African Elephants

The **African Elephants**is a scene wherein the boat passes by two elephants.

[Text.]

As the river curves to the right, the boat passes the first African Elephant on the port side. It snuffles through its trunk, waits a beat, trumpets, waits a beat, and trumpets even louder.

Soon after that, the boat passes the second African Elephant on the starboard side. It also snuffles, waits, trumpets, waits, and trumpets even louder.

## Location

### **Magic Kingdom**

The scene takes place on the Nile, after entering the river, but before the African Veldt.

## Spiel

### **Magic Kingdom**

#### **Factoids**

Do you know how you can tell this is an African elephant? Because we're in Africa! [Note: this sets up a joke that's paid off in the Indian Elephant Bathing Pool.]

Along the banks of the river now, you can see papyrus, Nile cabbage, elephant grass--[The skipper notices the elephant.]--speaking of which, that is the largest blade of elephant grass I've ever seen!

On the left bank, the enormous ears and huge tusks tell us that's an African elephant, the world's largest land animal. And for those of you with short memories, there on the right bank, the enormous ears and huge tusks tell us that's an African elephant, the world's largest land animal.

I'll try to get us through here quickly. They sometimes like to use our boats as stepping stones.

Unlike the Indian elephants, both male and female African elephants have tusks. These tusks make it easier for them to forage for food, and to terrify our *Jungle Cruise* skippers!

You think your family eats a lot? These elephants eat between three and six hundred pounds of food a day!

#### **Trumpeting**

Everybody wave, and maybe he'll say something!

This elephant claims he's not really here, but he's been in de-Nile for years.

Look, up ahead! An African elephant! You can tell that's an African elephant by its large, floppy ears. [The elephant trumpets.] He must've heard something! Those ears can pick up sounds five miles away!

[The skipper notices the elephant on the starboard side.] Look, on the other side of the river! Watch this. Speak! [The elephant trumpets.] Louder! [The elephant trumpets louder.] Pretty impressive, huh? I trained him myself.

On the right bank, we have Bertha. She's a very intelligent elephant, and has learned to communicate with people. Watch this. Speak! [The elephant trumpets.] You can do it louder than that! [The elephant trumpets louder.] Okay, we'd like to take some pictures, so just stand perfectly still. [The elephant stands perfectly still.] Isn't she wonderful?

I taught this elephant some tricks. Watch this. [The skipper addresses the elephant.] Speak! [The elephant trumpets.] Louder! [The elephant trumpets louder.] Spray the boat! [The elephant does not spray the boat.] Oh, well. I guess he forgot to pack his trunk.

#### **Noticing the Second Elephant**

There's another one! This place is crawling with 'em!

Up here on the left, I can't believe it! It looks like an African bull elephant! You can tell by its large, sloping forehead, enormous ears, and huge tusks. This animal is extremely rare! We are very lucky to be able to see one. I guarantee that we won't see another one of--[The skipper notices the elephant on the starboard side.]--nevermind.

[Spotlight joke, at night:] On the left is an African elephant. It's a little known fact that the African elephant is the fastest animal in the world. You don't believe me? Look, now he's over here! [Shine light on the elephant on the starboard side.]

On the left bank, there, you can see the enormous ears and huge tusks of the African elephant, the world's largest land mammal. This elephant weighs in at nearly six tons, and stands around ten feet tall at the shoulders. And there, on the other side of the river: the watchful eye of his loyal and faithful mate.

On the left bank, there, the second most feared animal in the jungle: the African elephant! And there, on the other side of the river, the most feared animal in the jungle: his mother-in-law! [The skipper turns to the elephant.] What do you have to say about that, madam? [The elephant trumpets. If he doesn't:] Hrmm. The silent treatment.

#### ***Jingle Cruise***

*Main article: Jingle Cruise*

Did you know that African elephants can eat up to nine hundred pounds of food every day? Except on Thanksgiving; then, it doubles.

These elephants have been acting up all year. I warned 'em they'd wind up on the Naughty List, but they're in de-Nile.

African elephants love Christmas music. Hey, guys, can you play "Silent Night?" [The elephants trumpet.] Not the rhythm I'm used to, but pretty good!

On the left bank, there, the second most feared animal in the jungle: the African elephant! And there, on the other side of the river, the most feared animal in the jungle: his mother-in-law, known to visit without warning, especially during the holidays!

On the left bank, there, the second most feared animal in the jungle: the African elephant! And there, on the other side of the river, the most feared animal in the jungle: his mother-in-law! Unfortunately, it looks like she's staying for all eight nights of Hannukah, because she packed an extra trunk.