- The full sign outside the Swiss Family Treehouse, a wonderful, walk-through attraction, reads:
- "On this site, July 17, 18 05, the Swiss Family Robinson, composed of myself, my good wife, my three sons Fritz, Ernst and little Francis, were the sole survivors by the grace of God, of the ill-fated ship, Swallow. From the wreckage we built our home in this tree for protection on this uncharted shore. -Franz"
- The Swiss Family Robinson’s Treehouse is built into a replica of a giant Banyan tree. The "roots" of the tree are 42 feet into the ground for structural support, and the 1,400 branches are covered with 300,000 lifelike polyethylene "leaves", which reportedly cost about $1.00 each in 1971. The tree is also draped with real Spanish moss.
- The tree is actually it’s own "species." It is known as a "Disneyodendron eximus," which means it is an "out of the ordinary Disney tree."
- There are only 4 of these Disney-created "trees" in the world – the others are in Anaheim , Tokyo and Paris . Each of these trees and attractions was inspired by the 1960 Disney film, "The Swiss Family Robinson."
- Disneyland opened its Swiss Family Treehouse in November 1962. It is known as a "Disneyodendron Semperflorens Grandis," which means, "large, always blooming Disney tree."
- Disneyland Paris has "La Cabane des Robinson," and Tokyo Disneyland has it’s own Swiss Family Treehouse.
- While the original novel, penned in 1813 by Johann Wyss, gave no name to the doomed vessel, Disney has given it a few contradictory names. In Disneyland, unlike Walt Disney World’s "Swallow," the sign referred to the ship as the "Recovery." However, the sign was later changed during a rehab to "Titus." The only name given in the novel was to the house itself, which was called, "Falconhurst."
Swiss Family Treehouse
Lou Mongello
Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice of law to pursue his passion for Disney. He began as one of the earliest podcasters back in 2005, and is the founder and host of WDW Radio (WDWRadio.com), named Best Travel Podcast for 9 consecutive years). Founded in 2004, WDW Radio also includes live video, blog, community, products, tours, and events dedicated to celebrating the magic of Walt Disney World, the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars.
He is also the author of numerous books about Disney, and a series of virtual Audio Tours of the parks, all created in an effort to help enhance guests' enjoyment and appreciation of the theme parks, shows, and films, and the people who make the magic happen.
Lou is also the founder of the Dream Team Project (DreamTeamProject.org), which sends children with life-threatening illnesses to Walt Disney World, and has raised more than $550,000.00 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
In addition to creating content around the Disney brands, Lou is also an author, coach, keynote speaker, and founder of the Momentum series of events and workshops for those looking to build their business and brand. Learn more at LouMongello.com.
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About Lou Mongello
Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…