Attraction of the Week 01/13 -- Leap Frog Fountains

[imported_PolyGirl40]

Okay - Okay. I know this technically is not an “Attraction” but - it is for me. graemlins/doubleeek.gif

I consider the Leap Frog Fountains to be one of the little treasures of Epcot. (Along with the Twinkling Sidewalks and the Dancing Fountain.) Some of my favorite WDW pictures of my kids, are of them playing in the fountains.

When my youngest was 2 - my husband placed his hat over one of the spigots. When the water erupted out, it sent the hat flying through the air. My son got the deep belly giggles. He laughed so hard, he attracted a crowd. It did not stop after the first time. He would almost shake with excitement and anticipation - again and again. graemlins/silly.gif Great memories.

We still have fun “playing”. Of course now the guys try to get the water to leap over their heads. It has caused extreme soaking on many occasions - as they get smacked right in the face. :D

Ten thumbs up! graemlins/thumbsup.gif Do you make time to enjoy the Leap Frog Fountains?

:cool:

[ January 13, 2002: Message edited by: PolyGirl40 ]</p>

[SpecJoe Magic]

I don't take time to stop at the leap frog fountains anymore, but I did when I was a young child. The fountains are great fun to children because I remember the fountains being one of the most exciting things to experience in Epcot as a young child. I give the leap frog fountains a graemlins/thumbsup.gif because I know that young children enjoy them.

[goofgal]

I don't have any kids, but I always take time to watch the kids enjoying themselves in the fountain.

[Dawn S]

My kids have always loved this & having them around gives me a great excuse to play too! graemlins/blush.gif We could spend hours there! When we lived in the area, we would go up to Epcot just to play in the fountains! LOL Definitely one of the most imaginative, fun & creative things at the parks. For those parents not wishing for a soaking, it's also fun to let the kids run free, grab a popsicle & take a break!

Dawn

[Jared]

This is great, I just got back from a 3 hour birthday dinner graemlins/ack.gif and I sit down on INTERCOT to find my favorite posts, the attractions of the week! smile.gif

Are the Leap Frog Fountains located near Imagination? Because if I'm thinking about the right thing, I love those things! I always try to get the water leap over my head also. They are great fun, especially after coming out of that horrific JIYI! tongue.gif

[Roland]

Absolutely!! When I exit HISTA, I always stick around to see how they startle people!!

But, my favorite enjoyment is when leaving Epcot at night from the WS and taking a slow stroll down the rosewalk. At the end, I stay and watch the upward falls and the leaping frogs. That is a pretty sight.

[Sportster]

Definitely one of my favorite sites at Epcot. I like the same routine Roland...stroll down the rosewalk at night and watch the leaping water fountain for a while, the twinkling sidewalks, backdrop of SE. Polygirl, thanks for keeping the attraction of the week going!

[AndrewJackson]

Those fountains are great. They remind me of the 'old Epcot'. You would walk past them after seeing the state of the art 3D Magic Journeys film. I love it! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[roses]

graemlins/thumbsup.gif This is a great "attraction" I love to play in these! graemlins/blush.gif I don't think I actually got to see this last time I went so I have to put this on my "must see" list when I go in April (and this time, I'm really going!)

[brownie]

It rained too much when we took our son in 2000 for him to play in these, and this last trip we went without our boys. But we did enjoy watching the kids chasing water as it leaped around. It's pretty funny when a kid chases the water and it comes out of another hole and hits them from behind!

[DisneyWizard]

I like the leap frog fountains, but not as much as the fiber optic sidewalk. There are usually too many people to have "alone time" with the fountains....

Still like them though! smile.gif

[Roland]

Mmmmmmmm. Okay, now I'm confused. I thought the leaping frogs were just outside the HISTA building. It looks like half of us think that is it and the other half think the water spouts are it.

Inquiring minds want to know. smile.gif

[Disneywarrior]

My daughter, Peyton, always loves to play in the "leap frog" fountain. I kinda like it myself!

[imported_PolyGirl40]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Roland:
I thought the leaping frogs were just outside the HISTA building.
Inquiring minds want to know. smile.gif <hr></blockquote>

I'm outside of the Imagination Pavilion with you, Roland. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks for the night-time tip. I'll have to make a point to venture over that way in the evening. :D

[Roland]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PolyGirl40:


I'm outside of the Imagination Pavilion with you, Roland. graemlins/thumbsup.gif
<hr></blockquote>

Oh good, I thought I was suffering from one of those over-40 moments!

