They work mostly at night but keep the park looking fresh by providing some of its most important details, the landscape and seasonal decor. Disneyland’s Horticulture and Resort Enhancement team is definitely the under-sung heroes of the resort.
From carefully manicured flowers on Main Street, U.S.A., to desert plants in Cars Land, the landscape is part of the detail that tells the “story” of each land in the parks. More than 800 species of plants indigenous to 40 nations grow at the Disneyland Resort, making it one of the most extensive and diverse botanical locales in the western United States. The Horticulture and Resort Enhancement team manages the landscape plus the annual addition of seasonal décor for Halloween and Holidays.
Here are more fun facts from Disneyland’s Horticulture and Resort Enhancement team:
- The landscape panorama at the Disneyland Resort includes approximately 18,000 trees and 125,000 shrubs.
- Each year, approximately 500 hanging baskets are displayed, featuring seasonal plants and flowers.
- Adding to the whimsy, 22 topiary animal and characters live at the Disneyland Resort.
- Nearly 1 million annuals are planted each year at the Disneyland Resort, adding color and vibrancy to the décor.
- The forest canopy in the Jungle Cruise, at Disneyland Park, stretches more than 100 feet tall.
- The Mickey Mouse flower “portrait” at the Disneyland entrance is planted nine times a year. This flowerbed, a popular photo location, features 3,600 annuals in the face and 6,400 on the sides for a total of approximately 90,000 plants per year.
- More than 80 miles of landscape irrigation pipe run underground, keeping the focus on the plants and florals.
- The oldest living tree at the Disneyland Resort is a Mugho Pine that is only two feet tall. Guests will spot this tree, which is more than 150 years old, as they cruise on the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
- Drought-tolerant plants can be found throughout the Disneyland Resort and make up a vast majority of the landscape in several lands and attractions, including Cars Land, Frontierland, Autopia and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
- At Flik’s Fun Fair, guests cool off beneath 226 shade panels in the shape of clover leaves, including one four-leaf clover.
- Guests who would like to know more about the flora and fauna at Disneyland can experience “Cultivating the Magic.” Tour guides share stories about the design of the gardens and the historical significance of plants throughout the park.
- The Horticulture and Resort Enhancement teams create four seasonal overlays during the year for more than 160 windows. This includes 1,068 artificial floral arrangements, 20,000 props in 64 stores, and 12,000 props in 32 food locations.
- The Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., stands 60 feet above ground and five feet below ground. It is assembled in November each year, with 1,200 branches; 250,000 pine tip ends; 2,000 ornaments; 800 handmade bows; 4,800 multi-colored LED lights; 70,000 white mini LED lights; and 1,200 strobes.
- During the holiday season at Disneyland Resort, cast members decorate with nearly 200 trees, 320 wreaths and 8,000 feet of garland.
- Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland transforms to become the Pumpkin Festival every autumn, with hundreds of pumpkins on display, no two of them the same.
Previously: History of the Floral Mickey that graces Disneyland’s Front Entrance.