It is a tradition lost to the ravages of time: launching a Skipper into the river on his last day on Jungle.Our thanks to Ed Cunningham, fearless skipper of the early 80s---and (thankfully) someone who bothered to document the antics (and keep the photos). Ed originally posted these pics of what was no doubt his last day on Jungle (even then, Management was not keen on Cast Members swimming in attractions during Park hours).
The initial push into the river by a fellow cast member was clearly quite effective, as the victim made it all the way across to the catwalk!
Alas, this grand tradition is no longer in favor at modern Disneyland (ahem, "The Disneyland Resort"). This is probably for the best. We've heard tell that Ed suffered from the dreaded "Jungle River Slimepox" on and off for over 27 years after hitting the river. Yeeewwww.
By the way, I do not think I will ever tire of seeing photos of the Jungle boats with their striped canopies or the Skipper costumes with the leopard print hat bands.These photographs also help to answer the time honored guest question: "How deep is the water?"
In the middle photograph, our victim has resurfaced and is standing on the mucky bottom, with his head and shoulders out of the water.
It's that deep.
For now, my friends, stay well, keep dry and remember, as Trader Sam used to tell me often: "There's no known cure for Slimepox."
So when next you cruise the Jungle, STAY IN THE BOAT!
---Mike
