PHOTOS: First Look at the Updated Jungle Cruise in Disneyland

The Jungle Cruise has been getting some major updates in both Disneyland and Disney World.

Disney has been working to remove some “outdated cultural depictions” from the attraction, adding new characters and a new storyline, and removing some scenes as part of the update.  The Jungle Cruise has remained open in Disney World during these changes while Disneyland’s ride has been closed since the park reopened in April. But today, we finally got to sail down the river again with a skipper!

Ahead of its official reopening on July 16th, we were invited to a media preview of the newly updated ride today in Disneyland.

Cast Members said there are still finishing touches being made before the ride officially opens on July 16th.

The ride has a whole new storyline focused on inclusivity. It features Alberta Falls, the granddaughter of Dr. Albert Falls, who founded the Jungle Cruise Navigation Company.

The tale is that she went to live with her grandfather in Adventureland and made quite a few friends, who have now all come back to see her guided tour!

Her friends include VIP tour skipper Felix Pechman XIII, acclaimed Canadian Botanist Dr. Leonard Moss, celebrated Mexican artist Rosa Soto Dominguez, preeminent Japanese entomologist Dr. Kon Chunosuke, and  Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy who’s a Puffin enthusiast. You can find them hanging on for dear life as a rhino waits down below!

Other new scenes include the explorers’ sunken boat (tough luck).

And some chimps taking over another skipper’s boat, the Mekong Maiden!

We also see some more chimps on these crates, rummaging through the campsite.

And there’s a brand new store at the end of the attraction! Check out Trader Sam’s Gift Shop, which replaced the Trader Sam animatronic with the shrunken heads.

To pick up a souvenir, you have to make it past that playful elephant first!

And finally, we made it back to the dock, safe and sound!

Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney news and updates!

Click here to see a behind the scenes look at Disney’s Jungle Cruise Movie

Are you excited to ride the Jungle Cruise again?! Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: We were invited by Disneyland to attend a media preview of the updated Jungle Cruise. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.