Mickey Mouse arm/wand removed from Epcot

[rushing]

I love the arm. It adds a nice Disney flare. When it is gone it will look like a big white golf ball.

 

[Luv4Disney]

We liked it too! But we don't dislike it without it either.

 

[cherbear]

now it will be easier to photoshop myself sitting on top of it!! weeee!!!

 

[joy13]

now it will be easier to photoshop myself sitting on top of it!! weeee!!!

I don't *hate* the wand, but thought it looked cheesey. I like the idea of it coming down - it totally changed the scale of the sphere.

 

[CaptHook34]

Arg. I really like the wand. Will be sad to see it go. I looks so cool at night.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I'm sad too! We started going in 2000 and so we have never seen it without the arm. I've seen photos before that and it looks kind of blah. Oh well. I wonder how far along the takedown will be when we are there--just the arm, or just the epcot, or maybe "EP"?
Robin M.

 

[joy13]

Arg. I really like the wand. Will be sad to see it go. I looks so cool at night.

That's the only thing I will miss - the night lighting of it.

 

[baldegle78]

can anyone cite another source to back this claim up? i don't want to get excited only to be let down again... there have rumors about the wand coming down for years!!!

 

[Microcell]

I have never seen it any other way! It will be interesting to see the golf ball all alone!

 

[BlindTyldak]

The 257-foot-tall Mickey Mouse arm, glove and wand logo attached to Spaceship Earth in Walt Disney World's Epcot is coming down.

Epcot Vice President Jim MacPhee announced this morning that the time had come to remove the structure, which has served both as a colorful, lighted Epcot sign since 2000, and as a lightning rod for criticism from Epcot purists who contended the image was out of character for Epcot's architecture.

The structure leans on Epcot's previous and future iconic figure, the Spaceship Earth Pavilion, a180-foot-diameter geodesic sphere that can be seen for miles.

Now, however, with Epcot's 25th anniversary this fall, and the temporary closing of Spaceship Earth ride, MacPhee said, "We think the timing of the removal is right."

Deconstruction of the 50-ton structure begins Monday and will be completed shortly before the park's 25th anniversary on Oct. 1. Also coming down are the 36-foot-high "Epcot" letters and colored stars splashing across the sphere.

Also Monday, the Spaceship Earth ride will close to complete a refurbishing sponsored by Siemans AG. The work should be done by November, MacPhee said.

This is sad - I sort of liked seeing the arm with the wand over Spaceship Earth.

I'm looking but I can find a correlating reference to this, where did you find it?

EDIT: Never mind, IT'S OFFICIAL! *cheers*

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...cot070507,0,46286.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout

 

[kimluvswdw]

I really like the wand. I love how the red sparkles in the sun. This will make my family sad.

 

[luvpooh]

I'm neither here nor there on the wand over SE, when I see pics it's easier to tell when they were taken based on wand or no wand but that's about as far as my interest goes...
on the other hand, I do agree w/the pp who said that it would be better to remove the BAH from MGM!!!

 

[dameodie]

I liked the wand... in its initial incarnation with "2000" as a celebration of the millenium. When they changed it to the EPCOT wand and I realized they intended to leave it up there I immediately hated the idea.

Does anyone think they may consider bringing back the thing where they light up SE at night to look like a rotating globe?

 

[cherbear]

can anyone cite another source to back this claim up? i don't want to get excited only to be let down again... there have rumors about the wand coming down for years!!!

I heard about it on screamscape.com and then somewhere else, but I can't remember where else I read about it.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Im another poster that didnt mind the wand.... Either way I do believe that it did not really represent Epcot....

It sounds like from the op article that Epcot's 25th anniversary will be something to celebrate... I wonder if that will be something to do w/ next years celebration.....

 

[bytheblood]

Yes, this is official.

I don't really care one way or another....but I think it will be nice to see it removed.

 

[CarolA]

Dear Epcot President,

The Wand is NOT the problem. It's fine either way.

PLEASE remove the TOMBSTONES!!! They were a failure (notice all the 'unsold' space?) and they disrupt the flow....

 

[DiskneeFan]

I don't have much of an opinion on the wand other than it will seem a bit bare without it.

Hard to belive it's going to take 3 months to take it down.
At that rate Mickeys hand might still be there when I go in September.

 

[ChrisFL]

EDIT: Never mind, IT'S OFFICIAL! *cheers*

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...cot070507,0,46286.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout

 

[Laura]

wow, Im scared, that so many people on this thread actually LIKE that monstrosity...

I want to go help them pull that eyesore down asap.

I'm with you! I have a hammer, I'll help!

I liked it also! I am glad I have quite a few photos of it. But I am excited to see what will be in its place as I am sure they won't leave the ball plain.

Nothing will replace it, according to the rumor mill. The wand was never meant to be there permanently, so it was only a matter of who would pay for the wand's removal, Disney or the sponsor (now Siemens). The geosphere looks better without any embellishment, IMO.

I liked the wand... in its initial incarnation with "2000" as a celebration of the millenium. When they changed it to the EPCOT wand and I realized they intended to leave it up there I immediately hated the idea.

Does anyone think they may consider bringing back the thing where they light up SE at night to look like a rotating globe?

I agree. It was cute for 2000, but after that it really looked silly and out of place. I hope they bring the cool lighting back.