Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Freddy Martin.

Adventureland Day, the annual, unofficial dress-up day for fans of the Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room, and all things Indiana Jones drew a swelling crowd of explorers and adventurers to Disneyland on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

Adventureland Day

“Adventureland Day is a fun dress-up day to celebrate the magic Walt and the Imagineers made,” said “Tiki” Tony Murphy, a Ventura, California artist and the event’s organizer. “It gives us dreamers an excuse to play make-believe in the most magical place on earth!”

A flood of khaki, tiki print, flowering Mickey ears, and feathered plumes entered the gates of the park, headed through the left tunnel past the iconic attraction posters, and marched straight to the Adventureland arch for a series of pre-scheduled gatherings and activities, including a treasure hunt with real prizes.

Steven and Millie T. from San Gabriel Valley, well-known in the cosplay community as “The Cosplay Parents,” never miss a chance to get creative with their meticulously made kits. “We attend,” said Steven, “because we love to dress up, see others dress up, and see our friends and the community of Adventurers.”

“I am a huge fan of adventure movies like Indiana Jones and the Jungle Cruise,” said Suzy Clay-Hartman from North Hollywood, “so I was super excited to attend Adventureland Day at Disneyland. I relished the opportunity to meet fellow adventurers and make new friends.”

An Explorer’s Paradise

Following a preset itinerary posted on the event’s official Instagram account (@adventurelandday), several hundred early birds gathered outside of Tropical Hideaway for a group picture and to sing “The Adventurers Club All Purpose Theme Song,” a nod to the now-shuttered Adventurers Club night club formerly located at Pleasure Island in Walt Disney World.

Then, attendees flocked to the lanai outside the Enchanted Tiki Room waiting in turn for back-to-back packed house showings of Walt Disney’s original animatronics attraction. Cast Members and unexpecting regular guests were surprised and delighted when the whole audience sang along loudly throughout the musical show.

After a short stop for Dole Whips and Bao Buns, they shuffled to the queue of the World Famous Jungle Cruise. A brief attraction breakdown cut the Adventurelanders’ progress short, so many of them headed to “it’s a small world” for a worldwide cruise of a different kind.

The downtime was short-lived, and the queue soon filled with khaki once again. Boat after boat loaded with costumed Adventurelanders gave the ride a rare and magical realism that thrilled riders and Jungle Cruise skippers alike.

And yes, they laughed at every joke.

Why So Much Khaki?

One of the most common questions heard among non-participating guests was, “What’s with all the people dressed in khaki? Is this a special day or something?”

“Adventurelanders,” the name they call one another, answer with enthusiasm to welcome anyone into the fun.

“I just think that it’s awesome that a sea of crazy people can all come together to make Disneyland and cargo pants cool at the same time,” said Tyler Mesa from La Crescenta, who attended in an impeccable, handmade costume that seemed to come out of Disney’s 2001 animated film, “Atlantis: The Lost Empire.”

Mike Vega, a film photography hobbyist from Riverside said, “The people that participate come ready for fun, camaraderie and to share amazing experiences. The creativity shown in the outfits is top-notch, and that it takes place in the Happiest Place on Earth is icing on the cake! I’ve participated every year, and every year I’ve made new friends at the event. And that is [a] real treasure.”

If guests were looking for clues to the mysterious Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.), the mega-theme hidden in plain sight at Disney Parks around the world, they would find them in many of the costumes and custom pins adorning their detailed costumes.

Some guests even stayed in character the whole day, depicting their own home-spun storylines that line up creatively with the overarching theme of the jungle environment. “The Royal Exploration Corps,” a fan-fictional group of explorers, handed out period newspapers and offered swearing-in ceremonies for the few lucky attendees they deemed worthy to join their “society.”

Following the Clues to Adventure

After the Jungle Cruise, the Adventurelanders gathered for a photo on Main Street, U.S.A., where they received the first text messages signaling the start of the Adventureland Day Treasure Hunt.

“The treasure hunt is part mystery, fun, and exploration that culminates with a prize pin that celebrates your journey and day together with like-minded kids at heart,” said Murphy.

“As a kid, I wanted so badly to find a lost treasure and follow a map like in “[The] Goonies.” So I thought, let’s mix in the fun humor of the Jungle Cruise, the action of Indy, and the tropical escape of the Tiki Room. Plus there’s the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, “The Jungle Book,” and so many avenues of Adventureland to celebrate!”

The treasure hunt concluded at a secret location — which turned out to be the Fantasyland Theater, where a dozen “Adventureland Correspondents” handed out prizes and hearty congratulations to each guest who successfully completed the hunt.

Adventureland Worldwide

The adventures weren’t just contained in the Anaheim theme park. Adventureland Day also took place in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, complete with a treasure hunt and plenty of amazing costumes and creativity.

One fan was unable to attend the Anaheim event because he was touring Hong Kong Disneyland that day. He sent messages and photos to the Adventurelanders at home in Anaheim proving that he was still participating thousands of miles away.

Much More Than a Wild Ride

“I’ve always looked forward to participating in Adventureland Day,” said Lori (Lulu) Stevens of Orange, “because it is such a creative, fun-filled way to immerse myself in my favorite land at the park. The people, the camaraderie, and the spontaneous magic that happens during the day transports me to the places, stories, and adventures that have delighted me through the years.”

For many, Adventureland holds a special place in their personal backstories.

“Adventureland has always been our favorite part of Disneyland,” said Kelsi Goss of Los Angeles. “We announced our first pregnancy with a photo at the Tiki Room, our baby shower was Jungle Cruise themed, and we all dressed up as Skippers one Halloween. Getting the chance to feel fully immersed in the land while sharing the day with fellow enthusiasts has been a family highlight for us each year we’ve attended.”

For many, events like these inspire a deeper connection with the park, the stories, and especially the ones they love.

Ashley Stevens of Anaheim brought her son Cole, a precocious boy dressed as though he could be a companion to the one and only Indiana Jones himself. Together they shared a day they will never forget.

“Adventureland Day never disappoints,” said Stevens. For my son Cole and I, dressing up, seeing friends, and just enjoying everyone’s sense of imagination is what makes the day special.”

Learn more about Adventureland Day and get notices for upcoming events on Instagram @adventurelandday.

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