1. DISNEYLAND
ADVENTURELAND -
OPENED: JULY 17, 1955
The idea to create
Adventureland in Disneyland likely came from Disney’s film series True Life
Adventures. Its placement, on the left-hand side next to Main Street U.S.A., was
probably chosen so the eucalyptus trees that were there could be used in this
land were nature is a vital component. Adventureland is themed as a romantic
fantasy vision of the world’s tropical regions. Since California has a sub-tropical climate, it was
quite easy to find the necessary plants in the neighborhood. Bill Evans was
responsible for the landscaping.
When it opened, this land consisted of one attraction only, a huge and significant one, called Jungle Cruise. Inspired by the 1951 movie The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The artwork, including the Victorian boathouse, the vessels, and the jungle foliage, were by the hand of Harper Goff. Jungle Cruise is a true cinematic experience on which every guest is the leading star, making this attraction the one that ultimately defines Disneyland as a whole.
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Originally this realm would be named True-Life Adventureland, and Walt Disney wanted real animals on display for his boat ride. This idea was scrapped due to the unpredictable behaviors of wild animals. Instead came mechanical ones, which could be controlled to assure a quality ride for every guest, not just the lucky one. The setting of the boat ride changes at every turn and takes its guests along the world’s most famous waterways. Beginning with the Mekong River, meandering through the Southeast Asia zone, with a temple inspired by Cambodian temples like the Bayon and Ta Prohm temples. Next are the Nile, the Congo and Zambezi Rivers reflecting Africa, and finally the Amazon River for South America.
The first additional
attraction was Swiss Family Treehouse in 1962, a replica of the treehouse seen
in Disney’s 1960 film Swiss Family Robinson, fitting well in the land’s
setting. The early 1960’s Tiki craze was probably the reason why also in 1962
the restaurant Tahitian Terrace opened at the entrance of the land in French
Polynesian style. Not long after in 1963, this area was expanded with the opening
of a groundbreaking attraction: Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, the first to
use audio-animatronics. This attraction sits in the same building as the
Tahitian Terrace and Plaza Pavilion restaurant right behind it on Main Street.
Therefore, it was originally intended as a dinner show experience, sharing its
kitchen with the adjacent restaurants, but these plans were scrapped
eventually.
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It wasn’t until 1993 that the land saw another addition, this time bringing medieval Arabian architecture to the land with the replacement of the Tahitian Terrace by Aladdin’s Oasis. Based on Disney’s popular film. In 2018 Aladdin’s Oasis was replaced again by The Tropical Hideaway, with more or less the same setting as the earlier Tahitian Terrace.
The biggest change to
Adventureland occurred in 1995 with the opening of Indiana Jones Adventure. Set
in the nonexistent Lost River Delta in India, it blends well with the rest of
the land. This groundbreaking ride is one of the first attempts to create an
immersive experience: you are not just riding an attraction; you undergo it as
if you are the archeologist yourself. More vital than ever before the
architecture and design of the building enhance the storytelling. Actually, the
large show building is hidden from the public for it was constructed outside
the park perimeter. The entrance pagoda only (and its queue area inside) was
built inside the land. It is designed as a temple in Dravidian architecture like
the Vaikunta Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram,
both in India.
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To make the experience
even stronger, the entire land got a 1930’s theme, with the mysterious Temple
of the Forbidden Eye hidden somewhere in the jungles of the land. With every
step through the meticulous queue line, you get more and more immersed by the
story and discover its hidden secrets. You are not just waiting in line for a ride,
here the queuing is part of the experience. A clever trick to make the waiting
more interesting. And this is only the pre-show to warm you up for the dramatic
climax where you take place in a vehicle that uses a new and unique
computer-controlled ride system capable of making each ride unique. This
attraction is still considered one of the best theme park rides ever.
The latest addition
occurred in 1999 with the replacement of the Swiss Family Treehouse by Tarzan’s
Treehouse, based on the film from the same year. This attraction closed again
in 2021 to receive another makeover. It will reopen soon as Adventureland
Treehouse and will be based on the original Swiss Family Treehouse.
Adventureland is the
smallest of original lands at Disneyland. It features not many, but significant
attractions, making the land a popular and not to be overlooked part of
Disneyland.
2.MAGIC KINGDOM
ADVENTURELAND - OPENED:
OCTOBER 1, 1971
When Adventureland opened in Magic Kingdom, it was bigger than Disneyland’s version. The theme was similar, representing the tropic regions and cultures of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Polynesia and it also uses some Hollywood imagination and fantasy to hold it all together. Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Treehouse, and the Tropical Serenade, the Floridian version of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, were the 3 opening day attractions.
