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Adventureland is one of those lands I think gets bypassed. I think most people only go over there to head on Indiana Jones Adventure. But if you have kids, you may be wondering what else there is to do in this area so that you can avoid weaving through the crowds to get to other areas again. Or maybe you want to know if certain rides may be to scary for your little ones. FEAR NOT! We have the complete Parents’ Guide to Adventureland at Disneyland.
Adventureland – An Original Land
Adventureland is one of the original lands in Disneyland park. Maybe that is one of those reasons I love to explore this land. Or maybe it is the jungle music? I am not sure but I absolutely love it.
While Adventureland is an original land there are still plenty of newer attractions. Disneyland will never be complete, and that includes updates to original lands. So sit back and take note parents…because here is everything to know about this area of Disneyland park.
Parents’ Guide to Adventureland Attractions at Disneyland
Before I begin, please note that I am using the term “attractions” for this section. I often times will use rides, but since half of the attractions in Adventureland are not rides, I thought it was more fitting to use the word attractions.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Overview: “In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room…..” This attraction is actually located before you reach the sign to Adventureland. The Tiki Room is an animatronic show featuring singing birds, crooning flowers, and tiki statues. The show is 15 minutes long and the area is air conditioned. Sounds like a great break for your family right? But hold on parents… there are a few things to know about this attraction.
Height requirement: None
Fastpass/MaxPass available: No
What parents need to know: While in general, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is family friendly, there are several components that may bother some guests. The room is dark, and while it is plenty happy with the lights on the birds, there is a scene that can get quite scary for some children. The tiki statues drum and the chant gets quite intense, followed by a clap of loud thunder and complete darkness. This does scare many small children.
Best for: Families of all ages who are not bothered by darkness, intense music, or loud thunder.
Insider tip: The front row sounds great right? If you sit in the front row here, you will find your neck may get sore from looking up. We suggest a seat towards the middle or back rows.
Bonus insider tip: There are secret bathrooms up the steps from the waiting area. ALWAYS EMPTY!!! Check them out.
Jungle Cruise
Overview: Step foot on the World Famous Jungle Cruise. As the name would apply, this attraction (which is a ride) is a slow moving boat ride taking you through the most remote rivers in the world. This ride is family fun and a total classic, corny jokes and all. In fact there is even a Weird Al song about it… (There is. It is called Skipper Dan. Look it up.) So is there anything that parents should be weary of on this ride? YEP!
Height requirement: None
Fastpass/MaxPass available: No
What parents need to know: While this is a slow moving boat ride, there are a few things that parents may want to know about this ride. First, there is a point where the tour guide will fire off a cap gun. This can be a bit loud, and they normally tell you to cover your ears first, but just know it is in the Hippo Pool.
There is also a scene where some lions are looking over a “sleeping zebra” which of course… isn’t really sleeping.
The ride has lots of fun animatronic animals. A few of these animals may spray water or splash water which could get you a little wet (like a few drops) but it can bother some children.
At night, Jungle Cruise can be very dark and creepy. Definitely test this one out during the day.
Best for: Families who like corny jokes and just want to get off their feet for a bit.
Insider tip: Just laugh at the corny jokes. It is a staple of the ride. Don’t sit there expecting something that isn’t corny…because they all are.
Indiana Jones Adventure
Overview: If you have ever wanted to search for treasure or go on an adventure in ancient ruins, this is the ride for you. Indiana Jones Adventure is a thrill ride that takes you in your own jeep to explore a cursed temple. The Temple of the Forbidden Eye. This ride is one of my favorites, but there are definitely some things that parents need to be aware of.
Height requirement: 46 inches. The tallest requirement in Disneyland Park
Fastpass/MaxPass available: Yes
What parents need to know: Indiana Jones Adventure is a very jerky ride. It also includes several dips and turns. Most of this is all fine and good if you have a thrill ride enthusiast but there are some other aspects to be aware of. On top of the ride being quite loud in some areas there are a few other things to consider.
Air. There are times when air is blown at you to imitate spears rushing past your head. This may bother children with sensory processing disorders.
It can also be kind of creepy or scary. Bugs crawling on walls, snakes, skelletons, and fire are all elements in this ride. If your child gets scared easily, definitely look into watching a ride through on YouTube or going on it first.
Best for: Families of older children who enjoy thrill rides and are not easily scared.
Insider tip: Many of the elements in the queue are interactive. The most famous is the rope that goes into a shaft with a sign that says not to pull it. Ignore the sign and pull it, then listen to what happens. Some of the other interactive elements are hit and miss on if they work but this one has always worked for me.
