The back story of Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is pretty detailed. It was founded by the famous Dr. Albert Falls who was known for founding the Jungle Navigation Company, a cargo shipping venture and for Schweltzer Falls. When you enter the restaurant, you will find a portrait of him on the wall.
The restaurant is now owned by his granddaughter Alberta Falls who has an office on the second story of the restaurant. Business started to dwindle on the boat dock due to the new railroad lines so Alberta decided to start giving tours of the jungle instead (Jungle Cruise). She recently opened the restaurant after suggestions from her one of her Skippers as a way to feed Guests as they embark or depart on their Jungle Cruise.
The Crew’s Mess Hall includes 3 original chandeliers from when this location was the Adventureland Verandah, a Quick-Service location that was open in the 1980’s – early 1990’s.
The crew’s bulletin board in this room contains some awesome Easter Eggs.
Look at the office doors on the second story. Like the windows on Main Street, they contain the names of the three original imagineers who helped design the Jungle Cruise attraction.
- Skipper Bill is Bill Evans who did the plant work for the attraction. It is actually a sustainable ecosystem.
- Skipper Harper is Harper Goff was the cartographer who designed the track for the ride.
- Skipper Marc is Marc Davis who did all of the animal work for Jungle Cruise.
There is a Jungle Cruise Christmas corner and a lost and unfound shelf with a box owned by Jock Lindsey that they believe contains live snakes so they refuse to touch it.
There is an elephant in the room on the second story.
The Falls Family Parlor/Jungle Room was Albert and Albertas formal dining room. The birds used to sing words and the flowers used to croon in the Jungle, Jungle, Jungle Room.
There is also a Great Wall of China which is a large built in china cabinet.
Albert Falls was a member of the Society of Adventures and Explorers (aka S.E.A.) and used to host meetings in The Society of Explorers and Adventurers’ Secret Meeting Room. To enter this room, you walk through bookcases that used to be the secret entrance to the room. The bookcases contain books that reference a variety of Disney movies and attractions including The Jungle Book, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and more.
One highlights of the room is Albert Falls personal booth which is easily the best seat in the house.
In this room you will also find a portrait of Albert Falls discovering the Cambodian ruins on the Yukong River.
As you can see, the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is full of secrets just waiting for you to explore.