Waterways surrounding the Magic Kingdom

[mharrington]

I was told that this pond off to the right in this image was a man-made retention pond that could be relocated elsewhere:

From the way the picture looks, though, it doesn't look man-made at all, and it certainly doesn't look like it can be relocated elsewhere. Also, that waterway between the spots that say "Fireworks Fallout Zone" and "Fireworks Launchers" looks real, too.

Is it really possible to alter them in any way?

 

[imagineer boy]

I'd say it looks pretty man made. Its practically a square.

 

[mharrington]

I'd say it looks pretty man made. Its practically a square.

But is it really possible to relocate it anywhere? Was there a purpose for over there? For reference, it's off to the right of the icon reading "Fantasyland Station".

 

[kap91]

It just to prevent flooding. Dig a hole anywhere nearby the right size and it'll do pretty much the same job.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The drainage systems at Walt Disney World are [mostly] designed to appear more natural. What you point to is man-made and can be moved wih the right water management design.

 

[mharrington]

The basis of this thread, actually, was whether or not it could be used for development on something else (i.e., an attraction) if that was possible.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The basis of this thread, actually, was whether or not it could be used for development on something else (i.e., an attraction) if that was possible.

Yes, the water management would just have to be designed to compensate for the changes and the removed facilities rebuilt elsewhere to handle what was lost and additional hardscape. It'd be costly but doable if a strong desire existed. Remember, Seven Seas Lagoon is man made.

 

[mharrington]

And what of the meandering river between the spots that say "Fireworks Fallout Zone" and "Fireworks Launchers"?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

The MK area in 1969. Two years before the MK opened. North is right. This shows just to what extent the water all around is man made. Including the little lake in question. The lake can be 'moved' at will, within reason.

 

[mharrington]

The MK area in 1969. Two years before the MK opened. North is right. This shows just to what extent the water all around is man made. Including the little lake in question. The lake can be 'moved' at will, within reason.

View attachment 92929

The other part of my reason was I don't think it has ever been "moved" before. Therefore, I would think that the spot is there forever.

And what do you mean by "north is right"? Is that where the MK is? I can't find it anywhere.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

And what do you mean by "north is right"? Is that where the MK is? I can't find it anywhere.

You won't find the MK because it isn't there.

The MK is in the process of being build. Together with the little lake. The MK parking is on the left, Seven Seas Lagoon is the mud in the middle, and the MK (well the utilidors) is at the right. At the extreme right of the picture you see your fireworks fallout zone. All the way to the right, but a bit below center is the lake.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The other part of my reason was I don't think it has ever been "moved" before. Therefore, I would think that the spot is there forever.

And what do you mean by "north is right"? Is that where the MK is? I can't find it anywhere.

Just because it has not been moved since being built does not mean it cannot be moved. There has just been no compelling reason to go through with the hassle. I know you are really interested in practicality, but you're never going to be able to a planner, architect, landscape architect, civil engineer, structural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, show producer, show writer, scenic designer, graphic designer, lighting design, audio designer, media producer, project manager, project coordinator, model builder, visualization artist, estimator, accountant and all of the other professions that go into building themed entertainment experiences. It is a field of teamwork. Even those with decades of experience must work with and rely on people in a variety of other professions. Enjoy exploring your ideas and don't worry so much about economic feasibility you will not get close to actually knowing.

 

[Tom]

I was told that this pond off to the right in this image was a man-made retention pond that could be relocated elsewhere:

From the way the picture looks, though, it doesn't look man-made at all, and it certainly doesn't look like it can be relocated elsewhere. Also, that waterway between the spots that say "Fireworks Fallout Zone" and "Fireworks Launchers" looks real, too.

Is it really possible to alter them in any way?

Almost all of the waterways on property are man made. Bay Lake is one of the few exceptions. The bodies of water you're referring to in the photo are retention ponds, designed to collect storm water and to release it at a controlled rate. You'll find several of them near you right now. Disney has significantly more of them because of their master water management plan, and because they've covered the surface of so much land with impermeable materials (concrete, asphalt, buildings).

It just to prevent flooding. Dig a hole anywhere nearby the right size and it'll do pretty much the same job.

Not true. You can't just dig a hole anywhere. They're sized and located in precise manners, based on intense calculations. They have to be able to collect storm water from higher elevations, since water cannot run uphill.

Yes, the water management would just have to be designed to compensate for the changes and the removed facilities rebuilt elsewhere to handle what was lost and additional hardscape. It'd be costly but doable if a strong desire existed. Remember, Seven Seas Lagoon is man made.

Yes, exactly this.

The other part of my reason was I don't think it has ever been "moved" before. Therefore, I would think that the spot is there forever.

And what do you mean by "north is right"? Is that where the MK is? I can't find it anywhere.

As lazyboy mentioned, any of the waterways CAN be moved. It's not likely that they'd go to the expense of moving the canals that have been there since day 1, but the ponds could be moved if they REALLY needed to expand a park.

It's not a simple process. They have to go through the SFWMD and file hundreds of pages of drawings and calculations. But they do it all the time - including for New Fantasyland and even the Rapunzel Restroom project. In fact, they relocated that one in the "Fallout Zone" as part of NFL.

 

[marni1971]

Man made. The RCID is one huge flood prevention system and a bit of an unsung hero in the design of phase one.

Had they just dammed all the waterways and built on top of them there was a risk in a worst case scenario 100 year event that the water table would have been affected as far as the Everglades. Hence all the (famous) canals, water control systems and ponds.

They can be moved and altered. An example is Space Mountain was built on one. The pond south of the show building originally reached further north. So long as the balance is kept.

 

[landauh]

Another example is currently underway. DTD has had to move most of the retention ponds for the new parking structures and expanded roadway.

 

[s8film40]

The one you're referring to to the right of the Fantasyland station along World Dr. was just added a few years ago. I think it had something to do with the Fantasyland construction.

 

[bethymouse]

All man-made! It is amazing! I doubt if they'll move any water for an attraction.

 

[mharrington]

The one you're referring to to the right of the Fantasyland station along World Dr. was just added a few years ago. I think it had something to do with the Fantasyland construction.

Well, during 2008 or so, according to the video, it shows some pale green in the spot there, some of it hidden by trees. Was that grass or was that algae? It's hard to tell from so high up.

 

[s8film40]

Well, during 2008 or so, according to the video, it shows some pale green in the spot there, some of it hidden by trees. Was that grass or was that algae? It's hard to tell from so high up.

I could be wrong but I seem to remember that it was a grassy area and it seems like I remember when they were digging the pond it was around the time they started the Fantasyland construction. I assumed it was related, to displace drainage from somewhere else.

 

[Tom]

The one you're referring to to the right of the Fantasyland station along World Dr. was just added a few years ago. I think it had something to do with the Fantasyland construction.

I think you're right.

All man-made! It is amazing! I doubt if they'll move any water for an attraction.

They absolutely will (and have).