Tree of Life (Disney)

The Tree of Life is the centerpiece and iconic symbol of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Completed in 1998 for the park's opening, this artificial baobab tree is a massive structure, approximately 145 feet tall, and over 50 feet wide at its base.

While appearing to be a real tree, the Tree of Life is actually an oil rig platform repurposed for artistic purposes and covered in highly detailed artificial bark. The most distinguishing feature of the Tree of Life is its intricate carvings of over 300 animal species into the trunk, branches, and root system. These carvings were meticulously hand-sculpted by a team of artists.

Inside the base of the Tree of Life is the 3D film attraction "It's Tough to be a Bug!," based on characters from the Disney Pixar film A Bug's Life. This attraction offers an immersive experience that educates guests about the importance of insects to the ecosystem.

The Tree of Life serves as more than just a visually stunning landmark. It's a central hub for park pathways and provides a thematic anchor that embodies Animal Kingdom's core message of celebrating and conserving the natural world. The structure's design and purpose reflect the park's overall mission of conservation, education, research, and entertainment. The Tree of Life also plays a prominent role in park celebrations, serving as a canvas for projection mapping and light shows that occur nightly.