No, Disney has no plans to change Jungle Cruise based on The Rock’s new movie about it

Disney purists, rejoice!

by Jordan Poblete
in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts · Walt Disney Studios
— 4 May, 2017

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted a very Disney photo to his Instagram account last week:

Grateful SOB to have Walt and Mickey watching over my shoulder as @danygarciaco and I embark on this amazing project. For our big #JungleCruise creative meeting at DISNEY's highly secure R&D facilities, me and @danygarciaco were escorted into THE VAULT. A legitimate vault where all of Disney's biggest secrets and plans are kept. Curtains were pulled back for us to reveal the actual drawn up plans that Walt Disney had his brother, Roy Disney take to New York to present to the bankers in 1950 for the potential loan to build what's now known as Disney Land. Cant imagine what that meeting with bankers was like. Roy: Alright gentlemen, so me and my brother Walt, want to build the greatest multiple theme park attraction in the world. Banker: Oh that seems fun, Mr. Disney. Roy: *smiles in a playful mischievous manner, Oh yes my good man, it will have a few things that are in fact, fun. Well, clearly I don't know how the hell men were actually talking in the 50's, but what I do know is being able to star in and produce #JungleCruise is a dream come true. BUT what takes this to the next level, is that we'll partner with Disney's brilliant Imagineers to help re-engineer and re-design the #JungleCruise ride in all the Disney theme parks around the world. A very special opportunity for us and our @sevenbucksprod to create an unforgettable and fun EXPERIENCE for families around the world. And as Walt Disney himself would say… it's magical. Next step is finding our visionary director. Exciting times. #JungleCruise #TheExperience #DisneyStudios #Imagineers #SevenBucksProds #WaltAndRockWouldveBeenBesties #AndWorkoutBuddies #WaltWouldveLovedMyJackedUpPickUpTruck 😉🤙🏾

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Apr 29, 2017 at 9:59am PDT

If you read through his long post, it officially confirmed that he’s currently doing research for his new movie that will bring the world-famous Jungle Cruise to the Big Screen. The movie was officially greenlit by Disney in April and has begun pre-production.

With a little over a year to go, you can bet that a lot is going on behind-the-scenes to prepare. That preparation apparently included a tour of Walt Disney Imagineering and its own “Disney vault” with artifacts from Disney Parks’ past like including the original drawing of Disneyland pictured.

While it all sounds exciting, many Disney fans sounded off about one sentence that Mr. Johnson said in his post: “…we’ll partner with Disney’s brilliant Imagineers to help re-engineer and re-design the Jungle Cruise ride in all the Disney theme parks around the world.”

Many of what I’d like to call “Disney purists” were quick to point out that the changes The Rock wanted were going to change the original attraction that Walt envisioned and created. This isn’t the first time that the attraction has been changed in its history (e.g. the Jingle Cruise holiday overlay, which has been a hit with many of these purists). Disney was quick, however, to clarify the statement with the Orlando Sentinel saying that there are no current plans to change the attraction…at this time.

Depending on what happens with the development of The Rock’s Jungle Cruise movie including the story, those changes that he wants to do on the attraction might not see the light of day – much to the delight of Disney purists. But whatever happens, we can expect to see Mr. Johnson’s Jungle Cruise movie in spring of 2018.

— Jordan Poblete

DisneyExaminer Founder + Publisher. Walt inspired Disneyland, Disneyland inspired DisneyExaminer. Catch me at Disneyland. Reach me at jordan@disneyexaminer.com or on Twitter @jordiepoblete