Adventure or Bust!

One of my favorite aspects of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom is the Adventure Rovers for each of the VIP characters in the show. These customized Jeeps are not only personalized for each character, but are also packed to the gills with everything they "need" for a camping expedition.

Minnie's Rover, complete with bow and polka dots, is hauling a pair of picnic baskets, along with all the comforts a lady like Minnie would never leave home without. Look for hatboxes and trunks (adorned with stickers from Minnie's travels through Disney's Animal Kingdom), a vanity table and phonograph... even a bathtub with rubber (Donald) duckie, leaving a trail of bubbles as she goes.

Goofy's up next, and he's brought everything... including the kitchen sink! There's a fishing pole, lantern, snowshoes (just in case), golf clubs, tennis racket, tent, radio, pots, pans, broom, washboard, tea kettle, long johns, windsock, barbecue grill and more. The hood ornament on Goofy's Rover is an old bowling trophy, which occasionally tips back as the engine overheats and needs to blow off steam. Look closely at the hood of the Jeep... you'll see the Goof really is prepared for anything! That's the Flying Carpet and lamp from Aladdin. You never know what kind of wish you may need granting when you're lost in the jungle!

A beak leads Donald Duck's Adventure Rover, fully equipped for aquatic fun on this jungle expedition. He's got SCUBA gear, a raft, nets, paddles, inner tubes, an old-fashioned dive helmet, water skis and even a crow's nest (complete with crow). Donald's sailboat has seen better days, but he's patched it up and is ready to go!

Mickey Mouse brings up the rear of the parade with the largest Adventure Rover of them all. Leave it to the Big Cheese, though, to be the most sensible and frugal of packers. He's loaded up with just the things he truly needs - clothes, sleeping bag, supplies and some satellite radio equipment to keep in touch with his pals - allowing plenty of room for extra Guests to ride along.

Mickey's Rover is also completely inclusive. Rather than celebrating himself, it's a tribute to various members of the animal kingdom, from the golden lion hood ornament to the paint scheme in patterns of zebra, tiger, snake, lizard and insect. It's as if all the animals of the entire parade come together for the finale, rejoicing in the "Rhythm of One."

Art + Animals = Artimals!

In yesterday's article, we talked about some of the elements which make up Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Today, let's take a closer look at the artistry involved in depicting the wild animals throughout the parade.

The rickshaw taxis that carry Grand Marshall Guests are each comprised of a tree canopy carriage, "pulled" by a different animal. I particularly like the leaping tiger (above) and the crocodile (below). Notice, even the type of tree is different on each unit.

The drum units are equally unique, with performers sitting high on a camel or nestled into the back of a giant parrot. Look closely, and you'll realize these creatures are made to look as though they were hand-crafted from natural elements, like leaves, branches and tree trunks.

This aesthetic, combining natural-looking elements with vibrant colors, carries through the parade. It's similar to the way depictions of animals are treated in the rest of Discovery Island, where the animals are shown very realistically on the Tree of Life but interpreted artistically in human creations.

Another key design choice for Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade was influenced by the overarching theme of Disney's Animal Kingdom - people's relationship with the animal world. As much as the park is about animals, it's also about us. Supporting that idea, the parade performers are not hidden by the animal puppets or costumes. Instead, their faces are integral to the design, and they bring the performance of the animal to life with their expression and direct connection to the audience.

In no instance is that connection more direct than with the Party Animals, stilt walkers who have the ability to stride on over to a Guest along the route and interact. From a distance, we appreciate the artistry that turns a performer into a colorful moose, eagle, lizard, armadillo or lion. Up close, though, we realize they're just like us... human beings caught up in a rapturous celebration of the natural world.

Jammin in the Jungle

As some of you may be aware, I recently joined the team of contributors on the official Disney Parks Blog. My first post there, which went up earlier this month, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Taking another look at the parade after all these years gave me new appreciation for the details and craftsmanship found throughout the show.

Rafiki leads the way on this Jammin' Jungle Expedition through the Discovery Island section of the park. His Adventure Rover, like those carrying each of the featured characters, is a highly-customized Jeep with lots of fun details, from the Anandapur stickers on the luggage to the vanity plate on the back of the vehicle.

The original procession which debuted with the park in 1998 was entitled March of the ARTimals. Following that rather esoteric display, one of the key goals for Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade was to introduce more Disney DNA and characters into the park. The show definitely maintains its own identity, though, unique to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The parade becomes a celebration of animals, with designs inspired by the color and craftsmanship of the Discovery Island villagers. The Party Animals (stilt walkers) each give the impression of a distinct species, such as the tiger and crocodile pictured above, without being literal translations.


Larger creatures, like the elephant and giraffe below, are suggested by the forms of giant rolling drum units and elaborate puppet contraptions. The puppets for the parade were created in partnership with Michael Curry, the designer who produced the pieces for "The Lion King" on Broadway. That same type of artistry is in evidence here.

One of the most special aspects of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade is the level of Guest involvement. Rather than a single Grand Marshall family, several groups of Guests get to ride along and join in the celebration throughout the parade. Some of the VIP Guests are carried in spectacular rickshaw taxis, which are among my favorite elements of the show. In the example below, the carriage for the Guests is formed by a series of canopy trees and their root system, while out front the whole works is pulled along by a depiction of a hippopotamus. Even the performer/driver gets into the act, dressed as an oxpecker bird on the back of the hippo!

Check back tomorrow. We'll explore more delightful details from Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade.