The Walt Disney World Resort has restored the iconic entrance fountain sculpture at Epcot.
Walt Disney Imagineering's portfolio executive for the Walt Disney World Resort, Zach Riddley, posted the photos to his Instagram this morning.
The three clear pylons stood atop a fountain in Epcot's entrance plaza in front of Spaceship Earth, when the park opened in 1982. The sculpture remained until the turn of the century, when Disney removed it as part of the Leave a Legacy project.
With those granite monoliths gone now, Disney is transforming Epcot's entrance once again. And it's giving a nod to classic Epcot with the restoration of the fountain pylons. (These are not the original pylons, by the way. They're a recreation, inspired by the original design.)
Disney has delayed or canceled many of its planned construction projects due to the pandemic and resulting global travel depression. But the new Eentrance plaza, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride in the expanded France pavilion, and the Guardians of Galaxy Cosmic Rewind indoor "story coaster" in the old Universe of Energy pavilion remain a go in Epcot. We're talking about Disney's timeline for opening its new WDW attractions over on the Discussion Forum.
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I agree, Fatty! Those monoliths were awful, but that sculpture is beautiful. Now, just bring Dreamfinder back to Journey into Imagination and I'll be happy girl :-)
I’ll drink to that :)
The fountain was sorely missed. I had only seen it once but to have it replaced by the slabs was a travesty. I'll agree with bringing Dreamfinder back and if they could just find enough budget room to bring back Body Wars I'd be a happy camper.
I will CERTAINLY drink to all of this.
YES!!!!!!
Anybody down for a Disney park of “retired” attractions? Kind of like a second-run movie theater (if those even exist anymore). Who else would love the chance to hit a classic dark ride triple with The Great Movie Ride>World of Motion>Horizons?
Throw in Mr. Toads for dessert baby!
That would immediately become my favorite park.
While I liked my photo on that wall, so happy to have this back....
Oooohhh... a retired park with Mr. Toad's, 20,000 Leagues, Horizons, World of Motion and Journey into Imagination -- I'm there! Could we make it cross-brand and include Jaws and Kongfrontation??
The retired park should be located entirely at River Country. You know, for reasons.
@Melanie:
Hell yes we can!
I’m not even averse to attraction mashups to combat space restraints...
Jaws: 20,000 Leagues of Terror Under the Sea :)
Awesome idea - what about twister/terminator/earthquake/alien encounter mashup
Jaws meets 20000 Leagues — we are now creating the most awesome theme park ever!!
That fountain is very beautiful. I remembered the time I was listening Lucid Dreams by JuiceWrld here. This is a classic masterpiece.
I'd be content if Disney just rebuilt Disneyland circa 1975 and put it down the street from the original. But i am not at all averse to the idea of a park full of retired attractions.
@tiptop:
That attraction might require multiple seizure warnings and/or waiver clearances lol ;)
If Disney can do this, then can Universal go Back To The Future?
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This makes my heart happy. I so miss the optimism and retro-futurism of classic Epcot. Not to mention the beauty of the fountain.