The ride was a non-stop trip that brought the passengers near to the Tree of Life and past all the lands of the theme park.

A handful of scenes included a fire-breathing dragon's cave outside Camp Minnie Mickey (intended as a preview for the unbuilt Beastly Kingdom), geysers in Africa, and a bathing Iguanodon outside of Dinoland U.S.A.

The ride was again renamed to "Radio Disney River Cruise" in March 1999, playing audio commentary from Radio Disney DJs Just Plain Mark and Zippy, who were broadcasting from the top of the Tree of Life, as part of the storyline.

The ride closed in late summer 1999 due to large numbers of disappointed guests who had not realized that the ride's original purpose was transportation and showed a minimal number of animals that, with the exception of the Banteng, could all be seen from the paths surrounding the Tree of Life.

The dock in Upcountry Landing, located in Asia, previously hosted character meet & greets and is now used as a seating area and stroller parking.