Skippers Get Festive for the Holidays
What’s that I hear from Adventureland? Jingle bells? That’s right—Jingle Cruise has returned! All it took was a little homesick holiday cheer and some well-placed decorations for Disney to turn the Jungle Cruise into a seasonal sensation.
The Skippers added homemade decorations from home, along with puns galore, to create a festive overlay. First introduced during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2013, Jingle Cruise quickly became a holiday must-do at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.
A Queue of Christmas Cheer
From the moment you enter the queue, you’ll spot the transformation. Christmas trees, holiday props, and festive signage now line the Jungle Cruise entrance. Even the boats get new holiday names—Icicle Irma, Poinsettia Sal, and Mistletoe Millie, just to name a few.
Your Skipper, or rather your Tree Trimmer, Cookie Cutter, or Secret Santa, delivers updated narration packed with holiday puns: “Watch out for the hum-bugs!” and “That boa on top of the tree? It’s a python!”
The ride itself includes stockings hung with care, tropical holiday décor, and cleverly placed Christmas gifts along the shore. And yes, the nighttime cruise is even more magical with the glow of holiday lights.
Day vs. Night: Which Cruise Is Better?
I recorded both a daytime and nighttime ride during my 2015 visit. Each offers a unique twist, with Skippers delivering different jokes, timing, and personality. No two cruises are exactly the same—and that’s part of the magic.
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the holidays, don’t skip the Jingle Cruise. It’s a fresh take on a classic and another way Disney keeps the holiday spirit alive throughout the park.
Looking for more Epcot Holidays? Check out the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs. Festival Merchandise from 2021. Festival Food from 2021. A musical Tour. Norway, the Holiday Fountain of Nations. Candlelight Processional or a flashback to Epcot 1987.
