Goodbye Epcot Wand...?

[silverarrowknits]

I love GMR, but man, I would not want my MGM photo in front of the Chinese Theater. The hat seems so magical, so Disney. The Chinese theater looks like it belongs in World Showcase.

I agree with you that the hat is much more magical. At the same time though, the Chinese Theater fits better with the theme of Disney*MGM Studios or at least what the theme of the park originally was.

 

[EmptyCinema]

I agree with you that the hat is much more magical. At the same time though, the Chinese Theater fits better with the theme of Disney*MGM Studios or at least what the theme of the park originally was.

Yeah, well, they kinda threw the theme out the window when they pulled their Florida animators.

It does fit better with the park, but not with the World as a whole. And I feel the hat does honor one of the greatest movies of all time (Fantasia).

 

[silverarrowknits]

Yeah, well, they kinda threw the theme out the window when they pulled their Florida animators.

I totally agree with you there.

It does fit better with the park, but not with the World as a whole.

See I feel each park is supposed to be unique and different. I don't believe there should be an overarching theme for all four parks (okay, magic is a perfectly acceptable overarching theme, but you know what I mean). I like how I get a different experience in each of the four theme parks. I know that there are some things in terms of building design and park set up that are the same for the parks, but I like the fact that the feel of the parks are different.

This is why I find it really weird (imo) that Epcot and Disney*MGM Studios both have Sorcerer Mickey-related structures (the wand at Epcot seems Sorcerer Mickey-like to me). I keep expecting to go to AK and see Sorcerer Mickey's robe draped over the Tree of Life and his shoes sitting in front of Cindy' Castle.

I am not trying to be offensive to people who like these structures or to people who want/see park unification. This is just the best way I can describe how I feel when I see these structures unifying the parks in ways that I personally don't think they should be unified.

And I feel the hat does honor one of the greatest movies of all time (Fantasia).

Fantasia is great and is definitely one of Disney's best films. Now if Fantasia, Beauty & the Beast, and Silly Symphonies vol.1 were taken out of the vault, my life would definitely be happier.

 

[Tess]

It looks so much nicer without that hand and those gravestones out front.

I would second, third, and fourth the removal of those annoying obelisks. Yeah, I realize there are about a bazillion faces on them, but I'm with you--they are so cold and remind me of a cemetery. I much preferred the gorgeous plantings that existed prior to the installation of these monstrosities.

I would also like to see the wand take a hike--I'm over it. . .kinda' like the cake for the 25th--hope they don't makeover the castle like that ever again!

 

[ChrisFL]

What exactly is the Unique feature of it? What is so classic about it, just because it hase been around since the start of Epcot. How many people don't know the history of communication?

I remember it as a teenager and you are right, it was better with Walter Cronkite. It just doesn't inspire me the way others are by it I guess. Maybe I am in the minority, but I seem to be able to get on it with no line.........hmmm.

How many attractions have as many AA characters as SSE in the rest of Disney? That's a classic component, using AA characters to tell a story. The unique feature is that you're moving forward up through the sphere, end up in space, then go back down again backwards.

You seem to get on it with no line...that happens a lot with omnimover type vehicles, they have super high capacity.

 

[starrock77]

Having the wand at Epcot is as bad as having a sign over the castle in the MK saying "Cinderella Castle". It detracts from the beauty of Spaceship earth. Take it down.

 

[Disney8704]

That would be 1 HUGE hidden

I always thought if they were gonna stick somthing to it, it should be two ears to look like mickey's head!! I think that would be wickid cool! ( no face needed just some plain old ears! )

 

[PamNC]

God I hope this is true. That wand is so tacky and horrible. Pleeeez let this one be true!

Now - can we get rid of the silly hat at MGM?

PamNC

 

[icecrystahl]

Having the wand at Epcot is as bad as having a sign over the castle in the MK saying "Cinderella Castle". It detracts from the beauty of Spaceship earth. Take it down.

Exactly! It's kind of like stating the obvious. Or something like that.

 

[Disney8704]

A couple things you all need to remember is that the "tombstones" will eventually be taken down. I wish they wouldnt or at least move them somewhere else because DH and I have a tile on there and we will prob get another one next time we go down, now that we are married. As for the hat, you have to remember that Disney is supposed to change the MGM name to Disney, so it will be Disney Studios. That hat will fit the theme for Disney Studios perfectly.

 

[smjj]

As for the hat, you have to remember that Disney is supposed to change the MGM name to Disney, so it will be Disney Studios. That hat will fit the theme for Disney Studios perfectly.

Its not the hat so much as its location and the view it spoiled..smjj

 

[MagicAddict2178]

Its not the hat so much as its location and the view it spoiled..smjj

Exactly!

 

[saymama]

It looks so much nicer without that hand and those gravestones out front.

they do looklike gravestones. I wish those would definitely go away!

 

[Cricketmint]

Its not the hat so much as its location and the view it spoiled..smjj

exactly, I love the hat too. I just wish it wasnt smack dab infromt of the chinese theater!! Maybe a better location to have it would be in from of the gates before you enter into the park. That I think would be a better photo op.

 

[ChrisFL]

I hope it looks like this soon:

 

[maui2k5]

Rumor has it that the budget has been approved for the removal of the wand sometime later this year or early 2008. I will be very happy to see this go, but I will hold off getting my hopes up until I see the official documents on Orange County Comptroller's site. I search for anything related to Disney World frequently...

http://officialrecords.occompt.com/wb_or1/or_sch_1.asp