Skipper Canteen

**Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen** or simply the **Skipper Canteen** is a restaurant at Magic Kingdom's Adventureland based on the Jungle Cruise attraction, serving as the Jungle Navigation Company's headquarters.

## History

### Backstory

   The restaurant was once a colonial jungle mansion which housed the Falls family, having presumably been built by Dr. Albert Falls who was founder of the Jungle Navigation Company. The estate also housed Albert's wife and fellow adventurer Victoria Marie Falls who assisted him in running the company. Along with this, the building was used by Dr. Falls as a meeting-place for the *Society of Explorers and Adventurers*, a secret society of-which he was a member.

The S.E.A. would assemble in a meeting-room which Albert had secretly constructed behind the estate's library. Members of the society hosted in this chamber included the likes of Merriweather Adam Pleasure, Captain Mary Oceaneer, Chef Tandaji, Sango Shio, Luana Teixeira, Lord Henry Mystic and his pet monkey, Albert. This hall also held a collection of artifacts created and collected by different members of the society.

In 1919, Dr. Albert's eight-year-old granddaughter Alberta Falls was sent to live in the estate while her father was busy traveling on the lecture circuit. Here, the Falls family recognized an adventurous spirit in Alberta that would be better allowed to grow in the jungle so the Falls estate became Alberta's new home.

In 1927, Dr. Albert Falls mysteriously disappeared leaving Alberta as the new president of the Jungle Navigation Company. However she inherited the company during the Great Depression meaning that business was downturning. By this point in time, the Falls estate became used as the headquarters for the Jungle Navigation Company (whether this was under Alberta or Dr. Albert is unknown). As the new owner of the Jungle Navigation Company, Alberta would also come to work as the company's manager, bookkeeper and head-mechanic.

For additional revenue, Alberta would open up the JNC headquarters as the, "Skipper Canteen" restaurant and serve customers of her service, "The Jungle Cruise". Following the Jungle Cruise's success, Alberta would turn the Falls estate into the, "*Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. Skipper Canteen*" restaurant in 1938. Notable employees of the JNC who worked in the estate included the likes of animal expert Skipper Marc, cartographer Skipper Harper, horticulturist Skipper Bill and manager Skip Documentary. Individuals who would dine at the Skipper Canteen included eccentric professor "The Dreamfinder", aviator Jock Lindsey, *Adventurers Club* president Pamelia Perkins, Global Broadcasting Service broadcaster Nigel Greenwater, and English witch-doctor Colonel Nedley "Shrunken Ned" Lostmore.

### Development history

Prior to 2015, the Skipper Canteen's space served as the Adventureland Veranda.

## Summary

A letter left by Alberta in the menu reads as:

*Welcome to the Jungle Skipper Canteen!*

*My name is Alberta and I'll be your owner, manager, bookkeeper, interior decorator, and sous chef for the next 3 courses (or as far as you get). My grandfather, Dr. Albert Falls, established the Jungle Navigation Company in 1911. His goal was to improve the way in which cargo moved up and down the jungle rivers for his fellow explorers and adventurers. When I was eight years old my parents sent me here to live in the jungle with my grandfather and the jungle boat skippers. I call the jungle my home and the crew members are my family.*

*That's why I turned to them when business began to decline soon after I inherited the company. Fewer and fewer full-fledged expeditions were seen in the jungle and Adventureland became more of a destination for greenhorn globetrotters. Simply put, our cargo shipping business was dry docked. Then one of the skippers came to me with an idea. He suggested we use our vessels to offer guided tours to the visitors.*

*The rest is history! We have been offering Jungle Cruises for several years now and business has never been better. We've been so successful that I decided to open up our home offices to hungry travelers. The crew's mess hall, our old family room, and even my grandfather's old secret meeting room are now open to our diners!*

*We enjoy having you and we hope you enjoy being had. Please relax and enjoy your meal, then get out*

*Yours truly,*

*Alberta Falls*

*P.S. I'm sorry that was rude... Please get out.*

### Menu

The Skipper Canteen serves cuisine from Africa, Asia and South America, reflecting the attraction's international waters.

### Features

The Skipper Canteen contains three distinct areas: The main Mess Hall, the Falls family Room, and the secret Society of Explorers and Adventurers meeting room once hidden behind library shelves.

