The Epcot Fountain? Will it be fixed?

[hopemax]

Screamscape has a new rumor :

"Just what is wrong with the Future World fountain? It seems to have been broken all summer and rumors are starting to come in that Disney doesn't want to pay to fix it and that they may try to replace this wonderful fountain area with a stage."

Anyone know anything to back up or refute this rumor?

It would be a real shame if it were true.

 

[toefungus]

I've herd that it was just going down for a rehab. I hope they don't get rid of it, it's always nice to watch.

 

[JeffJewell]

...in June, and talked to a guy who was working in the empty fountain. He said that the fountain was down for rehab, and should be back up in September (well, I think he said September. We talked to a lot of folks about a lot of stuff that trip, and Suzy swears I'm wrong, that he told us it would be up by the Fourth of July. I had begun to doubt myself, but since the 4th has apparently come and gone with no fountain, it looks like I may have been right in the first place).

A little patience will tell us if I'm remembering correctly. Of course, it's always possible that Suzy's correct, they _intended_ to have it up by the 4th, but ran into the problem that the rumors say they don't want to fix.

That fountain is Suzy's very favorite thing in WDW; we watch first thing in the morning from the FountainView with our criossant, we watch last thing at night, as the crowds are streaming past after IllumiNations, just drifting off into the changing colors.

The FutureWorld Fountain is a truly Magical part of WDW. It is the sort of thing that should be repaired or upgraded rather than cemented over.

Jeff

 

[swinginevilmike]

Gee I though it was because of the drought...Some of the fountains in the other parks are off too with signs explaining they are conserving water...

 

[HorizonsFan]

I asked a CM that in early June. He radioed it in because he wasn't sure why it wasn't working. The "official" answer was that it was down for conservation reasons (whatever that's worth).

 

[ballgame]

During my Undiscovered Future World Tour on Friday, our guide confirmed that some fountains had been turned off due to conservation, but not the big center one. It was shut down for normal rehab, but then they ran into difficulties (apparently the water main had become blocked by coins thrown in by guests and they were unable to get them out). They are taking advantage of the extended downtime to replace some of the nozzles as well. So I guess the answer is that it will reopen as soon as they fix it (he hopes by early fall). BTW, there is already a stage near the fountain, so I don't think they would build another.

 

[paradefreak]

This fountain already has the ability to be a stage. I saw a show on it years ago. Last year on the Undisovered Future World Tour, the guide confirmed that the fountain can be turned off and the top area can be used as a stage. Epcot uses it occassionally for special affairs. This rumor has no credibility as far as I am concerned.

 

[DC7800]

I missed this fountain during my annual trip last week. Also, it looks bad enough empty that it really ought to have construction walls around it for the duration of the rehab, in my opinion. Somehow, an empty fountain gives the place a "run-down" feel (I otherwise love the architecture/landscaping of Future World) in the midst of the magic.

 

[Andrew015]

I heard that the salary of Pooh Bear is too high, and in a failing attempt to save money, Eisner stuffed him into the water main. He could save money on the water bill, and he wouldn't have to pay Pooh. On a more serious note, I've heard the water conservation scheme was the reason for the fountain being shut down.

 

[All Aboard]

I cannot speculate on if/when the Epcot fountain will be back up. But, I am fairly confident that the Epcot fountain was not part of the water conservation efforts. The water conservation effort was voluntary on the part of Disney. They responded by shutting off a variety of water features, especially those that recycled little water.

But, even during the worst part of the drought (during the fires) the Epcot fountain was still up and running. The last time I saw it functioning was the week following Memorial Day. One time I recall a CM mentioning that the walls of the fountain were deteriorating (perhaps even cracking) but I really didn't hunt for evidence of that.

I, for one, sure hope that the decision is made to right whatever is wrong with the fountain and get it back into service as quickly as possible.