Adventureland

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Adventureland
AdventurelandSign2.jpg
The Entrance to Adventureland
Magic Kingdom
Theme Exotic Lands
Opening date October 1, 1971
Number of Attractions Six

Adventureland is a land inside the Magic Kingdom.

History

Adventureland opened on October 1, 1971 with three attractions- the Tropical Serenade, the Jungle Cruise and the Swiss Family Treehouse, as well as the Safari Arcade (which wound up closing by 1972) [1]. Originally based on the 1950's view of exotic adventure [2], Adventureland's lush vegetation, tribal music and Pacific architecture gave the land a “jungle like” feel.

The focal point of Adventureland was The Sunshine Pavilion, which was sponsored by the Florida Citrus Growers from 1971 until 1986. The pavilion itself was made up of a Balinese pagoda (which marked the entrance of the Tropical Serenade) and the Sunshine Tree Terrace, home of both the Citrus Swirl and the Florida Orange Grower's mascot the Orange Bird. Just outside of the Sunshine Tree Terrace, from 1971 until 2000 guests could find the Sunshine Tree that gave the snack bar its namesake [3].

The original theme of the land was quickly expanded with the addition of "Caribbean Plaza". The new area opened to guests in 1973 and was built to house the popular dark ride Pirates of the Caribbean. Although Disney had initially not planned on building Pirates of the Caribbean, guest demand necessitated the quick construction of a copy of the popular Disneyland attraction [4]. Other additions shortly followed, when the House of Treasure shop, the Plaza del sol Caribe and the Caribbean Arcade [5] [6] opened. . Pirates of the Caribbean eventually opened to guests December 15, 1973 [7]. Besides adding an immensely popular attraction to the land, Caribbean Plaza also gave Adventureland island aesthetics that it did not previously have. Also of note, is the fact that prior to the construction of Caribbean plaza Adventureland and Frontierland did not connect. By extending Adventureland back towards Frontierland, Caribbean plaza allowed guests to travel between the two lands [8].

 Caribbean Plaza Magic Kingdom.
Caribbean Plaza and Pirates of the Caribbean joined Adventureland in 1973

The next major change to Adventureland did not come until September 1, 1997 when the Tropical Serenade closed for an extensive refurbishment [9]. The attraction later reopened on April 5, 1998 as The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management). This updated show was similar to the Tropical Serenade, however the premise was changed so that Iago (from Aladdin) and Zazu (from The Lion King) had taken over as owners of the classic musical revue [10].

The addition of the Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) was followed by another major Adventureland expansion in 2001. Taking inspiration from the Disney movie Aladdin, an Arabian Bazaar was added to the land [11]. This new section featured the ride The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and two new shops, Agrabah Bazaar and Zanzibar Trading Company. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a hub and spoke attraction similar to the popular Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction in Fantasyland. Located in front of the Sunshine Pavilion, the Arabian Village expansion also once again changed the theme of Adventureland, adding desert oasis to the land’s motif [12].

Another change came to Adventureland when the Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) closed on January 12, 2011 after experience a small fire. Instead of repairing the attraction, Imagineers decided the time was right to bring back the original Tiki Room show (albeit in a slightly edited form) for the Magic Kingdom's 40th anniversary [13]. The attraction reopened as Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room on August 15, 2011 [14].

After the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, pirates have been featured prominently in Adventureland. For example, an experience called Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial formally allowed guests to be trained as pirates by Captain Jack himself. On May 31, 2013, A Pirate's Adventure- Treasures of the Seven Seas opened. This interactive game has guests searching all over Adventureland for hidden treasure [15].

On March 12, 2015 the Sunshine Tree Terrace and Aloha Isle switched locations, although they kept their respective menus [16].

On September 29, 2018, Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial closed [17]. The closure came amidst a series of park-wide cutbacks.

Attractions

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland

Jungle Cruise- The Jungle Cruise takes guests aboard tramp steamers as they travel along some of the world’s most famous rivers. The ride is narrated by a humorous cast member.

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room- In this musical revue guests are entertained inside the Enchanted Tiki Room, where birds, flowers and tikis put on an unforgettable show.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin- This ride, based on the Disney movie Aladdin, allows guest to board a magic carpet and fly high above Advetureland.

Pirates of the Caribbean- This classic Disney attraction allows guests to sail along with pirates as they invade the Spanish Port Royale. This ride inspired the Pirates of the Caribbean film series which in turn inspired the Imagineers to insert Captain Jack Sparrow, Blackbeard, Davy Jones and Captain Barbossa into the ride.

Swiss Family Treehouse- Based on the Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson, this walkthrough attraction lets guests see what the shipwrecked Robinson family lived like.

A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas - In this interactive game, guests use a pirate map and magic talisman to help them complete five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland. Based on the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, this game features characters including Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa.

Past Attractions

The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)- This musical revue was a re-themed version of the Tropical Serenade. The show featured popular Disney characters Iago (from Disney's Aladdin) and Zazu from (from Disney's The Lion King). The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) opened on September 1, 1997 and closed January 2011 [18].

Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle Boats- For five dollars guests could steer miniature boats around a small pond. Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle Boats opened in 1997 and closed in 2012 [19] [20]

Tropical Serenade- The first “Tiki Room” show in the Magic Kingdom. Tropical Serenade ran from opening day 1971 until September 1, 1997. It was then re-themed before reopening as the Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management). Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room is a slightly edited version of the original Tropical Serenade.

Restaurants

The Swiss Family Treehouse looms large over Adventureland

Tortuga Tavern- Located across the way from Pirates of the Caribbean, Tortuga Tavern offers counter service dining and specializes in BBQ cuisine. The restaurant was formally known as El Pirata Y el Perico.

Sunshine Tree Terrace- Located directly across from the Swiss Family Treehouse, the Sunshine Tree Terrace serves citrus specialties and slushies. The popular Citrus Swirl can be purchased here.

Aloha Isle- Located outside of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Aloha Isle sells ice cream and other snacks. Aloha Isle is one of the only places in the Magic Kingdom guests get Dole Whip soft serve ice cream.

Jungle Skipper Canteen- Located near the entrance to Adventureland, the Jungle Skipper Canteen is a Jungle Cruise themed table service restaurant.

Shopping

Bwana Bob's- Located right by the entrance to Adventureland towards Main Street USA, Bwana Bob’s sells Adventureland plush and toys.

Zanzibar Trading Company- Located in Arabian Village, this shop sells Aladdin themed clothing and toys.

Agrabah Bazaar- Located in Arabian Village, Agrabah Bazaar sells Arabian themed toys, clothes and gifts.

Pirates Bazaar- Located next to Pirates of the Caribbean this store sells pirates related clothing, toys and gifts.

The Crow's Nest- Located just past Pirates of the Caribbean, towards central Adventureland, the Crow's Nest sells film, cameras, batteries and photo albums.

Island Supply- Located in central Adventureland, Island Supply sold island clothing and apparel until Sunglass Hut assumed sponshorship of the shop in 2015. At this time, the store's merchandise was changed accordingly.

Former Entertainment

Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial- This interactive show features Captain Jack Sparrow, who trains young would-be swashbucklers the way of the pirate. Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial closed on September 29, 2018.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • The opening day Adventureland attractions were the Swiss Family Treehouse, the Tropical Serenade and Jungle Cruise [21].
  • Imagineer Morgan "Bill" Evans was primarily in charge of the landscape design of Adventureland [22]
  • Bwana Bob's was originally called the Adventureland Kiosk however it was renamed in 1985 as a tribute to comedian Bob Hope, who had appeared in the Disney film “Call me Bwana” and also dedicated Disney's Contemporary Resort [23].
  • Dorothea Redmond was responsible for designing both Adventureland's facades and the Adventureland Veranda [24].
  • The terracotta tiles embedded in the pavement near the Magic Carpet's of Aladdin came from a structure that had to be removed to faciliate the construction of the attraction [25].
  • Similarly, the jewels found embedded in the pavement can be purchased at Agrabah Bazaar [25].

References

  1. http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/safari.htm
  2. http://www.examiner.com/article/memories-of-the-magic-kingdom-adventureland
  3. http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/stt.htm
  4. http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/274.aspx
  5. http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/ca.htm
  6. http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2006/08/caribbean-plaza-romance-of-tropics.html
  7. http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/pirates-of-the-caribbean.htm
  8. https://www.mouseplanet.com/9576/Visiting_the_Magic_Kingdom_in_1971
  9. https://www.waltdatedworld.com/id47.htm
  10. http://www.yesterland.com/newmanagement.html
  11. http://disneyology.blogspot.com/2010/03/dissecting-disneys-lands-adventureland.html
  12. http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/adv.htm
  13. http://allears.net/tp/mk/tiki.htm
  14. http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/08/walt-disneys-enchanted-tiki-room-reopens-at-walt-disney-world-uniting-new-technology-with-a-classic-show/
  15. http://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/attractions/a-pirates-adventure-treasures-of-seven-seas
  16. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/03/12/news-aloha-isle-and-sunshine-tree-terrace-switch-places-in-disney-worlds-magic-kingdom/
  17. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/pirates-of-the-caribbean/news/17sep2018-captain-jack-sparrows-pirate-tutorial-closing-at-the-end-of-the-month.htm
  18. http://www.yesterland.com/newmanagement.html
  19. http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/shrunken-neds-junior-jungle-boats/news/11oct2012-photos---shrunken-ned's-junior-jungle-boats-radio-controlled-attraction-removed.htm
  20. http://www.florida-project.com/walt-disney-world-photos/magic-kingdom/adventureland/shrunken-neds-junior-jungle-boats
  21. http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/disneyworldgrandopening.html
  22. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/04/its-a-jungle-out-there-the-history-of-jungle-cruise-horticulture/
  23. http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/adventureland-trivia/
  24. http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2016/03/understanding-adventureland-veranda.html
  25. 25.0 25.1 Adventureland: Walt Disney World Walking Tour by Lou Mongello