#### Society of Explorers and Adventurers meeting-room

This was a meeting room for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers used when the headquarters was run by Dr. Albert Falls. The room is accessed from a passageway hidden behind the Falls family library via a secret door activated via pulling a copy of Rudyard Kipling's *The Jungle Book*.

## Connections

### 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

The map of beasts of the Mediterranean shows the Nautilus engaged in combat with a giant squid. Also in the library is a book by Captain Nemo called *The Polar Voyage* in reference to how the North Pole was a destination in *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage*.

### Adventureland Bazaar

A book in the library *Banjos and Baboons* by Goff. This references imagineer Harper Goff who was well known to play banjo but who also has a fictitious counterpart that operates from the Adventureland bazaar.

### Adventure Trading Company

Some books in the library are written by characters of the Adventure Trading Company event. This includes *Birds of Song* and *Rongo's Rite* by Tiki Kiki Serbano and *Gorilla Theatre* by J. Thompson Gazelle, a character from The Daily Gnus who reviewed the gorilla raiders' performing of Hamlet. There is an additional book titled, "Traditional juju charms" by an author named MacGuffin, referencing the macguffin juju charms of the Trading Company. In the mess hall is a message from Skip Documentary saying, "I'm putting the spare key for the notice board cabinet here for safe keeping- Skip". Said key is comedically locked within the notice board. An elephant, snake, bird, and piranhahaha juju are also located within the bulletin-board of the canteen's mess-hall. In the restroom is a framed edition of the Daily Gnus from the event along wth more jujus.

### Bengal Barbecue

Shrunken Ned from *Bengal Barbecue* can be heard in the mess-hall loop of the restaurant and one of his diagnoses are pinned to a board.

### Discovery Bay

One map portraying flying creatures of Bengal was made by S.E.A. president Jason Chandler from Discovery Bay and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad along with Captain Brieux and has several illustrations of the Hyperion from the film. Both characters were planned to be featured in the unbuilt Discovery Bay park planned for Disneyland.

### Disney films

* **The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad**: The book "The Wildest Ride" by J.T. Toad is written by J. Thaddeus Toad and references Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
* **Aladdin**: The book "A New Way to Manage Birds" by the, "I & Z Management Publications" also alludes to Iago.
* **Atlantis: The Lost Empire**: A potential illustration of the Leviathan is located on Mary Oceaneer's map.
* **Cinderella**: In the library is a book titled *The Mystery Castle* by Cindy Ella which is in-reference to Walt Disney World's iconic *Cinderella Castle*, namely through the defunct Tokyo Disneyland attraction of the *Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour*.
* **The Island at the Top of the World**: Captain Brieux and the Hyperion are both featured on a map made by Brieux and Chandler for S.E.A..
* **Dumbo**: In the library is a book titled, "Pink Elephants and other rarities" by Lopez alluding to Dumbo's drunken hallucination of pink elephants.
* **The Lion King**: The book *Hamlet: A Lion's Tale* by Shakes Speare is in the library. This is a joke about the Lion King (1994) which is based on the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The book "A New Way to Manage Birds" by the, "I & Z Management Publications" also alludes to Zazu.
* **Sleeping Beauty**: A dragon modelled after Maleficent's dragon form appears on a map in the Skipper Canteen depicting, "Legendary flying beasts of the Mekong river and surrounding territories".
* **Toy Story**: There is a book in the library titled *A Flight Through Dreams* and *If You Had Wings You Could Fly* by B.L.. Both are references to the defunct Tomorrowland attractions of *Delta Dreamflight* and *If you had wings*. The author is in-reference to Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story whose attraction *Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin* replaced said attractions. Buzz Lightyear also has a complex regarding his inability to fly despite his having wings in the original Toy Story (1995).

### Expedition Everest

There is a book in the library called *Everest Expedition: Search for the Yeti* which was written by Harrison Hightower III, a member of the S.E.A. and Pillagers Brigade. This is a tribute to how Hightower's actor Joe Rohde was an imagineer behind Expedition Everest and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

### Fantasyland

There are several books alluding to characters, attractions and features traditionally affiliated with Fantasyland. Amongst these are *The Mystery Castle* by Cindy Ella which is in-reference to Walt Disney World's iconic *Cinderella Castle*, namely through the defunct Tokyo Disneyland attraction of the *Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour*. There is also *The Wildest Ride* by J.T. Toad. This is an allusion to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, an opening day attraction for Disneyland and Walt Disney World which themed around the adventures of Mr. J. Thaddeus Toad from *The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad* (1949).

