More Mouse: The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Rediscovering Adventureland

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The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Rediscovering Adventureland by Tom Richards

Tom Richards visits some often overlooked Adventureland attractions and rediscovers some pure Walt Disney World fun.

Read it here!

[marclichon]

I have to admit that we typically walk (not rush, but quickly 'walk') through this area with the general crowd. I will make sure we sit for a while and soak in the atmosphere next time we're there. We always stop in the Swiss Family Treehouse for the very same experiences you've listed; it's rarely busy, its off the worn-out path, the detail is incredible and it offers a unique view of the surrounding area. While we love movies like Aladdin, Lion King, Cars, Meet the Robinsons and Treasure Planet (yes, I said it; they really ought to do something with that movie), but we also like Swiss Family Robinson, Herbie and Pete's Dragon (yes, I said that too) so it's nice to see something from that era represented. Also, you won't find something like this at Universal or Cedar Fairs parks, it doesn't have a 'thrill factor' or immediate return for a current trend or intellectual property; it's one of those experience-for-experience-sake attraction that Disney does better than anyone.

[mkelm44]

I think I've gone through it quickly (oddly enough) because it feels the emptiest of the lands. That being said, I've never really cared for Swiss Family Robinson- having gone to the World every 2-3 years for the last 25, I can't recall it signficantly changing, and I don't have that sort of need for nostalgia where things remain so constant. Part of it may be that I never saw Swiss Family Robinson until about 5 years ago, and while I can certainly look and be impressed by the attention to detail, it still feels more to me like it should be the preshow to something else. There just isn't a sense of wonder or excitement that goes with it. I'm also going to disagree with you on the Tiki Room and Pirates- while I don't love the addition of the Johnny Depp animatronic or Zazu and Iago, I understood why they were done- it ties in these otherwise arbitrary exhibits with the rest of the Disney universe. Besides, the Pirates franchise has been so successful that Disney would have gotten far more criticism if Jack Sparrow hadn't been placed in the ride somewhere.

[carolinakid]

Nice article, Tom! I'm anxious to visit Swiss Family this year to experience the refurb as it was closed last year during my October trip. I've loved that film since I was a kid and I love visiting the treehouse and imagining what it would be like to really live there. People tend to rush through it but I like to stop and enjoy the views of Adventureland and the rest of the Kingdom at each level.

I'm not a fan of the Pirates film franchise so if Jack Sparrow suddenly left the attraction, as Iago & Zazu left the Tiki Room, I'd be one happy camper!

Adventureland is beautiful but could certainly use another E ticket attraction.

[DisneyGator]

There are some really cool carved benches near the Aloha Isle that 's a good stop to take down an icy treat. I love not only the tropical feel, but a very wild tropical feel to this area. I make time to do all the attractions in Adventureland, but probably will skip the boring, made-funny, boring-again Tiki Room on our next trip. The kids thought it was hilarious with Iago and Zazu, and I like the corny jokes too. Now it's back to it's snooza-palooza form, and I really don't feel like hearing the kids scream about why they took the funny stuff out.