What to name the lights in the ground at EPCOT?

[Twende]

This was meant to be a fun nickname kind of thing. I am completely surprised by the negativity of this thread. Oh well, it really did start out as fun!

We, meaning those of us talking about this, have no power to name this area or any area for that matter.

It does seem that many areas of Disney receive nick names as people use them as meeting places or points of interest that they want to make sure dear friends and family see.

How many of us have set meeting areas in case someone get lost or at the end of a day and those areas include places that you have nicknamed? Have you every told your family that you will meet them at The Big Ball or if you get lost you are to go to The Flag Pole, or we'll meet you for lunch by The Big Hat? Do you tell your family that you are going to Discovery Island or do you say we are going to check out The Tree?

I am certain that as I say these things you can visualize exactly where I mean.

There is no offense taken but I admit that I have been surprised by the responses on this thread. I just never thought of a down side to naming, nick naming, an area in the Parks.

Just for general knowledge I do not work, nor have I ever worked for Disney.

In fact I ended up watching the trailers from the TinkerBell movie in order to find out about the characters in it. My kids are older now and my DD is just expecting my first grandchild so I have a bit of gap in there for watching the newest kids movie a hundred times a day.

As I watched the Tink movie, I was struck by the opeing scenes as they tell the story of how Tink was born. I saw how very much the opening scene with Queen Clarion reminded me of you know, that area with lights in the ground.

If you have not watched it yet, it is on the net. You do not have to buy the movie!

So that is where my association with TinkerBell and those light things started. It then continued when other posters on the thread began to discuss how much they enjoy that area with their children and how it always reminds them of TinkerBell.

Of course I then talk to my oldest DD and she said that the only thing that comes into her mind in that light area is Jiminy Cricket because a wish has the power to make a dream come true and for her that is her wishing spot.
I thought that was really special! I guess my kids have my passion for Disney too!

So for those you who are interested in what started this, there you go. For those who have said you do not understand some of the names. Please feel free to point those out and I will try to explain them to you. For those who do not like any of the suggestions, I am sorry. It was the best we could do on 24 hours notice. For those of you who do not want those areas named, you have your wish as none of us really has the power to name them!

 

[Darsa]

I like Twinkling Sidewalks! I agree that a lot of them were too cutesy, but this one is cool.

I loooved that area; my DD and DH got impatient with me when I was "stargazing"; I couldn't tear myself from it!

 

[Briarmom]

Please don't. A lot of what makes WDW magical is unexpected delights. Don't princess-ize those fun lights that people discover on the way out of EPCOT. They don't need a name, they don't need a mention on the Mom's Panel, they don't need to be PLANNED, they don't really even need to be documented as an attraction or "best kept secret". It's starting to make me sick how all of the magical fun stuff is now on a list of must-sees.

MOM PANELISTS: Please leave this one alone. Exposing all the secrets isn't necessarily a good thing.

 

[Laura]

Please don't. A lot of what makes WDW magical is unexpected delights. Don't princess-ize those fun lights that people discover on the way out of EPCOT. They don't need a name, they don't need a mention on the Mom's Panel, they don't need to be PLANNED, they don't really even need to be documented as an attraction or "best kept secret". It's starting to make me sick how all of the magical fun stuff is now on a list of must-sees.

MOM PANELISTS: Please leave this one alone. Exposing all the secrets isn't necessarily a good thing.

 

[Micca]

How about "Glow Sticks in the Bricks" Respectfully, I agree with the other Dis-ers that the pixie stuff isn't appropriate for Epcot. Hopefully this input will be considered constructive even thought it isn't what was asked for. .

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree--Tinkerbell and EPCOT don't mix. I kind of associate EPCOT as character neutral and naming the lights anything tinkerbell related is kin to putting a big mouse hand on SE and thinking it was wise to leave it there forever. (thankfully the powers that be fixed the latter.)

Futureworld really has nothing to do with the characters at all.

 

[wendy46001]

we've always just called it the illuminated walkway

and I'll have to agree with everyone
the injection of characters into Epcot just feels like Disney sucking the science/education out of the place...

this is one time that its not magic/pixie dust that makes the sidewalk glow
its invention and science

 

[Jennasis]

FYI, if my family were to congregate there, we would say "Meet up at the Light-Up sidewalk."

