“The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn’t you ever dream of a house up on a tree top?”-William Robinson
There’s a new contest going on to win a private party in the Haunted Mansion and a night’s stay in the royal suite of Cinderella’s Castle. Imagine how much fun that would be! I think the party would be really cool, as the Haunted Mansion is one of my all-time favorite “must dos” when visiting. I know the spiel, the music, the words of Madame Leota…The overnight in the castle, although certainly a Disney fanatic’s dream come true, would not be my first location choice to stay inside the park.
Aside from a peek out the windows at night, after the park has closed you are pretty much confined to the suite itself. If you require anything, there is a concierge posted outside your door to assist you. No all-night exploring the park on your own or raiding the kitchen at Cinderella’s Royal Table-bummer! I do think you can get pizza delivered, however.
Don’t get me wrong, if I would ever win the stay, I would certainly not turn it down- just for the bragging rights alone, but there is another place in the park that I’d much rather have a chance to hang up my mouse ears for a night.
I’m talking about the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House! This often overlooked and passed by attraction is original to opening day of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. According to Disney-Wiki it stands roughly 60 feet tall and 90 feet wide and is constructed of steel, concrete and stucco. There are 116 steps, 9 limbs, 1,400 branches and 300,000 polyethylene leaves. Looks real enough to me!
Like many visitors, I have my certain habits when in the Magic Kingdom. Some have to visit the Partners statue for a photo, some head right to the Astro Orbiter or Walt Disney Railroad. I head over to Adventure Land to enjoy a Dole Whip and then venture up the stairs of the tree house. The views from high up are amazing and you’re far from the crowds of pedestrians below. Music plays from the family’s organ, repeating the Swiss Polka in the upper family dining room. Many times I’ve been the only one up there and could take my time to take photos and just relax. (Catch the fireworks from up here…AMAZING although slightly obscured from view.)
I grew up with tree houses and camping out in the woods so this is of particular interest to me. I imagine myself stretched out in a hammock or on the bed as the park guests leave and the night crew comes in to do the nightly cleaning and maintenance. It would be even better if there was a light rain and cool breeze… No cell phone, no internet…just the sounds of the night creatures above and the cast members below. Give me a good book and I’d be in heaven!
Younger guests today are probably not too familiar with the Robinson family’s story. I admit I had to refresh my memory with a reading of the book by Johann David Wyss and viewing of the 1960’s Disney classic movie, which by the way gave me an even greater appreciation to the details of this awesome attraction. Hopefully the same can be an inspiration for future guests.
There were rumors at one time going around that the imagineers were thinking of giving the old tree an overhaul and tying in a new theme to Tarzan. As much as I liked Tarzan, he’s fine swinging overhead in the Great Movie Ride. This is a great representation of the classic novel and movie. I’m all for the education and bringing to light the history of this story rather than replacing it with an animated feature tie in. [Think Maelstrom/Frozen] But that’s just me, nostalgic and appreciative of what is there.
If they wanted to do something along the lines of Tarzan or Jungle Book…how cool would it be to have a series of tree houses to stay in overlooking the Kilimanjaro safari trail? Or even better, a complete tree top habitat on the original Discovery Island with rustic amenities and shipwrecked theme? Now that would be dream to come true! In the meantime, check out the SFR tree house, it is well worth the climb!
