Rising majestically above the southern end of Adventure Isle at Disneyland Paris is a tremendous specimen, Disneyodendron semperflorens grandis. At 70 feet tall, this tree's 300,000 plastic leaves provide shelter for the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.
When we stopped by earlier this summer, the Robinsons were apparently off visiting relatives in New Guinea, as the entire treehouse was closed for refurbishment. That doesn't mean there wasn't anything to see, though.
A walk around the island's pathways provides a good look at the family's ingenious arboreal abode, similar in many ways to the Swiss Family Treehouse attractions found in the Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland (Anaheim and Hong Kong include treehouse attractions based on Tarzan).
What makes the attraction unique in Paris is how the story of the Swiss Family Robinson actually extends beyond the tree. For example, resting in a cove along the western edge of Adventure Isle is a shipwreck, what remains of the Swallow, the vessel which landed the Robinsons on this uncharted island.
A floating barrel bridge has been set up, allowing the family access to the wreckage, from which they've been able to salvage pieces used in the construction of their treetop home. Such resourcefulness can be seen elsewhere on the island, as well. Take a look at this contraption, designed to funnel clean drinking water from a spring straight to these drinking fountains.
Walking around the island, you may also come across this cave, labeled "Le Ventre de la Terre" (literally translated, "the belly of the earth"). At first, it appears to be just another fun cavern to explore... until you discover the Robinson's cellar, stocked with all sorts of food and supplies!
Explore a bit further, and you're soon surrounded by a dense, twisted web of roots, pushing through the earth from above. Ahead, sunlight beams down on you, and you look up to find you're directly beneath the tree itself!
