Real Christmas decorations?

[PatriciaH]

Does anyone know when WDW stopped using real Christmas trees at the Magic Kingdom and why? The last time I remember a real tree was in 1996-it was huge too. I have also seen the Grand Floridian with a real poinsettia tree as well as real trees in other areas of WDW. Now they are all fake.

 

[sters]

Don't know for sure, but probably because they are put up so early and are easier to maintain.

 

[skondo10]

According to our tour guide James from the Yuletide Fantasy Tour, 1996 was the last year they used a live tree in the MK. The tree was real but it was made up of three huge trees brought in from Oregeon. One tree was used for the shape and the other two trees were broken apart and used to give the tree a filler look. Styrofoam was also used in this process. The tree also needed to be sprayed with fire proofing spray.

Also the tree had to re-decorated each year, using a fake tree allows them to keep the tree decorated in storage. I believe the guide said that the tree in MK was 65 feet tall and divided into 6 sections each 11 feet each.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Just on a side note to that DIsneyland in California still has a live tree

 

[PatriciaH]

Thanks everyone. I kind of miss the look of the real tree but I guess it is better for the trees

 

[Aisleleven]

Also, the live trees just don't hold up to the heat...after a few weeks they start to look a little crispy from the sun...

And it would be way too big a challenge (even by Disney standards) to replace the trees mid-season...not to mention VERY expensive...