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Pirates of the was Caribbean, a hugely popular ride in New Orleans Square in Disneyland (see separate comparison) was never envisioned for Florida. Only because of the deception of many guests it was built anyway. It opened in 1973, in an additional part of Adventureland called Caribbean Plaza, in the northwest quadrant of the land. The entrance of the attraction is known as El Castillo del Morro, also an actual fortress in Puerto Rico. The architecture is Spanish Colonial as found on the Caribbean Islands. The Caribbean Plaza area functions as a fluent transition between Adventureland and the adjacent Spanish influenced corner of Frontierland.
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The part of Adventureland closest to the hub is dominated to the north by a façade of buildings in French colonial style of the Victorian era as found in Port-au-Prince. To the south, accessible from the hub, sits The Chrystal Palace (= a part of Main Street), providing a smooth transition towards the rest of the Victorian Main Street. The tropical jungle area sits right in front of the colonial buildings and is the home of Swiss Family Treehouse and Jungle Cruise. The latter is like Disneyland’s boat ride, although the order of the settings is altered here and most of the tableau’s are a bit grander. The boathouse, here in British colonial style is different too.
In between the
Caribbean Plaza and the colonial area sits the imposing Sunshine Pavilion, home
of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room (originally known as Tropical Serenade
until 1998) and acts as weenie to attract guests coming from the hub. This
attraction and its surroundings are designed in Polynesian architecture,
including an imposing Balinese pagoda at the attraction’s entrance.
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Adventureland was more
or less unaltered until 2011, when The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opened right in
the heart of Adventureland. This spinning ride, and the adjacent Agrabah Bazaar
are based on the movie Aladdin. The style of the ride and shop are quite
cartoonish, thereby in vast contrast with the stylish Sunshine Pavilion on one
side and the grandeur of the colonial architecture on the other side. The
attraction in itself is simple and fun, but it feels somewhat out of place in an
otherwise rich and contemplated environment.
3.TOKYO DISNEYLAND
ADVENTURELAND - OPENED:
APRIL 15, 1983
Like most attractions
of Tokyo Disneyland, every ride here was copied from a previous version from Disneyland
or Magic Kingdom. It opened with 5 attractions: Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family
Treehouse, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Enchanted Tiki Room and the Western
River Railroad.
The theming of the land
is somewhat different though and it is divided in 3 sub-areas. When entering the
land from World Bazaar you arrive at the New Orleans Square section. This area is
not considered a separate land as it is in Disneyland, but a part of
Adventureland. Probably the French Quarter style of New Orleans is interpreted
as adventurous in Japan and it is quite small here. It features an almost exact
copy of the Pirates ride of Disneyland, including its restaurant. There is also
a theater in this section called Theatre Orleans, in typical French quarter
style.
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Moving on, we arrive at
the second area called Coral Landing, added to Adventureland in the early
1990’s to increase dining capacity. It was built after the water park Typhoon
Lagoon opened in Walt Disney World and is definitely reminiscent of it. This
area is the only addition this land ever received. Note that all the opening
day attractions are still operating.
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Finally, we arrive at the largest section, featuring a combination of the Victorian, African, and Tiki styles. Here we find the Enchanted Tiki Room in a building like Florida’s Sunshine Pavilion, The Swiss Family Treehouse, and the Jungle Cruise. A copy of Florida’s version, only travelling clockwise, where the previous rides travel counterclockwise. The boathouse is also different and bigger, for it also serves as train station for the Western River Railroad. The ride is similar to the Disneyland Railroad but has only one stop (due to Japanese regulations) and circles Westernland and the Jungle Cruise only. It also features the Primeval World Diorama (like in Disneyland).
All in all, Tokyo’s Adventureland comes across as a mishmash. Actually every Adventureland features a mix of styles, but in Tokyo it combines Victorian, African, Polynesian, Colonial, Caribbean, New Orleans, and a bit of Typhoon Lagoon, and that is a lot to handle. (Not to mention the cowboys and dinosaurs you see during the railroad trip). On the other hand, every component is ‘adventurous’ and somehow it works as a whole. Furthermore, it has the best rides from Disneyland and the best ones from Magic Kingdom combined.
