Show me: Mickie arm on Spaceship Earth.

[earthfaries]

As my son just said looking at the picture without the hand, "Is that any fun?" NO! It looks so boring without it. It doesn't look Disney. I think it is so sad. What a difference between the two pics. Thanks for posting the two

 

[AndrewWG]

No problem. I thought in a thread like this, we should have something to compare it to. Maybe it wouldn't be all that bad if they kept the EPCOT on the top? Not sure, but it is boring with nothing.

Andy

 

[Ducky4Disney]

From inside the VIP lounge in TT...

At night...

It's strange... I never liked that arm sign on SE, but I'm a little sad to see it go. And the hat - UGH! I was sure we'd see Mickey's shoes tied together and hanging from a branch of the tree of life at AK or his shorts flying from a spire of Cinderella's castle.

D4D

 

[Groucho]

From 12 years ago, in the employee lounge of World of Motion, long before Test Track came along. (And no, I was never a GM employee, but my company did some work for them.)

These pics could definitely use some time in Lightroom, I was never able to really get the colors to my liking, between the slight blue cast that a lot of the Kodak Photo CD images had, to the color shift from shooting through heavily tinted windows.

Oh, you wanted pictures of the HAND, not without it! (Of all the "show me" threads, I never thought that this'd be one! )

...and a fairly unremarkable one, from the monorail.

I had heard rumors that it might come down, and knew that SE had been getting some refurb, but I didn't realize that it was officially coming down. Does someone have a reference?

As for opinions, I say, yank it off. Epcot Future World was never meant to have Disney characters running around it, and tacking on a Mickey arm on such a distinctive building as SE is pretty silly IMHO. I think it's very insulting to the Imagineers to dismiss SE as "just a big golf ball", it's really a very interesting design and very attractive when you start to look at the details. It's also aged pretty well, I think; better than most of Future World, which is getting very long in the tooth, I'm sorry to say.

I can't say that I'm sad that those big concrete gravestone-looking things are getting moved from the entrance, either. Epcot FW is way too "concrete-y" already.

As for the Illuminations globe, the way I read it on the AllEarsNet weekly update was that it was getting some refurb; I suspect it'll get fitted with Sylvania lighting. I really doubt that it'll be gone forever, but maybe for a few months. Heck, when we were there in Jan 06, both the Illuminations inferno barge and the Liberty Belle steamboat were out for refurb (well, the former was damaged IIRC), both were back for our Jan 07 trip.

 

[AndrewWG]

I think it's very insulting to the Imagineers to dismiss SE as "just a big golf ball", it's really a very interesting design and very attractive when you start to look at the details. It's also aged pretty well, I think; better than most of Future World, which is getting very long in the tooth, I'm sorry to say.

Groucho,

No disrespect to the Imagineerrs, but here is how I've seen it over the years:

1984: AMAZING- The coolest thing I ever saw.
1992: WAY COOL STILL!
1993: PRETTY NEAT
2001: COOL
2003: NEAT
2006: How do I get to the worlds?
Now: Entrance to the park

I think the Imagineers got it right. When you first view it and for a couple visits after that, it still is a marvelous object. After that, it loses it's coolness a bit. I still think it is a marvel of engineering that it can be a big ball with a fully functional ride inside it, I just think it has become less marvelous to look at. It is picturesque (as is most of WDW) and can be quite nice at night, but during the day, it is a bit dull in my opinion. That is just my opinion after many visits. Of course, I have little use for that whole "future" world at this point. I do remember sitting for what seemed like hours using the touch screens as I had never seen anything like it in my life. Touch a TV screen and it does stuff? HOLY COW! That's how a 14 year old in 1984 saw it anyways. The "future" is now however. Epcot needs a bit of an upgrade. I like the worlds, and that's about it.

That being said, I can't wait to see what the upgrade to the ride is like. I will certainly be on it in Nov. if it is open when I go. I'm glad that they are starting to upgrade the park, even if it took a bit too long in my opinion.

Andy

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I still think it's really cool and I think that the arm detracts from its coolness.

I do agree that Future World struggles to avoiding being "yesterday's vision of tomorrow today", but that's hard to avoid. I'd be happy if they brought back the original Journey Into Imagination, overhauled the health plaza, and did a better job of making Innoventions a showplace for upcoming technology. TT, MtM, The Land, and the Living Seas are all still cool. The ride in the big ball could use some updating, but it's still OK.

