Is there a purpose to all the water around disney world at this point?

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I just wanted to comment on a two things. 20,000 Leagues was built in a tank that most likely had some type of treated water. The ride was closed in Florida due to the fact that the tank was cracking, the ride was to costly to maintain, and it wasn't a high capacity ride - meaning it didn't allow for a large number of guests to ride per hour. Pirates is about 3600, Haunted Mansion 1600, 20K Leagues sub hold 36 people and the ride was about 13 mins. If they were to run all 12 subs that they had you could push thru 1993 people per hour, but in all the times that I had been there I only saw about 4 to 5 on the track. That's only 828 people - not a big amount of guests. In 1986 yes...but by today's numbers...no way.

River country was closed due to many reasons some being, Florida passed a law that stated public swimming facilities had to be chlorinated and filtered, Typhoon Lagoon was about to be opened (newer, bigger, chlorinated!), and some argue the amoeba that lives in Florida fresh water that can cause major problems for humans.

There was a wave machine in the water over by Poly but that cause beach erosion and I believe the machine rusted. So Disney abandoned that.

Your facts about 20,000 Leagues are fascinating. Thanks for sharing. One thing about River Country, though. It closed in 2001 and was announced in 2005 that it would not be reopening. Typhoon Lagoon opened in 1989 and Bilzzard Beach opened in 1995. I think that they were pulling a lot of guests from River Country which factored into not reopening RC, but it technically didn't close until after both water parks had been open for some time.

 

[niffer5150]

This has to be a joke!.

it must be very hard to be people like that. "oh look honey! compton has hotel rooms for cheap and it's half way between hollywood and anaheim! we can go for a nice late night walk through that echo park while we're there too!"

 

[pa. dad]

Your facts about 20,000 Leagues are fascinating. Thanks for sharing. One thing about River Country, though. It closed in 2001 and was announced in 2005 that it would not be reopening. Typhoon Lagoon opened in 1989 and Bilzzard Beach opened in 1995. I think that they were pulling a lot of guests from River Country which factored into not reopening RC, but it technically didn't close until after both water parks had been open for some time.

In its final years, RC had become a seasonal park only and admission was lesser price than the other 2 water parks. It never reopened after the slower tourism of 9-11.
If they wanted to reopen it today, they could not due to the water quality.
The subs held 40. They rotted out in just over 20 years in FL while CA is still using their original 1959 subs almost 50 years now. So it is not the same water or water quality.

 

[pa. dad]

I'm not sure what brought about all the venom and rude comments from the peanut gallery on this thread. Is is not enough to say there is a difference of opinion and leave it at that? I thought I should share a little as to what contributes to my opinions on this.
When I visited the original CA Disneyland, I liked very much parking your car and just walking in. No TTC delays and mob scenes to deal with. We stayed across the street and just walked in and I found that very nice. On our Jan, visit to the MK, we just got major delays coming and going at the TTC. So I was less than appreciative of the water that delayed us. I'd have been a little more understannding when that water fed the RC water park, provided swimming and water sports for so many and was part of the Discovery island needs.
Part 2 was disney springs. We had to park a mile away at a dinsey office building and catch a hastily arranged disney shuttle. The shuttles were overwhelmed so we just walked back to the car as did most others. So while at disney springs, KI'm checking out the lego serpent in the water and the water is just plain dirty. The serpent is only a few feet into the water so keep that. But I do confess that I thought how good an idea parking would be in place of this dirty unused water.
Part 3 is the recent news of the gator killing the 2 year old boy. You have this water which delays us getting to the MK, forces us to park a mile away at Disney springs and what is this water good for? A good hiding spot for predator gators.
So yes I am surprised to see all the defenders of this water that is too dirty to swim in, it is toxic enough to rot out subs and it is a great place for gators.
I prefer the CA method of no water and just getting out of your car or walking across the street. In the early days when the FL water served so many useful purposes, a good argument could have been made IMO that the FL way of all the water was better. "It's pretty to look at" does not add up for me as being better.
If people disagree with this, that;s fine but I do hope people can keep their disgareements to a nonpersonal level now.

