Disney’s Jungle Cruise Ride Updated Amid Controversy, Loses ‘Natives’

Disney has a new take on Jungle Cruise at its theme parks – this after it was criticized for what some have called racist portrayals – and they’ve removed all offending robots.

The greats of Disney unveiled an update this week to their Jungle Cruise Rides at Disneyland and Disney World … which have been tweaked over the past year and changed after a ton of people demanded to lose the so-called “natives” along the OG path.

The Mouse House released a BTS video showing the process of redesigning the ride – and the engineers reiterated what Disney said in a statement … namely, that they wanted to stick with what everyone loves and remembers. Jungle Cruise trips of the past, while being inclusive / respectful / precise in representing cultures.

What it came up with, apparently, in the final product – based on the video they posted of the updated Jungle Ride – is no trace of the indigenous people seen along the way.

Most of these indigenous people were portrayed as black – but they were also presented to look like what some have called “savages” … something that has been done time and time again dating back to the 20th century. Dr. Seuss even used to portray native people in the same way … still drawing them with super dark skin and exaggerated features.

It seems none of these depictions are still featured in the new ride – but there are still blacks featured. Only now they are seen as part of the exploration team … instead of being seen as creepy villains and cannibals threatening cruise passengers.

The call for the Jungle Cruise overhaul came on Disney’s heels announcing that they were also giving their Splash Mountain rides a facelift … with OG animatronics also referred to as racist and perpetuating the tropes of the Deep South. They took care of that, and now … that too.