The Big Game Safari Shooting Gallery (1962–1982) was a thrilling, interactive attraction in Disneyland’s Adventureland, where guests tested their marksmanship by firing at jungle-themed animal targets. Known by various names like Big Game Safari and Adventureland Shooting Arcade, it offered a taste of safari adventure until its closure to make way for retail space.
Here are 10 fun facts about this wild, trigger-happy attraction, packed with Adventureland spirit and Disneyland nostalgia
- Jungle Hunt Debut: The Big Game Safari Shooting Gallery opened on June 15, 1962, as part of Adventureland’s expansion, replacing the smaller Main Street Shooting Gallery. It was billed as a “rapid-fire adventure” with hand-crafted jungle targets.
- Largest in Adventureland: The gallery’s building was the biggest structure in Adventureland at the time, dominating the right side of the main walkway. Today, its space houses the Adventureland gift shop and part of Bengal Barbecue.
- Exotic Targets: Guests aimed at moving and stationary animatronic targets, including elephants, rhinos, hippos, lions, apes, snakes, and tropical birds. Some targets, like skulls and tribal masks, tied to the Jungle Cruise’s Headhunter territory.
- Real Pellets, Real Risk: The gallery used lead pellet rifles (operated by MacGlashan Enterprises, bought by Disney in 1969), creating a satisfying “clink” when targets were hit. However, ricocheting pellets occasionally struck passersby, requiring nurse visits, as recalled by a former cast member.
- Ticket to Shoot: A round of ammo cost a “C” ticket (or 25 cents) in 1964, later downgraded to a “B” ticket to boost cash sales. The price matched the ticket’s value, making it a popular cash draw.
- Nightly Repaints: Targets were repainted every night with 11 colors to cover pellet damage, a maintenance chore that used thousands of gallons of paint annually. The gallery was stripped and cleaned biweekly to stay pristine.
- Jungle Cruise Connection: The gallery’s backdrop featured a canoe of skulls and tribal masks, mirroring the Jungle Cruise’s Headhunter scenes. Many animal targets, like hippos and crocs, were shared with the cruise, creating a cohesive Adventureland story.
- Name Game: Over its 20-year run, the attraction flipped between names like Big Game Safari, Big Game Shooting Gallery, and Adventureland Shooting Arcade, reflecting tweaks in theming and marketing.
- Closure for Shops: The gallery closed in January 1982, overshadowed by the more popular Frontierland Shooting Gallery (now Exposition). Its space was converted into South Seas Traders, later part of Bengal Barbecue, prioritizing retail over arcade-style attractions.
- 1962 Expansion: The gallery was part of Disneyland’s $7 million 1962 expansion, alongside the Swiss Family Treehouse.
