Swiss Family Robinson vs. Tarzans Treehouse

[TikiTikiFan]

Growing up one of my family’s favorite attractions was the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at Disneyland. I know it was rethemed to Tarzan’s Treehouse in 1999.

I have a really obnoxious fear of heights now as an adult but I want to brave the treehouse our next visit.

How much did the theming change when they switched it? Can you still easily see traces of the original? In other words, is there enough nostalgia up there to be worth my anxiety to finally get up those darn stairs after all these years?

 

[Plip]

How much did the theming change when they switched it? Can you still easily see traces of the original? In other words, is there enough nostalgia up there to be worth my anxiety to finally get up those darn stairs after all these years?

I think it depends on what it was that charmed you so much about the Swiss Family Robinson version.

When we first visited Disneyland in 1980, I was in absolute awe of the treehouse. And the thing that captured my imagination more than anything was the ingenuity of the water system -- the stream below turned the waterwheel that in turn ran the rope-and-bamboo system that then dumped the water into the improvised plumbing, and volia! Running water! To me, it was one of the coolest things in the whole park.

That's completely gone. And so, for me at least, it's really not even the same attraction. Along with Country Bear Jamboree, it's what I miss most of the Disneyland of my childhood.

On the other hand, it's the same structure. It's the same stairs and platforms and bridges (at least as far as I can remember). It's the same (fake) tree. So maybe it'll be more nostalgic for you.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Awww, that’s disappointing that the water system is gone. That’s one of my strongest memories- something about it was so mesmerizing. Thanks for the input! It’s a hard question to answer because not everyone remembers it as the Swiss Family Robinson.

 

[Congo Queen]

I remember the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (and I even remember seeing the movie it was based on at the drive-in with my cousins). Tarzan Treehouse tells the story of Tarzan, and so to me the only thing that is the same is the experience of all the climbing up and down. I still do it though on most of my visits. It doesn't take long and can be a nice respite from Adventureland crowds. One minute you are buffeted by the hoards filing into the Indy queue and the next you are high above peering out over ROA rooftops and beyond. I like to take a few minutes at the top to enjoy the view.

 

[mouschievous]

It definitely is not the same. I liked it, but I didn't LOVE it the way I did as a kid (the last time I saw it I was a senior in high school - I still loved it then). But I absolutely LOVED the Swiss Family Robinson movie, and I've never seen Tarzan, so that probably didn't help.

 

[midnight star]

I'm one of those who doesn't remember the Swiss Family Robinson version...I honestly don't think I ever knew it as that, only Tarzan lol. I find Tarzan nostalgic. I enjoyed it a lot when I was little, so going up there and seeing some of the storylines from the movie is cool. And like what someone above said, the view is really nice, and it's a nice break from the crowds.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I know there were a couple easter eggs for Swiss family Robinson, but I cannot remember exactly what/where they were. I, too, miss the old version and I also think the movie Swiss Family Robinson was much more entertaining/magical than Tarzan. I do go up Tarzan's every once in a while, but I seem to always end up with pushy people behind me. So, between not being very impressed with the themeing and the pushy people, it's just not a must see for me.

 

[BayouQueen]

To me, it's totally different. I'd probably like the Tarzan version if I'd never seen how it was before, but I can never get that out of my head.
Things change. What are you gonna do?

 

[pennym]

The thing about SFR was the way they had used bits of the ship to make their cabins etc.....it was just so clever! Tarzan is not as good. But you do still get lovely views. And the Easter Egg someone was talking about....the organ music that used to play in the parlour where the organ was is now played down at the bottom in the play area.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Swiss Family was/is (in MK/TDL/DLP) MUCH better than Tarzan.

Tarzan's is...there. Is it good or bad? I truly cannot say. Definitely inferior, however.

If you want to see it, go. But if you're feeling uncomfortable in the moment it's not a good enough attraction to put yourself through the aggravation, IMO.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Thanks all for the insight, definitely sounds like there’s not enough nostalgia up there to brave my height anxiety then.

My problem is the bridge- too much open air on both sides. My son is determined to get me up there so maybe for him I’ll try.... again.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Thanks all for the insight, definitely sounds like there’s not enough nostalgia up there to brave my height anxiety then.

My problem is the bridge- too much open air on both sides. My son is determined to get me up there so maybe for him I’ll try.... again.

I will say that the bridge is one of the shortest parts of the experience, so that might help. It's also right near the beginning, so if you can get across, you're free to enjoy the rest of the treehouse with it out of the way, rather than thinking about it the whole time you're going through the attraction.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I will say that the bridge is one of the shortest parts of the experience, so that might help. It's also right near the beginning, so if you can get across, you're free to enjoy the rest of the treehouse with it out of the way, rather than thinking about it the whole time you're going through the attraction.

That’s not so bad, I don’t really remember the layout clearly as a kid bc apparently heights didn’t bother me then like they do now. Maybe I’ll try again when we go in a few weeks and see if I can brave it!

 

[ramee]

I’ve never been and didn’t know that that even exists. I can’t picture what the attraction would look like. All I remember about the treehouse from the Tarzan movie is the dead parents

I’ll have to see if I can find a video.