Tree of Life Closed Until Further Notice Due to Structural Problems

[Planogirl]

Even a five pound branch could be quite a shock if it landed on your head. It's good that Disney is carefully examining the structure.

 

[MickeyEars]

I'm so thankful no one was hurt. I love the Tree of Life and It's Tough To Be A Bug so I hope everything is back up and running before our trip.

Carla

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~Wow! I'm glad no one was injured by the fallen branch! We love It's Tough To Be A Bug! I hope this will be a minor fix for Disney.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Definitely stinks, but the one thing Disney does best is guest safety, I am sure every piece of the tree will be inspected. Something tells me that this won't be a terribly long refurb, unless more damage was sustained than just one branch as was indicated in the report.

 

[gk90]

I'm sure if there are issues with branches falling they can build some sort of cover and an alternative queue that doesn't go near the tree for Tough to be a bug.

I always thought that ITTBAB is right at the base of the Tree of Life? Is there any way of getting to it that doesn't go near the tree?

 

[fizbobunny]

Concrete eating termites.
Don't , they do exist.

Yep, they are called Formosan termites. They are a big problem in New Orleans.

 

[jcemom]

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

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.

 

[Robo]

I always thought that ITTBAB is right at the base of the Tree of Life? Is there any way of getting to it that doesn't go near the tree?

Both entering and exiting ITtBaB, guests are walking directly under the tree branches.

And, the entrance and exit are on opposite sides of the tree.

 

[chloe4ever]

My nieces loved (they are 4 and 5) ITTBAB. No crying. No screaming. But compared to a lot of other little girls (you know the ones--the ones that faint when they see a spider) they don't get all freaked out by things like spiders and noises. They are really cool little girls. But it helps that their parents and myself have always taught them that things like spiders and such are not scary and they have been exposed to tons of things since they were little.

Also, if they did get scared, we exposed them to their fear again instead of keeping them away like some kids are. Kids do not get over things by avoiding them. I'm always amazed by parents that say, "My kid hates this and that" and then they avoid it for life That is not helping the kid. They need to face fears and they grow more confident.

 

[onnawufei]

Can they put up a fake tree facade?

There's an Inception joke to be made here...

 

[John's Mom]

Visited Animal Kingdom yesterday. Checked with the CMs outside of It's Tough To Be a Bug. They said: "We hope that the attraction will be open within a week. If you want more information, go to Guest Relations."

Kathy

 

[budafam]

Visited Animal Kingdom yesterday. Checked with the CMs outside of It's Tough To Be a Bug. They said: "We hope that the attraction will be open within a week. If you want more information, go to Guest Relations."

Kathy

Thank you for the info! This is GREAT news! We'll be at AK in 13 days so this gives me HOPE!

 

[MickeyEars]

Thanks Kathy for the update, I sure hope the CM was correct!!!

Carla

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Thanks Kathy for the update, I sure hope the CM was correct!!!

Carla

I'm sure it is, after all CMs and bus drivers always know the scoop.

 

[LaurenT]

Let's keep in mind that this CM said "hope", not "expect", not planning on"....
Just hope to.

 

[d1gitman]

i hope they have a certified arborist on the case

 

[chartle]

i hope they have a certified arborist on the case

Yes one that can MIG weld. (assuming its made out of aluminum)

 

[Robo]

i hope they have a certified arborist on the case

More like a CALCIFIED arborist, I'd think.

 

[dfb05]

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!

We had 4 kids under the age of 5 in It's Tough to Be a Bug and 1 by 1 we all had to leave! Screaming kids everywhere!!!

 

[Mistydp6492]

I hope it is back up and running by the time we get there next week! My girls will be so upset!