4. DISNEYLAND
PARIS
ADVENTURELAND - OPENED:
APRIL 12, 1992
Paris probably has the
most unique adaptation of the classic Adventureland. Upon opening it featured 3
attractions: La Cabane des Robinson, Adventure Isle and Pirates of the
Caribbean, excluding classics like Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room. The
land is separated in 4 sub-areas also representing the exotic worlds but through
the eyes of Europeans. That makes quite a difference. Chris Tietz was the
artistic director for Adventureland, and because of the European fascination
for the Middle East as an exotic world, he was inspired by the tales of the
1001 Arabian Nights. He also used the artwork for the unbuilt Africa Pavilion
in Epcot by artist Ken Anderson as inspiration.
From the hub, you enter
the land trough the Adventureland Bazar, a fantasy building in the style of the
1001 Arabian Nights stories. The complex is best described as a mix between the
colorful Souks of Marrakech and the overwhelming Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis of Uzbekistan, with a fantasy twist to it. Many subtle
references to famous characters from the 1001 Nights stories are found, like
Scheherazade, Sinbad, the
Serpent Queen, and the Bird Roc’s egg. References to Aladdin were present too
upon opening day, but not in the style of the movie, for it was still in
production during the construction of Euro Disney. One year later, in 1993 a
walkthrough attraction based on the movie was added eventually. At the entrance
gate, the logo of Disney’s True Life Adventures film series can be seen as
homage to the origin of the land.
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The next area is the
African village, featuring earthen walls, colorful patterns, and thatched roofs
for the huts and buildings, inspired by sub-Saharan architecture. The nearby exterior
of the shop La Giraffe Curieuse is designed like the minaret of Gobarau in Katsina, Nigeria in Hausa style.
A fantasy Caribbean
Island is the third and biggest area, home of the 3 opening day attractions. In
the heart of it sits Adventure Isle, a substitute for Frontierland’s Tom
Sawyer’s Island, present in all previous parks (see separate comparison). It is
themed to 3 European stories: Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, and Peter
Pan, rather than the lesser-known American Tom Sawyer. Each story is
represented in a different way: La Cabane des Robinson is a walk-through
attraction, Treasure Island is present as a treasure hunt, and finally Peter
Pan is represented by the eye-catching Scull Rock and Captain Hook’s Galleon.
This is also a homage to the Galleon and Scull Rock that were once a part of
Disneyland’s Fantasyland, but were demolished in favor of the 1983 makeover. Next
to the island sits a Spanish fortress, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The cinematographic
façade looks scattered by the attacks of the pirates, who’s attraction is found
inside this building.
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Finally, to the rear of Adventureland sits the jungle section. This area was probably the most challenging to create for the climate was unsuited to grow tropical plants. The solution came from Bill Evans, responsible for the plantations in every previous Adventureland, who suggested to plant a forest of bamboo all around the land to create a micro-climate. It worked and the palm trees and other tropical plants survived the cold French winters. Upon opening, this area was mostly unused except for the British colonial styled Explorer’s Club Restaurant, today know as Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost. As reference, photos from the book Caribbean Style by Suzanne Slesin were used. The building is grand and colorful, to attract guests to this part of the land. Among the many ideas for future expansion for this section, the most exciting was a copy of Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure. Due to budget cuts this didn’t happen. Instead, the roller coaster Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril was built in 1993, with the Mamallapuram Shore Temple in India from the Pallava dynasty as setting for it. Here the roller coaster track is wrapped around the huge building, were in Disneyland a smaller temple serves as entrance only.
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Like every previous
Adventureland, the European version is also a mixture of styles but different
from the others. Here the design includes: Middle Eastern, Sub-Saharan,
Colonial, Indian, and Caribbean elements. With the ship, Skull Rock, and the
Bazar, this version is the most fantasy like. As beautiful and detailed as the
land is, it has not seen any addition after 1993. A large parcel of land is still
preserved for expansion though.
ADVENTURELAND - OPENED: SEPTEMBER 12, 2005
The fifth and last version of the classic
Adventureland is found in Hong Kong Disneyland. Although this park is the
smallest of all castle parks, this land is the biggest Adventureland around. It
has a similar look-and-feel as the previous installments, but with a unique
flavor to it. The land has 6 attractions and can be divided in 3 sub-areas.
The main attraction is Jungle River Cruise,
immediately visible when you enter the land. Hong Kong’s version of this
classic ride is definitely the most unique. It is more visible from inside the
land than is the case with the other versions which are more hidden in the
jungle. Also, an exciting finale is added, where guests witness a fight between
the Gods of Fire and Water. Finally, the boats circumnavigate an island. The
vessels share the waters with the rafts that take you to the island where you
find Tarzan’s Treehouse. It its very similar to the Rafts to Tom Sawyer’s
Island found in most of the previous parks. The boathouse is in typical
colonial style.