Tarzan’s Treehouse
Overview: This used to be the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse, but alas, as times have changed, so has the awareness of that story… so this attraction (not a ride) was revamped as Tarzan’s Treehouse in 1999. You can tour Tarzan’s tree top home and also get a good view of Disneyland Park.
Height requirement: None
Fastpass/MaxPass available: No
What parents need to know: This attraction involves a lot of stairs. Toddlers may need carried up (though usually there is nobody behind you so you are free to walk slowly). There is a lot to look at, but if your kids need to be hands on or have lots of moving animatronics, they will be sorely disappointed. Still, if you need a break from the crowds, want a good work out, and a great view of Disneyland, this attraction is for you.
Best for: Active families with lots of energy.
Insider tip: Just like in the movie, you can spot Mrs. Potts and Chip from Beauty and the Beast.
Bonus insider tip: This attraction usually closes around dusk for safety reasons, even though the app shows it having the normal park hours.
Those are the four attractions in Adventureland, but that doesn’t mean those are the only things parents need to know about.
Dining in Adventureland at Disneyland – Parents’ Guide
Tiki Juice Bar
Where: Just outside the waiting area to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
What: DOLE WHIPS!!!! If you are wondering where in the park you can taste this classic, pineapple treat, this is it! You can also get pineapple juice and DOLE WHIP floats.
Mobile ordering: Yes
Reservations needed: No
Cost: Under $15
Kid-friendly items or tips: You can ask them to split a DOLE WHIP. While this request can not be made via mobile ordering, it is good to know for those who have kids who think they will be able to eat an entire DOLE WHIP even though the parents know that is not the case. Split the DOLE WHIP and the kids will never know they didn’t get a full one.
Tropical Imports
Where: Across from Jungle Cruise
What: This is a snack stand with lots of healthy options. While I love that they offer healthy options, be prepared to pay a lot of money for your piece of fruit. You can also get those giant pickles, assorted chips and Babybel cheese.
Mobile ordering: No
Reservations needed: No
Cost: Under $15
Kid-friendly items or tips: The Babybel Cheese is a 6 pack, perfect for families to split.
Bengal Barbecue
Where: Across from Indiana Jones Adventure
What: Barbecue inspired by the theming of the land. You will find skewers, rice bowls and more.
Mobile ordering: Yes
Reservations needed: No
Cost: Under $15 for most items
Kid-friendly items or tips: Definitely look at the menu on the app for this one. Your kid may not find anything to eat here.
Other Tips About Adventureland in Disneyland For Parents
Okay so we know that it isn’t just the rides and food that matter (or maybe it is) when traveling to Disneyland with Kids so what are some other things parents need to know about this land?
Bathrooms in Adventureland
The bathrooms in Adventureland (besides the secret ones by the Tiki Room) are near the front of Adventureland, right at the pathway to Frontierland (just past the Tiki Juice Bar). These bathrooms can be quite crowded, so you may want to seek out other bathrooms (like the hidden one).
Characters in Adventureland
With this theming you may wonder what characters you are likely to see in Adventureland. To be honest, character sitings are rare, but you may find Moana near Tarzan’s Treehouse. Once in a great while, Disneyland will break out some Tarzan characters as well.
Stroller Parking in Adventureland
If you are taking a stoller, we have a lot of answers in our Disneyland Stroller post, but as for in Adventureland the big thing is where is stroller parking? Stroller parking in Adventureland used to be right in the middle of the walkway. Disneyland has been moving stroller parking from these areas, and in the last couple years has moved Adventureland’s Stroller Parking to be located in the covered area by the Jungle Cruise entrance.
Fun Extras To Look For
There are so many fun little hidden details in Disneyland that you can point out to your kiddos. There are two specific to Adventureland that kids may enjoy.
The Dominguez Palm Tree
This palm tree is located to the right side of the Jungle Cruise boathouse. The palm tree was planted on the Dominguez land, which was mostly an orange grove, when Disney purchased the land to build Disneyland. The palm tree had been a wedding gift to the owner Ron’s grandparents. Disney kept the Palm Tree and relocated it to Adventureland. The palm tree was planted in 1896 so it is over 100 years old.
The Little Man of Disneyland’s Home
There ia a Little Golden Book called The Little Man of Disneyland. You can actually find his house just to the right of the entrance of Indiana Jones Adventure. You will often have to look past people sitting on the rocks surrounding the area, but it is fun to take a little peek at it.
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