Did You Know? - Adventureland

Next in our series of "did you know?" is a look at Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. Hopefully, you will learn something new about this tropical paradise.

• One of the animal cages in the queue for the Jungle Cruise has a tag bearing the name of Wathel Rogers, a key designer of the Jungle Cruise animal mechanisms.
• Crates near the exit of the Jungle Cruise reference people associated with Swiss Family Robinson book and movie. For example, one is addressed to Johann David Wyss who authored the original novel and another references John Mills who played Father Robinson.
• The Jungle Cruise Fastpass machines contain addresses referencing other Disney destinations. One makes reference to Trader Sam who is on the Jungle Cruise in Disneyland and another is addressed to the President of the Adventurer’s Club.
• Bwana Bob’s is named after Bob Hope. Bob starred in a 1963 film named “Call Me Bwana” which accounts for the first part of the name.
• The Chess board between the two skeletons in the Pirates queue was originally setup with the pieces forming a stalemate. The joke was that they played for so long, they became skeletons.
• Pirates of the Caribbean is believed to be the last attraction worked on by Walt.
• The building which houses Pirates is modeled after the Castillo de Morro fort, a Cuban fortress from the 17th century.
• The Pirates ride is rumored to be haunted by “George”. Cast members are rumored to say “Hello” to George every day out of fear that the ride will break down if they don’t.
• The Sunshine Tree Terrace was originally sponsored by the Florida Citrus Growers and painted oranges under the roof are the only reference left to that sponsorship. The mascot, the Orange Bird, and the tree it sat in were removed in the 90’s during the Tiki Room refurb.