Esplanade fountain?

[WDWizard]

In the original concept artwork for DCA, the esplanade showed a very nice fountain in the middle...


It looks so much better than what is there now. I assume it was one of the many DCA budget cuts and was removed from the plans. I wonder if there are any plans to bring this fountain concept back to life after Walt Disney Plaza is complete?

The esplanade needs something more than concrete and lamp posts with DLR ads on them. It needs a centerpiece in between both parks to draw everything together.

[seasnake]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

Good Idea, I like this fountain a lot. Be perfect between both parks, and really great if it could do a musical performance to great disney songs like every 15 minutes.

Still, I'd settle for just the nifty fountain, sans effects and music.

[Sully]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

One issue with putting in a fountain (although a good idea) is all the personalized bricks that Disney sold in the Esplanade.

I bought one a year ago and it is "guaranteed" to be there for either 5 or 10 years. So as long as they are selling those there would be a 5 to 10 year wait.

If they moved the bricks then they would have to send out notifications to every brick owner as to where it was moved.

Of course I don't make it to Disneyland very often so there might be some large area free of these bricks.

[Datameister]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

I like the fountain idea. Can't be all that expensive...

[techskip]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

One issue with putting in a fountain (although a good idea) is all the personalized bricks that Disney sold in the Esplanade.

I bought one a year ago and it is "guaranteed" to be there for either 5 or 10 years. So as long as they are selling those there would be a 5 to 10 year wait.

If they moved the bricks then they would have to send out notifications to every brick owner as to where it was moved.

Of course I don't make it to Disneyland very often so there might be some large area free of these bricks.

Ahh those wonderful old bricks, some of them cracked, others missing their logos, still others covered in crud... really glad they take such great care of those pricy little pieces of masonry.

They could move them or use them to build the base of the fountain etc. The main thing is diverting water and power to said location. To impliment this fountain would be a great deal of unwanted construction in a very high traffic area.

[EmeralineDragon]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

To impliment this fountain would be a great deal of unwanted construction in a very high traffic area.

Plus, it IS a very high traffic area; would the fountain be an unneeded/unwanted obstacle when it was built?

[seasnake]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

They could use the bricks to pave the new Radiator Springs Racers underneath? You know, have a Disney Brickyard for their main racing event?

Bah, I wouldn't let the pavers hold it up. Put in the fountain.

[stitchon]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

Can't they fit a small fountain in the compass in the center of the esplanade? I could Imagine them fitting a small version of the HKDL Fountain inthere.

[Witches of Morva]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

ORDDU: My sisters and I recall reading that the original plans DID call for a fountain to be placed within the esplanade and that those plans were cut from the budget before construction began. The fountain in question would have been much like the one at Epcot. They might still be able to go ahead and add one, now, without making it too much of a congestion nightmare. It would certainly be pretty if they did it just right.

[DisneyMickey]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

They should do something, the plaza is very bare and lifeless.

[symbolic]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

They need trees and a water feature, that would be great, as it stands now when ever I walk into the esplanade it just seems like everyone is racing to the gates, they need some stuff in their to chill everyone out, make it a little more relaxed.

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

Plus, it IS a very high traffic area; would the fountain be an unneeded/unwanted obstacle when it was built?

yes, it would. I have seen the lines to get in the parks fill that entire area. The fountain would just be an frustration in there.

[Aladdin]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

I heard some imagineers talk about this in a panel. They said, when projecting
the number of people that could be expected to line up at both parks, in the
esplanade, that the lines would fill this entire area, and that a fountain would
be an added obstruction, safety concerns etc. So they decided it would be
best as a barren area.

BLEAH!!!! to that!!! Trees and a fountain would be a welcome relief to this
no-man's land!

And yes, crowds have filled the esplanade, BUT only for events and special
days in DL. NEVER has DCA encounted the number of people waiting to get
in that park, and even with extending DCA into the esplanade, I say

Add the Fountain and Trees!

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

yeah, ok....I am glad it's not there.

[The Disneylander]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

I agree with the Imagineers. Have you seen DL at opening rush? People running. A fountain would just be an obstacle.

[symbolic]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

A 150sqft fountain and some trees would not be an obsticle. Come on now you cant be serious. On average a tree take up about 5 sqft, and a fountain in the center would be a great place to meet, sit or rest.

[PragmaticIdealist]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

You can probably blame the Yippees for the lack of a fountain as much as you can blame the budget cuts.

A fountain isn't especially unique or creative, but, you're right that the piazza is somewhat ugly. The pavers are unattractive, and their color just looks so faded. Something also needs to be done to conceal the monorail beam.

Mostly, Main Street Station is no longer being used as a "wienie", so Disneyland has lost its "establishment shot", to use filmmaking terms. When guests approach the Main Entry Plaza, there is no prominent focal point to attract them into the space in the same way that Main Street Station once drew them from the old parking area.

[goofypirate]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

While the fountain would be cool, its gonna be a while since I'm pretty sure they're going to put up a giant Mickey Ears there with displays to describe the next year in the Year(s) of a Million Dreams. I like the fountain idea but I'm also a little nervous about the opening lines getting more congested, especially if DCA v2.0 turns out as good as we all hope.

[symbolic]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

I've got a little Macguffin for you that I heard thru the grape vine, aparently the last thing thats gonna happen before the Martini shot is in fact a fountain in the Espanade.
Filmmaking terms free of charge.

[techskip]

Re: Esplanade fountain?

A 150sqft fountain and some trees would not be an obsticle. Come on now you cant be serious. On average a tree take up about 5 sqft, and a fountain in the center would be a great place to meet, sit or rest.

Bolded to explain why I would not want a fountain. The more people sit and wait the less room there will be and the more it will become an obstacle when it is crowded. I would enjoy the trees but they would have to design the planters to be "trip-proof" because people are clumsy and stupid when in mass numbers.