PHOTOS: We Explore Disneyland’s New Adventureland Treehouse

Way back in 2021, Disneyland‘s Tarzan Treehouse closed and at the time Disney offered no clues about what the future held for this attraction. Then at D23 Expo 2022, Disney made one of their most unexpected announcements, Tarzan’s Treehouse would be transformed into Adventureland Treehouse. The Tarzan theme would be completely removed, and in its place would be a theme resembling the beloved original Swiss Family Treehouse, which ran from 1962 to 1999. Is Adventureland Treehouse better than Tarzan Treehouse? Was this new theme worth the wait? Keep reading to find out.

A major change from the Tarzan Treehouse days is the initial set of stairs on the opposite side of the walkway along with the bridge have both been removed. The new Adventureland Treehouse entrance is on the bottom level, as it originally was with the Swiss Family Treehouse. This change has cleared up room in one of Disneyland’s most crowded walkways. The first of many signs you’ll encounter as your explore the treehouse. Be sure to take your time and read all of them as they provide information and backstory about what you’re seeing. An icon of the original Swiss Family Treehouse was the waterwheel, which was removed for the Tarzan version. It’s back and it provides some fantastic kinetic energy to Adventureland. The waterwheel is powered by “magical waters.”

Here’s the family’s dining and kitchen area. Making her debut with Adventureland Treehouse is Jane the ostrich, who I’m instantly obsessed with. I’m sure she is the next Disney Parks superstar. Jane’s head pops up and bobs back and forth behind a bamboo fence with her nametag on it.

As you enter you’ll also notice some rock carvings. Next up on the bottom level we find the studio, which shows paintings and drawings of the Treehouse’s various rooms and gadgets. This serves as the attraction’s way of making sure visitors who can’t climb stairs can see everything the Adventureland Treehouse has to offer.

Drawings of the inventions and gadgets found throughout the treehouse. Paintings of each of the family’s rooms.

You also get to see a painting of Jane in progress. Also in the studio is this potter’s wheel, which spins.

You may notice every gadget that has movement in the Adventureland Treehouse is attached to a bamboo shoot that leads to the waterwheel. This suggests everything is being powered by water, which is a nice touch.  Mother’s Magical Music Parlor is home to an automatic organ with multiple instruments. This marks the triumphant return of the iconic Swisspolka song.

There’s a lot of movement in this hut and it’s also powered by water. You may notice the spinning waterwheel in the corner. All of the instruments attached to the organ play at the appropriate moment in the song. Great attention to detail here.

Mother’s parlor also has this bench where you can relax for a bit and listen to the music.

Also located in Mother’s Magical Music Parlor is a copy of the Swiss Family Robinson book. The Adventureland Treehouse is inspired by, and not specifically based on Swiss Family Robinson.

As with any iteration of this attraction, Adventureland Treehouse offers some of the best views in the park. This alone is reason to stop by every once in a while.

Next up is the daughter’s astronomer’s loft.

Just outside of it you’ll find the first of S.E.A. (Society of Explorers and Adventurers) reference, which the daughter is a member of.

This hut continues the theme of almost every item being hand made. There’s some real creativity on display in Adventureland Treehouse.

The daughter’s hut has some fantastic colors, which are a bit harder to see during the day. I recommend stopping by after the sun goes down.

Inside the daughter’s loft you’ll find Adventureland Treehouse’s only hidden Mickey.

Another S.E.A. reference.

The family’s twin boys share the final room in the treehouse. It’s home to the family’s collection of animal friends. On display are a monkey named Rascal, a toucan, bugs, butterflies, and frogs. Rascal swings back and forth while the rest of the animals move as well.

Here’s the family’s frog collection.

Just outside the brother’s hut you’ll see cans containing food for the critters.

And a bug motel.

One the way back down there’s one more small display with the book “A Direct Guide to Treehouse Living.”

Overall Adventureland Treehouse is beautifully done. It’s fun to walk through and discover all the details, many of which aren’t mentioned here. It’s a understatement to say it’s an improvement over Tarzan’s Treehouse in every way. It’s also the rare Disneyland attraction that you can enjoy with zero wait, and one where you can take as much or little time as you’d like.

Plan your perfect Disneyland trip with us! Check out our Disneyland Crowd Calendar, which rates every day of the year on a scale of 1 to 10 so you can see how busy Disneyland and DCA will be during your visit. Also check out our Disneyland Touring Plans which show you how to beat the crowds and spend less time in line at your favorite rides.

What are your thoughts? Is Adventureland Treehouse better than Tarzan Treehouse? Share them in the comments below.