 

[maxiesmom]

Walt wanted it to feel as if you were entering a different world, hence the way the front of the Magic Kingdom is set up. The water helps separate it from the "real world". In addition to being a necessary part of the construction of the park itself. If you still don't get that when you dig in Florida you hit water, and it has to go someplace, then there is no help for that. Just try and get that the water has to be there. They can't pave over it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I prefer the CA method of no water

Dude, California is a drought zone.

Florida is a swamp.

 

[JimmyV]

So yes I am surprised to see all the defenders of this water that is too dirty to swim in, it is toxic enough to rot out subs and it is a great place for gators.

And yet, despite all of these negative qualities, people defend it. So ask yourself why that is. Because it is necessary. And that does not lend itself to an "opinion".

 

[BrianL]

I'm not sure what brought about all the venom and rude comments from the peanut gallery on this thread. Is is not enough to say there is a difference of opinion and leave it at that? I thought I should share a little as to what contributes to my opinions on this.
When I visited the original CA Disneyland, I liked very much parking your car and just walking in. No TTC delays and mob scenes to deal with. We stayed across the street and just walked in and I found that very nice. On our Jan, visit to the MK, we just got major delays coming and going at the TTC. So I was less than appreciative of the water that delayed us. I'd have been a little more understannding when that water fed the RC water park, provided swimming and water sports for so many and was part of the Discovery island needs.
Part 2 was disney springs. We had to park a mile away at a dinsey office building and catch a hastily arranged disney shuttle. The shuttles were overwhelmed so we just walked back to the car as did most others. So while at disney springs, KI'm checking out the lego serpent in the water and the water is just plain dirty. The serpent is only a few feet into the water so keep that. But I do confess that I thought how good an idea parking would be in place of this dirty unused water.
Part 3 is the recent news of the gator killing the 2 year old boy. You have this water which delays us getting to the MK, forces us to park a mile away at Disney springs and what is this water good for? A good hiding spot for predator gators.
So yes I am surprised to see all the defenders of this water that is too dirty to swim in, it is toxic enough to rot out subs and it is a great place for gators.
I prefer the CA method of no water and just getting out of your car or walking across the street. In the early days when the FL water served so many useful purposes, a good argument could have been made IMO that the FL way of all the water was better. "It's pretty to look at" does not add up for me as being better.
If people disagree with this, that;s fine but I do hope people can keep their disgareements to a nonpersonal level now.

Well, don't go to DL any time soon. The parking lot is much further away than it used to be. The put a little thing called California Adventure on the old one and they now shuttle people in from the outlying parking lots.

Your Disney Springs parking issue was only due to the construction. Now that the two new garages are open you shouldn't have to park at that office building (I have parked there, it's not that far but it's a hassle to cross the street for sure). The water at DS is used for the aqua cars and other boats.

Part of the idea of the waterways is to provide scenic transportation for the entire resort area. You're entitled to your opinions about it, but I think most visitors really like it. Plus, as has been mentioned, it's pretty much impractical/impossible to get rid of it anyway.

 

[Number Six]

So this is really about convenience?

 

[anneboleyn]

So this is really about convenience?

The purpose of this has changed a couple times. First it was saltiness that the lagoon couldn't be used for water skiing or something, so therefore it shouldn't exist at all. Then it became about public safety, and now it seems to be about convenience. Who knows lol

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Well, don't go to DL any time soon. The parking lot is much further away than it used to be. The put a little thing called California Adventure on the old one and they now shuttle people in from the outlying parking lots.

Your Disney Springs parking issue was only due to the construction. Now that the two new garages are open you shouldn't have to park at that office building (I have parked there, it's not that far but it's a hassle to cross the street for sure). The water at DS is used for the aqua cars and other boats.

