Has the Magic Kingdom's Hub Lost Its Remaining Trees?

[hpyhnt 1000]

I was looking through some recent pictures of the Magic Kingdom and noticed that the Hub looked a bit more barren than I remember it being. After a bit of comparing and searching, it seems that the remaining mature trees that had managed to survive these past few years have been removed for the projectors for The Magic/Memories/You show.

Here you can see the locations and sight lines needed for the projectors. Note how they cross over a good number of trees:

Here is a snapshot taken from Google Earth showing the locations of the few remaining mature trees in and around the hub. The areas outlined in blue are where trees appear to have been removed. The red areas indicate where trees most likely have been removed but I am unable to verify.

Here is a picture (not mine) of the Hub and Castle from January 4th 2011. Note how the left two blue circled trees of the Google Earth image are no where to be seen:

Now, I will be the first to admit that the projection show is pretty cool and there are all kinds of amazing possibilities associated with the technology, but the loss of the remaining mature trees in the park's central Hub is a very bitter pill to swallow. For the past decade, the hub really has been decimated of plant and tree life. What was once a veritable garden of mature oaks and sweeping flower beds has been reduced to a flat expanse with more concrete than grass (let alone trees and flowers). As the picture above shows, apart from a few bushes, there is literally nothing left in the hub when it comes to trees or vegetation. The Magic Kingdom already had so few mature trees remaining and to see five more of them disappear is a sad sight.

 

[SeaCastle]

I made a thread a while ago about missing flower beds, as the Magic Kingdom has a bit of a vegetation problem.

Tree growth remains unchecked in Adventurland and Frontierland, while places like Main Street lost their beautiful, mature trees (though the ones along MS were taken out due to outgrowing their soil). I'd trade the MK landscape of 2011 for the 70's landscape in a heartbeat; the park used to overflow with topiaries and flowers...the MK horticultural team could learn a thing or two from EPCOT's.

 

[steve2wdw]

The sad thing is, the projectors could probably have been put on lifts, to get them above tree line, at least the ones on top of Casey's and the Plaza Restaurant. I was so dissappointed to see the last of the trees between the hub and Main Street gone during my January visit. Thank god the trees flanking the Liberty Square entrance weren't touched. I can imagine that the horticulture department must shake in their boots every time a new show gets introduced to the MK. The hub used to be a beautiful "park" where you could actually sit under the shade of big mature trees. Remember when you couldn't see Tomorrowland from Liberty Square due to the hub trees? Now it's nothing more than a big barren WalMart parking lot with a Castle next to it. We can only thank the limited room around the Rivers of America for the decision to put Fantasmic at the Studios, preventing the clear cutting that happened to DL's Tom Sawyer Island. As for the rest of the MK, at least we've still got lots of big trees in Liberty Square, Frontierland and Adventureland. Hopefully the Fantasyland Forest will actually be "forest-like".

Rest in Peace hub trees, we will not forget you.

 

[rct247]

Actually it is kind of good the red circled ones are moved. The Plaza seating pad is used for AAA Fireworks Viewing. When it was first started those trees were small, but over time they grew. Disney didn't really do anything about it, and families that were expecting a great view reserved for them came to find out their view sucked. So, while it sucks to lose some of that vegitation that looked great during the day. It does help free up an already crowded fireworks viewing area.

Note: The AAA Fireworks Viewing is something you have to book in advance with your vacation. AAA members can't just walk up expecting it.

 

[boo52]

The sad thing is, the projectors could probably have been put on lifts, to get them above tree line, at least the ones on top of Casey's and the Plaza Restaurant.

Not really. The precision involved in the alignment of the projectors to the castle would have been a nightmare.

 

[Mad Stitch]

I didn’t realize the projectors were so far from the castle. I figured they were hidden on the banks of the river somewhere.

 

[loveofamouse]

I think those trees got moved to the expansion. the trees in the center of the hub were removed also and replaced with bushes. Trees in the center, though, would have caused viewing problems for Wishes and other fireworks.

 

[puntagordabob]

Yeah while I miss the old trees in the hub area from my youth.....I do understand the view issues for the shows, fireworks, etc..... Glad to hear they moved them rather than just killing them though...so though they are gone from the hub, they live on at the MK!