The Robinson family is the titular family of The Swiss Family Robinson (1812) by Johann David Wyss and its adaptations such as the 1960 Disney film directed by Kenneth Annakin and Adventureland's Swiss Family Treehouse.
Description[]
The Robinson family were a Swiss family headed for New Guinea who were stranded by pirates in the East Indies. The Robinson family dubbed their place of stranding as New Switzerland and created a treehouse there before fighting off the pirates. Following this, the Swiss government made patriarch Franz Robinson the governor of the isle.
Members[]
- Elizabeth "Mother" Robinson:
- Ernst Robinson:
- Francis Robinson:
- Franz "Father" Robinson:
- Fritz Robinson:
- Roberta:
History[]
Background[]
In 1805, the family set out to New Guinea in-order to assist in colonizing it. However, they were instead attacked by the Chinese pirate Kuala and on the July 17 of 1805, they were stranded on an isle in the East Indies. The family made their base within a Disneyoendron tree and domesticated several exotic animals to serve as their pets.
The family fought off Kuala and were later found by the Swiss government. After seeing how the Robinsons had settled on the isle, the government made Father Robinson the isle's governor as a representative for the Swiss government.
Jungle Cruise appearances[]
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar[]
Trader Sam is identified as having been friends with the titular Swiss Family Robinson. It is likely that they are referenced via a bottled message in the Enchanted Tiki Bar which reads, "Sam, A recent occurance inspired an idea for a new concoction you could serve at you(r) bar. We call it 'Rowboat on the rocks.' A smashing idea, don't you think?".[1]
Connections[]
Adventureland Treehouse[]
The Adventureland Treehouse is inspired by the Swiss Family Robinsons though it is yet unclear if there are continuity connections. The family's Swisskapolka does play in the attraction and appear as sheet music in mother's magic music parlour. Also in the parlour is a copy of the book the Swiss Family Robinson.
Adventure Trading Company[]
The Treehouse Jujus in this game were modelled after the Swiss Family Treehouse. The Daily Gnus spoke on these jujus in an interview by Tallahassee Glover who interviewed José and Shrunken Ned on their subject.
Jungle Cruise[]
Original posters for the Swiss Family Treehouse showed Jungle Cruise boats passing underneath of the treehouse. The treehouse had a view of the Cambodian ruins scene of the attraction.[2] In the boathouse of Walt Disney World's Jungle Cruise is a crate addressed to one Kenneth Annakin, the director of imports at the Swiss Supply Company in the colony of New Guinea. This references Kenneth Anakin who directed the 1960 Swiss Family Robinson and the Swiss Family Robinson's New Guinea/East Indies setting. On his application form visible in the Amazon River Base, Felix Pechman XIII mentions having lived in the Swiss Family Treehouse around 1937/1938.[3] The treehouse also physically appears being passed by the Nile Nellie on the guest skipper cards.
Pirates of the Caribbean[]
In Disneyland Paris, the Swiss Family Treehouse is located on Adventure Isle. This island is also themed to Pirates of the Caribbean in-addition to Peter Pan and Treasure Island.
Skipper Canteen[]
There is a copy of a rare edition 1880s translated to English by George Routledge in the library of the Skipper Canteen.[4]. The Swiss Family Robinson is further referenced with a book in the library titled Treehouse Construction by Mills which tributes William Robinson's actor John Mills and the Swiss Family Treehouse.
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom[]
The treehouse was a notable and annotated location on Merlin's map of Adventureland.
Tarzan's Treehouse[]
In Tarzan's Treehouse is a victrola playing the Swisskapolka, a song from the Swiss Family Treehouse. Juju petroglyphs of the Robinson treehouse were located at the base of Tarzan's treehouse.
Other appearances[]
Adventure Isle[]
Liberty Belle Riverboat[]
A copy of the Swiss Family Robinson is on this boat.
Swiss Family Treehouse[]
Trivia[]
- In the book, father was named William while in the parks he is named Franz.
Gallery[]
