6 Facts and Secrets About Adventureland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Adventureland is a lovely area within the Magic Kingdom. The area is so green and lush, and you have the sounds of energizing drums and beats that you can’t help but feel your adrenaline rise in the area. We love the mix of different countries and experiences and definitely venture here frequently to go on Pirates of the Caribbean! Here are six fun facts and secrets about Adventureland:

6 – The area is a mix of different regions.

When you think of adventure, where you does that lead you? This area looks like a jungle-type area but is a mix of various regions. The represented regions are the Middle East, Polynesia, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Africa. These areas are represented through the markets, greenery, dining locations, and attractions in the area. They all go so well together that you don’t feel like anything is out of place or out of the theme for the area, even though these are all very different locations geographically. That’s why it isn’t really modeled after any one area in particular.

5 – Adventureland wasn’t going to include Pirates of the Caribbean.

When the Magic Kingdom was being built, Pirates of the Caribbean was not considered as an attraction for Adventureland. Imagineers didn’t feel that it was likely to go over very well with the same popularity as Disneyland, given the proximity of Florida to the Caribbean. Boy, were they wrong! Guests practically demanded the attraction in Florida, so it was added a few years after opening and has maintained its place as one of the most popular attractions at the Magic Kingdom. It is definitely the most popular attraction in all of Adventureland and is a must-do for guests when they visit Walt Disney World. It has received updates to the boats, lighting, and costumes for animatronics to give it a bit of a fresher look over the years. We have a feeling that this one will be here to stay for a long time!

4 – There were 3 opening day attractions. 

When the park first opened in 1971, there were only three attractions that opened the park for Adventureland. The three attractions were the Swiss Family Tree House, the Tropical Serenade, and the Jungle Cruise. The Swiss Family Tree House has received updates and maintenance over the years, but it is mostly unchanged from its original state. The Jungle Cruise is in the process of being reimagined in 2021, with certain elements being removed, and the story is being updated. The changes are taking place while the ride remains open. The Tropical Serenade has experienced a few changes over the years, but today we know it as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Adventureland is a nostalgic area for most with attractions that Walt personally had a hand in or concepts for, so these have become beloved attractions.

3 – 28 years with no new attractions.

Adventureland is one of the most untouched areas of the Magic Kingdom. The land is mostly as it was initially built with only a few changes here and there. It also remains a popular area for many guests due to the nostalgia of the area. It actually went 28 years without adding a new attraction. Pirates of the Caribbean was added in 1973. It wasn’t until 2001 that The Magic Carpets of Aladdin was added to the area in the existing Adventureland space. There hasn’t been a new attraction added to the land since Aladdin joined the Adventureland cast of characters.

 2 – Adventureland is all over the world.

There is an Adventureland at every single Disneyland-styled park around the world. The area is also under this same name, Adventureland. This means that there are six different Adventureland areas around the world harnessing this same theme. The locations are Disneyland in California, the Magic Kingdom in Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and the newly constructed Shanghai Disneyland. The attractions offered in each of the different Adventureland locations are not the same, so each land is definitely a different experience but with the same overall theme.

1 – The Dole Whip

Adventureland is the original location where Disney World fanatics could get the fan-favorite, Dole Whip. Dole was once a sponsor of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room when it was first introduced at Disneyland. This brought the Dole Whip snack options to snack locations to Adventureland at Disneyland. It became a quick guest favorite and was also brought over to the Magic Kingdom for guests in Florida to become addicted. The Dole Whip has remained ever since. It is served at Aloha Isle, and you can order it with various options, all of which are delicious. The treat used only to be located at the Magic Kingdom but has now expanded to other areas around Walt Disney World resort, including other parks. I always recommend for guests to experience their first one in Adventureland since that is where it really all started!