Calling it a splash pad, even a 'glorified' one is just absurd. Are the dancing fountains by Imagination just a glorified splash pad?
I'm sorry it seems it will be disappointing to you. I'm eager to experience it.
The delay was indeed intentional... when they stopped construction because of the pandemic. However, once the construction resumed it didn't stop. Don't forget that when construction did resume, there were severe supply chain issues worldwide. The continuing construction of the Hub has been well documented in this thread. You should read it.
EU will not open until Summer of 2025, more than two years away. Disney has announced at D23 that JoW will open in late 2023, about 10 months away at most. Their openings will in no way be close to one another.
I'm sorry you've been so grossly misinformed about this.
You will get your fiber optic embedded in concrete with the central part of the hub. It will be part of the SSE lightshow as seen from within the park.