Why is 7 Seas Lagoon an Expanded Part of Bay Lake with a Short Underwater Tunnel?

A bit of speculation on my part, but I believe the decision is based on the configuration of the land that Disney was able to acquire back in the 1960’s. Looking at an aerial view of the Walt Disney World property, Bay Lake is on the northeastern edge of the approximately 27,000 acres that Disney purchased. There isn’t a lot of room on the far north and northeastern side of Bay Lake for any additional facilities. Compare that to the area behind where the Magic Kingdom is sited.

A considerable amount of Disney-owned infrastructure, such as warehouses, service areas, utilities, and especially the launch zone for the nightly fireworks display, are all north of MK (Magic Kingdom).

Discovering the Rich Soil

So it was reasonably easy to clear all of the land to the west and south of Bay Lake and to dig out the Seven Seas Lagoon. Serendipitiously, while excavating the lagoon area, Disney discovered a wealth of beautiful white sand. This sand was used to create the beaches for its resorts, including the Polynesian, Contemporary, and the Fort Wilderness campground. Two of those original resorts, plus the Grand Floridian which opened in 1988, surround the Seven Seas Lagoon.

That would not have been possible all around Bay Lake. Thus, only the Wilderness Lodge and the campground and potentially a new Lakeside Lodge are located on the south side of Bay Lake, the only developable area.

The Water Source for 7 Seas Lagoon

Thus having created the Seven Seas Lagoon, the water source for it is Bay Lake. In order to move the water to the lagoon, Disney built a water bridge from the Lake. Of course, they could have simply made a canal between the two and constructed a bridge over it. But because they could, the Imagineers went in a more creative direction and chose to make a water bridge with a tunnel under it.

The Reason for the Contemporary Tunnel

The reason for the Contemporary Tunnel is because there's a man-made waterway connecting Bay Lake to the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon! The alternative would have been a bridge OVER the waterway. But the Disney Imagineers decided to go UNDER because they could and created the unusual water bridge.

This creative design not only serves as a functional water passage but also enhances the theme and experience of the resort. The underwater tunnel provides an additional layer of mystery and excitement for guests traveling between Bay Lake and 7 Seas Lagoon, adding to the magical atmosphere of the Walt Disney World property.

Conclusion

From the initial land purchase and soil discovery to the final water bridge with an underwater tunnel, the design and layout of Walt Disney World exemplify Disney's commitment to creating a unique and immersive theme park experience. The Contemporary Tunnel, as part of the 7 Seas Lagoon, is not just a means of transportation but a testament to Disney's innovative approach to park planning and visitor engagement.

Explore further how this layout and design enhance the overall experience, and uncover more hidden secrets and attractions at Walt Disney World!