Landscaping Downgrades at WDW

James Alucobond

Well-Known Member
Disney theme parks by definition are the exact opposite of sustainability. They require constant unnecessary resources.

If they paint the buildings less, they will be wasting less paint. So more sustainable!
There is a difference between lower spend as a natural byproduct of selecting more climate-appropriate (and, in many cases, equally beautiful) plantings and simply deferring maintenance. The equivalent in your example would be selecting a brick facade so that paint isn't necessary in the first place, which is not necessarily a downgrade but requires less upkeep nonetheless.
 
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I’m not saying my memory is perfect, but yeah. There were actual flowers in the flower beds that’s for sure!

As usual it’s a huge shock coming from Disneyland where they have Disney level landscaping all around the parks including several rose gardens.
It may be gone now but my memory is that Epcot has a pretty extensive rose garden along the path from the land to Canada. At least it was there on my last visit
 
They don't even do much for poinsettias anymore. It used to be incredible every where you looked. Last few years its underwhelming.
Poinsettias are very susceptible to cold and particularly cold humid weather. I know that WDW has had several years when a cold snap occurs. The poinsettias won’t survive unless they are covered.

i have seen some pretty significant displays by the BWI
 

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Poinsettias are very susceptible to cold and particularly cold humid weather. I know that WDW has had several years when a cold snap occurs. The poinsettias won’t survive unless they are covered.

i have seen some pretty significant displays by the BWI
You may already know this, but WDW used to basically cover the property in Poinsettias- it was really breathtaking. I can’t speak for the cutbacks during the Holiday season as I haven’t seen them, but I’m guessing they are similarly to what I’m seeing now in the summer / fall season.
 
You may already know this, but WDW used to basically cover the property in Poinsettias- it was really breathtaking. I can’t speak for the cutbacks during the Holiday season as I haven’t seen them, but I’m guessing they are similarly to what I’m seeing now in the summer / fall season.
I’ve only visited a limited number of times during the winter holidays but I have seen them attempt to over them on a few occasions. Mostly unsuccessfully. If the cold doesn’t get them the branches break in the process. It takes too long for the plants to recover from their distress to their previous glory. If I’m in charge of making the landscape look well maintained and impressive in display I’m rethinking my choices.
 

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I’ve only visited a limited number of times during the winter holidays but I have seen them attempt to over them on a few occasions. Mostly unsuccessfully. If the cold doesn’t get them the branches break in the process. It takes too long for the plants to recover from their distress to their previous glory. If I’m in charge of making the landscape look well maintained and impressive in display I’m rethinking my choices.
i used to visit every year for new years prior to Covid. I never once saw poinsettias that weren’t well maintained and impressive. Some years were better than others, that’s the nature of living plants haha.
 

DisneyCane

Well-Known Member
In recent years, i've been noticing what seems to be a decline in sod maintenance as well. There are a lot more patches of yellow/brown grass nowadays. Or shabby areas that aren't properly manicured nor taken up and replaced when they get too ragged to maintain any further.

I hope their solution to this also isn't more astroturf either. In addition to the fake grass in MK's hub, most of the grass behind the Polynesian was also replaced with fake grass a few years ago. It's quite ugly in its own way.
The artificial grass they used in Epcot outside of security actually looks really good. Probably the best looking artificial grass I've seen in person anywhere. If I could find out the brand and model I might get some for my house where shade makes the grass impossible to grow but I don't want terrible looking artificial grass either.
 

scottieRoss

Well-Known Member
OK, just so I understand it, we have a lead arguer basing his premise on what he believes is happening, but has not actually witnessed. We have people missing temporary festival installations and overall a 'the way things used to be' but rebutted by the other side. I have posted video from 40 years ago showing the way it 'used to be'.
I think we have a great big Mandella Effect going on here by quite a few forum members.
 
I mean that’s not how it was in the past.

The California parks have very impressive landscaping.
Well yes and no. I visit both parks and the land mass that needs to be landscaped is significantly different. I see a lot of variety and interesting additions at DL but it would be significantly challenging to bring that to WDW. Plus add in all of the landscaping at the resorts which I find to be amazing and it’s a different equation.
 
Yeah, I remember, roses were my mother's favorite flower and the swans were classic
Can you imagine the combination of roses, hub crowds and disrespectful patrons? The bushes wouldn’t survive but they might inflict some pain along the way.

Wasnt there a Disney story that dealt with the same?
 

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
OK, just so I understand it, we have a lead arguer basing his premise on what he believes is happening, but has not actually witnessed.
??? If you are referring to me I’m here right now and I’m comparing directly with a 10 day visit to Disneyland a month ago.

I was a WDW passholder from 2004 until Covid.

I see a lot of variety and interesting additions at DL but it would be significantly challenging to bring that to WDW.
Not at all. It’s literally the same thing haha.
 
??? If you are referring to me I’m here right now and I’m comparing directly with a 10 day visit to Disneyland a month ago.

I was a WDW passholder from 2004 until Covid.


Not at all. It’s literally the same thing haha.
Na. Totally different climate. I owned a greenhouse for several years. Spent a lot of time explaining growing procedures and climate To people that didn’t understand or didn’t want to. There is a reason that palm trees grow in socal and fla and don’t in Chicago. Same applies to smaller plants
 

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