Jungle Cruise at Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World: Which Version is Better? (2024)

What makes the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland different from the version at Walt Disney World? We’re breaking both attractions down below.

Disneyland Park in Anaheim may be the original Disney theme park, but Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park shares plenty of similarities with it – including some of the very same attractions! One of the most beloved Disney attractions that’s found at both Disneyland and Disney World is the Jungle Cruise. But do the two theme parks really offer different ride experiences? Or are both versions of the Jungle Cruise totally identical?

As an opening day attraction at both Disneyland Park in 1955 and Magic Kingdom Park in 1971, this popular, beloved ride has been entertaining Guests for decades. However, the experience varies depending on where you’re riding (and some people prefer one park’s version over the other!). Below, we’re comparing both the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and the Jungle Cruise at Walt Disney World to determine which is the better attraction.

The History of the Jungle Cruise

Believe it or not, the Jungle Cruise attraction we know and love today at both Disneyland and Disney World had an interesting origin story. Walt Disney Pictures produced a True-Life Adventures series in the late 1940s, which gave Walt himself the inspiration to add an “Adventureland” to Disneyland Park. The centerpiece of this Adventureland would be a “jungle river cruise.” Walt’s initial idea for this cruise was larger than life; he dreamed up the idea of populating the attraction’s landscape with real animals. But, due to logistics, that grand idea morphed into animated animals similar to audio-animatronics.

On July 17, 1955 – Disneyland’s opening day – the Jungle Cruise made its debut. The attraction was a huge success, and Guests loved the idea of a river cruise through a “realistic” jungle. 16 years later, Walt Disney World Resort opened and on October 1, 1971, the Jungle Cruise made its debut on the East Coast inside Magic Kingdom’s own Adventureland.

During the attraction’s long history, both versions at Disneyland and Disney World theme parks have seen updates and refurbishments. Over the years, new animals have been added, adjustments to the attraction’s storyline have been made to reflect cultural and social changes, and even seasonal overlays have been introduced.

In fact, the Jungle Cruise has even gone global! Disney theme parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo have their own versions of the attraction. Today, only two Disney parks in the world don’t have a Jungle Cruise: Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland.

What’s the Jungle Cruise Like at Disneyland vs. Disney World?

Whether you’ve experienced both the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and the Jungle Cruise at Disney World firsthand or you’re simply interested in which theme park offers the better, more exciting, or even punnier experience, here’s a look at what the two versions of the attraction share – and what’s different.

The Attraction Queue

The queues at both the Jungle Cruise in Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, are extremely similar. When you enter the queue at either location, you’ll be waiting outdoors (but there is some cover overhead). You’ll wind your way past areas decorated with pictures, maps, journals, and more all themed around explorations and river cruises through the jungle.

There is one big difference between the Jungle Cruise queues, though: At Disneyland, the queue features two stories and at Disney World, it’s all on a single floor.

The Ride Time

Both versions of the Jungle Cruise at Walt Disney World and Disneyland have almost identical ride times – the attraction lasts just under 10 minutes long, unless there’s a boat backup (which will then make the ride time longer).

The Story

Once you’ve boarded your boat and met your skipper on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland or Disney World, you’ll notice a big difference: The attraction story differs depending on the theme park. You’ll also tour the jungles of the world in a different order, which leads to an overall different ride experience.

At Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise starts inside a Cambodian temple. Guests onboard enter the temple, where they’ll spot a Bengal tiger, cobra, and monkey. Disneyland’s version of the Jungle Cruise doesn’t have an indoor temple. Instead, the ride begins by taking Guests past a series of Cambodian ruins. As a result, the ride’s scenes are in a different order at each park, leading to a bit of a mixed-up or different story order. and everything just seems a bit more elaborate. You feel more isolated on the Walt Disney World attraction, which makes the experience seem more realistic.

Additionally, while both Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise and Disney World’s Jungle Cruise take Guests under Schweitzer Falls, the “Backside of Water” does look different at each park. At Magic Kingdom in Disney World, the falls are a larger and more impressive feature. With more space and more flair, the Jungle Cruise at Disney World feels more elaborate overall – and there’s more of a “wow” factor. Guests also feel more isolated on this version of the attraction, which makes the experience seem more realistic.

The Theme Park Location

At both Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, the Jungle Cruise is located in Adventureland. In both theme parks, this is where you’ll also find the Enchanted Tiki Room and Pirates of the Caribbean. The area is home to attractions and food that increase a sense of wonder and adventure. While the lands may be laid out differently, and feature slightly different theming, they’re quite similar.

Which Version of the Jungle Cruise is Better, Disneyland’s or Disney World’s?

Trying to decide whether the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland is better than the Jungle Cruise at Disney World – or vice – is no easy feat! While the attractions are fairly similar in queue design, ride time and location, they do differ in their execution of the story. We think you really have to try each iteration of the Jungle Cruise out for yourself to get a sense of the look, feel, and overall story told through the Disneyland and Disney World versions. .

But, based on our experience riding both versions of this classic attraction, our pick for the superior version does go to the Jungle Cruise at Walt Disney World. It’s the subtle differences from the original at Disneyland that make the Magic Kingdom version even better, like the bigger and bolder theming. However, you’ll have to experience both for yourself to truly be able to compare and contrast them!