To finish are look at these vintage landscape photos from the late 80s or early 90s, I wanted to show the few resort shots that were in the collection. Three from the Contemporary. All focused on the long entrance area of the resort and it's amazing upside-down cup topiaries.
One photo from the Polynesian Resort. The original lobby with its waterfalls and lush jungle. This was replaced in recent years with a very open and minimalistic look that is nice but in my opinion, doesn't set the theme very well. It's a Polynesian Village not a Polynesian office complex.
Lastly a few lobby shots from the at the time brand new Grand Floridian. Live plants and live flowers need I say more. However, would have liked to see some pictures of the lawns in the early days to compare how they look now. They are always well-manicured but I bet they were amazing back then.
Today we continue our look at vintage landscaping photos from the late 80s to early 90s. Epcot has always been a beautiful park with top-notch landscaping. But really look at some of the details from this time period that no longer grace us with their presence. Some are dated like the mall like planters inside the Imagination Pavilion. But some are timeless like the flowers around Future World. And let others help tell a story like the native plants from each country in the World Showcase.
A while back I found these images online. I have dated them from between the late '80s and early '90s. They included pictures from the Grand Floridian and the Norway Pavilion so it's at least late 1988 and I see the old Tomorrowland entrance and no Partners statue so I would guess no later than 1993.
That said take a moment to absorb the beauty that once graced the Magic Kingdom. As beautiful as the park is today what happened to this level of love and care in the horticulture department. I am sure its because money, like everything else. but look at how much more story and atmosphere a little landscaping can add. If a little plant can add this much warmth and comfort I say it's worth it.
Tomorrow we will look at the Epcot photos from this collection. So keep in mind what I'm talking about here with how the landscape adds to and even tells it's own story. I think you'll see it is the same case in Epcot. In a time where we have a Flower and Garden Festival that focuses on food I think it's time to go back to green thumbs and storytelling.
In Liberty Square, there is an attraction that is often overlooked. But in 1971 when the Magic Kingdom opened it was the centerpiece of the land. That Attraction is the Liberty Tree. You may be asking yourself what is the Liberty Tree well that goes back to a time before Disney in fact it goes back to a time before America. The original Liberty Tree was located in Boston Common from 1646 till 1775 when a British Loyalist cut it down. But in the years before she was felled she stood as a sort of rallying place for those who wanted to rebel against the tyranny of the British.
Fast-forward to the 1970s. Walt Disney had always had plans to build a Liberty Square in Disneyland but when that never happened it became a priority for the "Florida Project". So with Liberty Square coming to fruition in Florida now, they needed a centerpiece for the land. Again they looked back to Walt's vision. He had always planned to have a liberty tree in the land, so that's what they did. They took a Florida Live Oak from 8 miles east of the Magic Kingdom and trucked it over to the park. That was no small task but with the guidance of legendary Disney Gardner Bill Evans who had experience moving impossible to move big trees at Disneyland they got the job done.
Now she sits across from the Hall of Presidents with thirteen Lanterns hanging in her branches representing the thirteen original colonies. So next time you are at the Magic Kingdom and find yourself in Liberty Square maybe waiting for a parade or enjoying a snack from Sleepy Hollow, stop and take a moment to enjoy the shade of The Liberty Tree.
Or whistle a tune. here are the lyrics and audio from the Liberty Tree song from the 1957 Disney film Johnny Tremain.
Plant the seed in our homeland, boys. Let it grow where all can see
Feed it with our devotion, boys. Call it the Liberty Tree
It’s a tall old Tree
And a strong old Tree
And we are the Sons
Yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Save it from the storm, boys. Water down its roots with tea
And the sun will always shine on the old Liberty Tree
It’s a tall old Tree
And a strong old Tree
And we are the Sons
Yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
March along with the piper, boys. We were born forever free
Let’s go pay the piper, boys, beneath the Liberty Tree
It’s a tall old Tree
And a strong old Tree
And we are the Sons
Yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Pay the price they’re asking, boys. Always pay the tyrant’s fee
Never give up the struggle, boys. Fight for the Liberty Tree
It’s a tall old Tree
And a strong old Tree
And we are the Sons
Yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Stand for the rights of man, boys. Stand against all tyranny
Hang the lamps of freedom, boys, high on the Liberty Tree
It’s a tall old Tree
And a strong old Tree
And we are the Sons
Yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
And it will grow as we grow, boys. It will be as strong as we
We must cling to our faith, boys-faith in the Liberty Tree
This visit to the Shack takes us to the entrance of the Magic Kingdoms. The first thing we see every visit as soon as we pass the turnstiles... The Mickey flower beds. After the castles this landmark is the second most photographed spot in the Magic Kingdoms. The Look of Mickey has changed over the years including the types of plants that make up his face but the message is still the same... Welcome!
Mickey has been in front of the parks all the way back since 1955.
Disneyland's Mickey from 2007. Day and Night.
Disney World's Mickey changes with the weather.
Halloween with Mickey and a little illumination.
Christmas Mickey. He became a ornament some time around 2010.
This Gardener's Shack heads to the Hollywood Studios to take a look at one of the most famous topiary's at Disney World. The Sorcerer Mickey Topiary between the two hats. That's the Sorcerer hat and the Brown Derby hat or derby I guess. Mickey always makes for a great photo opp and I really enjoy it for the fact it has color unlike the traditional green topiary. It also has several enchanted brooms accompanying Mickey which adds a nice touch.
Gardner's Shack is just a series of some of the more attractive views around the parks featuring the flora and fauna of the parks and resorts. Today some of the greenery around the castle. Being one of the most photographed structures in the world its important to make the surrounding grounds look good also. Several years ago now the trees in the hub were removed to give a better view of the castle. Was this a good move or a bad one. I for one miss the twinkling light that adornd those trees at night, but let me know what you think. Leave any thoughts you have on it in the comments below, and if you like the blog please plus us on Google+ . Thanks!
note: last two pics of hub with trees borrowed from the interweb. If they are yours thanks.
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