A big loss after 38 years at WDW

[DisneyGuys]

Well, this may not mean much to most people, but I feel like I lost something that has been part of the Disney magic for a long, long time.

Since opening, the Polynesian Resort at WDW has had the best drinking water fountain on property. Located on the second floor, across from O'Hana's Restaurant and next to the restroom, this special drinking fountain served all the Disney guests by providing always cold water and a strong stream. It is tough to find cold water in a drinking fountain at Disney World. It has always amazed me that with the incredible technology created by the Imagineers one would think they could make a cold drinking fountain that put out enough of a stream to where you could drink without getting your mouth near the faucet and be able to easily re-fill a water bottle.

This now-gone-from-the-magic drinking fountain was the best on property and a stop for me whenever I was nearby. I always commented to friends and family how that water fountain was always dependable for all guests. The stream was always strong and refreshing to the point most people would only twist the handle halfway to avoid drowning, but so many laughs were had with unsuspecting friends as they would sip and I would reach in and twist the handle to full wetting their faces and causing them to gasp in surprise.

I was practically heartbroken to come up the stairs last night to find the fountain GONE! Not a trace remained. The wall that had supported the fountain for all these years had been freshly wallpapered and not even a pipe or electrical outlet stood in memoriam for this constant guest pleaser.

I think of 38 years of photos taken with characters and icons and landmarks and friends at Walt Disney World. Yet, I never thought to take a photo of myself with this tireless and memorable drinking fountain. It is a loss for all of us even if you never enjoyed a cool and fully-refreshing sip from this fountain during your visit.

Why would such a dependable attraction be removed after 38 years of tireless service? Is Disney really that desperate to get guests to buy bottles of water that they would start removing drinking fountains? I don't know, but I know we have all suffered a loss this week.

Please feel free to post and share your memories of this great fountain. And if you have a photo of you posed and being quenched, please share it, too.

Daniel (a bit parched)

 

[Geubux]

Well, as you said, it's been 30+ something years.

I've found that after that many years, yes, the power of the stream does decline. Glad to see that with all the bad news in the world, THIS upsets you.

 

[DisneyGuys]

Glad to see that with all the bad news in the world, THIS upsets you.

Yeah... heh-heh. That's why I come to the DIS Boards... to get away from all the bad news in the world.

Daniel

 

[goalie5hole]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Ladysunflr]

Surely you can't be serious.

 

[Baloo76]

This is surprising, that was a very popular water fountain. I would stop by on my way to Kona Cafe or O'hana's and the Fastpass return was always hours later.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Well, I really DO sympathize! I'm still recovering from those beautiful parrots being removed from the GCH what, 20 yrs ago?

We POLYites understand!

 

[Parkhopper_Vince]

I remember that water fountain very well. It has been there since I started going to WDW and staying at the Poly...when i was 13 years old. I am sorry to hear that it is no longer there.

 

[Ladysunflr]

 

[mitros]

Surely you can't be serious.[ Of course he's serious......and don't call him shirley.

 

[mitros]

Well, this may not mean much to most people, but I feel like a lost something that has been park of the Disney magic for a long, long time.

Since opening, the Polynesian Resort at WDW has had the best drinking water fountain on property. Located on the second floor, across from O'Hana's Restaurant and next to the restroom, this special drinking fountains served all the Disney guests by providing always cold water and a strong stream. It is tough to find cold water in a drinking fountain at Disney World. It has always amazed me that with the incredible technology created by the Imagineers one would think they could make a cold drinking fountain that put out enough of a stream to where you could drink without getting your mouth near the faucet and be able to easily re-fill a water bottle.

This now-gone-from-the-magic drinking fountain was the best on property and a stop for me whenever I was nearby. I always commented to friends and family how that water fountain was always dependable for all guests. The stream was always strong and refreshing to the point most people would only twist the handle halfway to avoid drowning, but so many laughs were had with unsuspecting friends as they would sip and I would reach in and twist the handle to full wetting their faces and causing them to gasp in surprise.

I was practically heartbroken to come up the stairs last night to find the fountain GONE! Not a trace remained. The wall that had supported the fountain for all these years had been freshly wallpapered and not even a pipe or electrical outlet stood in memoriam for this constant guest pleaser.

I think of 38 years of photos taken with characters and icons and landmarks and friends at Walt Disney World. Yet, I never thought to take a photo of myself with this tireless and memorable drinking fountain. It is a loss for all of us even if you never enjoyed a cool and fully-refreshing sip from this fountain during your visit.

