LP Lotion: Hong Kong Disneyland - Adventureland
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Adventureland
The largest Adventureland ever constructed has been built at Hong Kong Disneyland. With no Frontierland the park has opted to dedicate the entire left side of the castle to the land. Incidentally the park does not face north as at Disneyland and therefore Adventureland is not west of the hub.
This Adventureland is non-descript in its inspiration. There are no isolated villages that have architecture inspired by a particular locale. Instead imagineers opted to create an environment that is dominated by foliage rather than buildings. The architecture that is in place plays on the usual African and Asian accents that can be found throughout the other four incarnations of the land.
The centrepiece that dominates the landscape is Tarzan's Treehouse. Situated on its own expansive island (think Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland but bigger) the artificial tree is based on the footprint of the Disneyland version although the tree's design draws more influence from Disney's Tarzan movie. Guests will notice the tree is covered in vines and moss. The only way to get to the island is to traverse the Jungle River Cruise on rafts.
The Jungle Cruise has taken on a new lease of life at Hong Kong Disneyland. For the first time it is visible along about one third of its route showing guests to the park exactly what the attraction is. A new finale called the Canyon of the Gods has been created specifically for the Penny's Bay park. The skipper and his passengers will be trapped by geysers in a gorge where the Fire God spews forth flames onto the water's surface and the Water God propels vast quantities of water at the boat. Visitors are bound to get wet! Humour remains key to the narrative except that at least initially dialogue will be provided in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Opposite the Jungle Cruise dock is the River View Cafe. The former office of the entrepreneurs who established the import/export business on the river the cafe was established to feed the tourists visiting the cruise. An upstairs window has an appropriate nod to legendary imagineer Harper Goff. Nearby the Liki Tikis have been expanded on the shoreline of the Jungle Cruise and an African musical ensemble will perform for guests throughout the day.
The Tahitian Terrace has been resurrected at this fifth Magic Kingdom. The counter-service facility will serve local Guangdong and South Asian cuisine. The pointed thatch roof is one indicator of the Polynesian theme but the scattering of tiki gods throughout the seating area is reinforcement of the area's inspiration. Immediately adjacent is the land's only retail outlet Professor Porter's Trading Post. Jane's father, Archimedes Q. Porter established the store to supply souvenirs for every safari. The interior is an eclectic mix of nick-nacks many of which are found in Disney's Tarzan or Disneyland's Adventureland.
The giant Cameroonian ceremonial hall immediately behind Main Street USA can be seen from outside the park and is home to the Festival of the Lion King. This transplant from Disney's Animal Kingdom has been modified for the local audience and features new costumes and performers. The exterior queue area is where guests are split into the four animal sections.
Between the Theater in the Wild and the Jungle Cruise is a small alcove that leads to a culvert at the railroad tracks. What lies beyond are three gigantic expansion pads. None are currently under construction but at least one will be used in the near future as this Adventureland spreads out even further.
In our next Hong Kong Disneyland Resort update we will take the first comprehensive look inside the two hotels; the opulent Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the Art Deco inspired Disney's Hollywood Hotel.
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