Five Things to Know About Adventureland

Travel the globe and ride along on a pirate raid! Adventureland at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will take you on a journey through an assortment of world-spanning locations and adventures. It’s where you’ll find at least two of the most popular attractions in the World – and one of the most popular treats. Ready for adventure? Here we go …

1. “Here is adventure. Here is romance. Here is mystery.

“Tropical rivers … silently flowing into the unknown. The unbelievable splendor of exotic flowers … the eerie sound of the jungle … with eyes that are always watching. This is Adventureland.”

Those are Walt Disney’s own words, although of course he was talking about Disneyland, not Walt Disney World. He was envisioning a land that was a mixture of exotic places and experiences. A real smorgasbord, but that was the whole idea.

What’s in the grab bag? Adventureland takes you from the Victorian-era Swiss Family Treehouse to the 1920’s setting of the Jungle Cruise to Middle Eastern bazaars and Polynesian tiki huts – and finally to the colonial forts of the Spanish Main. It takes you to wherever there’s adventure to be had – after all, “Adventure is out there!”

2. You enter a land of … all sorts of adventures, of course!

The Victorian architecture of Main Street is polished with bustling civilization, and the Imagineers have taken great pains to create a smooth, subtle transition to the exotic locales of Adventureland. As you pass under the land’s welcoming arch, the pathway leads you first past the Victorian-era Swiss Family Treehouse, changing locations but not ages. The plantings change as you walk along, and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by lush tropical foliage. Even the shift in the music playing lets you know you’re not on the streets of Marceline anymore.

Continue walking and you’ll come to an Arabian Bazaar; the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and its spitting camels sit smack in the middle of the action. The Jungle Cruise and its tour of the world’s rivers lies to the left. On the far side, you can visit Polynesia at the hut housing Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, or continue on to Spain during the era of the conquistadores.

The area in front of Pirates of the Caribbean, which is modeled after towns during the age of Spanish exploration, cleverly begins the transition out of Adventureland. The buildings on the left imitate the Spanish architecture of the Caribbean. But on the right, the buildings reflect the Spanish styles seen in the mid-19th-century American Southwest, preparing you to move from Adventureland to Frontierland. It’s a remarkable testament to the Imagineers’ dedication to providing you with an immersive experience.

3. You can eat, greet, and enjoy a treat.

Eating in Adventureland can be … well … an adventure in itself, but one snack is iconic. The legendary Dole Whip is a favorite treat among guests, available at both Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace. And Sunshine Tree Terrace is also home to the famous Orange Bird and the delicious Citrus Swirl! Another grab-and-go favorite is the Spring Roll Cart (Cheeseburger Spring Roll, anyone?) located just as you enter Adventureland.

If it’s a full meal you’re after, the Table Service location Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is the place for you. Themed like the Jungle Cruise, the staff will make you smile while serving up bad puns and good food. You can choose from African, Asian, and Latin American menu options for lunch or dinner.

While you’re in Adventureland, you can line up to greet Jasmine and Aladdin in Agrabah Bazaar, near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. And keep an eye out for Captain Jack Sparrow, who is often roaming around the area.

Shopping presents more of a challenge and is far less of an adventure. The most extensive offerings can be found in the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar, the large gift shop at the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean. You could get a pair of sunglasses at the Island Supply By Sunglass Hut. Aside from that, there’s not much in the way of shopping adventure to be had here.

4. Adventureland itself has had some adventures.

When Disney World opened in 1971, Adventureland was a little different. The only attractions were Jungle Cruise, the Tropical Serenade (which we now call Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room), and the Swiss Family Treehouse. Notice anything missing?

Yup, there was no Pirates of the Caribbean. Given Florida’s history with pirates, Disney didn’t figure there would be much interest in such a ride and had no plans for that attraction here. Visitors felt otherwise and let it be known loud and clear. Finally bowing to the clamor, a version of the popular Disneyland attraction opened its doors at Disney World in December 1973.

But this version was shortened. Since it hadn’t been planned, the space needed to duplicate the Disneyland version wasn’t there, and internet wars have been waged over the years as to which version is better. (Most agree that it’s Disneyland.) Still, it’s been pleasing crowds ever since, and it’s been updated with nods to the successful film franchise, including appearances from Captain Jack Sparrow.

In the early days of Adventureland, there was a second water cruise attraction. From May 1973 until August 1983, guests could ride in a Swan Boat that would take them around the hub of the Magic Kingdom and the Swiss Family Treehouse. The ride was closed when maintenance costs became too expensive.

The latest newcomer to Adventureland is the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. This spinner ride opened in May 2001 along with the Agrabah-style marketplace. As a great example of repurposing and reutilizing what’s on hand, the attraction’s gold camels were originally used in Aladdin’s Royal Caravan parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now they stand proudly spitting on guests in their new home.

As for the popular Jungle Cruise, some scenes were updated in 2021 to eliminate denigrating portrayals of natives. And each holiday season since 2013 it gets a fun overlay called the Jingle Cruise with seasonally appropriate puns.

5. Adventureland has secrets, too!

Keep your eyes open as you wander this land of adventure, and you’ll notice some things others may overlook completely.

⭐ The exit ramp at Pirates of the Caribbean has a peg-leg foot pattern in it. And the crest over the treasure room near the ride’s end reads, “Marci Daviso”, a nod to contributing animator Marc Davis who worked on the ride.

⭐ In the Agrabah-style marketplace, tiles embedded in the area are tiny pieces from the original building that stood there. There’s also a piece of jewelry with a Hidden Mickey.

⭐ The roof of the Enchanted Tiki Room has animals standing on it. From Adventureland they’re designed to look like water buffalo, in keeping with the theme of the area. But they’re also visible from Frontierland – from that angle, they look like Longhorn cows. Brilliant.

⭐ As you enter the Jungle Cruise queue, you’ll pass a cage with a tarantula in it. It’s an audio-animatronic controlled by Cast Members that can interact with you while you wait to board your cruise.

⭐ When you’re enjoying your cruise, the back half of the plane wreck that you pass was in the Studio Backlot Tour when it was operating. The front half of the plane was used in the Casablanca scene on The Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (where Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is now located).

The Bottom Line.

We’re big fans of Adventureland. Sure, other lands have rides where speed, twists and turns are the main attraction: Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run come to mind. But for adventures that engage your imagination, Adventureland’s attractions are just the ticket. They provide plenty of thrills mixed with touches of nostalgia. And of course, where else can you enjoy a Dole Whip?

What’s your favorite attraction in Adventureland? Let us know in the comments.