Why would such a dependable attraction be removed after 38 years of tireless service? Is Disney really that desperate to get guests to buy bottle of water that they would start removing drinking fountains? I don't know, but I know we have all suffered a loss this week.

Please feel free to post and share your memories of this great fountain. And if you have a photo of you posed and being quenched, please share it, too.

Daniel (a bit parched)

Are you positive? We were there on the 23 rd and 24th and it was still there????

 

[Guapy]

I loved that water fountain! Funny post, but I must say that I am feeling a bit sad at the thought of never drinking from that fountain again.

 

[highlander]

Surely you can't be serious.

Yes he his, and please don't call him Surely.

 

[Azree]

Pssst....

You can get your drinking fountain fix right around the corner from the bathrooms by the exit at Splash Mountain.

I dunno why, but that one fits your description of the Poly one to a T, and we always fill up there when we walk by in the MK.

 

[travelmel]

Surely you can't be serious.[ Of course he's serious......and don't call him shirley.

Yes he his, and please don't call him Surely.

Pssst....

You can get your drinking fountain fix right around the corner from the bathrooms by the exit at Splash Mountain.

I dunno why, but that one fits your description of the Poly one to a T, and we always fill up there when we walk by in the MK.

Aww... now that's a friendly Dis'er... solution oriented, helpful, and kind. Thanks for this post!

 

[travelmel]

My condolences.

e hoʻomaha me ka maluhia​

​

​

 

[ToddS]

While I was not familiar with this particular fountain, as a fellow WDW lunatic I completely appreciate where you're coming from. We all have our favorite little inconsequential "spots" in the World that, when we see them, they let us know we're really "home." (Mine is the "bridge" between the lobby and the lounge at Boardwalk.) Thanks for a great post!

 

[speedyf]

Pssst....

You can get your drinking fountain fix right around the corner from the bathrooms by the exit at Splash Mountain.

I dunno why, but that one fits your description of the Poly one to a T, and we always fill up there when we walk by in the MK.

Just wanted to say that we took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for the first time in June. On the tour, our guide informed us that the machine/device that filters/processes and cools the water is located just outside of the back of the park. She said that the closer the fountain is to that area, the cooler the water should be. That would explain why Splash Mountain would have cold water and maybe a fountain in Tomorrowland or on Main Street wouldn't be as cold.

Of course...she could have just been making all this up...but, it seemed to make sense?

OP...sorry for your loss. I don't recall if it was there or not in June when we ate Ohana.

Speed

 

[tiggspring]

Travelmel. While I sympathize with OP your tribute had me rotf.

 

[KAB1]

Well, this may not mean much to most people, but I feel like I lost something that has been part of the Disney magic for a long, long time.

Since opening, the Polynesian Resort at WDW has had the best drinking water fountain on property. Located on the second floor, across from O'Hana's Restaurant and next to the restroom, this special drinking fountain served all the Disney guests by providing always cold water and a strong stream. It is tough to find cold water in a drinking fountain at Disney World. It has always amazed me that with the incredible technology created by the Imagineers one would think they could make a cold drinking fountain that put out enough of a stream to where you could drink without getting your mouth near the faucet and be able to easily re-fill a water bottle.

This now-gone-from-the-magic drinking fountain was the best on property and a stop for me whenever I was nearby. I always commented to friends and family how that water fountain was always dependable for all guests. The stream was always strong and refreshing to the point most people would only twist the handle halfway to avoid drowning, but so many laughs were had with unsuspecting friends as they would sip and I would reach in and twist the handle to full wetting their faces and causing them to gasp in surprise.

I was practically heartbroken to come up the stairs last night to find the fountain GONE! Not a trace remained. The wall that had supported the fountain for all these years had been freshly wallpapered and not even a pipe or electrical outlet stood in memoriam for this constant guest pleaser.

I think of 38 years of photos taken with characters and icons and landmarks and friends at Walt Disney World. Yet, I never thought to take a photo of myself with this tireless and memorable drinking fountain. It is a loss for all of us even if you never enjoyed a cool and fully-refreshing sip from this fountain during your visit.

Why would such a dependable attraction be removed after 38 years of tireless service? Is Disney really that desperate to get guests to buy bottles of water that they would start removing drinking fountains? I don't know, but I know we have all suffered a loss this week.

Please feel free to post and share your memories of this great fountain. And if you have a photo of you posed and being quenched, please share it, too.

Daniel (a bit parched)

Maybe disney will be doing away with all of their water fountains. I work in healthcare and trust me, water fountains are disgusting (GERMS) so maybe it's not a bad idea. Buy bottled water instead. They were always very cold.