Anyone else notice that the trees in front of Cinderella's castle are no more?

[Geyser Gazer]

Just back 12/5, and there are no longer any trees in the courtyard in front of the castle. Do you suppose this act of clear cutting was for better view's of "Wishes"?

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... but only after DK brought it to our attention. It must be to improve the views for the various shows and new Wishes fireworks display. Of course, new trees could suddenly reappear some morning just as quickly as they disappeared.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thank you! It was the first thing the DW and I noticed as we walked down Main Street. I was shocked that it hadn't been posted on the boards. Then when the Viking and his better half said they hadn't noticed (being the vets they are) I thought we were going crazy .

Even though the trees that were there weren't very tall, not having them there opens that area up a lot and gives you a much larger and unobstructed view of the castle. I thought it was quite a noticeable difference. I still can't decide if I like it. I bet the trees came down when Wishes started.

PS - It was very nice to meet you and the wife Vike. Thanks for the beer and I hope you got home OK. A shame the Jets had to follow up that great Monday Night win against the Titans with a loss to the Bills......................but your Vikings looked good this week.

 

[WDWHound]

The trees were taken out to improve the view of the new fireworks show. Word is that they will be replaced with magnolia trees in the near future.

 

[KNWVIKING]

They had a real simple formula that worked great the first six games: Randy run deep,throw football far- 6 points !!!

They finally remembered the formula.

Your Jets....well, look at the bright side, you'll draft higher then the Vike's.

 

[daber]

We noticed it immediately. I like the look. It has a cleaner appearance and an much better view of the castle. I was hoping they would not replant trees after Christmas and keep the low foliage look.

 

[airlarry!]

I'll have to look back at the pictures from our visit, I had not even noticed that the trees were gone.

Sorry guys that I missed the part at the Poly. We stayed out way too late for the Christmas Party, and I couldn't get away.

I was hoping to meet some DIS'ers at the Adventurer's Club. Anybody went at all last week? We were there on Wednesday night, and....ahem...I kind of made a big fool out of myself.

I'll give Ei$ner's regime another credit. The Adventurer's Club is one of the really, really special and bright spots about the resort. It was the first time for our group there and we all agreed that it is the best thing about Pleasure Island.

 

[chamonix]

Oh, I'm glad you posted this! I am just back as well, and knew it seemed different but couldn't put my finger on just what was different, LOL. Now I have to get out last year's pictures to compare.
Speaking of trees, we stayed lagoon view at the Poly and dh and I discussed whether or not they had trimmed or cut down some trees on the island that had blocked some of the castle view. I thought we could see more of it this year. Anyone else notice that?

 

[TiggerFreak]

Last week BIL/SIL were visitng and brought some video that had been transfered from old family 8mm that my dear departed FIL shot. You know the stuff, people haming it up and jerky pans of scenery, when all of a sudden there is a MarkIV monorail in the frame!!! (I'm guessing at the monorail version)

All told there was about 5 minutes of footage from WDW circa 1973. WOW. Guess how tall all of the trees were on main street and in front of the castle. Couldn't have been more that 20 feet tall. I even commented on how different it looked without the mature trees.

Hope to get the tape and transfer it to digital for posterity and share with my fellow DIS'ers.

 

[disrailfan]

DW and I are here with our neighbors and their son and our 2 DD's and the first thing we noticed in the garden in front of the castle was the missing trees. As a matter of fact we were just there (DW and I) the last week of October and I remember trying to tape the MNSSHP Parade through them.

Currently they have been replaced with a Poinsetta column. The two or three cast members that I talked to indicated that they were indeed removed because of the effects that are used on the castle during the new wishes fireworks show. They were removed so that these effects can now be seen. They also indicated that they don't believe that they are going to be replaced with anything permanent or large.

Just providing a fresh perspective snce we are currently in the happiest place on earth.

 

[Belle041281]

We just returned a few days ago and boy am I unobservant. I never noticed the trees were missing.

 

[Micca]

There have been photos posted here on the Dis. When you hear "they took the trees out" you don't immediately think "great!", but the photos are awesome.

 

[siouxi31]

I too am glad you brought this up. We were there two weeks ago and my husband was sure there were never trees there so I just shut up.

 

[rangebob]

I haven't been there since they did it but they are suppose to take out the planters also. The only thing that is suppose to remain is the statue. Maybe Eisner will want the statue to go away so that there are no Disneys left in the park either.

Actually they were removing all of it to make it more Wishes viewing area. I'm going to miss all the plantings there. I'm sure it has to look strange seeing all concrete in the hub.

 

[cindyfan]

There have been photos posted here on the Dis.

Where??
Does someone have the link?
I have been wondering when they might do something about the trees getting so big?!
The last few times we've been there I kept thinking the trees were just too big and you can't see much.

 

[Shells9]

I was hoping to see some before & after pics, too. Can someone post a link?

 

[Towncrier]

I talked with a CM who is "in the know" about the tree situation at the MK hub. Here is a quote from something posted on another forum:

The trees had been a problem for Castle Forecourt shows for some time now, and the addition of Wishes (with projections on the front of the Castle) made the situation even worse. There just isn't enough viewing area for the crowds that gather because the large trees had blocked the view. As a result, a plan was developed to replace the large trees with smaller ones. (They were too old to just trim back.)

Then one of the trees got a broken limb that ripped right back into the trunk. It was toast, and a decision was made to take out the other three at the same time. Given this sudden change, the new trees weren't available, so temporary holiday displays were installed instead.

Short term plans are to install new, smaller, magnolias in the Hub shortly after the end of the holiday season, probably the first half of January.

Long term plans are to remove the elevated planters in the hub in favor of low gardens with fences much like Town Square. It's not clear to me if this has yet been budgeted or when it may happen. It's likely that the magnolias will be retained if that happens -- pretty easy to just lower them in place.

Trust me, my friends in Horticulture don't like chopping down a tree any better than you or I.

 

[Cricket2]

I've kept quiet 'till now because I thought my idea was far fetched, but I'm not so sure anymore after seeing the new holiday season travel channel special.

Do you think that the tree removal was specifically for better television filming of "Wishes"?

Are there any other plans for live (taped) shows in the near future? Possibly a Christmas parade deal or whatever?



JC

 

[ThreeCircles]

I have heard, also from a CM, that the trees will be replanted after the holiday season.

 

[NandP]

I'm still looking for some before and after shots... someone HAS to have some pictures!