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The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 5: Heatherdowns

Oh, who doesn't love the quaint little hamlet of Heatherdowns? Being that it has changed very little throughout its long history, you can always count on that same peaceful and quaint feeling of Heatherdowns. In terms of Shrubbery, this area could be known for it's countless shady trees, or the flower beds around the area that enhance its look. Since 2009, the shrubbery in this area has changed very minimally, seeing 1 removal, and 1 addition.

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This very good looking tree was located on the backside of the Highland Stables. In short, over the years it, for some reason, got removed, and has sadly not been replaced. Here's what the area looks like today:

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Upon walking over Killarney Crossing into Heatherdowns, the first thing you see is this nice big flower bed on the side of a hill below the Highland Stables. In this picture, the top part of it has mostly wild plants and shrubs growing, such as ivy. Those plants have been taken out in favor of real flowers that the park plants on an annual basis. Here's a picture of what this area looks like today:

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This is a picture of some shrubs along the pathway from Heatherdowns into Banbury Cross. Since 2009 the shrubs(not the tree, don't worry) have been removed in place for flowers. Here's what those flowers look like today:

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Thanks for reading the brief Heatherdowns edition of The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW!
 
Oranges, Purples, Reds, Yellows, and Whites, all wrapped up in the beautiful blooms of Chrysanthemums, and it's all Fall Shrubbery!

Check out a couple(okay maybe several) pictures of the Fall Shrubbery found inside the park:
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Also, a new Evolution of Shrubbery post is coming soon.
 
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 6: Rhinefeld

I think everyone has a deep down love for Rhinefeld in their hearts. Shrubbery wise, it is quite the spectacle. From the small garden beds that line the pathways of the village, to the large display bordering Kinder Karussel, and the large shady trees on each end of the main village. Flower wise, everything has stayed the same, tree wise there have been some changes, so let's get right to them.

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This is a planter near the Oktoberfest side of the Village. If you look very closely you can see a tiny tree(not the groomed ones). This tree has since been replaced with a larger tree, and a couple bushes have been planted in the empty areas of the planter. Now you ask, Matthew, Couldn't this tree just have grown up? Well, no based on the leaves, it is a different species of tree. Here's what the new tree, and bushes look like:

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This tree has been removed. This really could've been for any number of reasons, it could've been due to pathway congestion issues, or the fact it doesn't look like it was growing well. None the less, it's sad they didn't replace it, because shade is needed in that area of the village now. Here's what the area looks like today:

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Finally, we have the small tree removal beside the Alpengeist ski mart that BGW Family pointed out earlier, here.(click link to see pictures)

That concludes part 6 of The Evolution of Shrubbery! Any thoughts on these changes?
 
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 7: Aquitaine

Shrubbery found in the French hamlet of Aquitaine is some of the most creative, and luscious displays in the park. Considering Aquitaine in real France is a portion of the beautiful countryside, shrubbery is no less than expected. Some of the displays enhance the theming of the hamlet very well, encompassing what it essentially is supposed to be. Shrubbery in Aquitaine has evolved quite a bit since 2009, seeing many changes all over the hamlet.

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The flower bed you see here just maybe one of the largest in the park. It's still there of course, however it has changed very much. All of the shrubs, except for the back bordering one, and all of the grass has been removed, to make way for one huge flower bed. Here's what the new version looks like:

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This flower bed that surrounded the bronze angel has been removed to make way for a stage occupied in the summer months by the Aquitaine village band, and the Demon/Grimm reaper during HOS. The angel is still in Aquitaine, just in a different place, which we will get to later. The stage is basically finished brown boards with a painting of grapes on top to embrace the new wine theme in the surrounding area. You can see it here:

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This is a picture of the side of La Belle Maison before the 2013 renovations, where two French doors were added, and a new entrance to La Belle. Before this area was pretty bare, now there are three new small flower beds. The center one is where the angel that was pointed out earlier resides, and above the other two side ones are two fleurs-de-lis(meaning Flowers of lilly, go figure:p) that are decked out in flowers. Here's what they all look like today:

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This area has also changed as a result of the 2013 renovations to Aquitaine. The Crepes and Coffee booth was added, which in result caused for this whole area to be changed into a seating area. This means, the shrubbery you see, and the park map has been removed. However, around the new seating area, there are grapes growing, to enhance the areas new wine feel. Here's what the new seating area looks like today:

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Due to The Oyster's Secret removal, which was the shop that the stairs shown in this picture led up too, the area became pretty bare, so a small flower bed was added lining the wall in this area:

