Just in time for the holidays and two days following the end of the Christmas Day Parade taping, MK's Christmas Tree was dragged out of the Emporium's attic. Crane didn't finish until 8am this morning - close call! Sorry no photos.
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MK's Christmas Tree is up
- Thread starter GymLeaderPhil
- Start date
EmperorMilenko
New Member
just got back from the world saturday and must say im upset with the lack of decorations this year. It was gorgeous as always, but didnt seem to be the usual "Magic Kingdom Christmas".
mickey2008.1
Well-Known Member
i will get pictures in 3 days!!!!!!
ABigBrassBand
Well-Known Member
They seem to be lacking on the decorations everywhere in the parks this year, anyone know why? I'm assuming their budget was slashed
Biff215
Well-Known Member
I can't say if there are more or less decorations this year as I won't make it down for the holidays, but is it really a budget issue? Sure it takes CM's to put the stuff up, but in most cases the decorations are already purchased and ready to go. To me, not putting something up is more of an indication that they may be noticing that they can get away with less while still pulling in the same attendance numbers. I just can't see Disney saving a whole lot of money simply by not pulling the stuff out of storage and placing it in the parks and resorts.
I won't even get into Lights of Winter, but there are indications of these kinds of cuts all over property. Disney isn't likely to reverse course until the numbers tell them they have to. Just my two cents! :xmas:
CTXRover
Well-Known Member
Glad to hear the tree is up. I look forward to seeing it in person in the not so distant future.
As for the decorations, I'm sort of a geeky fan of the christmas decorations Disney puts up every year and follow them closely. For the Magic Kingdom, the decorations have more or less been the same for at least the past 10 years. There have been some obvious additions including the wonderful Castle lights and other smaller additions including garlands on the lamps in Liberty Square and Frontierland. There has been many changes over the years including new wreaths and garlands across the streets (to replace the old), slightly different use of some garlands on certain buildings (...the biggest changes I noticed this year was the different use of garlands on the facade of the candy shop and and the ice cream shop). The biggest change in the past few years has been all new lighting with LED lights in the garlands and wreaths. The decorations are "refurbed" each year with the garlands and decorations on them replaced as needed. I actually don't know of anything major that is missing from the Magic Kingdom. I hope it is ok to link to these pics from disneypix.com which show two unique views of the decorations from 1981 and more recently in 2002 that show the changes over the years...most for the better.... the 1981 decorations are neat part of history.
1981:
http://disneypix.com/MagicKingdom/MainStreet/1981c/MS1281-15.htm
2002:
http://disneypix.com/MagicKingdom/MainStreet/2002c/MS1202-09.htm
2010:
http://images2.wdwmagic.com/app_ima...6FfaXSdgb-s_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIXD73LCXQPO2WCKQ
More 2010 pics at:
http://wdwmagic.com/Events/Holidays...-year's-Magic-Kingdom-Holiday-decorations.htm
As we know, this past weekend the parade filming was being done and the garlands across Main Street, which I consider with the tree to be the most recognizable aspect of the holiday decorations, were taken down. That me be why it seemed like less decorations than normal.
As for the entire resort, the biggest loss in the past decade has been the Lights of Winter. However, the difference between 2000 and 2001 was the biggest change in sheer number of decorations, predominantly at the resort hotels. I.e., at Fort Wilderness virtually all the lamposts along the inner roads had garlands. Post 2001, now only the bus stops have garlands. The outdoor patio area between Yacht and Beach used to have garlands with lifepreservers in the center every few feet. You can still see the hooks on the supports where the hung from. In 2001, they were replaced with just two large wreaths near the outside pool bathrooms. Cuts like this were evident post 9/11 where admittingly the budget for holidays was cut. Many things have gradually come back, but never to the pre 2001 levels. That said, there have been additions throughout the entire resort area that have sort of made up for it (not to mention more resorts and areas to decorate since then).
As for the decorations, I'm sort of a geeky fan of the christmas decorations Disney puts up every year and follow them closely. For the Magic Kingdom, the decorations have more or less been the same for at least the past 10 years. There have been some obvious additions including the wonderful Castle lights and other smaller additions including garlands on the lamps in Liberty Square and Frontierland. There has been many changes over the years including new wreaths and garlands across the streets (to replace the old), slightly different use of some garlands on certain buildings (...the biggest changes I noticed this year was the different use of garlands on the facade of the candy shop and and the ice cream shop). The biggest change in the past few years has been all new lighting with LED lights in the garlands and wreaths. The decorations are "refurbed" each year with the garlands and decorations on them replaced as needed. I actually don't know of anything major that is missing from the Magic Kingdom. I hope it is ok to link to these pics from disneypix.com which show two unique views of the decorations from 1981 and more recently in 2002 that show the changes over the years...most for the better.... the 1981 decorations are neat part of history.
