Disneyland ParkNews

Disney Guests Alarmed as Ride’s Water Turns Red – Here’s What We Know

A beloved Disney ride took on an unexpected appearance this week, leaving guests surprised and sparking online speculation. Reports emerged of cast members in hazmat suits tending to Jungle Cruise as the usually murky river took on an unsettling red hue.

Having debuted in Adventureland upon the park’s opening on July 17, 1955, Jungle Cruise is one of Disneyland’s most historic rides. The attraction was initially conceived as a serious, educational journey through remote waterways, heavily influenced by the nature documentaries of Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures series.

Jungle Cruise boats
Credit: Disney

The Disney ride was originally intended to showcase exotic animals and lush landscapes, giving guests a taste of adventure in the wild. However, by the 1960s, the ride evolved to embrace humor, introducing the now-iconic skippers who deliver a steady stream of pun-laden jokes as they navigate guests through rivers teeming with animatronic wildlife.

Over the years, Jungle Cruise has also undergone various updates, including the 2021 reimagining that removed outdated cultural depictions in favor of a more inclusive storyline.

Similar versions of Jungle Cruise operate at Disney theme parks around the world, including Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland (where it was tweaked and rebranded as Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions in 2014), and Hong Kong Disneyland, which features unique elements not seen in other iterations.

Jungle Cruise Sign magic kingdom
Credit: Disney

Guest Reports Bizarre Phenomenon on Jungle Cruise

This week, the original version of the Disney ride looked more like a scene from a disaster movie than a lighthearted river cruise.

A Disneyland Park guest shared an image on Reddit that showed the Jungle Cruise waters turned an eerie shade of a dark pink or red.

“Something is going on at Jungle Cruise,” the post read. “Skippers dressed in Hazmat suits and the water is purple/pink.”

Jungle Cruise turned pink
byu/DizneyDux inDisneyland

At first glance, the unusual sight prompted wild theories. Some guests joked that the infamous piranhas had finally made a real catch, while others wondered if an over-the-top gender reveal had gone wrong. However, those familiar with Disneyland maintenance procedures quickly pointed to a more mundane explanation.

Why Did Disney Turn the Ride Water Red?

A similar event occurred in 2022 when Disney clarified to The Orange County Register that the red water was the result of routine water treatment. The process is part of standard park maintenance, assumedly ensuring that the artificial waterways remain clean and safe for operation.

During these treatments, the rides are temporarily closed, and guests are kept off the affected attractions until the water returns to its normal state.

Jungle Cruise was apparently not the only Disney ride impacted by this maintenance procedure; other bodies of water around Disneyland have reportedly undergone similar treatments in the past. The transformation only lasts a few hours before the red tint dissipates and the ride reopens to guests.

Guests ride Jungle Cruise at Disneyland
Credit: Loren Javier, Flickr

One Reddit user claimed that Jungle Cruise typically undergoes a full cleaning every three years but suggested that this particular maintenance was unplanned and might have been triggered by a sewage issue. However, Disney has not confirmed these claims.

While the sudden color change may have startled some visitors, longtime Disney fans know that occasional surprises are part of the park’s ongoing upkeep. You can’t have the magic without the maintenance – or, in this case, terrifying water.

What’s your favorite version of Jungle Cruise?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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