What is/was there?

[rocknroller81]

So yesterday, my mom and I ride the ferry to Magic Kingdom and today, she pointed something out when we went on it again. We were going to the TTC from MK and she pointed out something: it was (what looked like) crates and a small little shack. It was on the island on the right going to the TTC in Seven Seas Lagoon. What is/was there? Anyone know?

 

[mergatroid]

So yesterday, my mom and I ride the ferry to Magic Kingdom and today, she pointed something out when we went on it again. We were going to the TTC from MK and she pointed out something: it was (what looked like) crates and a small little shack. It was on the island on the right going to the TTC in Seven Seas Lagoon. What is/was there? Anyone know?

I'm pretty sure they've launched fireworks from time to time from the islands for special occasions. Maybe setting things up for 4th July celebrations testing?

 

[PUSH]

It's the secret entrance to where Walt is frozen underneath the castle.

 

[Bluewaves]

Probably fireworks, or if memory serves me correct it may be remnants of the wave system they had when the Poly first opened in the 70's

A quick look on Google maps does show some infrastructure on that island, looks like a shed with a white roof and crates to the south of it.

 

[draybook]

Is that the island where the had/have the wave making machine at?

 

[AndyS2992]

It is from the wave machine for the Grand Floridian or Poly I believe.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

That is also the island where they launch the fireworks for the 360 degree view fireworks during new year's eve and 4th of july weekend. You can see from this google map pic there are boxes in the center from the island.

 

[WondersOfLife]

What's this stuff about a "wave making" machine? I've never heard of that. That sounds interesting.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Here's a larger view of Seven Seas Lagoon. The island in question is in the center nearest Magic Kingdom.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

What's this stuff about a "wave making" machine? I've never heard of that. That sounds interesting.

I've never hear of that before either. Perhaps it did not last long. I would think that a wave machine would cause all kinds of issues in the lagoon. Back then they did dinner cruises and tours on seven seas as well as Bay Lake. I would think they would want to have the least amount of chop/waves as possible.

 

[marni1971]

That is also the island where they launch the fireworks for the 360 degree view fireworks during new year's eve and 4th of july weekend. You can see from this google map pic there are boxes in the center from the island.

Almost. This is where the "mirror" fireworks launch from.

 

[marni1971]

I've never hear of that before either. Perhaps it did not last long. I would think that a wave machine would cause all kinds of issues in the lagoon. Back then they did dinner cruises and tours on seven seas as well as Bay Lake. I would think they would want to have the least amount of chop/waves as possible.

The wave machine only lasted a few years due to coastal erosion.

Here it is:

And closer:

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

The wave machine only lasted a few years due to coastal erosion.

Here it is:

View attachment 57583

And closer:

View attachment 57584

Nice pics. Yes, the costal erosion is why I would have thought they would not have done it in the first place. Suppose it was a good effort though. Would have been cool to see in action.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Almost. This is where the "mirror" fireworks launch from.

Yes, that is what I was thinking, just didn't type that. I know that during those special fireworks shows (July 4th and New Year's Eve) they do the massive perimeter or 360 degree shows with the "mirror" where fireworks go up from all sides of the parks, instead of just the normal locations due north off Floridian Way behind the castle and from the rooftops of the philharmagic and pooh buidlings directly behind the castle.

 

[SkipperButler]

The wave machine was on the island closest to the Wedding Chapel/Grand Floridian and created waves for the Luau Beach. The island closest to the Ferryboat is where they launch fireworks.

 

[andy773]

Here's a good article about the wave machine:

http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_c...quot-to-seven-seas-lagoon-s-wave-machine.aspx

 

[ABQ]

Almost. This is where the "mirror" fireworks launch from.

Those launched on the foreground/right, just beyond the water pageant barges here?

 

[marni1971]

Those launched on the foreground/right, just beyond the water pageant barges here?

Yup

 

[Tom]

Yup

Do they run the show control over wireless? Or did they string fiber out to the island at some point?

 

[marni1971]

Do they run the show control over wireless? Or did they string fiber out to the island at some point?

I know a few years ago they used a single phone line that was installed in 1971 to carry a time code signal.