Apologies if this was mentioned already, but Bioreconstruct's latest photos seem to show that the courtyard adjacent to the POTC queue has been enclosed:
Here's some images of the courtyard in question from a recent-ish refurb:
https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/refu...-of-the-caribbean-courtyard-at-magic-kingdom/
Apologies if this was mentioned already, but Bioreconstruct's latest photos seem to show that the courtyard adjacent to the POTC queue has been enclosed:
Here's some images of the courtyard in question from a recent-ish refurb:
https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/refu...-of-the-caribbean-courtyard-at-magic-kingdom/
I would agree... I think this whole area could use some Placemaking....to make it really feel like the best setting for the attraction... right now it is just vaguely spanish feeling, fountains are long gone as are the performers who used to occupy the stage there....
The modern trend for LEED designs and water conservation generally utilize water features like fountains and such only if there is a efficiency in doing so, if it integrates a nature water source, and/or it helps serve a water management purpose. It shouldn't be shocking the phasing out of fountains and other water intensive features that only serve an esthetic purpose.
Yet it is shocking....Theme Parks are all about aesthetics... a dry fountain filled with plants is not charming, nor does it help with the placemaking of the attraction.there are other water features nearby like the ones arounf the Tangled Toilets that were certainly expanded... At one time, the sound of running water was everywhere.... Waterfalls, fountains, running streams... Bringing back some of these lost elements would add a lot to the overall feel of the area.
It shouldn't be shocking. Sure its a theme park. That doesn't mean it lives in a vacuum, outside what has become standard engineer practices, water conservation practices, environmental considerations. That is one of the many points on Green/LEED engineering and modern standards. You don't waste water simply because something "looks nice" or gives some people fees.
and yet the park is adding tons of new water features according the the concept art, specifically for those purposes... the small fountains that they have removed or converted to planters were not particular water hogs...lol the water is recirculating too...yes some does evaporate...but the park is basically sitting in a swamp. I would understand it more if this park was in arid Southern California where water conservation is a bigger issue...
The major water features that are being added, and lets be fair concept art is simply that, concepts that look pretty but aren't final design drawings, are from what i have seen, larger water retention type ponds, connecting waterways that are all going to be part of the water management system. It's not that you can't utilzie water features as part of designs, but it should serve a function, and utilize water for something other than just pumping in water to a fountain because it looks pretty.
It's expected to open late 2025 at the moment. They've only just announced July openings at the moment, so we'll probably here something a lot later on. It probably depends on how far along they are with construcction
we are talking relatively little water to run the small fountain in Caribbean plaza and some of the other small water features...they aren't even a blip. and frankly the larger water features expected for the cars thing are having water pumped in just because it looks pretty.... It is not serving any other purpose.... it is not cooling an engine system, it is not running water wheels to produce energy, it is not potable.... Solely for aesthetics.....
OTOH, Disney is an actively green-presenting company, with an overall message of conservation.
That's not what Wall Street thinks.