 

[AndrewWG]

Does that Energy ride still exist?

I do like The Land and ride it about every other visit.

Looking at a big fish tank makes me dizzy nowadays (age thing, I guess?) so I don't bother with that. I wait while my DW and DD go in.

I have never ridden nor will I ride Test Track, I don't think. My siter and nephew may drag me on it this visit though. My family (DW and DD) does not like fast rides so it is one that I skip. I make them wait for me at Rockin Rollercoaster and Space Mountain though!

What is MtM? I'm missing that one. Is it Mission to Mars? If so, I can live without that too. Never done it, never will. That type of ride messes with my head too much.

Andy

 

[Groucho]

Andrew, I don't completely disagree - but remember, you're coming from the prospective of having seen it many times. There are still many people seeing WDW for the first time.

I think SE is iconic. I don't expect everyone to love it, but I think it should remain reasonably sacred - it is and always has been Epcot's signature element. And again, try taking a step back and trying to look at it with fresh eyes. Take a closer look at the tiles. Look at it from near one of the supports. The building itself hasn't changed, it's only your prospective that has.

If you want, compared it to the Contemporary Resort. Some people can't stand it, while others love it to death, even forgetting about the convenience of the monorail. I'm definitely in the latter camp; I grew up looking at it - and even staying there a couple times, but only ever in the garden wings - and it'll always have a special place in my memories. I'm really excited that they're almost certainly building the next DVC there, I really hope that it complements the main building well.

As for the rest of Future World... it's funny looking at some of the older brochures and things, I think the only thing left that was vaguely like it was when Epcot opened is SE. And most of The Land, I guess. (And the carpet sure looks original, too! It's time for a new carpet in the bottom floor of The Land, Disney...) No more Horizons, World of Motion, Journey Into Imagination, Universe of Energy, CommuniCore, or The Living Seas. Innoventions is fairly dull. (Though admittedly, I probably haven't given it much of a chance.) The current Imagination ride is dull and I really hate when they think it's funny to blow a rotten smell at you. (Bring back Dreamfinder!) Ellen's Energy is barely OK but makes me long for the original - remember that cool rotating screen elements? That made the interminably long movies a lot easier to sit through! Test Track is decent enough but the exit is by far the more shameless shilling of any sponsor of any part of WDW.

The Seas doesn't do much for me. The new ride is pretty neat, but the big aquarium somehow doesn't capture my imagination. But then, I've never see Turtle Talk, either, which I understand is pretty neat.

Mission Space might be what Mark meant by MtM? (Mission to Mars being the old MK attraction, of course.) The original was pretty grueling to me, and I found the "tame" version surprisingly lively still and more enjoyable for me. But then, I always have a tough time with simulators where you're watching a movie, like Star Tours, while my wife isn't bothered by them in the least but cannot handle Tower of Terror or the Splash Mt drop, which are some of my favorites. We'll all different!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think SE is iconic. I don't expect everyone to love it, but I think it should remain reasonably sacred - it is and always has been Epcot's signature element. And again, try taking a step back and trying to look at it with fresh eyes. Take a closer look at the tiles. Look at it from near one of the supports. The building itself hasn't changed, it's only your prospective that has.

I totally agree. I still love the ball. Without the hand, it'll go back to being my favorite of the weenies.

Mission Space might be what Mark meant by MtM?

Oops...flashback. I liked the original Mission Space but my wife left it decidedly green looking.

Test Track is decent enough but the exit is by far the more shameless shilling of any sponsor of any part of WDW.

It may be shilling, but it's my kids favorite playground at Epcot. They spend a good 20 minutes stress testing those cars.

 

[Michele]

Here's an old look

 

[GrumpyFan]

 

[DVC Jen]

I know I am in the minority - but I will be sad to see it go.

 

[AndrewWG]

Andrew, I don't completely disagree - but remember, you're coming from the prospective of having seen it many times. There are still many people seeing WDW for the first time.

I think SE is iconic. I don't expect everyone to love it, but I think it should remain reasonably sacred - it is and always has been Epcot's signature element. And again, try taking a step back and trying to look at it with fresh eyes. Take a closer look at the tiles. Look at it from near one of the supports. The building itself hasn't changed, it's only your prospective that has.

If you want, compared it to the Contemporary Resort. Some people can't stand it, while others love it to death, even forgetting about the convenience of the monorail. I'm definitely in the latter camp; I grew up looking at it - and even staying there a couple times, but only ever in the garden wings - and it'll always have a special place in my memories. I'm really excited that they're almost certainly building the next DVC there, I really hope that it complements the main building well.