[Goofy about Disney]

Just my 2 cents:

It is my understanding that the fountains that shoot water from one pod in an arch to another pod in a different planter outside the HISTA complex are the leapfrog fountains (because they resemble a frog leaping from one lilly pad to another).

The fountains that kids are often spotted running around in and dodging water attacks are just known as the play fountains or the fountain playground. (People know them as many things though...Some call them geyser fountains)...

Hope my two cents helps...

-Goofy about Disney
(Jarrod)

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: Goofy about Disney ]</p>

[PeterPan]

I'm with all of you who remember the Leap Frog Fountains as a truly wonderful and unique part of "Old Epcot." (Gee, it really wasn't THAT long ago, was it?) The fountains were not part of the original Imaginations pavilion, but as I remember just sort of appeared not long after it opened. I LOVE the little Disney surprises that sort of appear out of no where. When the fountains first appeared, NO ONE was expecting to see them come leaping out of the flower beds as they exited the 3-D show - they were an EXTREME surprise. It was SO MUCH FUN to watch people discover the fountains - the delight on their faces and the faces of the children - the cameras flashing - the laughing and the WETNESS! It was (and is) one of those sweet little Disney surprises tucked away in a corner - costing no telling what in design, installation and maintenence - that make the Parks so incredibly magical. By the way, Disneyland was (and is) simply CRAMMED with cute, surprising, charming little nooks and crannys like this. I think also (sadly) that these small but expensive little surprises are getting to be fewer and fewer in number.

[Marker]

We first saw the "jumping water", as we called it, in 1983. My oldest, who is now 20 (unbelievably) was not yet two. We were facinated by the jumping water, having never seen anything like it before. My son was just thrilled by it. And to top it off, we had a visit from Dreamcatcher and Figment while we played there. Yes, I have a picture (but no scanner, sorry). I'll still sit and want it for a while. It's fun watching the kids play in it, and remembering my own kids enjoyment. Actually, now that I think about it, he played in it on our last trip in 2000. Obviously a fond memory for him whether he remembers it or not.

[Goofy about Disney]

OMG--I have a picture with me, the Dream Catcher, and Figment in that very same year!! I had just turned 4!!

To those of you who might have imagined me older, well---pppplllllbbbbbbbttttttt!!! graemlins/tasty.gif

I am 22, a youngin' I know, but I still know a heck of a lot about WDW!

Man--I miss the Dream Catcher!!!

Peace, love, and Mickey Mouse--

-Jarrod

graemlins/mickey.gif graemlins/mickey.gif graemlins/mickey.gif

[Altair]

I believe the gentleman's name was the "Dream Finder" ;)

[Goofy about Disney]

HEY! You are RIGHT! oops...

Thanks for the correct...

-Goofy as usual

[rdraughn]

We visited Epcot back in 1983 and I distinctly remember the "jumping fountains". I thought Epcot was the coolest! I was 12 and I remember telling all my friends back home about this new park and especially these fountains. I still remember my Dad laughing at people's reactions when they weren't expecting it.

[mickeynuts]

From Mickeynut's husband

Ok I'm a terrible Dad, but each time I'm there with a new toddeler, (3 so far) I have told them "stand right here so you can really see the water leap." Then step back and video tape them when the water from the pad accross the sidewalk gets them in the middle of their back!!

I know, I know, I'm terrible hehehehe

[DisneyHog]

Hey Mickeynuts' husband, I don't think settin your kids up for a little "Leap Frog Fountain Surprise" makes you a terrible dad. In fact, I applaud you for it. Teasing is one of the main reasons to have kids, right? graemlins/laughing.gif

I remember the Leap Frog fountains from when I was a kid, and I just loved them. My parents have video of my little brother an me playing in them. I was able to avoid getting hit, but my little brother wasn't as smooth...what great memories. :D

[DisneyHog]

Oh yea, one more thing. PolyGirl, I love your "Attraction of the week" posts. Very cool, and nicely done.

graemlins/mickey.gif

[snmthecloser]

I agree fully. It may not be an "attraction" but i sure love it. when I go it is on the list of things for me to do.