Fans of Walt Disney World Resort’s Swiss Family Treehouse will have to wait a little longer to explore this beloved attraction.
Originally slated to reopen on December 20, 2024, the treehouse remains closed, with no signs of life on the expected reopening date. However, guests arriving at Magic Kingdom were met with scaffolding, tarps, and construction equipment still surrounding the treehouse.
Today, Walt Disney World Resort has quietly updated its schedule. While no explanation was ever given as to why the attraction failed to open, its reopening date has been moved to December 23, 2024.
The Swiss Family Treehouse, a classic Magic Kingdom attraction, closed for refurbishment on November 18, 2024, with plans to update the 1971 original. Inspired by the 1960 film Swiss Family Robinson, the treehouse offers a unique, self-guided walk-through experience.
Visitors can explore a multi-level treehouse that recreates the Robinson family’s life after they were shipwrecked. With rooms like a kitchen, lookout tower, and bedrooms, the attraction has always been about immersive storytelling and intricate design, giving guests a chance to step into the Robinsons’ world.
The delay in reopening is the latest update in what’s been a fairly quiet refurb. Though newer, more exciting attractions have outshined it over the years, the Swiss Family Treehouse continues to hold a special place in Disney fans’ hearts (even if some have manifested it being replaced by an Encanto (2021) equivalent).
Its scenic views of Adventureland and slower-paced exploration offer a nostalgic experience that contrasts with the high-energy thrill rides surrounding it. As Disney works to spruce up the attraction, many visitors are looking forward to the revamped experience, hoping it will remain as timeless and charming as it was when it first opened over five decades ago.
Disney has been notoriously slow with construction in Orlando in recent years. While TRON Lightcycle / Run was announced in 2017, for example, it only debuted at the park in 2023. The pandemic may have played a part in this delay, but when you consider the fact it only took from 2021 to this coming May for Universal Orlando Resort to build the entirety of Epic Universe from the ground up, it’s a pretty slow turnaround.
While the delay may be disappointing, the treehouse’s return will no doubt be worth the wait. Fans are hoping the upcoming changes will enhance the experience, but for now, they’ll just have to hold on a few more days until December 23.
Do you visit Swiss Family Treehouse when you’re at Magic Kingdom?