1981:
http://disneypix.com/MagicKingdom/MainStreet/1981c/MS1281-15.htm
2002:
http://disneypix.com/MagicKingdom/MainStreet/2002c/MS1202-09.htm
2010:
http://images2.wdwmagic.com/app_ima...6FfaXSdgb-s_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIXD73LCXQPO2WCKQ
More 2010 pics at:
http://wdwmagic.com/Events/Holidays...-year's-Magic-Kingdom-Holiday-decorations.htm
As we know, this past weekend the parade filming was being done and the garlands across Main Street, which I consider with the tree to be the most recognizable aspect of the holiday decorations, were taken down. That me be why it seemed like less decorations than normal.
As for the entire resort, the biggest loss in the past decade has been the Lights of Winter. However, the difference between 2000 and 2001 was the biggest change in sheer number of decorations, predominantly at the resort hotels. I.e., at Fort Wilderness virtually all the lamposts along the inner roads had garlands. Post 2001, now only the bus stops have garlands. The outdoor patio area between Yacht and Beach used to have garlands with lifepreservers in the center every few feet. You can still see the hooks on the supports where the hung from. In 2001, they were replaced with just two large wreaths near the outside pool bathrooms. Cuts like this were evident post 9/11 where admittingly the budget for holidays was cut. Many things have gradually come back, but never to the pre 2001 levels. That said, there have been additions throughout the entire resort area that have sort of made up for it (not to mention more resorts and areas to decorate since then).
wishesjake
Member
Thank you for clearing up these misconceptions. Disney deserves to be berated the Lights of Winter debacle, but often that ire bleeds over into criticism of the decorations for the resort as a whole especially when message board group think is involved. The decorations this year are the typically tasteful and beautiful decorations that we have come to expect from disney. With the exception of one glaring omission, the decorations are largely the same and mostly better every year.
JustInTime
Well-Known Member
IMO the decor has gotten better!
R W B
Well-Known Member
Great to hear that they are not really slacking in the decorations dept. As of right now i'll be going next year and I would hate to not get the full affect. I mean after all thats one of the main reasons why I even want to go this time of year as I'm sure its the same for many others too.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
Of course, there have been improvements and changes over the years. It's just unfortunate that there have also been reduced decorations in many areas (as mentioned). And even if the decorations were the same, shouldn't they always be striving to improve, or "plus" what they offer? And all those little touches do count (do they still do the mini gingerbread displays at all the deluxe resorts? Country Bear Christmas anyone?).
Again, I hate to make the WDW vs. DL comparison that comes up so often, but look at the DL decorations from, say the 1980s vs. now -- they have gotten so much better, and the park is fully decorated in nearly every land. Compare that with WDW where improvements have taken place (castle lights) but much of everything else hasn't changed much.
Again, I hate to make the WDW vs. DL comparison that comes up so often, but look at the DL decorations from, say the 1980s vs. now -- they have gotten so much better, and the park is fully decorated in nearly every land. Compare that with WDW where improvements have taken place (castle lights) but much of everything else hasn't changed much.
Fable McCloud
Well-Known Member
I would love to go see MK with all the Christmas stuff up, but I fear the large crowds. I think I will probably get to see it in pictures only, unless we can magically get down there in December with little crowd-age.
I doubt that will happen, but here's to wishful thinking.
I doubt that will happen, but here's to wishful thinking.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
If your schedule allows it, the most of early December is very quiet. While it is freezing right now, the weather is usually comfortable as well.
However, around the 20th or so, head for the hills. WDW is not a place you want to be from Christmas until New Years!
ryanduggers
Member
That is the reason we go next week.....:xmas: No crowds
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
I think one of the best parks/hotel for decor, aside from the Wilderness Lodge is Hollywood Studios. Its decorated so well and it feels Christmasy. Maybe its because its more compact and you see so much in the areas.
We were at Epcot yesterday and thought it was very ba humbug. They have really cut back bigtime, and they think by blasting the background music louder that it makes up for the lack decor.
Sadly it sounds like the trend is going to continue, kevin yee is reporting that they arent going to do anything for the 40th anniversary. :fork:
We were at Epcot yesterday and thought it was very ba humbug. They have really cut back bigtime, and they think by blasting the background music louder that it makes up for the lack decor.
Sadly it sounds like the trend is going to continue, kevin yee is reporting that they arent going to do anything for the 40th anniversary. :fork:
DisneyNut2007
Active Member
Add the Country Bear Christmas Show (which was always more popular than the regular show) and you actually have TWO glaring omissions.
DisneyNut2007
Active Member
You know that Kevin Yee is a big fat liar, just like his fellow moron Al Lutz.
Don't even read his trash!
harveyt0206
Well-Known Member
Can't wait to see ALL of the decorations in just 4 more days. woo hoo!!
tecowdw
Well-Known Member
Not so long ago, they use to do the same thing with the MK tree - put it up, take it down for the taping and then put it back up. Then a few years ago they put the tree up in the rose garden and moved it to Main St after parade taping concluded. This year is only the second year that they just didn't bother with the tree at all until after the parade taping.
Since they take the garland down for the taping, I'm really surprised they bother putting them up before the parade taping these days now that "less" decorations seems to be the rule.
I've never been here during parade taping but the stage they put up in Town Square for it must be absolutely huge.