Entrance Waterfalls at AK?

[MrKnight]

I recall in AK's early years there was a captivating gigantic waterfall feature at the main entrance of the park just to the left, directly over the Rainforest Café building, I recall this being an incredible first impression and the waterfalls looked so real and blended in so well with the lush theming. I noticed that a couple of years back the waterfalls appear to have been permanently turned off (or perhaps even removed?) and fully covered with landscaping and trees.. Does anyone recall this? Was there a reason for this change? What happened to the Waterfalls???

 

[POOHsie]

I found this on a google search. Was this the big waterfall at AK Rainforest? I don't remember it, for all the times I visited AK.

I can only guess it's (FIRST) because of the major construction of Avatarland on the other side of that waterfall. My other guess (SECOND) is because most fountains and water features need expensive repairs after a few years, so many are simply abandoned when they break down. Something was just posted last week (on DisBoards?) about the "Plant" fountains at MK. I was actually surprised last fall when I stayed at CSR in the Casitas section, that there were many fountains scattered about, and they were all working. Sorry, I am only guessing.

 

[MrKnight]

I found this on a google search. Was this the big waterfall at AK Rainforest? I don't remember it, for all the times I visited AK.
View attachment 89031
I can only guess it's (FIRST) because of the major construction of Avatarland on the other side of that waterfall. My other guess (SECOND) is because most fountains and water features need expensive repairs after a few years, so many are simply abandoned when they break down. Something was just posted last week (on DisBoards?) about the "Plant" fountains at MK. I was actually surprised last fall when I stayed at CSR in the Casitas section, that there were many fountains scattered about, and they were all working. Sorry, I am only guessing.

YES that is the one! I recall the waterfalls operated for at least a decade, at some point the fountains were shut off and drained, and eventually fully covered over with heavy foliage and most recently additional rock formations to the point that there is no longer any visible remains of the waterfalls. It always amazed me that they got rid of these breathtaking waterfalls and what is even more shocking is that so few people seem to have noticed that they were missing.

 

[POOHsie]

I don't know why I never noticed the falls. We had a Rainforest near our house (Ft Lauderdale) until we moved in 2003. Our teen DD worked there for a short time of typical lousy treatment. So maybe that's a subconscious reason I wouldn't look left at AK towards Rainforest. Another reason is, at AK's entrance--right side (opposite side from waterfalls) there's a Joffrey's coffee stand, and it's always been one of the best espresso stands at WDW, where I would get my important first coffee of the day at AK. My eyes followed my nose to the RIGHT! LOL

 

[Dizduke]

When I went to the AK for the first time last year it was on the map but when I got there no waterfalls. Really wish they had been there. Anyone know why they got shut off?

 

[SillyFamily]

Florida has had several droughts that have included waterfall bans. This might have been one of the factors.

 

[Dan Murphy]

About 1/3 of the way down this page.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2014/05/water_at_walt_disney_world_par.html

Indicates because of the vegetation growth, but I am sure that could have been managed, if desired. I would say it was $$$.