Jumanji® The Adventure Gardaland

Jumanji® The Adventure is the world’s first attraction inspired by the hit movie franchise from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The dark ride is the result of an exclusive agreement between Merlin Entertainments, the operating group behind Gardaland, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The partnership aims to bring Jumanji themed rides, hotel rooms, and shops to Europe and North America, with Gardaland chosen as the global launch site for this flagship experience.

The Movie Franchise: Which Jumanji Is It Based On?

Jumanji originally debuted as an illustrated children's book in 1981 before inspiring the classic 1995 feature film starring Robin Williams. Gardaland's attraction draws direct inspiration from the modern movie blockbusters: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan.

In these films, the iconic board game evolves into a video game that pulls players directly into a perilous jungle. To escape back to the real world, players must work together to complete an epic quest.

The Mission: Save Jumanji

Before boarding, guests are drawn into the story through an interactive pre-show. Visitors step up to the Magic Mirrors, where interactive screen technology transforms your reflection into one of the game's famous avatars. This interactive moment sets the stage for the adventure ahead and stands out as a major highlight for kids and fans of the series.

Your objective is simple: return the sacred gem to the legendary temple and break the curse hanging over Jumanji before time runs out. The path through the jungle is filled with constant hazards.

The Ride Path: 12 Immersive Scenes and Animatronics

The journey winds through 12 immersive themed environments inspired by iconic cinematic moments. The total ride duration is roughly 3 minutes, excluding the pre-show sequence.

A key technical highlight is the installation of 7 large projection screens along the track. Two of these displays measure an impressive 15 meters wide by 5 meters high. The attraction also incorporates Pepper's Ghost holographic effects, utilizing physical mirrors to project realistic three-dimensional illusions. Blending physical sets, animatronics, and digital projections makes it difficult to tell where reality ends and virtual effects begin.

The physical animatronics deliver some of the most impressive moments along the route:

• The Hippopotamus: The first major surprise sees a giant animatronic hippo burst suddenly from a murky swamp, startling riders with its massive scale and lifelike movements.
• The Spiders: Suspended from above directly over the moving vehicle, these creatures drop down to create an intense sense of physical proximity in the heart of the jungle.
• The Stone Giant: The largest animatronic figure in the entire attraction emerges roaring from a dark cave, reaching out to block the vehicle's path in one of the ride's most dramatic moments.

Multi-Motion Vehicles: Cutting-Edge Technology

The vehicles represent the main technological breakthrough of Jumanji® The Adventure. The fleet consists of 12 custom off-road vehicles built as faithful replicas of the transports from the movies, with each vehicle carrying up to 6 passengers.

Unlike traditional dark rides, these vehicles feature a multi-motion system. As the vehicle travels along the track, it spins, tilts, and bounces in coordination with audio effects, hazards, and video projections. This creates the realistic sensation of navigating rugged terrain in a real 4x4 vehicle.

Jumanji® The Adventure by the Numbers

Opening Year	2022
Type	Multi-motion Dark Ride
Themed Environments	12 unique scenes
Ride Duration	Approximately 3 minutes
Fleet	12 multi-motion off-road vehicles
Vehicle Capacity	6 riders per vehicle
Projection Screens	7 total (including two 15x5 meter screens)

Is Jumanji® The Adventure Right for You?

Jumanji® The Adventure is designed for a wide audience, including families, teenagers, and adults. Because there are no steep drops or inversions, it is very accessible to guests who prefer to avoid thrill roller coasters. The excitement relies on animatronics, visual effects, and vehicle motions, offering plenty of thrills without overwhelming younger children.

It is one of the best recommendations for first-time visitors traveling with school-aged children, offering an engaging mix of story, technology, and active participation.

Access Requirements:

• Open to visitors of all heights when accompanied by an adult.
• Check the official park website for updated safety rules and companion age requirements.

The Gift Shop and Themed Hotel Rooms

The ride exit leads directly into the world’s first Jumanji retail store. The shop offers exclusive merchandise including branded apparel, water bottles, plush toys, and adventure survival kits equipped with flashlights, compasses, and explorer tools.

For guests wishing to extend their stay, Gardaland Hotel offers 4 fully themed Jumanji rooms. As the first and only hotel rooms of their kind in the world, they feature custom decor, movie props, and immersive details that bring the film universe to life.

Practical Tips

• Best Time to Visit
  Jumanji® The Adventure is consistently one of the most visited attractions at Gardaland, leading to longer queues on summer weekends. Riding within the first hour after the park opens is the most effective strategy. As an indoor dark ride, it is also a great option during rainy weather or peak afternoon heat.
• Don't Skip the Pre-Show
  Take your time going through the queue line. The Magic Mirrors provide a fun interactive element that builds anticipation and sets the mood before you board.