RIDES, ATTRACTIONS AND SENSORY ISSUES: MAGIC KINGDOM

MAGIC KINGDOMS:  ADVENTURELAND

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

From the moment you cross the bridge into Adventureland, you know you have entered another time and place. Each attraction in Adventureland gives you a glimpse of jungle life from being stranded on a deserted island (Swiss Family Robinson Tree House) to swashbuckling adventure with the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Are you ready for an Adventure yet?

As we walk through Adventureland, I will help you navigate the rides and attractions. Which rides are suitable for children, and what components of any rides and attractions are most likely to to aggravate sensory issues?

WALKING INTO ADVENTURELAND from the HUB:

Inside Adventureland

Some children may have problems with the Tiki Masks and the Shrunken heads, or carved totem poles with a jungle feel. When walking toward the Jungle cruise, there is an area of water play with a mister and shooting water. Jungle and swashbuckling music plays throughout Adventureland. Be prepared to encounter a pirate or two while walking.

SWISS FAMILY TREEHOUSE:

View from the Swiss Family Treehouse

Climb through the Swiss Family Treehouse and experience what life was like while they were stranded on a deserted island. The treehouse is 60 feet tall. From certain points you can see across the park and overlook Space Mountain.

AGE: Preschool and Up – This is a walk-through. Requires Climbing stairs.

SENSORY ISSUES: HEIGHTS – The treehouse is 60 feet tall. You climb up a series of steps until you reach the top of the treehouse. This is an open air exhibit. You will be high in the air. As you climb, there are areas where you will be walking across a rope bridge and the steps have open backs.

JUNGLE CRUISE:

This ride takes you down several “rivers” on a Jungle cruise riverboat. Your guide will tell corny jokes that will have you groaning. This actually is one of my favorite rides. Most of the guides are actually funny and engaging.

AGE: Preschool and Up – Some children may be frightened by items in the queue. There are “cages with spiders” and other items hanging. Some adults may have trouble getting in and out of the boats. Cast members are always on hand to assist.

SENSORY ISSUES: No Seatbelts. The boats are open with bench seating. You may sit next to “strangers.” While on the ride you encounter jungle animals – a snake hanging from a tree, a headhunter holding shrunken heads, gorillas, rhinos, and other wild animals (all animatronics). Each ride is slightly different as far as jokes. The boat goes “under” a waterfall and through a dark tunnel. See our YouTube video above for a full ride.

MAGIC CARPETS OF ALADDIN:

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Sit in Aladdin’s Magic Carpet and ride high in the sky (similar to Dumbo). This ride rotates around a central hub.

AGE: Preschool and up

SENSORY ISSUES: Seats belts are required. Some children may be frightened of the giant camel that spits water. You have the ability to raise your “carpet” seat up and down and tilt it forward and backward.

ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM:

The Enchanted Tiki Room

Musical theater show with animatronic birds. There is bench seating  in this theater.

AGE: Preschool and up (with caution listed below).

SENSORY ISSUES: CAUTION: This show has loud parts. Often times children can be heard crying. THUNDER and LIGHTNING is a part of this show. The theater is dark. Tiki Statues are present. The finale has all of the birds singing.

Pirates of the Caribbean

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: This is one ride that two of my children had issues riding.

Queue is inside a dark “fortress” like building. Boat ride through pirate infested waters and towns. There is a drop on the ride, and sometimes you do get a little wet.

AGE: 5 and up (Many children have no issues with this ride, however, even my children that were non-sensory had some issue with it).

SENSORY ISSUES: The ride plays Yo Ho Yo Ho a Pirate’s life for me. The ride is inside a dark building. The boat ride takes you through a mist and as you approach the mist, there is a projection of a pirate on the water. You will go right through it. The first scene you encounter is a “sandy beach” with pirate bones. You also encounter a pirate ship and a town fortress “fighting” and cannons are being fired. Pirates are in jail. Pirates are looting and burning the town down.

Make sure to follow along on our trip through Frontierland coming up next!