Another book is *A Small World of Traditional Wardrobe* by A. Davis. This references the attraction *It's a Small World* as-well as imagineer Alice Davis who created the wardrobes for the animatronic figures of attractions, including Small World. Another book is *A View from Above* by S.W. Buckets which is a reference to the now defunct Skyway which once passed over Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. There is also *The 1871 Annual Review of Song* by M.M.R., an allusion to the defunct *Mickey Mouse Revue* attraction which opened in 1971 with it revolving around Disney characters performing musical numbers.

### Haunted Mansion

There are two books referencing the Haunted Mansion within the library. One is called *Tales of the Supernatural by Gracey,* a reference to the Haunted Mansion along with Master Gracey and the Gracey family affiliated with having owned the manor, and their namesake the late-Disney imagineer Yale Gracey. Another book has the title, "Ghosts of New Orleans" by the author, "Scholtz" as an apparent tribute to the Haunted Mansion's New Orleans setting.

### Indiana Jones

Several books in the library reference Indiana Jones characters, namely and *Seeking Knowledge* by Mara and *The Eyes of Mara* by Indiana Jones which allude to Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, and *Temple Tours*, a series by Paco from Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull. A barrel labelled, "Backside of Water" is also addressed to be sent by the JNC to one Prof. Marley at Marshall College, the academy where Indiana Jones works. In the mess hall, the toolbox of Jock Lindsey is located in the, "Lost and Unfound" with a warning that it might contain a live snake.

### Journey Into Imagination

The voice of the Dreamfinder from *Journey into Imagination* can be heard in the Mess Hall, asking where he can park his Dream Mobile.

### Jungle Cruise

Within the S.E.A. meeting room are a painting of Dr. Albert Falls's discovery of the sunken temple and maps of Mythological Creatures produced by S.E.A. members. Albert Falls' fez is also in the entryway to the SEA room. There are several books in the library which reference the Jungle Cruise, its features and its characters. Namely of these books are:

* *A Small Village With A Large Heart* and *Rockefeller, Hippo, Pet, Family* by Doctor Albert Falls.
* *Illustrated Guide to Radio Broadcasting* by Albert Awol from the Jungle Cruise.
* *Friends for Dinner*, *Top Hats and Umbrellas*, *Banana Trade* and *The Missing Mask* by Trader Sam from the Jungle Cruise.
* *The Lost Temple of Shir Lee* by Mo Williams.
* *Survival in the Entertainment Jungle* by Nigel Greenwater from Disneyland's Jungle Cruise.
* *The Congo Queen* by M. Pittman. The Congo Queen is the name of one of the Jungle Cruise's two opening-day boats and the one which carried Walt Disney. Its name was likely influenced by the film *The African Queen*.

#### Jingle Cruise

There is a book titled *Traditional Native Holiday Décor* by Professor R. Blauerhimmel, Blauerhimmel being a SEA member. Pinned to the board is also an advertisement for the Jungle Navigation Company's holiday celebrations from the backstory of the Jingle Cruise. Additionally within the canteen is a shelf which has Christmas decorations from the Jingle Cruise stored in it.

#### Jungle Cruise Adventure Game

The Skipper Canteen's likeness is used in the *Jungle Cruise Adventure Game* board-game as the company headquarters which all players compete to arrive at first.

### Kilimanjaro Safaris

One of the books in the library is called *The Harambe Chronicles* by Wilson. This is an allusion to the attraction Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney's Animal Kingdoms which is set in the fictional East African village of Harambe. The name Wilson references the warden Wilson Matua of the reserve who appeared in the ride's pre-show up until 2020 when the pre-show was replaced. The book was however not actually written by Mutua given the 1930s setting of the Skipper Canteen, late 20th-21st century setting of Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Wilson having been Mutua's first-name rather than surname.

### Main Street, U.S.A.

A book in the library has the name *The Grace of a Swan* by Plaza, a reference to the defunct Plaza Swan Boats of the Magic Kingdom. There is also an advertisement from, "Merry Time Traders" for one of these boats on the bulletin-board. The figureheads of these boats adorn the crest of S.E.A. as shown in the map of the Mekong river.