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The Polynesian area to the left features a unique show
based on Disney’s Moana, and it has a beautifully themed restaurant called
Tahitian Terrace. Although reminiscent of Polynesian areas in previous Adventurelands,
Hong Kong does not have its signature attraction: The Enchanted Tiki Room. The
same theme is also found in a small attraction called Liki Tikis, which sits
further away from this area, next to the boathouse.
A unique area called Karibuni Marketplace is the third area. It represents an African market with its typical mud huts with wooden poles holding thatched roofs. They are decorated with African patters. In this section we find the grand circular Theater in the Wild, which has a similar architectural style and is home of the Festival of The Lion King show.
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6. SHANGHAI DISNEYLAND
ADVENTURE ISLE - OPENED: JUNE 16, 2016
Instead of Adventureland the innovative Shanghai
Disneyland features a different adventurous realm called Adventure Isle. In all
previous parks Adventureland and Frontierland are situated to the left of the
hub and Tomorrowland to the right. In Shanghai, this placement is inverted, Adventure
Isle and the adjacent Treasure Cove are found to the right of the hub, and
Tomorrowland to the left.
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Like in Adventureland, here nature is a vital component too, furthermore the overall architecture and design feature similarities. On the other hand, this land does not have any of the classic Adventureland attractions, and here the rides are masterfully wrapped around a single storyline. The island is inhabited by the Arbori tribe, and the three main attractions all have a guardian animal according to their mythology. The island is discovered by accident in the 1930’s by the League of Adventurers who study the island and the tribe ever since.
The marquee attraction is Roaring Rapids, a river
rapids ride like Grizzly River Run in California Adventure Park. It features
the massive Audio-Animatronic of Q’aráq, a crocodile-like beast, the guardian
of water. Right next to it sits Camp Discovery in the realm of Q'ai: the fanged cat guardian of the
earth. This is a new and unique fixed-rope course attraction divided in 3
areas: Hidden Falls Chamber, House of the Ancients, and Echo Cavern. Guests
conquer cliffs, gorges, waterfalls, and caverns with the impressive Apu Taku
Mountain as backdrop, one of the most visually stunning creations in the park.
This area also has Tribal Table, the Arbori restaurant. Its theme is a mixture
of African and South American architecture.
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On the other side of the mountain, hidden from the
view are two more attractions. The first is Soaring Over the Horizon, an
e-ticket attraction copied from other parks like California Adventure. It is
presented inside an ancient celestial observatory and temple dedicated to
Q'otár, a thunderbird spirit and the guardian of the skies. Even with the
explanations during the pre-show by one of the Arbori Shamans, it is a bit of a
long shot to fit this hi-tech motion simulator ride within the Arbori world. The
ride is great though and that helps you forget the minor imperfections. The
adjacent theatre is called Storyhouse Stage, a show venue designed as a
storehouse for the League of Adventurers. In theory this fits the theme, but
unfortunately in design it is just a massive concrete building, making it the
only flaw in an otherwise innovative and exquisite land. Upon opening, a Tarzan
based spectacle was performed here, an entertaining show but with no connection
to the rest of the land.
Overall, this intricate land is Disney Imagineering at his best, there is a story holding everything together and it is accurately themed to create the immersive feeling of being in another world in another time. The same goes for Treasure Cove (see separate comparison), making these two lands a very interesting alternative to the classic Adventureland-Frontierland combination found in the other parks.
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Hong Kong’s
Adventureland is the biggest of all, and has the best Jungle Cruise. The land
as a whole is beautiful but lacks some major attractions.
Disneyland, Magic
Kingdom, and Tokyo are the most comparable, although with some distinctive
differences: Florida features the overwhelming Sunshine Pavilion but has a less
interesting Pirates ride. Disneyland has the smallest Adventureland but is the
only one featuring the stunning Indiana Jones Adventure and it has an overall
coherent theming. Tokyo’s land features the best rides of both Disneyland and
Magic Kingdom, but the whole comes across as a bizarre mix.
The most unique Adventureland is found in Paris, a whimsical fata morgana with a mix of Oriental, African, Indian, and Caribbean architecture. It misses attractions though. Shanghai’s Adventure Isle is unique too. Its meticulous design is impressive, and it features a unique range of attractions.
BEST ADVENTURELAND: Disneyland (but Shanghai and Paris are worthy of an honorable mention for their unique and beautiful design)