Are you passionate about Disney stories, secrets and anecdotes, and want to learn more? Would you like to find out more about all the stories in Adventureland? If so, you’ve come to the right place to satisfy your curiosity!
In this captivating article, I’m delighted to share with you a unique collection of secrets, stories and anecdotes that I’ve had the pleasure of uncovering during my visits to the park, as well as in my extensive research. My aim is to immerse you in the mysteries of Adventureland at Disneyland Paris, revealing every hidden detail I’ve had the privilege of unearthing. Prepare to be transported to a world where adventure and magic intertwine, where every corner holds its share of surprises and spellbinding tales.
The story of the land
Adventureland at Disneyland Paris, designed with inspiration from the land of the same name at Disneyland Resort in California, has its roots in the documentaries C’est la Vie (True-Life Adventure), originally giving its name to the land intended to be True-Life Adventureland. The project, led by Imagineer Chris Tietz, stands out from previous versions with its abundance of lush vegetation, evoking more natural environments than man-made villages. Its distinctive layout includes various unique geographical zones such as the Middle East, Africa, India and the Caribbean. This land is an invitation to exploration, adventure and travel.
A historic main door
To begin our spellbinding exploration of Adventureland, let’s first dive into its majestic entrance, located near the castle. If you look closely, the mosaic archway that adorns this main doorway conceals some fascinating details. Near the torches flanking the entrance, you’ll be sure to spot the initials WDI, testimony to the meticulous work of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Just above, two red and gold faces of the Earth catch the eye: this is a subtle and little-known tribute to the True Life Adventures series produced by Walt Disney Studios in the 1950s.
But that’s just a taste of the mysteries that await you near this entrance. Atop the tower furthest to the left of the entrance sits a giant egg, the enigmatic remnant of a legendary bird: the Rokh, protagonist of the Sinbad the Sailor stories. And if you pay close attention, you’ll see that the egg is about to hatch!
Further on, a buffalo skull rests on the sand, adding an exotic touch to Adventureland’s coastal setting.
And if you look up to the sky, you’ll notice that the domes in this area, also known as Adventureland Bazaar, are adorned with weathervanes depicting iconic characters from the Arabian Nights.
Moving on, a veritable art gallery comes to life on the walls of this entrance, evoking the enchanting tales of the Thousand and One Nights. Paintings depict emblematic scenes such as that of the Ebony Horse, where the quotation “He kidnapped the Princess and they flew away on the magic horse” transports visitors into a world of magic and adventure. The Lampe Merveilleuse, depicted with the quotation “The Djinn appeared and offered her three wishes”. As for the Talking Bird, the quotation “Princess Périezade asked the talking bird for advice” recalls the importance of advice and ancestral wisdom in these spellbinding tales.
And finally, under this same entrance, you’ll see a gold chandelier. But this chandelier is no mere decoration: it was donated by King Hassan II of Morocco himself! This chandelier shines with its royal lustre, while benches have been cleverly placed beneath it for two reasons: to break the flow of the crowds using this road, but above all to prevent a maintenance vehicle working at night from damaging the priceless gift.
Continuing straight past the entrance, an intriguing discovery awaits you: a jeep loaded with equipment, left behind by a desert merchant. This picturesque scene provides the perfect introduction to the store next door.
Continuing our captivating journey to the heart of the Middle East at Adventureland, a truly unique experience awaits you in the Curious Giraffe boutique. Here, suspended from the ceiling, an animated giraffe captures the gaze and imagination of visitors. This playful and astonishing touch adds a magical dimension to the boutique’s already enchanting atmosphere, offering a memorable encounter with the exotic fauna of this faraway land.
To conclude our spellbinding exploration of the Middle East, head over to Aladdin’s photolocation and watch closely. Near this iconic attraction, you’ll notice a magical detail: from time to time, smoke escapes from the Genie’s lamp, even if it has been out of action for a long time.
The heart of the savannah
In the area dedicated to the African savannah, located between the Hakuna Matata restaurant and Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost, visitors can delight in the many details carefully integrated into the décor. Among them, the snake Kaa, from Mowgli’s adventures in “The Jungle Book”, skilfully slithers into the nooks and crannies, adding a touch of mystery and adventure. The African huts scattered nearby transport visitors into an authentic, picturesque world. But most surprising of all are the animal footprints embedded in the ground, seemingly telling the stories of the savannah dwellers who once roamed these lands.
