Epcot
Fountains

The Disney Imagineers are masters -- taking a few simple elements such as light, water and sound and creating one of the most beautiful "attractions" -- the Innovention Fountains located in Innoventions Plaza in Epcot's Future World.

The elaborate display is based on a 180 x 120 foot oval. "Computer-controlled pumps send 30,000 gallons of water cascading down its tiered walls per minute." Over 108,000 gallons of water swirl throughout the fountain.

The magical fountains have been part of Epcot since opening day. In fact, as a symbolic gesture of international cooperation and understanding, representatives from 22 countries each poured a gallon of water from their homeland into the fountain.

Guests can often be found mesmerized by the dancing fountains and accompanying music, the combination of which can sooth frayed nerves especially after a long day at the park. One of the best places to enjoy the show is sitting in the outdoor cafe of the Fountainview Espresso Bar.

The original fountains were refurbished in 1993 -- with 304 nozzles and "shooter" that can propel water over 150 feet in the air. It took 3 months of computer programing to design the water ballets that run every 15 minutes. At night, the fountains take on another dimension as 1,068 colored lights focus on the streams of water.

To the delight of the young and young at heart, the combination of water and sunlight can provide a beautiful rainbow......

 

During the month of December, when all of the *World* has been transformed by thousands of holiday decorations, the fountain also take on a new dimension. The music changes to holiday music and the fountains are now in perfect harmony with the Lights of Winter Archway.

 

Innoventions Fountain Facts

• 212 Micro Shooters&reg located in the upper pool; each propels 2 gallons of water up to 80 feet in the air.

   

• 40 MiniShooters&reg located in the lower pool; each propels 5 gallons of water up to 100 feet in the air.

   

• 12 SuperShooters&reg located in the upper pool; each propels 50 gallons of water up to 150 feet in the air.

   

• 60 Spray nozzles

   

• Air accumulators for the SuperShooters&reg activates with pressures of 30 PSI to 120 PSI.

   

• 190,000 feet (35 miles) of electrical wire and 22,000 feet (4 miles) of conduit.

   

• If all of the shooters triggered simultaneously, there would be 2,000 gallons of water in the air.

  Note that Shooter&reg, MicroShooter&reg, MiniShooter&reg, SuperShooter&reg are registered trademarks of WET Design.

Innovention Fountain Musical Selections

The selections played for the water ballets are rotated every quarter hour in no specific order. People always inquire about purchasing the sound track for the regular and holiday shows, but none have been produced. Music List for Innoventions Fountain Regular Season Shows:

 

• Selection from Disney's animated feature "Rescuers Down Under" (Soundtrack not currently available for retail sale; although you may be able to find the cassette, 2/97; video off the market 4/93)

   

• Instrumental from the "Air Battle" sequence from Surprise in the Skies, a former daytime lagoon show at Epcot (Soundtrack never produced for retail sale)

   

• Selection for a proposed Epcot show "Around the World with Mickey Mouse" (Soundtrack never produced for retail sale)

   

• Selection from the Disney live-action feature film The Rocketeer (Soundtrack may be available on CD - Try Best Buy, 2/97)

   

• "Day One" by John Tesh (Song is available on the Tour de France and Live at Red Rock Albums)

   

• "Standing in Motion" by Yanni (Song is available on the Out of Silence, In Celebration and Live at the Acropolis albums)

   

• Selection from the Disney live-action feature film Iron Will (Soundtrack was never produced for retail sale.)

This information was obtained from the former Discovery Center at Epcot.