My Disney Jungle Cruise Skipper - David Marley | Tosh Show

Quick Overview

Former Disneyland Jungle Cruise Skipper and current history professor David Marley discussed the rigorous but chaotic hiring process, the evolution of politically incorrect jokes that were removed, and the distinct cult-like nature of the Jungle Crew skippers during his tenure ending in 2004.

Key Points: The hiring process for a Jungle Cruise skipper was described as "random and chaotic," with the first application resulting in an offer to work as a third-shift janitor, forcing Marley to find a "sneaky way to get hired" later. Marley, who holds a PhD, earned the nickname "Dr. Skipper" because he returned to being a skipper after graduating from grad school, confirming it was a fulfilling profession for him. Old jokes from the 60s and 70s that "wouldn't fly today" included comments about the Vietnam War and shooting Asian people, and remarks about how women on the boat were dressed. Skippers controlled the pace of the ride, with Marley famously taking 17 minutes for one run because the boat was laughing at everything, contrasting with the standard 8-10 minute tour. Skippers considered themselves a tier above other cast members, mocking the "elitist and obnoxious" face characters, and they favored working Gay Day because they could "take slower trips, do more jokes, and do more different kind of jokes." The water in the Jungle Cruise attraction is four to six feet deep, but closer to 10 feet in the hippo pool, and employees are strongly cautioned not to touch the water due to contamination risks. Marley received an unwelcome gift of a Medjet insurance policy for a year, which he immediately asked his manager to return, calling it the "single worst gift I've ever received."

Context: Daniel Tosh hosts the Tosh Show, welcoming guest David Marley, a former Disneyland Jungle Cruise skipper and current Cal State history professor, to discuss his experiences at the park. The conversation begins with Tosh complaining about receiving a Medjet insurance policy as a holiday gift before diving into Marley's history with Disney, including his path to becoming a skipper, the culture among employees, and changes in the ride's content over time.