This Disney World original is going down for a bit. 

Magic Kingdom

Ride closures and refurbishments are a part of life at Disney World. This year alone has seen long — and in some cases ongoing — periods of closure for Test Track, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster amongst others. Now, an iconic attraction has joined the list. 

As of August 26th, one of the Magic Kingdom’s remaining opening-day attractions, the World Famous Jungle Cruise, has gone down for a refurbishment.

According to the Disney World calendar, the closure should last nearly two months, with a reopening currently scheduled for October 18th. This refurbishment will keep the ride from being available during the majority of the 2024 run of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Walls are up

While the Jungle Cruise has a LONG history of changes — from the move over from a realistic to more comedic, Marc Davis-inspired presentation in the early 1960s to the elimination of problematic cultural elements in the early 2020s — we’re not anticipating any massive changes to that level with this closure. Instead, we expect the ride to reopen as its normal self in October and then receive its traditional Christmas-themed Jingle Cruise holiday overlay in November as usual.

The Jungle Cruise will be back

If you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom during the closure and still want to scratch your Jungle Cruise itch, we’d recommend a meal at the Skipper Canteen. This Adventureland restaurant is themed to the ride, specifically, the idea that the “same skippers who guided your steamer down the Nile, Amazon and Congo Rivers have opened the doors and kitchens of their tropical headquarters to fellow adventurers and famished families like your own!” The restaurant’s dining room and menu are filled with references to the ride, and the overall S.E.A. mythos that Disney has integrated into rides and attractions around the world.

Skipper Canteen

Disney World’s iconic Jungle Cruise attraction has officially closed for refurbishment and will remain so for almost two months. Plan accordingly if you’re heading to the Magic Kingdom soon. Stay tuned to DFB for further coverage of Disney World’s refurbishment calendar. 

Every Cast Member at Jungle Cruise is BEGGING You Not to Break This One Rule

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Are you heading to Disney World while the Jungle Cruise is closed? Let us know in the comments below.