Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise Getting Its First 3D-Printed Prop Canoe

Jungle Cruise riders at Disneyland will soon encounter a new boat, the attraction’s first 3D-printed set piece. That’s according to Jay Rogers, CEO and co-founder of Haddy, an AI-powered 3D printing company. The news, shared by CNET, was revealed during last month’s Accelerator Demo Day.

We published a story about Haddy shortly after Demo Day, but the Jungle Cruise news wasn’t shared with us at the time. While Disney revealed that the company might contribute to the upcoming Monstropolis coaster, we had no idea their collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering would result in ride updates so soon.

According to the CNET story, Imagineers worked closely with the Haddy team to make sure the prop canoe fit the vibe of the iconic Jungle Cruise. Many will decry the addition of a 3D-printed prop on a Walt Disney original, but the appeal to his successors is obvious: speed and cost. Rather than fabricating molds and assembling multiple components, Haddy can produce the canoe in roughly 70 robot hours. If adjustments are needed, the polymer can be melted down and reused for the next iteration.

Corinne Reichert, author of the CNET article, was impressed with the props Haddy displayed at the Accelerator event:

“During Disney’s Demo Day, I spot what appears to be a wrought iron fence leaning against a tree, and Rogers says it was 3D-printed. Maybe guests won’t even notice if a boat is made of polymer instead of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, and printed by a robot.”

It’s interesting that Disney and Haddy chose to share this news ahead of the canoe’s debut. Without that context, most guests likely wouldn’t have given it a second thought. Now, knowing how it was made, reactions may focus more on the technology than on the prop itself.

Lead photo courtesy of Danielle Ernest.