Part of the idea of the waterways is to provide scenic transportation for the entire resort area. You're entitled to your opinions about it, but I think most visitors really like it. Plus, as has been mentioned, it's pretty much impractical/impossible to get rid of it anyway.

Well darn, I liked DL back in '61. They had to go and change it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Maybe we should create a trans-American PIPELINE and pipe all the excess swamp water from Florida to California where they have a drought!

WE HAVE FIXED EVERYTHING.

WITH SCIENCE.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I'd have been a little more understannding when that water fed the RC water park, provided swimming and water sports for so many and was part of the Discovery island needs.

Part 3 is the recent news of the gator killing the 2 year old boy. You have this water which delays us getting to the MK, forces us to park a mile away at Disney springs and what is this water good for? A good hiding spot for predator gators.

So yes I am surprised to see all the defenders of this water that is too dirty to swim in, it is toxic enough to rot out subs and it is a great place for gators.

And what you seem to be summarily dismissing is that there are needs for that water, even if they aren't recreational. I understand where you're coming from about liking how to enter DLR better. DLR is my preferred Disney destination for many reasons, the ease of getting around is one of those reasons. That said, the ecosystems of California and Florida are vastly different, and the needs for the water are vastly different as well. AS others have pointed out, Orlando is the beginning of the Everglades. There is a need in nature for the water at WDW in a way that doesn't exist in CA.

 

[Spork24]

First, as stated there are many needs for the water other than recreational.

2nd, did anyone mention all the ways the lakes are still used for recreation?

Fishing trips, dock fishing, pontoon boat rental, jet ski rental, small speedboat rental, parasailing.

Still lots of recreation going on in the lakes.

 

[Jennasis]

Yes. The water needs to be there. End of story.

 

[IrishNYC]

I'm not sure what brought about all the venom and rude comments from the peanut gallery on this thread. Is is not enough to say there is a difference of opinion and leave it at that? I thought I should share a little as to what contributes to my opinions on this.
When I visited the original CA Disneyland, I liked very much parking your car and just walking in. No TTC delays and mob scenes to deal with. We stayed across the street and just walked in and I found that very nice. On our Jan, visit to the MK, we just got major delays coming and going at the TTC. So I was less than appreciative of the water that delayed us. I'd have been a little more understannding when that water fed the RC water park, provided swimming and water sports for so many and was part of the Discovery island needs.
Part 2 was disney springs. We had to park a mile away at a dinsey office building and catch a hastily arranged disney shuttle. The shuttles were overwhelmed so we just walked back to the car as did most others. So while at disney springs, KI'm checking out the lego serpent in the water and the water is just plain dirty. The serpent is only a few feet into the water so keep that. But I do confess that I thought how good an idea parking would be in place of this dirty unused water.
Part 3 is the recent news of the gator killing the 2 year old boy. You have this water which delays us getting to the MK, forces us to park a mile away at Disney springs and what is this water good for? A good hiding spot for predator gators.
So yes I am surprised to see all the defenders of this water that is too dirty to swim in, it is toxic enough to rot out subs and it is a great place for gators.
I prefer the CA method of no water and just getting out of your car or walking across the street. In the early days when the FL water served so many useful purposes, a good argument could have been made IMO that the FL way of all the water was better. "It's pretty to look at" does not add up for me as being better.
If people disagree with this, that;s fine but I do hope people can keep their disgareements to a nonpersonal level now.

Walt purposely designed MK to be exactly unlike the experience in DL. The story goes that he was riding something (the overhead tram?) with another family, and they looked over and saw traffic building up on the freeway, and they said they needed to leave the park before traffic got worse. He didn't want his new park to have any connection to the outside world. The water ride to the gates is part of the show, making you feel disconnected from real life, no reminders of traffic, highways, or reason to hurry and beat traffic that you could see from the park.