As for the rest of Future World... it's funny looking at some of the older brochures and things, I think the only thing left that was vaguely like it was when Epcot opened is SE. And most of The Land, I guess. (And the carpet sure looks original, too! It's time for a new carpet in the bottom floor of The Land, Disney...) No more Horizons, World of Motion, Journey Into Imagination, Universe of Energy, CommuniCore, or The Living Seas. Innoventions is fairly dull. (Though admittedly, I probably haven't given it much of a chance.) The current Imagination ride is dull and I really hate when they think it's funny to blow a rotten smell at you. (Bring back Dreamfinder!) Ellen's Energy is barely OK but makes me long for the original - remember that cool rotating screen elements? That made the interminably long movies a lot easier to sit through! Test Track is decent enough but the exit is by far the more shameless shilling of any sponsor of any part of WDW.

The Seas doesn't do much for me. The new ride is pretty neat, but the big aquarium somehow doesn't capture my imagination. But then, I've never see Turtle Talk, either, which I understand is pretty neat.

Mission Space might be what Mark meant by MtM? (Mission to Mars being the old MK attraction, of course.) The original was pretty grueling to me, and I found the "tame" version surprisingly lively still and more enjoyable for me. But then, I always have a tough time with simulators where you're watching a movie, like Star Tours, while my wife isn't bothered by them in the least but cannot handle Tower of Terror or the Splash Mt drop, which are some of my favorites. We'll all different!

Groucho,

I totally agree. That was the point I was trying to make. A WDW newbie should still love seeing it, I have just been there so much that it is sort of old and not as cool to me anymore. Don't get me wrong, it is a cool building. It has just lost it's WOW effect over the years to me. I certainly expect that others, especially those who have seen it less times than me should see it as the great building that it is. My memories of when I thought it was the coolest thing in the world are still with me, though. I would NEVER want to see the whole thing torn down (not that they would do that). Get rid of the arm, that's fine.

Funny thing is, now that I am back into the photography thing, it will probably be one of the most photographed buildings I take. I know that there are alot of cool angles to shoot it from and look forward to that. It is a place where a photographer can raelly get "artsy" if allowed the time to sit back and think about your compositions.

See how much I paid attention to Mission to Mars? I didn't even know what park it was in, or that it is gone?

I plan on giving Epcot another shot in November. I generally get my WDW excitement through my daughters eyes lately. If she likes it and is having fun, then I like it too. There are exceptions of the rides that she simply doesn't like and I see as a can't miss, though. I think we will spend some time in the "future" world this year and see if it can bring back some of the magic it used to have. If it's magic to her, it will be magic to me again.

I only rode Journey into Imagination on one trip back in 1992. I LOVED it. The song got a bit annoying, but I thought the ride was cool. When I went back on in 2006, I didn't remember enough of it to realize that it had changed, and wondered why I didn't like it so much. Now I know.

So although I know it as the big golf ball, I do respect it for what it is. I just hope they don't throw a huge Stitch on top, or a Jack Sparrow. Just bring it back to what it was would be fine with me.

Andy

 

[rtphokie]

I dislike it for two reasons.

1) Spaceship earth is beautiful because of it's geometry and particularly it's symetry. It's made up of triangles that make up other increasingly larger triangles than ultimately make up a sphere. That's pretty amazing. Then they hung this tower off one side ruining the symmetry and killing an important effect.

I've studied this building in math classes. I read about this building in an urban planning class I took in college. My roommate pointed it out to me in his architecture classwork.

I love taking photos of SE, specially at dusk. It's lit so well that you can get dozens of different looks just by shifting around a few feet.

2) I know Disney likes to go big on the anniversaries so the 2000 structure was tolerable. Then they looked at it and said, "wow we spent a lot of money on that, what can we do to get some more use out of it". I know it's good business but it symbolized what was wrong with Disney at the time, at least for me.

3) The font that Epcot is spelled out in on the structure is unique. It's not used anywhere else. This feels odd for Disney.

These are (or were) used everywhere:

Some derivative of a standard Serif font like Times New Roman:

Handel Gothic or Prototype font:

Not sure what this is but it's the only place it appears in the park:

One of things I enjoy at a Disney Park is seeing how things tie together design wise. This Mickey Arm just has never done that for me.

