Disney Announces New Jungle Cruise-themed Restaurant for the Magic Kingdom
A new Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant is coming to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Disney confirmed during the D23 Expo in Anaheim this afternoon.
Kevin Lively, a former Jungle Cruise skipper who now works for Walt Disney Imagineering, announced the news during the "Safari So Good - 60 Years of the World Famous Jungle Cruise" panel at the expo. The Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen will open later this year in the old Adventureland Veranda space in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland.
Lively also revealed some of the backstory for the new restaurant. Its owner, Alberta Falls, is the daughter of the late founder Albert Falls, a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. (You will fully appreciate the "Albert Falls" reference if you remember that the Jungle Cruise's Schweitzer Falls is named for physician Albert Schweitzer, known for his medical work in Africa.)
Lively also said that narrative changes will be coming to the Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise ride to support the new restaurant.
Replies (10)
this along with Trader Sam's let's me get over Adventure's Club, (a place I've never been to because i was too young)
The backstories are often over complicated and unconvincing. They usually don't add to the attraction although I assume it helps them design it. They should stop with it. Better that they add a true narrative to attractions and have the restaurant reflect that.
Their approach now is backwards. Make Jungle Cruise fit the restaurant. The restaurant itself will have the better story. Again, people probably won't care when the theming is the ultimate attraction.
SEA is coming stateside in a big way! Let's hope they keep the ball rolling and bring a SEA ride to WDW.
Will everything "taste like chicken?"
I will be there on opening day.
Any idea as to whether it will be a full service restaurant (reservations) and any booze news?
A full menu version of Trader Sam's would be a pretty good fit here...
Yay, society of explorers and Adventurers finally coming to the US!!! I hope something like that makes it to California.
Anon,
The backstories are often more interesting then the main narrative. They give more depth to the story and make the overall experience much more fulfilling. The backstories add a whole new level of theming and storytelling and is one of the main reasons why the Disney parks have such a huge fanbase. So why stop?
This is going to be awesome!
I wonder if there is going to be a secret "cannibal" menu?
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Great idea for the secret room of the Society of Explorers & Adventurers. Bets are on whether alcohol will be served in the secret room.