Earlier I introduced a new postcard series where I would be sharing my vintage Disneyland postcard collection. And since it’s so large, I decided to split it up into each of the lands, beginning with Main Street USA. Today we enter the mysterious Adventureland.

I think it’s important to note that when Disneyland opened in 1955, Adventureland only had one attraction, the Jungle Cruise. In 1962 Adventuerland gained two new attractions, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse and the Big Game Shooting Gallery. The Big Game Shooting Gallery lasted until 1982, the area where it was housed is now a seating area that mostly serves those grabbing a bite from Bengal Barbecue. Sadly I don’t have any postcards of it. Meanwhile the marvel and innovation that was the Enchanted Tiki Room arrived in 1963, and was the newest attraction in Adventureland for over three decades, until the Indiana Jones Adventure opened in 1995. All that being said, it should come as no surprise that the vast majority of these postcards feature elements from the Jungle Cruise.

You might notice the Jungle Cruise boats look a little brighter than they do today. In 1993, with the Indiana Jones Adventure construction underway, the Jungle Cruise boats were re-themed and “weathered.” The Jungle Cruise boat house received a second story for more queue space in 1994, and a more 1930s theming to tie it in with the new Indiana Jones attraction. You’ll also spy that once upon a time skippers shot at the hippos! In 2001 the skippers lost their guns completely, but eventually they got them back, but now skippers either shoot them into the air to “scare” the hippos or some wave them at the hippos and say “Shoo!” Which is rather hilarious if you ask me.

Above is the gone, but not forgotten Tahitian Terrace which served up Polynesian inspired dishes while Guests were entertained with various dancers. The Tahitian Terrace lasted from 1962 to 1993 when it was replaced by Aladdin’s Oasis, which capitalized on the wildly successful film, however, Aladdin’s Oasis, another food and entertainment offering was short lived, lasting only until 1996. The area served as a storytelling location, but without food for many years. Later it became a dining location for the “to-go” dining option for the nighttime show Fantasmic. But this year Aladdin’s Oasis finally met its end, and the area is currently under construction to be transformed into the Tropical Hideaway.

I think many of us have memories of climbing the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which opened in 1962. The bamboo waterwheel stopped turning in 1999 though, when it became Tarzan’s Treehouse.

Next time we’ll visit the old west in Frontierland!

Other Vintage Disneyland Postcard Posts
Main Street USA
Frontierland
New Orleans Square
Tomorrowland
Fantasyland