 

[SharonLowe]

I'm very happy to see SE return to its roots and to the design Walt wanted. Photos of it, even with the arm, are boring unless you have great light and sky so any mid-day photo of it is going to look bad.

Here are 2 from our visit in June, when we got a small taste of the new things in store (really good stuff after the ride now; can't wait to see what they do in the ride).

First, the new sign:

And the hand and sphere from afar at dusk:

 

[Sha]

Local news reported this morning about the Mickey Arm.... said its the arm, glove and wand that are going... stars and EPCOT will stay. I guess I misunderstood that part. LOL... someone said how will I know I am in EPCOT???

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I don't know which is worse the big ugly hand that throws off the entire scale of SE or the fact that they painted brown sticks on the supports to try to make the tombstones look like they belong in front of it.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Local news reported this morning about the Mickey Arm.... said its the arm, glove and wand that are going... stars and EPCOT will stay. I guess I misunderstood that part. LOL... someone said how will I know I am in EPCOT???

Not according to the Orlando Sentinel

The dismantling of the 50-ton wand-waving tower begins Monday and should be completed shortly before Epcot's 25th anniversary Oct. 1. Also coming down are the colored stars splashed across Spaceship Earth's roof.

Disney officials maintain that Epcot visitors love the flashy sign and that Mickey Mouse's arm has helped foster a family-friendly image. MacPhee said the wand was a popular symbol that served the park well.

Spaceship Earth will close Monday for five months to complete an updating and overhaul of the ride, which is now sponsored by Siemens AG.

Considering that project, and Epcot's 25th anniversary this fall, MacPhee said, "We think the timing of the removal is right."

Many of Disney's more-critical observers have called for the arm's removal for several years. Independent Disney-forum Web logs such as TheDisneyBlog, MiceAge, Re-imagineering and EpcotCentral have criticized it as tacky. John Frost, editor of TheDisneyBlog, called it "clutter."

Epcot about 'futurism'

"Epcot in its original form from 1982 was about futurism, hope and optimism, and the wand and hand speak instead to the company's cartoon history," said Orlando author Kevin Yee, who writes about Disney in books and Internet postings, including on his own UltimateOrlando blog. "I think Disney knows that removing the wand will please its hard-core fans."

And without the tower I dont know how they would keep the EPCOT hanging magically in the air... thats alot of Pixie Dust.

 

[Groucho]

It may be shilling, but it's my kids favorite playground at Epcot. They spend a good 20 minutes stress testing those cars.

My kid enjoyed it a lot too - but I'd much rather see maybe some variation of the ride car or some other "fantasy" car, instead of a stable of various GM vehicles complete with window stickers and salesmen waiting nearby.. and the big rotating wall displays are a waste. I'd also rather see my kid playing with a car that's built to survive kids crawling over it rather than a regular ol' street car.

And the pavilion started out as a general transportation one - how about some vehicles other than just cars and trucks? Maybe a little train? What about a fire engine? SOMEthing that doesn't reek of commercialism?

Oh well... just one grouch's opinion!

 

[Groucho]

Funny thing is, now that I am back into the photography thing, it will probably be one of the most photographed buildings I take. I know that there are alot of cool angles to shoot it from and look forward to that. It is a place where a photographer can raelly get "artsy" if allowed the time to sit back and think about your compositions.

That alone shows that it's a lot more than just a simple sphere... that you can look at it so many ways and get so many different views. I've posted this a few times but it's one of my favorite unusual shots of SE.

I plan on giving Epcot another shot in November. I generally get my WDW excitement through my daughters eyes lately. If she likes it and is having fun, then I like it too. There are exceptions of the rides that she simply doesn't like and I see as a can't miss, though. I think we will spend some time in the "future" world this year and see if it can bring back some of the magic it used to have. If it's magic to her, it will be magic to me again.

Here's hoping for the best. Future World is always going to have a challenge staying current and special... kind of like the problems that Tomorrowland has had. I think making Tomorrowland a Jules Verne-style alternate future was a good solution, though one that wouldn't work for FW. I don't know what the solution is. (If you really want to cringe, watch some of the opening day video - Mickey and the rest in their silver jumpsuits jumping around have aged about as well as a tuna sandwich left in the sun for a month!)

As for the later posts... I hadn't noticed those brown paintings on the supports, ugh! My eyes might have blocked them out to save my brain from such a sight. Here's hoping that the Sentinel is right and that all extra stuff is removed and SE is back to being the pure, unadorned sphere.