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The Secret History of Disney Rides: Swiss Family Treehouse

by Tad on October 23, 2017 9 Orlando   Video

The Secret History of Disney Rides: Swiss Family Treehouse - Secret History

Ever dreamt of living in a giant treehouse like the famed Swiss Family Robinsons? While exploring the Swiss Family Treehouse, you can get a taste of just that! This iconic treehouse resides in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. During the secret history of the Swiss Family Treehouse, we'll discover what it took to build this grand treehouse at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. Let's get to exploring!

===>Hop here for Swiss Family Treehouse wait times, ride details and more!<===

The Secret History of the Swiss Family Treehouse

The Secret History of Disney Rides: Swiss Family Treehouse - Magic Kingdom

Opening first in Disneyland Park, the Swiss Family Treehouse debuted almost two years after the release (1960) of Disney's adventure film "Swiss Family Robinson." Walt Disney remembered always dreaming of building a treehouse as a child, like most other kids do. (I know I've always begged for a treehouse by the pond!) So, he decided he was going to make the biggest treehouse in history!

Imagineer Bill Martin helped design the treehouse, while Wolfgang Reitherman (designer of the treehouse for the Disney film) also helped. The Swiss Family Treehouse at Disneyland proved to be a hit, leading to its inclusion in Magic Kingdom's grand opening. The Orlando theme park had its own Swiss Family Treehouse on opening day of October 1, 1971. When building the treehouse, Disney imagineers used around 330,000 fabricated leaves on the tree. Of course the tree is fabricated so it can withstand the test of time!

The Secret History of Disney Rides: Swiss Family Treehouse - Construction Swiss Family Tree House construction

While you can still hop through the Swiss Family Treehouse in Magic Kingdom, Disneyland actually re-themed its treehouse in 1999. Because of the 1999 release of popular Disney film "Tarzan," the treehouse had a makeover to replicate Tarzan's own treehouse from the film. The treehouse received new vinyl leaves and even a new suspension bridge entrance. Not only can you visit the Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom, but you can also see the grand treehouse at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland!

Swiss Family Treehouse Fun Facts

  • While the tree at Magic Kingdom does in fact look real, it's actually made of concrete, steel and stucco!
  • The Swiss Family Treehouse is not a rest-your-froggy-legs attraction — there are a total of 116 steps!
  • The tree is actually classified as a building. This is because of the requirements of certain permits.
  • As a tribute to the Swiss Family Treehouse, you can hear the "Swisskapolka" playing on the old gramophone at Disneyland's Tarzan's Treehouse.
  • Disney's film "Swiss Family Robinson" is based on the 1812 novel with the same name.
  • The root system of Magic Kingdom's tree goes four stories into the ground!

Have you ever climbed the Swiss Family Treehouse or even Tarzan's Treehouse? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out more Magic Kingdom ride wait times and more!

Stay cool!

Keep hopping, Tad!
View Comments
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Apr 8, 2020 at 12:37 a.m. Steven Bahrani Says...

my uncle Abid Bahrani actually did alot if the building of tje house and lived close by. We used to watch the fireworks every night from his driveway. Sad to see they re-themed it as Tarzans

..

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Apr 8, 2020 at 8:11 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

That's awesome - thanks for sharing with us, Steven!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Nov 1, 2019 at 11:18 p.m. Mark Borton Says...

I seem to remember that when the one at Disney World in Fla was built, many of the pieces were staged and reassembled at a vacant orange packing plant on Apoka/Vineland Road in the area called Dr Phillips.....the building was in fact in view of Dr Phillips' house. I grew up only 1 1/2 miles away from there. I did visit the Tree House several times at Disney World after the park opened in 1971.

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Sep 28, 2019 at 3:22 a.m. Lee William (Willy) Nelson Says...

I went to the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse in Walt Disney World the first year it opened when I was 15yrs old. I had just seen the movie in ‘69 when I was 12yrs old. I was so fascinated by the idea of living in a treehouse I’ve dreamed about it ever since. Now I have the $ I’m looking to buy a small Island and build a treehouse (SFR style) and live their. Childhood dreams never end.

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Feb 9, 2019 at 9:14 a.m. Rose m Glenn Says...

I was seriously disappointed when Tarzan replaced it. I've climbed SF Robinson often, Tarzan, once

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Oct 25, 2018 at 8:56 a.m. Brickin It Up Says...

I love this attraction at Disneyland. My daughters love it too as the Tarzan version now. They went up and down the treehouse about 5 times while we waited for bathroom patrons to rejoin our group. I am so excited to see this treehouse inspiring the upcoming lego ideas set. Yes, it is going straight into our family's lego-built Disneyland.

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Oct 25, 2018 at 10:01 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi there!

Oh my gosh, this sounds amazing! We would love to see.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
May 4, 2018 at 4:13 p.m. Julianne Born Says...

Loved going here the first time. Beautifully done. Can't wait to bring my grandchildren in October 2018.

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Oct 24, 2017 at 7:11 p.m. Carlos Medina Says...

I ever been climbed a tree house before so I going to climb the Swiss family treehouse

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