So I had the chance to visit World Celebration Gardens yesterday. I will gladly take it over what was there previously (circa 2009 onward): concrete, few trees, a bizarre canopy, a pin station, and oh yes, a fountain. The one redeeming item from the previous iteration was the fountain. This they should have kept. A fountain would make this area that much more enjoyable. There is something about the sound of water that is relaxing - something I assume they were going for. Was just at Pandora today, and the sound of running water is omnipresent. It just makes me want to stop and relax for a spell.
I’ve seen some people argue that a fountain would have obstructed views of the light show from SSE. Well, if one visits the Moana JoW attraction, it is pretty obvious that the flow of water can be controlled. So yes, this feminine planter should have been a fountain.
Had that happened I would have given top marks. I love the abundance of seating, in numerous styles, everywhere. There is a communal feeling in the gardens, something that, to me, is very Epcot-y. When I see this area, I want to get some food or a coffee and just relax in one of several aesthetically pleasing locations.
And the music is now my favorite WDW music loop. The approach is similar to what Beethoven would do - take a simple theme and replay it over but in different ways, always adding to it. Now before I get jumped on: no, I am not comparing Pinar to ol’ Ludwig van. Just saying she takes her several note Epcot melody and reinvents it through the entire piece. Some do not like that but I really happen to.
I have yet to see it at night but am disappointed to hear the lighting effects are already not working. Under Iger’s reign though, that does not surprise me. They probably have so many metrics that tell them the minimum number of maintenance workers needed to support a park. Also, if the design of these were not robust, that is also Imagineering to blame. But maybe when one of your most visible Imagineers seems like a textile fanatic, that might explain something. Sorry, but the exodus of great Imagineers and Iger’s thoughts on how to maintain a park just irks me.
On the whole though, I do love this area. I love how it doesn’t cost extra to enter, there is no IP, and it is a beautiful spot to take a break. And I actually blame the lack of a fountain on Chapek. That just seems like a cost cutting move that he would do.
