Goodbye Epcot Wand...?

[DisneyGurlie]

I love the wand. To me the EPCOT ball looks to blah without it. I've grown to love the wand and always will. I don't think this rumor is true. After all, it's just a rumor.

 

[briar_rose_59]

And as for the hat. Where are people going to take pictures as they arrive at the park?

Just a wild guess but maybe at the Chinese Theatre like they did before the BAH? I don't mind the hat as much as some, but I had never been before it was built. Looking back on the planning videos I used to watch way back when though, the symbol of MGM to me is prolly the Ear-ful tower. I think it symbolizes way more of MGM than a hat, JMHO. As far as the wand and the tombstones, the wand I could live with or without. Same for the "tombstones" but I think if either were to go, it'd be the wand. If only because I don't think people would be too pleased to hear shortly after they paid for a tile that they were going to be torn down.

 

[DisneyGurlie]

I love the hat, and I think they should keep it. It signifies MGM!!!

 

[White as Snow]

I'm conflicted about this. In a way, I think the wand is tacky, but I guess I've just gotten used to it. I won't really be sad to see it go, though. I don't mind the "tombstones" because they signify Future World to me, well them and Spaceship Earth looming above......

 

[DisneyGurlie]

Epcot is nothing without the hand and wand in my opinion. Most see it as a big ugly cardboard, disneys too cheap thing. BUT IT'S NOT.

 

[nbodyhome]

I think Epcot is much more beautiful without the wand, and MGM was much more beautiful without the hat. I am not into huge icons, I hated trying get photos of the pirate topiary because the wand kept getting in the way.

I am soooooo looking forward to it being gone. I was hoping it was going to be gone in 2000, but no luck! But then again, some people even liked the pink cake castle (I was not one of them!)

 

[MagicAddict2178]

Oh, I really hope this is true! Spaceship Earth is so beautiful on its own - that huge arm & wand is just tacky.

I like the hat at MGM but it needs to be moved. I'll never understand why they completely ruined the view and the theming on Hollywood Blvd with that BAH!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I'd like to see them replace the wand.

With a big giant Mickey with a golf club.

 

[LionKingRules84]

Wow does the MGM hat really block your view of the Chinese theater when you enter the park? I don't like it then, that is a shame, no wonder people hate MGM now and not like the theme, it seems to me they ruined it if that's true. I recently watched one of my old home videos from my vacation in 1991 and I saw the video my Dad took of us walking into MGM studios and the first thing you saw and walked up to was the Chinese theater and the old cars parked around it felt like you were in 1950s hollywood. Walking in and seeing a giant hat just sounds cheesy to me and would ruin the whole atmosphere they were trying to set in the first place. What the hell were they thinking? Of course I could be cutting to conclusions but from what I read here it seems to block the view of the Chinese theater and that's just wrong.

As for the tacky wand on Spaceship Earth I'm glad to see it go. Spaceship earth is fine the way it is, you know you are entering Epcot by just seeing the giant silver dome, you really don't need a giant arm and magic want saying you are going to Epcot.

 

[briar_rose_59]

Wow does the MGM hat really block your view of the Chinese theater when you enter the park?

This is what you see entering the park now:

You can see the tip of the Chinese Theatre facade just behind the tip of the hat.

 

[DisneyGurlie]

Oh well, in that case they might as well get rid of Cinderellas Castle and AK tree....

 

[Winston1204]

I think Epcot is much more beautiful without the wand, and MGM was much more beautiful without the hat. I am not into huge icons, I hated trying get photos of the pirate topiary because the wand kept getting in the way.

I am soooooo looking forward to it being gone. I was hoping it was going to be gone in 2000, but no luck! But then again, some people even liked the pink cake castle (I was not one of them!)

I was one of those pink cake castle lovers!! HEHE. I also liked how in 2000 they had the big "2000" on top of Spaceship Earth. It might be a nice little photo-op if every year they chaged it (for example, this year 2007 next year 2008 etc etc.)

 

[edcrbnsoul]

MGM without the big blue pin shop

 

[ChrisFL]

Epcot is nothing without the hand and wand in my opinion. Most see it as a big ugly cardboard, disneys too cheap thing. BUT IT'S NOT.

Why not? Epcot was fine for 17 years before they added that steel and cardboard look to it...they didnt even go out of their way to make it look nice really

SSE also looks just fine at night without the wand:

 

[CanadianGuy]

Now THIS is a funny thread..

Should this prove to be true -- and I am clearly hoping it is -- it's timing is hilarious.

I was walking thru Epcot a week ago tomorrow .. with a dear friend who is also a CM. I looked up at at the ugly wand and said.. "Now.. if they would just take that down.. " and then I yelled "Are you listening Disney ? DITCH THE WAND"

And this woman across the way just stared at me like I had three heads.

Whatever. I felt better after.

Knox

 

[LionKingRules84]

This is what you see entering the park now:

You can see the tip of the Chinese Theatre facade just behind the tip of the hat.

Wow that's depressing, kinda destroys the feel of the whole park if you ask me. I keep explaining Disney World to my BF who has never been there and how authentic everything looks and Disney goes and does something like this, how sad.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

Let the bidding begin! I can see the wand up for auction, starting bid $1, but postage estimated at $100K!

Of course, they could always keep the wand and mount it next to the hat at MGM.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

Let the bidding begin! I can see the wand up for auction, starting bid $1, but postage estimated at $100K!

Of course, they could always keep the wand and mount it next to the hat at MGM.

I support that

Anyway, I am glad to see the wand go.

Spaceship Earth looks better without it.

 

[jcemom]

Oh well, in that case they might as well get rid of Cinderellas Castle and AK tree....

The difference is, at least for some of us old folk, is that the castle and tree were with their respective parks from the beginning. The wand and the hat were added later, and not considered an improvement by many of us who preferred the 'before' look, LOL.

 

[rotlex]

The difference is, at least for some of us old folk, is that the castle and tree were with their respective parks from the beginning. The wand and the hat were added later, and not considered an improvement by many of us who preferred the 'before' look, LOL.

Exactly. While I don't think the wand and hat are terrible, I really did prefer the look\feel of the parks without them. We have been going to Disney for many years, and usually, on our last day, were at Epcot, and used to take a parting picture in front of the big ball, stand there and say we can't believe we have to leave. We still kind of do that, but, and I know it sounds silly, it's not the same with the big giant wand there, LOL.

The one thing I WISH was gone more than anything however are the tombstones in front of the ball. WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH THOSE! IMHO, they completely destroy the entrance to the park.