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Here is the front view to the Defunct store, The Oyster's Secret. On this side of the area where the store was removed, another small flower bed was added, which people seem to think is a bench for whatever reason, in fact there is a couple sitting on the side of it in the picture you are about to see. Then on the other side of The Oyster's secret you see a flower bed, which is the area where a new stage resides today. The stage is not in use during the main season, although it was used for the Illuminights Show Voila! in 2011 & 2012, it is used during HOS for the Demon DJ's skull. Around the stage is a small flower bed. Here are what the two new additions look like:

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Finally, we have this area that borders New France on the back side of Aquitaine. This area is located near the old Bistro 205 seating area, and Griffon's splash zone. This area has been replaced with the wirelessly controlled mini-monster trucks. A long and thin flower bed has been added bordering the new area, which holds hibiscus bushes in the summer-time. Also, three of the trees have been moved off to the side, where a new walkway leads to the seating area behind Three Rivers snacks. Here's what the current shrubbery looks like in this area:

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C'est la vie of Aquitaine's Evolution of Shrubbery post! What are your thoughts on these changes?
 
To think those changes were advocated by Scott Gasparich. And then we're reminded what other hamlet changes were advocated by Scott Gasparich this year...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jonquil
Hmm... the changes here seem kind of 50-50. Things like the vines and the added planters along the inside of the village really add to the lushness of the village. That's not to mention the rest of the improvements (like the double doors) which greatly improved the area. Some things are a bit disappointing, though. I forgot how stunning the Wild Reserve-side entrance to Aqutaine (looks a bit sloppy now) and the removal of certain planters and gardens for Happy Demon platforms, DJ stands, and RC cars does detract from the lushness of the area.

Still, this is probably one of my favorite "evolutions" yet! Thanks for taking the time to make these, Matthew!
 
Matthew said:
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 7: Aquitaine

Shrubbery found in the French hamlet of Aquitaine is some of the most creative, and luscious displays in the park. Considering Aquitaine in real France is a portion of the beautiful countryside, shrubbery is no less than expected. Some of the displays enhance the theming of the hamlet very well, encompassing what it essentially is supposed to be. Shrubbery in Aquitaine has evolved quite a bit since 2009, seeing many changes all over the hamlet.

r0A42Rd.jpg


The flower bed you see here just maybe one of the largest in the park. It's still there of course, however it has changed very much. All of the shrubs, except for the back bordering one, and all of the grass has been removed, to make way for one huge flower bed. Here's what the new version looks like:

T7WLKOs.jpg




wIKxjmv.jpg


This flower bed that surrounded the bronze angel has been removed to make way for a stage occupied in the summer months by the Aquitaine village band, and the Demon/Grimm reaper during HOS. The angel is still in Aquitaine, just in a different place, which we will get to later. The stage is basically finished brown boards with a painting of grapes on top to embrace the new wine theme in the surrounding area. You can see it here:

Pi8ldhN.jpg




4jha0ly.jpg


This is a picture of the side of La Belle Maison before the 2013 renovations, where two French doors were added, and a new entrance to La Belle. Before this area was pretty bare, now there are three new small flower beds. The center one is where the angel that was pointed out earlier resides, and above the other two side ones are two fleurs-de-lis(meaning Flowers of lilly, go figure:p) that are decked out in flowers. Here's what they all look like today:

WXYVhWP.jpg




ipskAYo.jpg


This area has also changed as a result of the 2013 renovations to Aquitaine. The Crepes and Coffee booth was added, which in result caused for this whole area to be changed into a seating area. This means, the shrubbery you see, and the park map has been removed. However, around the new seating area, there are grapes growing, to enhance the areas new wine feel. Here's what the new seating area looks like today:

NGPfJ2D.jpg




PrQcoHf.jpg


Due to The Oyster's Secret removal, which was the shop that the stairs shown in this picture led up too, the area became pretty bare, so a small flower bed was added lining the wall in this area:

3msZgcE.jpg




PNr8cbC.jpg


Here is the front view to the Defunct store, The Oyster's Secret. On this side of the area where the store was removed, another small flower bed was added, which people seem to think is a bench for whatever reason, in fact there is a couple sitting on the side of it in the picture you are about to see. Then on the other side of The Oyster's secret you see a flower bed, which is the area where a new stage resides today. The stage is not in use during the main season, although it was used for the Illuminights Show Voila! in 2010-2012, it is used during HOS for the Demon DJ's skull. Around the stage is a small flower bed. Here are what the two new additions look like:

hmIv3DZ.jpg


gFO5SIr.jpg




DKENipz.jpg


Finally, we have this area that borders New France on the back side of Aquitaine. This area is located near the old Bistro 205 seating area, and Griffon's splash zone. This area has been replaced with the wirelessly controlled mini-monster trucks. A long and thin flower bed has been added bordering the new area, which holds hibiscus bushes in the summer-time. Also, three of the trees have been moved off to the side, where a new walkway leads to the seating area behind Three Rivers snacks. Here's what the current shrubbery looks like in this area:

DpQGBTg.jpg




C'est la vie of Aquitaine's Evolution of Shrubbery post! What are your thoughts on these changes?















