On Thursday, Living with the Land shut down unexpectedly at EPCOT. The abrupt closure came after crews removed the greenhouse's iconic central tree and drained the entire boat channel, exposing the ride track.
The shutdown follows the unannounced tree removal that occurred in early February. Guests reported witnessing cast members cutting down the tree and excavating its root system from the dome-shaped greenhouse that's anchored the attraction since EPCOT's 1982 opening.
Video Shows Tree Gone, Excavation Underway
X (formerly Twitter) user @AnthonyCEyre posted archival footage of the tree on February 11, asking Central Florida Disney Park guests if it had really been removed:
Hold on! – Is it true that the big tree in the middle of the dome on Living With The Land (LWTL) removed today? (Old video of mine)
Hold on! – Is it true that the big tree in the middle of the dome on Living With The Land (LWTL) removed today?
(Old video of mine) pic.twitter.com/bytybtNhjO
— Ant (@AnthonyCEyre) February 11, 2026
Livestreamer Theme Park Giant captured a video on Wednesday confirming the tree's absence. His footage shows Disney cast members with shovels digging in the greenhouse area, apparently removing the remaining roots from the prominent tree that occupied the center of the dome structure.
Living with the Land Fails to Open on Thursday
Living with the Land didn't open Thursday morning despite no scheduled refurbishment or maintenance on Walt Disney World Resort‘s official closure calendar. As hours passed, the situation escalated beyond a typical delayed opening.
EPCOT guests reported that the boat channel had been completely drained, exposing the track usually hidden underwater. All boats were removed from the loading area, and Disney cast members were inspecting the exposed ride system.
The full water drainage indicates major technical problems or significant maintenance work rather than minor operational issues.
No Word From Disney
Walt Disney World Resort has not commented publicly on the closure or tree removal. The company hasn't provided an estimate for the Land Pavilion boat ride's reopening.
Living with the Land debuted as an EPCOT attraction on opening day in 1982. The 13-minute boat journey takes guests through greenhouses demonstrating experimental agricultural techniques and crop cultivation methods. The removed tree served as a focal point in the main greenhouse dome for over four decades.
The combination of tree removal and emergency closure suggests potential infrastructure problems or planned renovations that Disney hasn't announced publicly. Whether the tree will be replaced or the greenhouse redesigned remains unknown.
Did the sudden closure of Living with the Land impact your trip to EPCOT? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
Oh my goodness! What a shame to see that very large Breadfruit ( Ulu) tree cut down! Very sad to see this!! It was my favorite part to see on the Living with the Land ride. :,(