad puns you don't know what a more realistic treated ride would be like.

All that really matters is that the product that the Jungle Cruise serves up is received well overall. If thats being done then its being done right, regardless if its bad jokes the whole time or a complete alternate reality (a real amazon cruise).

If they go off of the script it's okay, just not so much as they used to. it would be nice to hear some facts about the animals from the skippers (I am a docent at my local Zoo).

I like it when the skippers go off-script a bit (not the ENTIRE ride, but parts of it).. It makes you want to go back and hear how other people do it. Always makes things interesting. Plus, it's got to be mundane just driving around the rivers for hours on end saying the same thing over and over. Going off-script a bit will help out the skippers keep their sanity...

Yeah, having some sort of change/uniqueness is important to me to make return visits enjoyable. If it was the same old routine without any unique humor then I would probably only ride JC once a year.

-mark

I love the ad lib humor!

^ same, it can be so corney but in a good way.

I am a skipper on the Jungle Cruise, and I can testify that there is just as much controversy on this topic among skippers. I'm one of the skips that thinks that the attraction should remain as Disney intended it, however, the skipper should be allowed to personalize their spiel, as long as it follows guidelines.

I don't have a strong feeling one way or the other. I always enjoy the ride, even if there some differences in the spiel.

jkm8113 wrote:I don't have a strong feeling one way or the other. I always enjoy the ride, even if there some differences in the spiel.

That's pretty much how I feel. When I think about going on the Jungle Cruise, I don't think about the spiel or whatever. I'll go on it regardless. But then I don't go on it too often...

Didn't Robin Williams work as a skipper, sort of introducing many jokes into the spiel? And got fired for it?

I thought I remembered something about him feeling some relief when he got hired as the Genie because he was still bummed about getting fired...???

Don't know anything about Robin Williams working there, don't really know how you're going to find that out either...but anyway. I've heard many a joke upon that ride that I can only believe were extempor (ie. the poke Ahontas one, which had to have come out after the movie). Anyway, they're fun and it helps mix it up for the regulars (as someone already mentioned) while keeping them entertained as well.

Found it! Here's a highlighted link: http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:4tDn ... s%22&hl=en

I'm still hoping for a movie based on Jungle Cruise!

Well, it is my understanding, ( I think I got this from Disneyland.com when they had the ride facts up) but I'm pretty sure that the ride itself was based upon the African Queen.