As we continue to dissect the information Disney shared with regards to the new, enhanced storyline coming to the Jungle Cruise later this year, we wanted to take a closer look at the new characters guests will be introduced to, as well as take a closer look at the characters that will be departing the attraction. Before we jump into the new characters, we should start with an existing character – at least to guests who have visited Walt Disney World.
Alberta Falls
Alberta Falls is the granddaughter of famed historian Dr. Albert Falls. Alberta is the owner, manager, bookkeeper, and head mechanic of the Jungle Cruise Navigation company. Alberta decided to spend a summer with her grandparents and the riverboat skippers after falling in love with Adventureland, and she ended up never leaving.
Following the mysterious disappearance of her grandfather, Alberta took over the family shipping business before turning it into a leisure tourism cruise business to help boost profits. The Jungle Cruise was born and the rest is history.
According to Disney, the scene with a rhino chasing a group of explorers will “really kick off the storyline”. The focus here will be on the four explorers (plus one skipper). As part of the enhanced storyline, each one of them will have their own story and cultural heritage. There’s a birdwatcher, an entomologist, a wildlife painter, and a photographer, and each one will have a different reason for being on the expedition.
First, here’s a look at the concept art released for the new characters.
While Disney released some info on the characters such as their names and professions, additional background information comes from an Attractions Magazine article.
Here’s a look at the current lineup of characters.
Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy
Working from the top of the pole to the bottom, we start with the bird watcher. She appears to be rather unphased by the commotion taking place at the bottom of the pole. As a matter of fact, she looks quite happy to be in the position she is – close to a family of nesting birds.
Siobhan grew up in Dingle, Ireland, a seaside town where she took a liking to the puffins she watched nesting there. She is a distant cousin of Alberta Falls – the main character in the reimagined Jungle Cruise storyline.
In the present-day scene, the explorer looks to be a bit more concerned than the birdwatcher in the new scene.
Dr. Kon Chunosuke
Moving down the pecking order, we find an entomologist (the scientific study of insects). While he certainly looks ready to study some of the butterflies (the rulers of the jungle), he does appear to have noticed the rhino below and his precarious position.
Dr. Chunosuke is part of the famed Society and Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A) – a group of diverse individuals from various Disney Parks worldwide who tie together a loose story of adventure and mystery.
Dr. Albert Falls, Alberta’s grandfather, was also a member of S.E.A. and Alberta immediately noticed the logo of the club stenciled upon Dr. Chunosuke’s backpack. Alberta decided to invite Dr. Chunosuke on a jungle cruise and he was happy to oblige in hopes of finding the mythical Myrmecoleon – a type of legendary beast that either resembles part lion and part ant, or feeds on ants. An odd backstory, but a compelling find if Dr. Chunosuke can ever find his way off of this pole and into the unexplored jungles.
In the present-day version of the attraction, the guy who will be replaced by the entomologist certainly is emoting a bit more fear as he eyes the rhino below.
Rosa Soto Dominguez
Celebrated Mexican artist Rosa Soto Dominguez is next up, and she is said to be a special friend of Alberta Falls.
Rosa was said to be on her way back home to Mexico City from her latest gallery opening in Paris when she received a special invitation to go on a jungle cruise from her very close friend Alberta.
When introducing new characters, it’s obvious that Disney would want them to be visible. Currently, guests can’t get too good of a view of the photographer that Rosa will replace.
Leonard Moss
Leonard Moss is a noted botanist from Nova Scotia, Canada. Moss can be seen with a lot of camera gear as he intended to capture the diverse flora and fauna of Adventureland. Ultimately, Moss finds himself just one person removed from the business end of a rhino’s horn.
Moss replaces a bearded man who appears to have a bit of a headache at the moment.
Skipper Felix Pechman XIII
Skipper Felix Pechman is the low man on the pole and his surname really precedes him in our story. Pechman is a last name synonymous with bad luck, and his current predicament surely highlights the bad luck he’s had on his cruise.
Pechman will be an audio-animatronic on the ride, and while there will still be live skippers on the boat, it’s said that they will be able to have some witty comments for Felix.
The low man on the pole certainly looks to share the same thoughts now that Skipper Felix will in the future.
UPDATE: Check out all of the newly installed characters now visible to guests on Jungle Cruise!
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!