We’ve been warning you that Walt Disney World is probably going going to speed up a number of simultaneous trip refurbishments and reimaginings, and now there’s one other main challenge on the calendar for the post-summer season in Magic Kingdom. This share dates & particulars of the Jungle Cruise closure, plus what else to anticipate across the similar timeframe in Magic Kingdom.
Let’s begin with the pertinent particulars. Though nonetheless not formally introduced, Walt Disney World has quietly added a closure of Jungle Cruise to the refurbishment calendar that’s slated to begin on August 26, 2024. Though that’s technically nonetheless summer season per the Farmer’s Almanac or season scientists or no matter, Walt Disney World’s summer season basically ends as soon as the calendar turns to August. (I’d say the second week of August, if we wish to get technical. Some level to Labor Day, however summer season is lengthy over by then–that’s Halloween season!)
At current, there isn’t any reopening date for Jungle Cruise. For those who have a look at the calendar on DisneyWorld.com, it’s nonetheless closed as of September 7, 2024. For those who have a look at the calendar on My Disney Expertise, Jungle Cruise continues to be closed as of September 17, 2024. Each dates are as far out because the respective calendars go (no clue why MDX goes additional into the long run, however no matter), which implies that Jungle Cruise may very well be closed longer.
As you would possibly recall, Jungle Cruise was reimagined a number of years in the past. In case not, the attraction remained open at Magic Kingdom through the reimagining, as Imagineering utilized a “phased strategy” to the challenge. Mainly, they eliminated and put in a bunch of stuff in a single day–principally monkeys.
The way in which the Jungle Cruise’s scenes are staged makes it extra conducive to modifications that may be achieved in a single day or within the span of a day or two. That is precisely how the annual Jingle Cruise overlay for Christmas works. It additionally helped, I assume, that quite a lot of “modifications” to the Jungle Cruise have been copious quantities of backstory and lore that have been added for no specific function. Doesn’t take a lot doing to “set up” backstory.
From my perspective, the finish outcome with Jungle Cruise reimagining was a constructive one. These backstory particulars are peppered across the queue, and there for the invention of company. That’s an asset, because it provides company one thing to have interaction in that beforehand fundamental and typically very lengthy standby line.
You’ll be able to uncover nuggets of knowledge that illuminate and connect with different adventurous experiences, however aren’t in the slightest degree essential to having fun with the attraction. Or not. You’ll be able to ignore them and don’t lose something from the ride-through expertise. The jokes are nonetheless humorous (or not) and the animals are nonetheless there. Enjoyment doesn’t hinge on the backstory.
As for the trip itself, the massive change to Jungle Cruise is that they added a plethora of primates. It’d as effectively be referred to as Jungle Cruise: Monkey Insanity. I’m sorry, however should you dislike that, you’re distinctly unpatriotic. Monkeys doing ape antics are superior, and that’s only a truth. For the entire hand-wringing about altering Jungle Cruise, the tip result’s mainly simply that–extra monkeys. Different stuff did change for ‘up to date audiences,’ however the massive discernible factor is the monkeys. It was an enormous win for lovers of simian shenanigans, which must be everybody.
Given the entire modifications that already occurred, I wouldn’t anticipate a lot to alter with the present scenes in Jungle Cruise. They is likely to be spruced up or enhanced in small methods with the addition of Easter Eggs and that sorta factor, however we most likely aren’t getting challenge mapping or particular evening lighting a la the reimaging at Tokyo Disneyland from a number of years in the past.
It’s our understanding that this can be a routine refurbishment quite than a reimagining, with work needing to be carried out on underwater infrastructure in addition to a number of the facades and different parts of the attraction. I do know that’s not as horny or thrilling as reimaginings, however this kind of work can be very crucial to make sure reliability and longevity. (And who is aware of–possibly they’ll set up a nicer lighting bundle–Jungle Cruise may use one!)
Now let’s flip to the opposite tasks in Magic Kingdom and the way these items of the puzzle match collectively. As lined in our newest replace to Magic Kingdom Experience Refurbishment Rumors Realities, Peter Pan’s Flight is now closed for refurbishment by way of August 20, 2024. The attraction is at the moment anticipated to reopen on August 21, 2024.
That was a really last-minute addition to the closure calendar by Walt Disney World requirements, however development permits for the work have been filed two months earlier than the closure was added to the calendar. Our suspicion was and is that Walt Disney World was ready for different items of the puzzle–the Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad closure timeline in addition to Tiana’s Bayou Journey opening and working reliability–and was backed into this nook by these timeframes.
