Tree of Life (Disney)
Tree of Life | |
---|---|
Discovery Island | |
Opening date | April 22, 1998 |
Ride statistics | |
Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
Height | 145 ft (44.2 m) |
Base width | 50 ft (15.2 m) |
The Tree of Life is a 145-foot (44 m)
Tree of Life Awakenings
The Tree of Life Awakenings is a series of projection mapping shows that debuted on May 27, 2016, as part of the park's new nighttime operating hours.[5] A media preview of the show was presented on April 19, 2016.[6] Four presentations are featured throughout the evening, which have been given names on the Rivers of Light soundtrack release:
- Journey: A playful deer and a watchful hawk.
- Rendezvous: A hummingbird and flowers.
- Gift Giver: A red fox in a winter setting.
- Disney Medley: Animal imagery inspired by Pocahontas, Bambi, Dinosaur, Tarzan, Finding Nemo, Avatar, The Jungle Book, and The Lion King.
Since then the park has added:
- First Snow (Holidays only, started 2019) [7]
- Northern Lights (Holidays only, started 2019)[8]
- A new Lion King only projection (October 2021).[9]
- Beacon of Magic (50th Anniversary nighttime transformation, October 2021 - April 2023)[10]
Construction
The Tree of Life was under construction from 1997 through 1998 and took a total of 18 months to make with the help of three Disney
Early concepts for the tree began with Dave Minichiello, Dan Goozee, Ben Tripp, Gerry Dunn, and Joe Rohde, all of which were Disney Imagineers. Senior production designer Zsolt Hormay, Vinnie Byrne, Fabrice Kennel, Eric Kovach, Steve Humke, Joe Welborn, Gary Boundurant, Jacob Eaddy, Roger White, Parker Boyiddle, Craig Goseyun, and Arthur Rowlodge designed and sculpted the animals on the Tree of Life. During this process, primate researcher Jane Goodall insisted that a chimpanzee be added to the list of animals being carved into the tree - specifically David Graybeard, one of the chimpanzees Goodall famously worked with. The sculptors were met with many challenges including the limited time available to carve and detail each animal due to the fast drying time of the cement. Before settling on a theatre-style show inside of the tree, designers considered having a restaurant at the bottom of the tree or access to the top of the tree for park guests to climb up. [11]
Hidden Mickey
The Walt Disney theme parks have scattered "Hidden Mickeys" throughout its rides, buildings, architecture, and more. The Tree of Life is no exception: its Hidden Mickey can be found facing upside-down right above the hippopotamus's eye.[12]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-14231-0320-2.
- ISBN 0-7868-6402-8.
- ^ Pecho, Bruce (April 17, 2018). "20 things you may not know about Disney's Animal Kingdom, which turns 20 on Earth". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- ^ Niles, Robert. "Theme Park History: A short history of Disney's Animal Kingdom". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne (April 20, 2016). "Disney previews 'Rivers of Light,' announces 'Jungle Book' show". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ "This Summer Magical New Experiences Will Debut Across All Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks" (Press release). PR Newswire. Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Walt Disney World Resort. April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Coffey, Kelly (2021-07-12). "Tree of Life Will Show Both Holiday and 50th Projections". Inside the Magic. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ Coffey, Kelly (2021-07-12). "Tree of Life Will Show Both Holiday and 50th Projections". Inside the Magic. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ "Tree of Life Awakens- Animal Kingdom". AllEars.Net. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ "PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Tree of Life Becomes an EARidescent Beacon of Magic at Animal Kingdom for Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary - WDW News Today". wdwnt.com. 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
- ^ "Walt Disney World Chronicles: The Story of the Tree of Life". AllEars.Net. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "The Top 9 Hidden Mickeys in Disney's Animal Kingdom". DisneyLists.com. Retrieved 2023-04-06.