Towards the Temple of Peril
Continuing on to the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril attraction, you can discover a wealth of fascinating secrets and anecdotes. For example, once known as the Explorers Club, Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost restaurant still retains vestiges of its former name, visible on the lanterns on its terrace and even on the fireplace near the counter.
The restaurant also features a huge tree housing two animated toucans, adding a playful touch to the atmosphere.
If we retrace our steps a little, near the Cool Post, you’ll find a Coca-Cola cooler. When you open it, it makes the sound of a soda being poured, and over there you’ll even see crates displaying the Coca-Cola logo in different languages.
Moving on to the far end of the land, you’ll find an empty tarantula cage at the side of the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost, which both intrigues and amuses, although the arachnophobes among you may be worried that the spider may be roaming the land!
What’s more, the photos on display in the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost are those of Imagineers, adding a touch of historical archive to the experience.
What’s more, the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril attraction is inspired by the Palavian-style Hindu temples of southern India, and was inaugurated on December 10, 1993 by George Lucas. Originally intended as a temporary attraction to entertain visitors until Space Mountain opened, its popularity has kept it in the park to this day. And as I mentioned in a previous article: between April 1, 2000 and December 4, 2004, the attraction was even turned upside down, with all set elements and carriages reversed, but was eventually removed.
In the queue, the most observant will be able to spot Indiana Jones’ tent, recognizable by his hat and whip resting on the chair (formerly on the bed).
All about Adventure Isle
Continuing our exploration of Adventureland, we plunge into Adventure Isle, a part of the park with a history so rich it could be a land unto itself. Its flagship attraction, Robinson’s Cabin, pays homage to the Robinson family from Walt Disney’s 1960 film Robinson of the South Seas.
The tree of this tree house, a Disneyodendron semperflorens grandis, a species created by the Imagineers, stands majestically at 21 metres high, carefully positioned 6.5 metres above the water to be visible to all at Adventureland. This impressive construction was initially adorned with over 300,000 artificial leaves, laid out one by one by hand.
Inside the cabin, visitors will discover the various parts of the Robinson boat, with watchtowers and telescopic sights scattered here and there. The boat can also be found at the heart of the island, near the suspension bridge. Details abound, such as the flags at the entrance saying “You may enter the harbor” and “Don’t come near us, we’re plague-stricken”, used to keep pirates at bay. At the exit, a final flag wishes “bon voyage”.
Also in Adventure Isle, in the basement of Adventure Isle, notably in Ben Gun’s Cave, a treasure is guarded by a skeleton. Visitors can also spot several skeletons between the rocks in this area.
Finally, the stream between Robinson’s Cabin and Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost is home to a small motorboat in homage to the film “African Queen”, while the boat features Carl Fredericksen and Russell from the Pixar film “Là-Haut”.
The Pirates of the Caribbean zone
At the heart of the attraction, the well stage features animatronics dressed in pre-20th-century costumes, acquired from a specialist London store.
And don’t be fooled: the attraction hides a Hidden Mickey!
What’s more, the 2017 refurbishment has brought its share of changes, such as the transformation of the women’s auction into an arms auction, led by a Redhead who is now a pirate, or the introduction of parity in the duel, with a man and a woman crossing swords.
My advice for the attraction is to keep an eye out for Jack Sparrow lurking near the drunken man, and beware of Captain Barbossa, who is still cursed after the third run. Captain Sparrow reveals himself a second time in the treasure room.
Finally, in Captain Jack’s – Pirates’ Restaurant, the walls are lined with wanted posters of famous pirates, and a chest at the entrance holds a few gold bars. Every detail, from the map of the Caribbean to the walls adorned with illustrations, tells part of the attraction’s original story, making Adventureland a world where every step reveals a new story.
As we end our journey through Adventureland at Disneyland Paris, a surprise awaits you near a drinks stand: the sword handles forming the pirate logo actually reveal bottles of Coca Cola! Then, on your way to Fantasyland, discover an unexpected facet of the Le Chalet de la Marionnette restaurant. Located in Adventureland, a portion of this venue nestles in a pirate cave, housing the famous Stromboli cage where Pinocchio was imprisoned. An enchanting wink that cleverly links Disney’s worlds, punctuating our adventure with magic and mystery.
