Tree of Life Closed Until Further Notice Due to Structural Problems

[mousermerf]

To be fair, that really does sound like a lot of fun.

Fun - perhaps, but also the reason there's no sets in Dinosaur. The punishment for their actions was to replace, repair, pay for things out of their budgets and the attraction that took the bulk of those costs to pay for things was Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur.

That's why the interior of that attraction is camo-mesh in the dark and not actual set pieces as originally planned.

 

[Too Far From Home]

Fun - perhaps, but also the reason there's no sets in Dinosaur. The punishment for their actions was to replace, repair, pay for things out of their budgets and the attraction that took the bulk of those costs to pay for things was Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur.

That's why the interior of that attraction is camo-mesh in the dark and not actual set pieces as originally planned.

Should have fired the chumps and maintained the production of a solid ride, IMO. Instead, the park patrons are the ones that have paid and will continue to pay for the dereliction of duty exhibited by those on the Disney staff at the time.

 

[Eoywin]

How scary! I hope it's open again soon, but I'm glad they are taking the time to find and fix the problem.

 

[D Morggggg]

anyone able to find pictures?

 

[TacoBaco]

It's probably too soon to go here but:

This is the second major part of the park with a structural problem (the other being the Yeti). Does this raise concerns for anyone else that Disney skimped when building this park, or there was some kind of competency problem with the Imagineers when this partk was designed?

Or, maybe it has to do specifically with settling in that part of the property. Is building on a swamp turning out not to be a good idea?

Edit: Now that I read the branch was only 5 lbs, I'm probably overreacting.

My DH works for a NDT company that tests on roller coasters, and their parts, and one of their clients is Disney, and many other amusement parks throughout the county. I don't think it has anything to do with the competency of the Imagineer... I think that, pardon my language, **** happens. Think of all things that can wrong, its a risk you take steeping in the park and riding the rides... Everything can't be perfect all the time, there are unforeseen events or accidents, and that's just part of life. It happens.

I'm glad no one was hurt, and my guess is that Disney will inspect every inch of the tree, to insure that every step is taken to help prevent such an incident from happening again. Hopefully it is nothing major, and can be fixed in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Jennasis]

The Tree of Life is an oil rig. It's a pretty oil rig, but it is an oil rig.

Yeah yeah...we've all seen the Modern Marvels episode. But how many oil rigs do YOU know of that are supporting thousands of steel tree branches and covered with cement? The oil rig is simply the skeleton.

 

[stargazertechie]

My heart just broke.

 

[blessedby3]

It might be a mixed blessing.

ITtBaB is generally NOT appreciated by young children.

When the attraction is back up, I suggest that a parent may want to see the show first,
before taking a young child to experience it.

It is very intense (and extremely LOUD) in several places.
It can be overwhelming for many guests.

I agree...my kids hate this attraction...always have and probably always will...and 3/4 of them (my kids) are over 13

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

My DH works for a NDT company that tests on roller coasters, and their parts, and one of their clients is Disney, and many other amusement parks throughout the county. I don't think it has anything to do with the competency of the Imagineer... I think that, pardon my language, **** happens. Think of all things that can wrong, its a risk you take steeping in the park and riding the rides... Everything can't be perfect all the time, there are unforeseen events or accidents, and that's just part of life. It happens.

I'm glad no one was hurt, and my guess is that Disney will inspect every inch of the tree, to insure that every step is taken to help prevent such an incident from happening again. Hopefully it is nothing major, and can be fixed in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

My heart just broke.

Sorry to read about your Dad......Disney Dad's are the best!

AKK

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

I'm glad no one was hurt also! Scary! Dumb question.. been reading thru this and other threads and keep seeing BTMMR... what's that?

 

[t_catt11]

This is SUCKY news. The Tree of Life is my favorite of the park icons... I hope that this is just a minimal issue.

I'm glad no one was hurt also! Scary! Dumb question.. been reading thru this and other threads and keep seeing BTMMR... what's that?

BTMMR is misspelled, should be BTMRR = Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

This is SUCKY news. The Tree of Life is my favorite of the park icons... I hope that this is just a minimal issue.



BTMMR is misspelled, should be BTMRR = Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Thanks! That's all I could think of. After I saw it more than once though I was confused.

 

[SaraJayne]

It's probably too soon to go here but:

This is the second major part of the park with a structural problem (the other being the Yeti). Does this raise concerns for anyone else that Disney skimped when building this park, or there was some kind of competency problem with the Imagineers when this partk was designed?

Or, maybe it has to do specifically with settling in that part of the property. Is building on a swamp turning out not to be a good idea?

Edit: Now that I read the branch was only 5 lbs, I'm probably overreacting.

Isn't the entire state of Florida basically a swamp?

 

[SplashRider]

I know Dug and Russell from Up were meeting somewhere near It's Tough to Be a Bug. Will this affect where they meet?

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

huge bummer. But, as someone said, things can't be perfect all the time--rides/attractions get worn and sometimes mother nature can take a toll on things. As many previous posters said, I'm just glad no one was injured.

 

[AlohaLily]

I am glad that nobody was injured as well. Will the tree still be visible to guests or I wonder if they are going to put something up to block it while they investigate.

 

[mousermerf]

I am glad that nobody was injured as well. Will the tree still be visible to guests or I wonder if they are going to put something up to block it while they investigate.

I don't think that's particularly feasible. It may look like a tree but it's really a large building made out of metal pipes.

 

[Dan Murphy]

^ A 5 pound branch doesn't seem TOO bad. Hopefully it was just a fluke, and there's no greater/wider damage to the tree. And again, I'm glad it landed somewhere that was person-free.

A 5 pound weight, from a significant height, can easily kill a person. We have small amounts of ice falling off bulilding here during the winter; they have killed people, injured people.

It's probably too soon to go here but:

This is the second major part of the park with a structural problem (the other being the Yeti). Does this raise concerns for anyone else that Disney skimped when building this park, or there was some kind of competency problem with the Imagineers when this partk was designed?

Or, maybe it has to do specifically with settling in that part of the property. Is building on a swamp turning out not to be a good idea?

Edit: Now that I read the branch was only 5 lbs, I'm probably overreacting.

Keep in mind the tree is over 14 years old. There is wear and tear. Maybe similar to if a small piece of the Castle blew off or fell off in a storm.

 

[mousermerf]

A 5 pound weight, from a significant height, can easily kill a person. We have small amounts of ice falling off bulilding here during the winter; they have killed people, injured people.


Keep in mind the tree is over 14 years old. There is wear and tear. Maybe similar to if a small piece of the Castle blew off or fell off in a storm.

Pieces of the castle have fallen off before. It's just much more of a "block" so it's a much faster process to check it for any other cracks/breaks/problems than all the brnaches of the "tree."