### Marvel Comics

In the library is a book titled *The Stars Above Us* by Quill. This is in reference to the Marvel comics character Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord whose Marvel Cinematic Universe depiction appears in Guardians of the Galaxy themed attractions in the Disney Parks. In particular, this references *Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind* where there is a, "Galaxarium" in the Xandar outpost of EPCOT which portrays stars above guests' heads.

Given the 1930s setting of the attraction the canonicity of this book can be called into question however; possibly rationalizations being that it might have been written by a maternal relative of Star-Lord's, or that it was written by Peter but wound up in the 1930s via time-travel as featured in the attraction Cosmic Rewind.

### Matterhorn Bobsleds

There is a book with the title *Scaling the Matterhorn* in tribute to the Disneyland rollercoaster Matterhorn Bobsleds. Another book is titled *A View from Above* by S.W. Buckets in reference to the now defunct Sky-Way which once passed over Tomorrowland and Fantasyland through the Matterhorn.

### Mystic Manor

There are fezzes belonging to Lord Henry Mystic and Albert the monkey in the S.E.A. room's display case. In the library there is a book titled *Mysteries of Mystic Manor* by Yuen, a book titled *A Manor of Fact*, *Primates as Shipmates*, and *Treasures of the Manor* by Lord Henry Mystic, and a book titled *FUZNEWI PDMWH CHF JD U* by Albert the Monkey, in a gag regarding the, "Infinite monkey theorem". Several S.E.A. members first portrayed in Mystic Manor are also alluded to in the canteen.

### Oceaneer Lab/Miss Adventure Falls

There is a map which shows legendary beasts of the Mediterranean that was created by Captain Mary Oceaneer. Additionally, two books in the library are titled *Parrots as Pets* and *Charting Course* by Captain Mary Oceaneer, the first of which alludes to her parrot pets Salty and Duncan.

### Pirates of the Caribbean

The library contains several easter-eggs regarding the Pirates of the Caribbean albeit not any direct story connections. One book is *Profiles of Legendary Pirates of the Caribbean* by Gibson which is obvious allusion to Pirates of the Caribbean with Gibson being a tribute to Blaine Gibson who created the moulds for the animatronic figures in attractions such as *Pirates of the Caribbean*. Another is *Primates of the Caribbean* by Coats which is another clear tribute to the classic Disney property, here referencing Disney artist and imagineer Claude Coats.

### Pleasure Island

The Adventurers Club's president Pamelia Perkins is the namesake of the "Perkins Thai Noodles" which is described as one of her favourites. Another food item is a dessert called, "Kungaloosh!", taking its name from the Adventurers Club's official greeting. There is also a book in the library titled *Another New Year* by Merriweather Adam Pleasure from Pleasure Island while referencing the Adventurers Club. Two other books by him are titled, "Global Night Celebrations" and "American Prosperity Abroad". Merriweather Adam Pleasure's SEA fez is also in the cabinet of SEA fezzes connecting to the SEA room.

### Rivers of America

One book in the library has the title *Keel Boats of the Mississippi* by Fink. This references the now defunct Mike Fink Keel Boats which were themed around the American folklore figure of Mike Fink who also appeared in the 1956 Disney film, *Davy Crockett and the River Pirates*. Mike Fink and his keelboat are still found on the Rivers of America.

### Rocket to the Moon

There are two books written by Tomorrowland's mayor Tom Morrow from this defunct attraction. One is *Mission to the Stars* by Tom Morrow which references the defunct attractions *Rocket to the Moon* and *Mission to Mars.* The other book by Morrow is *Mission to the Red Planet* which references the Mission to Mars attraction and the character of Tom Morrow who appeared in its predecessor attraction.

### Star Wars

The library book *Myths of the Galaxy* by Karrison tributes *Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge* and Managing Story Editor of Walt Disney Imagineering, Margaret Kerrison who developed Galaxy's Edge's story.

### Sunshine Tree Terrace

In the library is a book with the title *Native Orange Birds of the Southeastern United States* by Dr. Sid Truss. This references the Orange Bird character featured in the Sunshine Tree Terrace who was created as a mascot for the Florida Citrus Commission.