Talking of which, there’s additionally a Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad closure on the horizon. This has not been acknowledged by the corporate–which means it’s neither introduced nor added to the official calendar–however it’s occurring. Permits have been filed and it’s an open secret that the curler coaster is closing for roughly one-year.
Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad wants a big refurbishment involving main work on the trip system and retracking. This long-planned challenge is considered as preventative work that’s essential to increase the helpful lifetime of the curler coaster, making certain the trip’s longevity and operational standing for many years to return. However in contrast to Jungle Cruise, we additionally anticipate some massive “plussings” to happen to Huge Thunder.
With the Jungle Cruise closure, we begin seeing how these items of the puzzle match collectively. Peter Pan’s Flight reopens, Jungle Cruise closes. Jungle Cruise reopens and, presumably, Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad goes down for its lengthy closure. As talked about earlier than, I wouldn’t be stunned if Walt Disney World tries to squeeze as many crucial closures in entrance of the the BTMRR closure as doable to keep away from having different key sights down throughout peak dates of the Huge Thunder challenge.
I additionally wouldn’t rule out the potential for slight overlap between the Jungle Cruise and Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishments. September is traditionally the low season, though the final couple of weeks will most likely see spikes due to the ticket offers ending. (The factor is, whoever is doing Magic Kingdom scheduling most likely is oblivious to that.) So I wouldn’t rule out the potential for BTMRR closing round mid-September and Jungle Cruise not reopening till early October. That’s a whole guess, although.
This additionally explains Walt Disney World’s strategy with Lightning Lane Multi Passes. I believed it was form of bizarre that Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad was a high tier choice, however now that form of is sensible. There’s at all times going to be one tier 1 trip out of fee for the subsequent 12 months.
Regardless, this makes testing Lightning Lane Multi Cross in Magic Kingdom form of a misplaced trigger till Jungle Cruise reopens, as ‘outcomes’ in late July by way of August gained’t be consultant of the next 12 months when BTMRR is down. (Not solely that, however Social gathering Season throws a monkey wrench into issues, anyway, so no matter you see for the rest of this 12 months gained’t apply to 2025, anyway.)
In the end, it’s fascinating that Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise, and Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad will all go down for prolonged closures (of various levels) within the coming months. As we’ve been saying for months now, we’d anticipate extra reimaginings and refurbishments of this nature for a few causes.
The primary is that there was quite a lot of deferred upkeep and proportionately fewer closures in the previous couple of years because of pent-up demand and price range cuts. So a number of sights are overdue for refurbishments and can most likely get them later this 12 months or in 2025.
Second, the cash spigot is about to be turned on for Parks & Resorts, permitting for extra tasks of this nature to (lastly!) occur. Positive, it’s not as thrilling as brand-new sights–and lots of of chances are you’ll lament extra rides being closed throughout your trip–however refurbishments are very a lot a necessity for sustaining applicable attraction requirements and making certain that breakdowns don’t proceed to occur at a extra frequent fee. So right here’s hoping we see extra on this entrance!
From my perspective, it was the deferred upkeep that was dangerous–not the present and upcoming closures. Walt Disney World has in depth downtime and reliability woes within the final couple of years, and that is exactly why. That completely must be addressed, and that is the best way that occurs.
I’m considerably sympathetic to Walt Disney World fan complaints about trip closures. It sucks when it occurs in your journey, particularly these closures that aren’t added to the schedule till the final minute. For those who ask me, the announcement protocol is what wants to alter, so folks can plan accordingly, not the variety of closures. (If something, there should be even extra simultaneous refurbishments!)
I additionally know that Walt Disney World followers envy Tokyo Disney Resort and sometimes ask why our parks can’t be like these, or why Disney doesn’t do issues like OLC. Properly, that is how OLC does issues–right here’s the present Tokyo Disney Resort refurbishment calendar. Spoiler: there are various, many extra attraction closures on that listing than at Walt Disney World. American followers can not have it each methods–we are able to’t anticipate upkeep requirements of Tokyo Disney Resort…with out the closure calendar of Tokyo Disney Resort. That’s how upkeep will get carried out!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the trip refurbishments/reimaginings of Peter Pan’s Flight, Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad, and now Jungle Cruise? Hope these classics are up to date to make sure their longevity for many years to return? Do any sights at Walt Disney World strike you as being prime candidates for trip reimaginings? Do you agree or disagree with our decisions? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
