What happened to Mickey's Wand at Epcot?

[strickland]

We visited the world over Easter. Why did they take down the the signs on the Epcot ball? Were they just for a special celebration? Does anyone know? It looked so much better with the sign there!

 

[Robo]

We visited the world over Easter. Why did they take down the the signs on the Epcot ball? Were they just for a special celebration? Does anyone know? It looked so much better with the sign there!

Yes.

It was constructed for the year 2000 celebration.

It was so difficult and costly to REMOVE it, that they left it there for several years longer than they anticipated.

Many here are happy to see the "temporary" signage removed and the globe returned to its originally-intended clean design.

 

[Bob P]

As Robo said, for the first 17 years of Epcot's life, Spaceship Earth was "naked."

The signage was officially unveiled in October 1999 for the Millennium celebration (although work on it began earlier in 1999).

 

[mirs]

Jim MacPhee, the new VP of EPCOT, had some sense and wanted it taken down. Thank goodness!

 

[EnnEss]

I agree with OP, I like it better. Theres no issue of scale like there is with the DS hat. It's still really cluttered with that giant concrete disaster in front of it anyways. I've never seen it without but the first time I entered I thought those things were hideous and have no idea how anyone can think anything different.

 

[MomofKatie]

When the signage first went up, didn't it say "2000"? Then, when it was decided to keep it up, it was changed to "Epcot".

I am so happy they removed it- I like the Sphere as it was origionally intended (now if they would just remove the huge tombstones from the entrance courtyard!).

 

[GGOOFY1]

When the signage first went up, didn't it say "2000"? Then, when it was decided to keep it up, it was changed to "Epcot".

Yes that is correct

 

[disnut8]

Not to be snarky but here goes another thread on whether or not the geosphere in Epcot looks better with or without the extra signage.

 

[ntsammy5]

Many here are happy to see the "temporary" signage removed and the globe returned to its originally-intended clean design.

I think I may have been in that group -- let me check.

Yup I was happy to see it come down. Now if they could just bring back Tapestry of Dreams.......


I just love that word...... snarky!

 

[Robo]

Now if they could just bring back Tapestry of Dreams...

Agreed!

But don't hold your breath.



I tried that...

Still no parade.

 

[Disney Devoted Daddy]

Last time we went (Christmas 07), the Wand was gone. I saw they were remodeling the ride inside the Epcot ball, so I figured it would return.

I heard it is not coming back. Does anyone know why??

I really thought it looked great. Reminded me of the Sorceror's Hat, the Tree of Life, and the Cindy's Castle. A real eye catcher. I know the ball is there, but I liked the Mickey's Wand and Hand because of the close connection to Disney movie Fantasia.

Anyone have a specific reason?? Or did they put it back?

 

[annie1995]

I'm not sure the whole reason they took it down, but I know its definately not coming back. I kind of liked it too, but it does look pretty without it!

 

[ChrisFL]

Last time we went (Christmas 07), the Wand was gone. I saw they were remodeling the ride inside the Epcot ball, so I figured it would return.

I heard it is not coming back. Does anyone know why??

I really thought it looked great. Reminded me of the Sorceror's Hat, the Tree of Life, and the Cindy's Castle. A real eye catcher. I know the ball is there, but I liked the Mickey's Wand and Hand because of the close connection to Disney movie Fantasia.

Anyone have a specific reason?? Or did they put it back?

The wand was never supposed to last more than 1 year, for the millennium. It was never on SSE before that and a vast majority of people (including myself) didn't think it fit the design of Epcot at all and were very glad when it was removed. It is NOT coming back

 

[ChrisFL]

The "epcot ball" just happens to be the world's largest Geodesic Sphere and a marvelous feat of engineering, not to mention a piece of art in its own right. Finally some people of reason came and removed the Vegas quality piece of "work" from the symbol of Epcot.

 

[inkkognito]

Yup I was happy to see it come down. Now if they could just bring back Tapestry of Dreams.......

Bleeech! Bring back Tapestry of Nations!

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm on the other side of this. I am so happy that silly wand and stars are off of Spaceship Earth! I took many pics of it in October, in all of its simple glory, the way it was built! I kepts saying "Look at it! It looks so beautiful!"
My mom thought I was nuts!

Now if they would get rid of the graveyard in front of it, we would be talkin!

 

[Robo]

Bleeech! Bring back Tapestry of Nations!

Yes, you're right.

The first version was MUCH better!

I'd settle for either, however
(but will get NEITHER, I'm afraid.)

 

[ntsammy5]

Bleeech! Bring back Tapestry of Nations!

Yeah the drums & music was great!

 

[Loves Disney]

Like the post above me says, it was never intended to be permanent. I don't know any absolute specific reason why it's down now but my best guess is that while they were on the act of renovating SSE, they decided then would be a good time to remove it. I'm personally glad it's off - it brings back old memories and I just think it looks better without that stuff on it.

 

[Bob P]

There is another thread on this topic a little farther down the page:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1783959