Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Around Adventureland, August 1963

In November 1962, the wondrous Swiss Family Treehouse made its debut in Adventureland. This first photo, taken only nine months later, show that it was a popular attraction!


Of course the Jungle Cruise is the main event, and no visit to Adventureland would be complete without at least one ride. I like to go once in the daylight, and then again at night! 


I think this elephant is trying to hide, but it's not easy to do when you are 12 feet tall and weigh 6 tons.


10 comments:

Chuck said...

A photo of the Treehouse with red leaves! Awesome!

Alonzo P Hawk said...

My favorite fake tree ever. Thanks Major, now I'm gonna feel like a cyborg with the swisskapolka running through my head all day.

Enough Tarzan, bring back the Robinsons!!!!!!

Melissa said...

I was fascinated by the Swiss Family Treehouse the first time I saw it. It was like walking into a dollhouse.

K. Martinez said...

Adventureland when you could see the open sky. Wonderful!

I love the view of the lower part of Swiss Family Treehouse with its entry sign and pre-Pirates openness.

PsySocDisney said...

I love Jungle Cruise at night! It's a totally different atmosphere.

Rich T. said...

I've never understood why they added the new treehouse entrance for the Tarzan makeover, with that boring staircase up to the new bridge. It completely robs the attraction of it's biggest appeal: the adventure of ascending the tree!

Major Pepperidge said...

Chuck, I always thought that the red leaves were such an interesting choice, instead of just going with the expected green leaves.

Alonzo, it is definitely an impressive fake tree!

Melissa, I never thought about it, but there is a dollhouse vibe to the treehouse for sure.

K. Martinez, can't you see the open sky ini Adventureland any more? The foliage around the Jungle Cruise is pretty lush, but in a way that gives the effect of a rainforest canopy.

Hannahx2, I once rode the JC just before closing, it was just me and my girlfriend on the boat. It was weird!

Rich T., I am almost positive that I've seen a reason why they changed the treehouse setup, but unfortunately I've forgotten what it was!! Arg.

K. Martinez said...

Major - Yes, you can see the sky, but the open views are gone. I like the way it is overgrown like a real jungle now, but it's always cool to see vintage Disneyland photos where you can see the buildings and attractions unobstructed by the foliage.

TokyoMagic! said...

I think we can see one of the Dominguez Palm Trees on the left in that first pic.....if not both of them!

Chuck said...

Major - wasn't there a CM on the boat with you? Or shouldn't we ask that question...?

Rich T - yesterday, I read a contemporary article (1999) with Bruce Gordon of WDI about why they changed the treehouse. Check out "http://www.laughingplace.com/News-PID500040-500048.ASP for more.