Great posts!!!!!!



Mod Edit: Hid quoted post due to size.
 
I'm also indecisive on the changes at the Wild Reserve Entrance, Joe. The old design looked neat and had some nicely groomed shrubs, but the floral design seemed fairly un-interesting. The new design has more room for actual flowers, is filled in more and the floral design is more intricate, but some of the flowers they chose to plant have the tendency to grow tall, which blocks the view of the entire bed.

However I'd just like to point out the simply amazing design of the Spring flowers that is put in at that time....from above, which we wouldn't be able to have with the old setup:

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Beautiful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zachary and Luke
I will admit the grapes growing is what really sells it for me. Even though I can't drink it really makes me feel like I'm in a small french town. I just love sitting down eating a crepe, thinking "Man, I wonder whats gonna replace Catacombs for 2015", and observing the grapes. Oh how I wish the park never had to close for the season...
 
The Evolution of Shrubbery at BGW Part 8: Oktoberfest

Oh, Oktoberfest. My dear Oktoberfest, how you have changed.

As we all should know Oktoberfest went through major renovations from 2011-2012. While many of us may love what they did to the hamlet, I don't think any of us realize how big of a cost that came to the landscaping in the hamlet due to this. Even I never noticed. I've been dreading this post, but it's time to rip the bandage off, so let's get started. Note: I will not be doing shrubbery removal due to Verbolten, as that is off the pathways.


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As you can see in this picture there used to be trees lining the pathway coming up from the bridge, along with countless hydrangeas. Despite, being far off the way of Verbolten's construction, everything here was removed, and replaced with grass. Yes, just grass(and a couple evergreen shrubs). Here's what you can see here today:

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Due to Mach Tower, the flower bed, and the planter with the trees in it behind the flower bed were removed. In case you have to be reminded, here's what the area around Mach Tower looks like:

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The Trees and other things in the planter seen here all have been removed to make way for Beste Brezeln und Bier. Der Wirbelwindchen was also relocated, which we'll get to later. Again, in case you didn't know what Beste Brezeln und Bier looks like, here's a picture:

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This planter, with a total of four trees in it was removed to make way for tables for the Bier Garten behind Beste Brezeln und Bier. Here's what the Bier Garten looks like:

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This is the area beside Der Marktplatz. This area was opened up to the other side due to the renovations, meaning most of the greenery you see here was removed. A flower bed, a couple replacement trees, and a smoking pit(makes it hard to admire the flowers) were added in this area. Here's a pictures of the flower bed, and trees:

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Yes, I think we know many changes have occurred here. First off, Big Bad Wolf is no longer there, and due to Verbolten the area has changed into primarily, a queue. The big tree in the center still remains here. However, all the flowers, and shrubs surrounding, have been removed. Along the new queue area for Verbolten many shrubs have been added, along with three trees(in a place that already has shade, go figure). Here's what the area looks like today:

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This was a flower bed across from Big Bad Wolf's exit/gift shop. Due to the renovations, there was a game booth and snack stand added in this area, and to add on top of this removal, the tree you see in the back, that's right beside Der Wirbelwind's Queue was also removed, even though there would've been space for it in the sliver of shrubs behind the game and snack stand. Here's what these two new things look like:

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As I pointed out earlier, Der Wirbelwindchen had to be moved due to Beste Brezeln und Bier. The tree you see here was removed to make way for it. Here's what Der Wirbelwindchen's location looks like today:

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This is a picture of the area surrounding the old 'hit the thing with a mallet' game, Due to the renovations this game was removed to make way for a 'kick the soccer ball past the fake goalie' game. Three trees, and the flower bed was removed to make way for it. Here's what it looks like:

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You see this flower bed, and that nice lush ivy that used to overhang the wall? Well, for no specific reason, both of these things were removed, for whatever reason. Here's what this area looks like today:

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This is a picture of the old 'guess your weight game' This was removed due to the renovations, and in its area a tree was added.(like omg, finally) Here's what the tree and planter look like:

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There was a small flower bed added along this small section of Der Marktplatz. Here's what it looks like:

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Other Additions:

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Small flower bed beside Beste Brezeln und Bier.

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Flowers around Barrel photo op.

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Flower boxes and elevated flower pots around Der Wirbelwind.

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Tree behind Beste Brezeln und Bier.

Phew that was a long one. Have a different view on those Oktoberfest renovations now? I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.
 
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