Most lands at Disneyland have something to draw you in. Fantasyland has King Arthur Carrousel, Tomorrowland has the Astro Orbitor, and Frontierland has the Mark Twain. Adventureland is intentionally the odd man out, as the Disney Imagineers wanted to to convey a sense of mystery about what might be lurking just around the corner. The sense of mystery is appropriate for Adventureland, as the area has many secrets just waiting to be discovered.
1. The Enchanted Tiki Room was originally planned as a dinner show
If Walt Disney’s original plans had come to fruition, Disneyland guests would be dining on roasted pig, poi, and other Polynesian dishes while the animatronic birds sang in the rafters. Even after fifty plus years, the attraction still has signs of this original plan.
The attraction has its own restrooms (to the left of the theater entrance) which were a necessary accommodation if guests would be there for an extended time. The restrooms are still there and available for use, though few people realize they even exist. Inside the theater, the centerpiece (with the fountain) has built in cabinetry. This was originally designed to hold the plates and silverware for the dinner guests.
2. The Jungle Cruise Boathouse was built around a very special tree
Long before Disneyland was a thing, the Dominguez family owned the land and operated it as a family farm. The Dominguez family’s farm house still exists in a backstage area behind Toontown and is used as office space. The Dominguez family also has a window on Main Street USA dedicated in their honor. In Adventureland, the family’s memory is recognized by a Canary Island Date Palm that towers alongside the Jungle Cruise Boathouse (near the Indiana Jones Aventure Fastpass machines).
The Dominguez tree holds special meaning because it was planted in 1896 as wedding gift for some of the elder members of the Dominguez family. In a similar gesture, Walt Disney gave his wife Lillian a petrified tree as an anniversary gift, which is on display near the Mark Twain dock. The two trees are among the oldest objects in Disneyland. And since the Dominguez tree held special meaning, Disney Imagineers made sure to preserve it when the current Jungle Cruise boathouse was constructed.
3. Tarzan’s Treehouse has hidden tributes to the Swiss Family Treehouse
Before Tarzan and Jane moved into Adventureland, the Swiss Family Robinson were the kings of the castle. The walk through attraction opened in 1960, along with the film. The 75 foot tall tree was constructed of steel, concrete and stucco and given the scientific name Disneyodentron SemperFlorens Grandis (meaning a large, ever-blooming Disney tree).
When Tarzan kicked the Swiss Family to the curb, he was nice enough to leave behind a few tributes. First, there is a branch (somewhere) that still has the original leaves from the 1960s version of the tree. I’m told this is near the final staircase, but I personally have never found it. Second, the gramophone in the play area at the end of the attraction plays the Swisskapolka, the song that used to play throughout the Swiss Family version. And finally, you can still find a “Mind Thy Head” sign as you walk through the treehouse.
In a random tribute, the attraction also has a tea set that looks like Chip and Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast. I have no idea why this is there, but the tribute is easy to find.
4. An Eeyore parking lot sign is hidden in the Indiana Jones Adventure
When the Indiana Jones Adventure was built, the show building was constructed on land that had been used as the Eeyore section of the Disneyland parking lot. Yes kids, there was a time before Disney California Adventure existed and an expansive parking lot let us park close to the main entrance. As a tribute to the forlorn Eeyore who would never want to be forgotten, Imagineers placed an Eeyore parking lot sign high up in the Indiana Jones Adventure queue.
The sign is difficult to see in the dark. But in the film room, where you hear the safety spiel, take a look up into the space where you see the film projector. Back in the recesses of that space is the familiar blue sign with the white outline of Eeyore. I wonder how much that sign would go for on eBay.
A land full of mystery
Adventureland is designed to be an exotic land full of mystery. The path into the land twits and turns, making it difficult to see what is next and the canopy of trees make you feel like an explorer in a jungle. During your next trek through Adventureland, keep an eye out for these little tributes. They add a new layer to the Disneyland experience, even for those who have visited the theme park countless times.
These are great.