This article is on the attraction in Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. For the location of the same name, see Tarzan's Treehouse (location).
Tarzan's Treehouse is a closed attraction in the Adventureland of Disneyland, still open in Hong Kong Disneyland. It is based on the 1999 film Tarzan, itself an adaptation of Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. In Hong Kong Disneyland, it is featured as part of the Jungle River Cruise.
History[]
Backstory[]
This treehouse was constructed around 1862 by a wealthy couple who were stranded in the Congo by a shipwreck. The treehouse was built in a Disneyoendron tree using materials salvaged from the shipwreck, and was to serve as a home to the couple and their infant-son. However, the treehouse was attacked by a leopard named Sabor which murdered the couple and tried to kill the baby, only for it to be adopted by a female gorilla who named him, "Tarzan".
In 1882, Tarzan met with a gorilla-studying expedition lead by Professor Archimedes Q. Porter and his daughter Jane. Here, Tarzan was taught about human culture by the expedition. Conflict came when resident hunter Clayton attempted to lead a mutiny and sell off the gorillas only to be defeated by Tarzan. Following this, the professor and his daughter chose to stay with Tarzan in his treehouse while Tarzan also became king of the apes.
Development history[]
Tarzan's Treehouse was created in the February of 1999, replacing the Swiss Family Treehouse in-order to promote the film Tarzan. In the November of 2019, the wooden planks on the treehouse's bridge snapped while a guest was on it. The treehouse was subsequently shut down for repairs and later announced to be re-themed to the, "Adventureland Treehouse", inspired by the original Swiss Family Treehouse though not tied down to any specific property.
Summary[]
Jungle Cruise connections[]
Adventure Trading Company[]
Tarzan's Treehouse was subject of the Treehouse Juju mission of this attraction. Here, guests had to investigate mysterious petroglyphs at the base of the treehouse shaped like jujus used by the Adventure Trading Company. In The Daily Gnus newspaper, both Shrunken Ned and José were interviewed on the subject of the petroglyphs.
Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries[]
Indiana Jones had his final climactic fight for the Battle of Mara on the treehouse's suspension bridge.
Jungle River Cruise[]
Tarzan's Treehouse is passed by at the beginning of this attraction. The skipper acknowledges the treehouse and talks about it as the first part of the tour. Additionally, the song Trashin' the Camp from Tarzan plays from a radio while the gorillas raid a campsite.
Other connections[]
Jungle Cruise[]
In the Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise, a film called, "Tarzan and Me" is mentioned as being screened by the Jungle Navigation Company by Albert Awol. Said film might be a reference to the real-world 1934 film Tarzan and His Mate. Awol also does an impression of Tarzan's distinctive yell while clearing his throat. Disneyland posters for the attraction show a Jungle Cruise boat passing by the treehouse.[1] An indian elephant figure from the Jungle Cruise used to appear in a stream at the base of the treehosue, with said elephant being represented by Trader Sam's pet elephant. Ellie.
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar[]
In Trader Sam's possession is a photograph of Jane Porter and her father on their gorilla hunting expedition.
Trivia[]
- A teacup and teapot made to resemble Mrs. Potts and Chip from Beauty and the Beast appear in the attraction.
- There are several connections between Tarzan's Treehouse and its predecessor, the Swiss Family Treehouse. This includes the Swisskapolka playing from a victrola in Tarzan's Treehouse, and the petroglyph jujus depicting the Swiss Family Robinson's treehouse. Additionally, both treehouses are made in Disneyoendron trees, a fictional genus of tree used in the Disney Parks.
- In Disneyland, the likeness of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) is formed by the base of the tree.[2][3]
Gallery[]
