Missing Elephant Animatronic Returns After Almost a Year to Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom

Gretchen McDermid

Updated on:

A realistic elephant statue is surrounded by dense green tropical foliage, reminiscent of an enchanting Jungle Cruise adventure.

Missing Elephant Animatronic Returns After Almost a Year to Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom

After nearly a year of being absent from the attraction, the missing African elephant animatronic has returned to Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise.

Jungle Cruise Elephant

Boating dock area with travelers and various barrels, crates, and containers. A rope barrier divides the dock. Dense greenery surrounds the scene. A sign reads "Wamba Wanda" in the background.

After traveling through the ancient temple ruins, guests aboard their boat will enter an area filled with bathing elephants. Elephant animatronics are situated on either side of the boat, including one that nearly sprays guests with water.

Amidst the Jungle Cruise, a large gray gorilla roams among crates and barrels beneath a canopy tent, with an overturned blue jeep engine adding to the chaotic scene. The setting is enriched by the lush jungle environment, nestled beside a tranquil water body.

However, the missing elephant was actually one of the two elephants located prior to the temple ruins, in the African river section. In between the trashed camp scene and the lions with the ‘napping’ zebra scene, guests pass by two animatronic African elephants standing on either side of the boat.

An elephant with ears extended stands majestically in the lush, green jungle setting of a Jungle Cruise. In the foreground, two people are partially visible, taking in the scene.

At this point, the Skipper usually makes a joke about being able to discern African elephants from Indian elephants because “we’re in Africa.”

Lush green tropical plants grow densely next to a calm body of water under natural sunlight, reminiscent of a serene Jungle Cruise adventure.

The elephant that is supposed to be on the right side of the boat has been missing since at least November of 2023, as it was not present during our full POV ride video of the Jingle Cruise holiday overlay in 2023. Instead, the left elephant was the only one present, while the right was left empty.

The second African elephant was still missing when the Jungle Cruise reopened from a two-month refurbishment in October of 2024. However, the sound effect of a trumpeting elephant continued to play in the correct location, implying the animatronic would return at some point.

An elephant statue is nestled in lush greenery beside a calm body of water, evoking the spirit of a Jungle Cruise adventure.

Now, the second elephant has made a triumphant return and is standing in its correct location on the right side of the river.

A realistic elephant statue is surrounded by dense green tropical foliage, reminiscent of an enchanting Jungle Cruise adventure.

The elephant looks nicely refreshed, with a bright coat of paint and smoothly-moving trunk.

See the returned elephant in our video below.

@wdwnt

\ I am back 🐘/// The second elephant is back in the jungle ⛴️ This elephant has been gone for quite a while but is back in its spot and looking great 🐘✨ What’s your favorite animal on Jungle Cruise? Let us know in the comments📝 #wdw #magickingdom #disney #junglecruise #disneyparks

♬ original sound – WDW NEWS TODAY

Jungle Cruise

The entrance to Jungle Cruise Tours reopens, flaunting a sign adorned with lanterns and a clock. An inviting umbrella and palm tree stand proudly in the foreground.

The Jungle Cruise was an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971. During the ride, guests board a boat guided by a live Skipper who narrates their joke-filled journey through the Amazon, Congo, Nile, and Mekong Rivers.

The Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom recently reopened in October of 2024 after a two-month long refurbishment. No major changes were made during the closure, and most of the refurbishment involved repainting faded scene elements and rockwork. The Jingle Cruise holiday overlay also returned for a limited time in November and December. Other recent refurbishments of the ride have included a dock overhaul in April 2024 and a refurbishment of the temple ruins last January.

Are you glad to see the missing elephant finally returning to the Jungle Cruise? Let us know in the comments.

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