You can opine that the water is gross, disgusting, and annoying, but it doesn't change the fact that it's both a necessary thing, and a part of the show, so for both reasons, along with plenty of others, it's not going anywhere.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I'm not sure what brought about all the venom and rude comments from the peanut gallery on this thread. Is is not enough to say there is a difference of opinion and leave it at that? I thought I should share a little as to what contributes to my opinions on this.
When I visited the original CA Disneyland, I liked very much parking your car and just walking in. No TTC delays and mob scenes to deal with. We stayed across the street and just walked in and I found that very nice. On our Jan, visit to the MK, we just got major delays coming and going at the TTC. So I was less than appreciative of the water that delayed us. I'd have been a little more understannding when that water fed the RC water park, provided swimming and water sports for so many and was part of the Discovery island needs.
Part 2 was disney springs. We had to park a mile away at a dinsey office building and catch a hastily arranged disney shuttle. The shuttles were overwhelmed so we just walked back to the car as did most others. So while at disney springs, KI'm checking out the lego serpent in the water and the water is just plain dirty. The serpent is only a few feet into the water so keep that. But I do confess that I thought how good an idea parking would be in place of this dirty unused water.
Part 3 is the recent news of the gator killing the 2 year old boy. You have this water which delays us getting to the MK, forces us to park a mile away at Disney springs and what is this water good for? A good hiding spot for predator gators.
So yes I am surprised to see all the defenders of this water that is too dirty to swim in, it is toxic enough to rot out subs and it is a great place for gators.
I prefer the CA method of no water and just getting out of your car or walking across the street. In the early days when the FL water served so many useful purposes, a good argument could have been made IMO that the FL way of all the water was better. "It's pretty to look at" does not add up for me as being better.
If people disagree with this, that;s fine but I do hope people can keep their disgareements to a nonpersonal level now.

Six Flags may be more to your liking.

 

[Hikergirl]

Personally I think the bodies of water within WDW gives it a kind of charm that you don't see at any other theme park. I couldn't imagine if it was just a system of roads and parking lots.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

And another factoid about Fl that might scare pa.dad (happy fathers day).


http://www.slate.com/articles/life/...da_is_the_lightning_capital_of_the_world.html

Today, all across America, people will gather on beaches and lawns, in parks and stadiums, to watch a dazzling flash-bang show of fireworks.

In Florida we get a dazzling flash-bang show nearly every day, all summer long. That’s because Florida is the lightning capital of the United States—or, as one of my friends likes to say, “Florida boasts the most lightning-scorched landscape in North America.”





The reasons have to do with both geography and meteorology, not to mention our location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The result is 90 to 100 days of major thunderstorms across central and southern Florida every year.

A Florida lightning storm can be more awe-inspiring than any mere fireworks display. Thunder clouds fill the sky to the point that you wonder if the apocalypse is nigh. Then multiple bolts start zapping this way and that, one right on top of the other, jagged streaks of blinding brightness followed by a bone-rattling, brain-jolting boom.

The one downside to these displays is that Florida frequently leads the nation in injuries and fatalities from lightning strikes—averaging six deaths and 39 injuries a year over the past decade. So this is the rare Florida outdoor attraction that's best viewed from inside your house or hotel.

Perhaps Disney could enclose all of the attractions in a giant dome? It could be sealed off completely. Remembering the movie "Logan's Run" from the 70s(?) Or, it could all be virtualized. Folks could live the experience from their Captn's chairs in their Winnebago parked in the middle of a Wal-Mart asphalt covered parking lot. The missus could get some of those fancy hots dogs n' blankets. IDK what precautions would be needed for shooting stars...

 

[DOOM1001]

There was a wave machine in the water over by Poly but that cause beach erosion and I believe the machine rusted. So Disney abandoned that.

Adam the Woo who put a video showing where the wave machines were located in the Seven Seas lagoon,expecting to have surfing in a man made lake was a bit far fetched in my opinion.