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behind the scenes

Behind the Scenes: Wilderness Lodge Christmas Comes to Life Overnight

13 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation Last evening I stumbled upon the serendipitous event of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation. I have never, in all of my years of visiting Walt Disney World, ever seen resort holiday decorations being put up, so it was fun to sit back and watch this spectacle. Of course, it’s easy to assume these overnight transformations happen by magic and pixie dust alone, but as I learned last night, it’s actually a huge, multi-cast member operation full of semi-trucks, cranes, ladders and patience!

Below is a slideshow of last night’s events, which continued into the wee hours of the morning. The whole operation began a little after 11pm and I stayed to witness it through 2am, when there was still quite a bit left to assemble on the tree, but so much had already been pixie dusted too. Enjoy the photos of the process!

 

Click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree
I couldn’t stay until they were done, but here’s a gorgeous photo of the finished lobby from the talented Tom Bricker.
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The tree is raised up to get more branches installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The Bear family is back in place, waiting to be lit up
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Some deer await their new home
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Another view of the tree being installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More decorations waiting to get installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More sections of the tree stand are installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Ready to be raised higher
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The lights in one section are briefly turned on
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Assessing the situation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Raising the tree
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
THEY use antlers in all of their decorating too!
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The first parts of the tree are installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More installation preparation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The crane goes up almost to the ceiling
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Garland installed on every other floor
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The wreath on the fireplace installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A crane is brought in to hang a chain from the ceiling to support the tree
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A large wreath is installed over the lobby fireplace
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Unwrapping tree parts
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Close-up of the tee pee ornaments
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More tree parts – look, the famous tee pees!
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A wreath awaits installation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Smaller trees are brought in and the floor is protected for the cranes to come in
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Wreaths are brought up to higher floors too
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Boxes of wreaths and tree limbs arrive in the lobby
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The “before” – setting the stage for the Christmas tree installation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Outside wreaths are installed

 

More photos like the last one may be found at Tom Bricker’s site DisneyTouristBlog or on his Flickr account.

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Resorts, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: behind the scenes, Christmas, Christmas decorations, christmas tree, Disney, Disney Christmas decorations, Disney holiday, Disney holiday resort decor, Disney hotel decorations, holiday decorations, photos, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge, Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree, Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation, Wilderness Lodge tree

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