Disneyland Resort's Jingle Cruise 2014

This is yet another attempt to get on a regular blogging schedule.  I say that every time, but *maybe* this year will be different. Maybe...

So, for this inaugural post of 2014, which is coming in the last few weeks of the year, I first bring you everything you want to know about:  DISNEYLAND RESORT'S JINGLE CRUISE VERSION 2.0!  Sorry.  :P

I recently decided to keep on my Disneyland Annual Passport for another year.  And another year after that, as I have recently renewed the darn thing.  My bank account cries mouse-shaped tears every night as a result.

Disneyland decided to bring back Jingle Cruise, the holiday overlay set upon Adventureland's Jungle Cruise attraction, as part of their Holiday Time offerings.  Jingle Cruise was met with criticism last year with its lack of holiday cheer and decor (e.g. it was plainly half-assed).  Feedback was obviously taken to heart, as it literally looks like a Christmas store vomited all over the beloved ride.

Since I can be a hasty person, I initially didn't read the signage throughout the queues providing a prologue of Jingle Cruise: a large shipment of holiday decorations has gone missing somewhere in the jungle.  When I experienced the attraction for the very first time, it looked messy with all the tinsel and wreaths strewn around haphazardly.  Knowing the concept makes me appreciate this special overlay more, as it ldoes indeed look like a bunch of animals tore recklessly through these missing parcels.

It may be daunting to see the labyrinthine line go upstairs and humorously wind back and forth.  This normally would be a litmus test of how insanely busy the parks are, and consequently, should be avoided at all costs.  If the friggin' Jungle Cruise line is long enough to warrant opening up upstairs, then all hope is lost and best to get the hell out of Dodge.  Surprisingly, the Jingle Cruise queue moves quite briskly.  Plus, you can check out a vantage point from this attraction that isn't very common:

Once you make your way back down and closer to the boarding area, the queue will split into two different lines.  Most of the action happens on the right, so you'll want to make sure your entire party heads this way.  All aboard:

Having been on the Jingle Cruise during night and day, it's a no-brainer that it will be easier to get pictures before the sun sets.  The lighting is darker/trickier than you may think, though.  If you ride before noon, just know that the sun will be to your right and may wash out photos of certain key scenes that don't benefit from the cover of foliage, like the rhinos and the lions. 

Jingle Cruise at night seems a bit more mysterious, as the skipper has to shine lights for most of the mischievous reveals throughout the river journey.  It'll be pretty difficult to get decent shots, but if you have a fast lens, steady hand, and quick timing, you might get lucky:

I give a "thumbs up" to the new Jingle Cruise at the Disneyland Resort.  If you can make it happen, try to ride this during the first three or last three hours of the park's opening hours to avoid crowds.  The best time is to  catch it at the sweet spot during the first Fantasmic! showing, as a good chunk of the park will also be waiting in Main Street for the nightly fireworks display that immediately follows.  I would still recommend waiting for Jingle Cruise if the line snakes upwards of 40 or so minutes, because it's so unique and not completely out of your way like another boat attraction with a holiday overlay *cough cough*.  I just wouldn't wait that long if you can help it.  This will be up during the entire duration of Holiday Time until January 6, 2015.