Tree of Life Closed Until Further Notice Due to Structural Problems

[book_junkie]

Imagineering was severely scolded internally for their actions in building DAK. They made a trebuchet, for fun, and launched a company vehicle into the retention pond that's near the Nemo theater.

WDI was out of control at that point.

PLEASE tell me there is youtube for that somewhere?

 

[appleorchard]

It's unbelievably windy here today--did this happen today or yesterday? We were at AK yesterday but didn't attempt ITTBAB. Didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, though.

 

[mmmears]

I hope they find the problem and are able to fix it quickly...

 

[fizbobunny]

First they are going to have to figure out what caused the issue. Metal fatigue, failure of a weld, maybe those vinyl leaves caught too much wind and exerted too much force. Once they discover the problem they may have to xray all welds in a section, welds done by a company, check parts of the tree that were produced from a particular batch of steel or from a particular manufacturer. It could take awhile.

However, I think it's different than stuff falling off Cinderella's Castle as the castle probably has cladding, roofing materials, etc that can work loose. The tree is essentially one structure with nothing but the leaves attached to it. It would be like a piece of your local water tower falling off (with the exception of the antennas), which would be a big deal.

 

[joshsmom]

I know people are disappointed when things are closed during their trip. I will be there in the middle of May, so I will experience the closings as well. But, I will say that I would MUCH RATHER they close attactions and make sure everything is safe. It would truly ruin Disney for me if there was a known issue that was not addressed and someone was hurt because of it.

 

[RabFlmom]

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

shhhhh you are not supposed to say that.....but it is the reason it is such a safe AND strong structure.

I am thinking it is minor and will reopen in a short time... If it was only a 5 lb piece it had to be a pretty tiny limb

 

[missy120]

How disappointing. First big thunder mountain then test track now tough to be a bug. We leave Friday.

 

[katibosch]

I am starting to feel seriously sad and annoyed by all the closings! My first trip in so many years and a lot of my major favorites are closed.

Hope they get this fixed soon, AK is my favorite park.

 

[Livia]

We just got back today and didn't notice anything different in AK, it looked beautiful.

The attraction closings didn't affect our trip either, we had the best trip ever. Went on Expedition Everest twice and still didn't see that Yeti though. He must have been totally dark.

 

[mousermerf]

We just got back today and didn't notice anything different in AK, it looked beautiful.

The attraction closings didn't affect our trip either, we had the best trip ever. Went on Expedition Everest twice and still didn't see that Yeti though. He must have been totally dark.

Well, you could have also blinked. It's not like spending that much money on something you go past that quickly was a particularly good idea in the first place.

 

[queenofpainting]

This is disappointing. I hope the tree is safe and open to the public in August.

 

[mesaboy2]

We just got back today and didn't notice anything different in AK, it looked beautiful.

The attraction closings didn't affect our trip either, we had the best trip ever. Went on Expedition Everest twice and still didn't see that Yeti though. He must have been totally dark.

I don't doubt it--he was dark in mid-March too. I know exactly where to look.

 

[abcangie87]

 

[chicagoshannon]

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

They were still meeting there yesterday. They meet next to where the ITTBAB fast pass distribution is.

I didn't even notice that the tree of life was closed yesterday. We were still able to get the cute photo pass picture holding Simba right near the tree.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I don't doubt it--he was dark in mid-March too. I know exactly where to look.

The light was working on the Yeti yesterday.

 

[merbobear]

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.

My dd must just be super adventurous, because I am always puzzled when I read that other kids didn't like ITTBAB. We saw it last year (she was 3) and she LOVED it. I'll be sad to miss it in our trip this year if it's not up and running again within the next 2 weeks!

 

[YankeePrincess]

I would hope a storm wouldn't have did anything to the tree especially considering AK is in a hurricane state.

I hate ITTBAB, especially that bug spray part! I lose my breath every time. lol

 

[metzgardesign]

Anyone willing to give their expert guesstimate opinion of when it could be up and running?

No fears.....the Yeti repair team is going to get right on this Tree problem.

 

[Disneylovingdad]

No fears.....the Yeti repair team is going to get right on this Tree problem.

 

[transitauthority]

I hear that while the Tree of Life is closed, a hot new musical group, "The Animal Kingdom All Stars", will be singing and dancing their way into everyone's hearts in front of the Tree.