Saving Echo Lake

[FettFan]

With all of the talk and speculation of a "Star Wars Land"/Lucasfilm expansion at DHS, I can't help but feel weirded out by the fact that if such a thing were to come to fruition, one of my favorite areas may be given the 20KL treatment: drained, demolished, and built over. As a longtime fan of both Dinosaur Gertie's and Min and Bill's Dockside Diner...despite the fact that I love Star Wars, it's definitely going to be painful to see these two CS stops gone completely.

But do they HAVE to be gone completely? Surely a new Dinosaur Gertie's could be built at Animal Kingdom. As for Min and Bill's....Boardwalk Inn Resort, perhaps?

Needless to say....I'd rather they spare Echo Lake completely and demolish Streets of America instead. Because Streets of America is just plain terrible, especially for wheelchair-bound guests.

 

[Matt_Black]

If we lost Streets of America, we'd lose the Gene Kelly umbrella! Still, Streets made more sense when the park was still an actual functioning studio, so the city backdrops could conceivably be used for a production. As it stands, the area isn't even a representation of NYC and San Fran; it's a representation of representation of those cities. It's an area that could be better used.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Had their been a true muppets land, this space may have been used for something.

I have a new hope that Star Wars land might be places in that strees. It is closer to the current Star Wars attraction.

On the other hand, I don't think the water at Echo is quite as critical to the park's overall aesthetic the way is the larger bodies of water are at the other three parks.

In the end, it's Star Wars! I would be willing to give up almost anything for a dedicated Land.

 

[cw1982]

One of my favorite memories from my June trip was sitting by the water one night and sharing a funnel cake with dh. As far as aesthetics, the lights in the water near the fountain (not really a fountain... but not sure what else to call the area where the water shoots up?) really makes it much prettier at night. I'm not near my computer right now, but I'll edit this later to add a picture of what I'm talking about here... I liked it so much that I took pictures lol.

I too would rather see Streets of America be sacrificed for Star Wars than Echo Lake.

ETA: I found the picture I was thinking about... it doesn't do the whole lake justice as it's just a shot of the back of the boat, but anyone who has been there can probably figure out what the rest of this looks like in my memory based on this shot:

 

[JIMINYCR]

I'd hate to see it go too. Although moving Gertie to AK and Min & Bills to Boardwalk would still fit well, I'd miss visiting them at DHS. As or the Star Wars expansion.. I'd love to see it come to bring more excitement to the park but hope they do more than use the Echo Lake plot. Doesnt seem to me that they could fit much into that relatively small area to make anything spectacular. Star Wars deserves something with a WOW factor... big and crowd drawing.

 

[Matt_Black]

Since Echo Lake is kind of the "bridge" between the Golden Age of Hollywood and the more modern era, it's a really nice little spot while still invoking that Hollywood nostalgia.

 

[Glasgow]

I agree with conserving any nostalgic or useful content but anything they can do to help with park organization is a win in my book. We like DHS attractions and shows but touring can be really frustrating and challenging IMO .. probably moreso than any of the other parks.

 

[copcarguyp71]

If we lost Streets of America, we'd lose the Gene Kelly umbrella! Still, Streets made more sense when the park was still an actual functioning studio, so the city backdrops could conceivably be used for a production. As it stands, the area isn't even a representation of NYC and San Fran; it's a representation of representation of those cities. It's an area that could be better used.

I agree. I find myself WANTING to enjoy SOA and forcing myself time and again to look for a redeeming quality but honestly is just seems like Disney found a good way to eat up a chunk of the park without necessitating any real maintenance or labor force to do so. Between that and Backlot there is a ton of usable real estate that can be repurposed without looking towards Echo Lake. They could even tear down Sounds Dangerous and AIE to turn that into a Star Wars transition area. I am not on board with dedicating such a huge part of a park that is supposed to address all genres to one franchise but it seems likely it will probably happen so I am talking logistics more than like and dislike of the idea.

 

[mikeh]

I would hope Echo Lake doesn't get touched by the Star Wars expansion. I think they can start at Backlot and demolish everything up to Indiana Jones (sparing Star Tours). Unfortunately that would mean the Sci-Fi Diner too, which I really enjoy

 

[iluvMainStMagic]

The best thing about SoA (to me) is the Osbourne Lights, but that is for such a relatively short amount of time each year, that I can't disagree that the area as a whole could be better used. I really hope another location will be found for the OL though, they are SO amazing, and I know they have many fans.

 

[Mike S]

Keep the lake, build Star Wars around it. Use SoA for Frozen. To replace the loss of the Osbourne lights a new holiday celebration is done in Arendelle maybe with a new light display.

 

[Gullywhumper]

Poor echo lake

 

[Tom]

Echo Lake serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. I believe it's one of the many man-made reservoirs (retention ponds) used to help manage ground water. Thus, if they filled it in, they'd have to create another containment system of equal or greater volume somewhere else nearby.

 

[bethymouse]

Keep it!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I would like them to keep it too, it is a nice area. I would like them to keep Streets of America too. Can't they expand the park outward more. It would be nice if they would add things to parks without taking away things like they tend to do (Snow White's Scary Adventures, Toontown, Food Rocks).

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Echo Lake serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. I believe it's one of the many man-made reservoirs (retention ponds) used to help manage ground water. Thus, if they filled it in, they'd have to create another containment system of equal or greater volume somewhere else nearby.

Did not think of that. Extremely good point.

 

[Victor Kelly]

The park can be expanded yes, into the parking lot. SoA can go as can Catastrophe Canyon, Light Motor Action, and Indy. Those take up a lot of real estate.

 

[FettFan]

Echo Lake serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. I believe it's one of the many man-made reservoirs (retention ponds) used to help manage ground water. Thus, if they filled it in, they'd have to create another containment system of equal or greater volume somewhere else nearby.

I honestly did not know that. Thanks.

 

[mpeters]

Will never happen. Echo lake is safe. There is no way disney would destroy its biggest hidden mickey. Or would they??????????

 

[Gullywhumper]

Will never happen. Echo lake is safe. There is no way disney would destroy its biggest hidden mickey. Or would they??????????

Didn't they already ruin it with the addition of the hat?