Disneyland’s Adventureland Treehouse has officially opened (November 10th, 2023). I was able to climb the stairs and visit the entirely redesigned attraction before daybreak on November 3rd, 2023, with Kim Irvine, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering. I made a 2nd trip on November 8th for an evening preview. And returned again to be the first to ascend into the branches on opening day.
For over two years, we’ve closely followed the transformation of the former Tarzan Treehouse, originally the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which unexpectedly closed in September 2021. This project posed unique challenges, including the need to update outdated infrastructure and seamlessly integrate modern technology into a compact, natural space.
Let’s climb the stairs and see the transformation of Disneyland’s most famous tree…
Video Walkthrough Of The New Adventureland Treehouse
SPOILER ALERT… Here’s a full walkthrough of the new attraction. Take a look… then read the rest of our article to learn more and see some great closeup photos.
About the Adventureland Treehouse Inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson
The Adventureland Treehouse officially opened on November 10th, 2023 with a familiar look but a whole new story. The tree is the home of a family who lives on the outskirts of the town of Adventureland. And while they are inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson, they do not have a name, nor do you see any of the new characters in the attraction. Instead, what you see are the rooms of their custom-made treehouse and the beautiful scenery and view from on high.
Like the Swiss Family and Tarzan versions of the attraction, guests will experience different rooms and the clever ways the family has recycled things to furnish their lofty dwelling. The entire house is powered by a giant working water wheel and pulley contraption. It’s ingenious!
While it may look like the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse reborn, it is only inspired by the original attraction. This is a new family and new story. Each of the family members has their own space in or around the tree and their own interests and skills.
Let’s take a look around…
Adventureland Treehouse Father’s Kitchen & Art Studio
On the ground level of the Treehouse are Father’s kitchen and the art studio. Both are wheelchair-accessible and showcase the sort of things you will see in the tree above.
The art studio features images of the rooms above you. This allows those who can’t navigate the stairs to get the flavor of the attraction. Unfortunately, this is also the end of the journey for those who can’t climb the stairs. However, Kim Irvine says they are looking into creating an audio version of the experience for those who are interested. We hope they follow through with that great idea.
Nearby are concept drawings of the contraptions that have been built by the family, and that you’ll find throughout the tree.
It is also on the ground level that you’ll meet Jane, the whimsical Ostrich that guests are falling in love with.
Mother’s Music Room
My favorite room in the treehouse is the Music Room. The organ is larger than the one in the original Swiss Family Robinson version of the attraction and includes bells, whistles, drums, and a working violin. A small water wheel powers the mechanics. Truly magical and sounds incredible.
There are two books in the room, which are an homage to Tarzan and Swiss Family Robinson. (We were not allowed to take photos or video on this journey. The new images you see here were provided by Disney).
The level of detail is incredible. We have a feeling that this is where guests will back up as they stop to listen and look at all of the things packed into the room.
Did you know Swisskapolka has lyrics? They are written right there on the sheet music.
Don’t forget to look up and opposite the organ. There’s a loft where Mother makes her bed. There’s a little spot to take a rest directly below Mother’s bedroom.
The Astronomy Room
The daughter of the fictional family is a self-taught astronomer and quite accomplished. She’s even managed to fashion a telescope out of old barrels and other parts. In her room is a delightful celestial mobile, an astrolabe, and a desk containing a letter from a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). She hopes to become a member one day and is already in touch with the secret society.
Keep an eye open for a collection of books, guides and letters about the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). I’d like to be a member, what about you?
This letter from a member of the S.E.A. is written to the Daughter.
Also, see if you can spy the hidden Mickey in the astronomy room.
The Boys Room
Twin boys share the final room of the treehouse. It’s filled with animals, bugs, butterflies, frogs, and a victrola inspired by the one in Antonio’s room from Encanto. Take a moment to watch the birdhouses. Animated figures pop in and out of the holes. And in the frog cage, a little green fellow jumps from one side of the enclosure to the other.
The monkey causing havoc in the boys’ room is called Rascal.
Take a look at the motion in the Boys’ room and hear how the sounds of the animals is in time with the Swisskapolka:
And More…
Of course, there’s a lot more to the Adventureland Treehouse. Be sure to read the book titles as you go along. They tell a lot of backstory and many are tributes.
This book “A Direct Guide to Treehouse Living” was written by Kenneth Cooper Annakin, the Director of the Swiss Family Robinson.
A beautiful waterfall is at the headwaters of the stream which powers the water wheel and all of the Treehouse above.
Between the Music and Astronomy rooms is a great view of Disneyland.
See if you can spot the homage to the Jungle Cruise. A lamp at the base of the tree sports the Jungle Navigation Company logo. Oddly, it’s printed on a lamp from Big Thunder Mountain.
You’ll find little easter eggs and tie-ins to the Swiss Family Robinson, Tarzan, and the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) throughout the attraction. Be sure to share your findings with us once the attraction opens.
Our favorite homage is this animated ostrich named Jane, a nod to Tarzan and Jane who previously occupied the Treehouse.
We love the way little details are woven together in this attraction. So much to explore. For more about the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, which there are numerous clues to in the attraction, please read our handy guide:
The Beginners Guide to Disney’s Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A)
The Music of the Adventureland Treehouse
Yes… Swisskapolka is once again the theme song of the treehouse, but it’s been gloriously recomposed and sounds different in each room of the treehouse. You’ll hear birds chirping along in places, or frogs, or a theremin in the background… and in the Music Room, a violin, drums, whistles, and bells all play along.
Listen along… this isn’t your father’s Swisskapolka…
History of the Adventureland Treehouse
The original Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse opened in Disneyland’s Adventureland on November 18, 1962. The tree itself is called a “Disneyodendron Semperflorens Grandis” (for large ever-blooming Disney tree).
Tarzan took over the Treehouse in 1999.
And, as of November 10, 2023, the attraction will drop any tie to a movie property and be just the “Adventureland Treehouse.” Though it is “Inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson.”
The concept art for the attraction is pretty close to how it all turned out in the final version.
The attraction took more than two years to complete after the sudden closure of Tarzan Treehouse. But there’s a reason for that… This old structure required a lot of work and presented challenges as a new generation of Imagineers needed to upgrade the entire structure for today’s audiences and safety guidelines. All of the props had to be crafted from scratch. And, Disney took quite a bit of time to decide what the theme of the new attraction would be. And, yes, they did consider Encanto and other things for a while.
The Treehouse looks gorgeous, especially at night.
There is apparently a Swiss Family Robinson remake coming to Disney+. It was announced in 2020, but no updates have followed (perhaps it’s been canceled). It would be interesting to see if that gets incorporated into the treehouse at any point in the future.
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Let’s Hear From You!
How does all of this sound to you folks? Happy to see a nod to the Swiss Family? Miss Tarzan? Were you holding out for Encanto? What do you think about modern-day Disney designing a new attraction without any IP tie-in? Let us hear your thoughts.
More about the history of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse:
Disneyland’s Adventureland Treehouse: The Return of a Classic!
