Theme Park World: “Native American Adventure”

Theme Park World: “Native American Adventure”  

By Abigail Nilsson 

Immerse yourself in the way of the American Indian Tribes. Walk back in time and experience the world of the Native American Indians before Columbus. As you arrive into the park you are greeted by totem polls, native pan flute music, and a 50 foot waterfall. 

Your first encounter is a tribal village with primitive housing, crafts, food, and games. The Village is an integrated community that recreates an authentic Native American village with representations of teepees, long houses, and adobe structures. Native peoples, in this land, will interact with visitors demonstrating crafts, such as bead work, painting, and pottery. Park visitors can observe farming methods and food preparation techniques in the garden near the village. A vibrant cultural central fairway will be alive with a variety of music and and native dance; all designed for the visitor to learn and participate. In the main gathering place you can transform into a real indian with face painting, braiding, and native dress. Also be sure to catch the Parade of Warriors as they ride into the village on their beautiful painted horses. Take a visit inside the head chief’s teepee, where you can arrange a meet with the great chiefs and leaders with Grandmother Cornblossom who all tell their stories. 

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to ride through the great plains or soar on the back of an eagle? Your next adventure awaits adjacent to The Village, in the land of “Vision Quest”. This land is dedicated to a cultural experience that has several thrilling journeys. A spectacular immersive 3D augmented reality flying simulator ride lets park visitors ride on horseback along side thundering buffalo herds, as well as soar like an eagle over the untouched great plains of the west. The second adventure available to visitors is found on the outskirts of the village where you board a guided canoe water ride and travel around the great rivers which take you through various eco systems and native tribal villages found throughout eastern United States. Leave the Indian village and embark on this journey as you on pass other tribes (who appear to be friendly, we think) and spot native animals such as buffalo, deer, wolves, and bears. While in the land of Vision Quest, you can join the greatest warriors in the training grounds area where children and adults can learn and compete in a variety of games such as lacrosse, archery, gauntlet obstacle course, and survival skills. 

To remember this exciting adventure The Trading Post which is located near the entrance is your one stop shop for all things Native American. Shop like a native for gifts such as eagle feathers, headdresses, animal heads, woven blankets, dreamcatchers, artwork, and primitive jewelry.  

No need to worry about catching your own lunch! Three Sisters has the perfect blend of authentic tribal foods from around the nations. Grown in the village garden, these healthy, hardy options include the famous Squanto Succotash, served with fry bread, Barbecued Fish, Squash, Beans, Kanuchi soup, Doublehead Buffalo Burgers with roasted corn, are just a few of the options! (No Fire-water served) 

For a quick pick me up there are several Sunflower Snackbar locations throughout the park. Sweet and salty native snacks such as fresh spring water, sunflower seeds, berries, popcorn, maple sugar ice pops keep you refreshed and on the go. 

The use of tobacco products is prohibited throughout the park, however there are designated Peace Pipe smoking areas. 

The evening drum dance and bonfire gathering make for a dramatic close of the day before you turn in at Native American Adventure park’s lodging called No Reservations. This modernized lodging option is complete with a luxury, wooded lodge who’s lobby is a cosy environment filled with fireplaces and totem polls. A more primitive option is to stay in a furnished teepee on the grounds. Your teepee can easily be transformed into a star-gazing open-air option when weather permits. (Warning: Wolf howling is not simulated)  Additional amenities available to lodging guests only, include trail riding and fishing in the nearby rivers. 

For capital investment inquiries and advanced booking, please contact me at anilsson@c.ringling.edu.