Concept Art: Adventureland

When you look back at concept art for the original Disneyland areas, many look radically different from the final product, even on opening day. But an exception to this rule might just be Adventureland. While not every concept image is a precise match, you can absolutely see the core themes or spirit or whatever you want to call it across the whole land.

First, let’s take a look at the entryway.

 Source: Van Eaton Galleries

The sign itself is instantly recognizable, and the only major difference is the massive amount of greenery that obscures some of the buildings behind.

This view of the Jungle Cruise and surrounding land is also fairly close to life. You can also see the Bazaar and Tiki Room buildings surrounding the water’s edge.

 Source: Park Lore

What I like most about this image is the design of the Jungle Cruise boat house building. The final product (shown below) is a much more “built up” building, which makes sense logistically of course. But the idea of a much more open tower and almost abandoned looking building makes the trip through the jungle feel all the more wild in the concept art.

This image is where art really deviates from life. Here we see a scene from the cruise itself. Even disregarding the sepia shades, this ride seems way more foreboding, with the hissing snake in the free and gator waiting on the shore.

 Source: Van Eaton Galleries

In the final version of the ride, you definitely get up close to animals, but they seem less menacing. Until your skipper has to scare a few away, of course!

The concept art for the whole land does an excellent job of showcasing the layers and layers of greenery, helping make the jungle feel endless.

 Source: Ebay

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that right behind this attraction lie Main Street USA, the railroad tracks, and esplanade.

Indiana Jones was a later addition to the land, arriving at Disneyland in 1995. I’ve seen some articles saying that in the 80s, initial ideas included a whole subsection of Adventureland dedicated to the franchise, which later slimmed down into a single attraction.

 Source: Reddit

If you’ve been within the ride, you’ll see the rock formations, fiery caverns, and even the temple itself in those concept image translated remarkably well to the final product.

And finally, the iconic tree house. Many of the elements came to fruition: the rooms with canvas walls, the boat stuck into the tree, the stairways leading to different levels of rooms…it all comes together to create a magical place to explore.

 Source: Invaluable

Swiss Family Robinson, Tarzan, and now just “Adventureland” theming – this treehouse has lived many lives. In fact, I’d say the treehouse is a good representation of the land itself – constantly evolving without losing its core spirit of adventure with a little bit of mystery!