### The Timekeeper

One book in the library is titled *Keeping Time* by Williams which references the defunct Tomorrowland attraction, the Timekeeper which featured late-actor/comedian Robin Williams as the titular character.

### Tower of Terror

There are two books by Hotel Hightower owner Harrison Hightower III, *MINE!, Treasures of the Animal Kingdom,* and *Everest Expedition: Search for the Yeti*. Additionally, there is a menu item called the *Shiriki Noodle Salad* which is named for the malevolent deity Shiriki Utundu. The description for this meal identifies it as having been served within the Hotel Hightower on the December 31 of 1899 when Utundu killed Harrison Hightower III.

### Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

Pinned to a board in the Skipper Canteen is a letter addressed to Rosita in the Enchanted Tiki Room. However the letter is marked to be returned to sender due to Rosita being absent from the Tiki Room. In addition to this are several books alluding to the Tiki Room such as *Birds of Song* by Tiki Kiki Serbano, a character from Disneyland's Adventure Trading Company event, *Songs of the Tiki Bird* by Prof. Boag. An allusion to the Enchanted Tiki Room and performer Wally Boag who played José in the attraction, *Tiki, Tiki, Tikis of the South Pacific* by B. Baker. This once again references the Tiki Room and musician, Buddy Baker and *Crooning Flowers* by Sherman and Sherman which alludes to the Tiki Room in addition to the Sherman Brothers who composed much of the soundtrack for the attraction. Another book is titled, "A New Way to Manage Birds" by the, "I & Z Management Publications" which references Iago and Zazu from the Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management.

### World of Motion

One of the maps shows legendary beasts of the Mediterranean and amongst the illustrations are the sea-serpent from World of Motion. The serpent is listed as "Kimballum Horriblus" in tribute to imagineer Ward Kimball who developed World of Motion.

### Other

* *Great Characters of World Literature* by J. Lasseter. This references former chief-creative officer of Disney and principal creative advisor of imagineering John Lasseter (before accounts of his work-place harassment surfaced).
* *Meeting Royalty* by Sklar which references Marty Sklar, the late international ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering
* *Treehouse Construction* by Mills. This references the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse in Adventureland as-well-as actress Hayley Mills who played mother Robinson in Disney's 1960 Swiss Family Robinson film of which the attraction was based
* *Leaders Throughout History* by Professor G. Kalogridis. This alludes to Disney World president George Kalogridis.

* *A Journey to the Stars* by Kimball which references the *Man in Space* episode of *Disneyland* (the series) which was directed by Disney animator Ward Kimball.
* *Discovery of the South Seas* by S. Shio*.*
* *True-Life Adventures* by W.E.D.. This is an allusion to the True-Life Adventure, "Documentaries" made by Walt Disney.
* *Creatures from Space!* by Clench. This is an allusion to the defunct Tomorrowland attraction “ExtraTERRORestial Alien Encounter" at Magic Kingdom.

## References

1. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/skipper-canteen#&gid=1&pid=center-shelf-2nd-shelf-c59
2. ↑ https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/12/13/first-look-jungle-navigation-co-ltd-skipper-canteen-restaurant-in-disney-world-yep-the-jungle-cruise-restaurant/
3. ↑ https://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/skipper-canteen/gallery/21dec2015-jungle-cruise-skipper-canteen-overview/26273.htm#&gid=1&pid=8
4. ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2016/05/the-daily-gnus.html
5. ↑ https://twitter.com/DisneyRemnants/status/1372170855132897282/photo/1
6. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/skipper-canteen#&gid=1&pid=center-shelf-4th-shelf-c57
7. ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2016/05/lost-and-unfound.html
8. ↑ https://www.mousesteps.com/2015/12/16/skipper-canteen-at-magic-kingdom-weaves-storytelling-good-food-disney-tributes-to-create-unique-dining-experience-review/
9. ↑ https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2016/01/29/disney-dining-details-skipper-canteen-secret-passageway-bookshelves/
10. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/skipper-canteen#&gid=1&pid=left-bookshelf-4th-shelf-c84
11. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/skipper-canteen#&gid=1&pid=center-shelf-6th-shelf-c41
12. ↑ https://vegandisneyworld.com/2019/09/04/skipper-canteens-options-and-the-new-vegan-naan/
13. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/skipper-canteen#&gid=1&pid=right-bookshelf-top-shelf-c23