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I also vote for "None of the above".

 

[ejud]

Hi all!

I didn't realize there was a thread under the poll! Read over on the Moms thread about the reactions being expressed 'somewhere': now I know where!

Wow! hehehehee...

The poll consists of the names that folks on that thread came up with and due to the underlying conversation, a lot of it got Tink oriented. Was totally open to alternatives- in fact was hoping for more! Such as: Glow Sticks in the Bricks; Illuminated walkway; the Light-Up sidewalk! But none of it was meant to be taken any more seriously than calling SSE The Big Ball!

Though I voted for Pixiedust Pavers, I am happy to see Twinkling Sidewalks is the biggest vote getter and I think that is a good nick name. But anyone is free to call them whatever they want, or nothing at all! Just passing time and having fun!

we've always just called it the illuminated walkway; and I'll have to agree with everyone: the injection of characters into Epcot just feels like Disney sucking the science/education out of the place... this is one time that its not magic/pixie dust that makes the sidewalk glow its invention and science

Hi Wendy!

I chose you to quote for this cause I just wanted to point out that this was lost long ago! Originally it was as you wish, and there was only Figment, but then they "bussed in" all the characters and started themeing the rides so this is hardly the back-breaking straw! Science and innovation weren't selling, so in came 'Disney'!



Jud

 

[disney1990]

I agree that I wouldn't want to associate the lights at Epcot with a specific character. But, Twinkling Sidewalks describes the lights and I think most people would recognize immediately what you were talking about.

Good Luck!

 

[sbell111]

Starment

 

[Scurvy]

I always just call them the fiber optic sidewalks.

I really, really dislike all the names for the same reason most other people mentioned - they are way too cutesy. Most of Fantasyland is going to be very girly and cutesy (Pixie this, princess that) and that's fine because "cutesy" fits there. But there's no need for the cutesy stuff to spill all over WDW. Epcot really doesn't need to be cutesy! It just doesn't fit at all. But besides that, I completely agree with this:

Please don't. A lot of what makes WDW magical is unexpected delights. Don't princess-ize those fun lights that people discover on the way out of EPCOT. They don't need a name, they don't need a mention on the Mom's Panel, they don't need to be PLANNED, they don't really even need to be documented as an attraction or "best kept secret". It's starting to make me sick how all of the magical fun stuff is now on a list of must-sees.

MOM PANELISTS: Please leave this one alone. Exposing all the secrets isn't necessarily a good thing.

One of the best things about visiting the Disney parks is the fact that there are so many little things to stumble upon. These days there are fewer and fewer of those sorts of things because everything gets listed on the internet or in the guide books and something that was just a charming little touch gets built up to be some huge thing that must get pencilled into the schedule. The fiber optic sidewalks (or whatever they really are) are a nice thing to discover. If people discover them and choose to come up with something to call them, great! But I think it's overkill to try to come up with a name for them online.

 

[CathrynRose]

Foot paths to tomorrow
the pathways of tomorrow

I like this one (bolded)

But frankly - I don't think they should be named, either.

And I don't like ANY of the choices, as well.

 

[CathrynRose]

FYI, if my family were to congregate there, we would say "Meet up at the Light-Up sidewalk."

 

[Planogirl]

We've always just called them the sparkly sidewalks. I guess that Twinkling Sidewalks comes closest but I don't see why they need to be named at all.

 

[CDoobee]

OP-Where were the first two pictures taken? I've been to Epcot a zillion times, but only have seen the lights in the last picture!

Thanks!

 

[ejud]

Starment

Hehheehhee... I did like that earlier mention of starlight... but I fear this might be a bit too obscure for many to get it, but clever! hehehehee...



Jud

 

[ejud]

I always just call them the fiber optic sidewalks.

Hmmm... engineer by any chance?

I really, really dislike all the names for the same reason most other people mentioned - they are way too cutesy. Most of Fantasyland is going to be very girly and cutesy (Pixie this, princess that) and that's fine because "cutesy" fits there.

At the cost of Mickey's house??? Ayeeeeeeeeee!!!

But there's no need for the cutesy stuff to spill all over WDW. Epcot really doesn't need to be cutesy! It just doesn't fit at all. But besides that, I completely agree with this:

One of the best things about visiting the Disney parks is the fact that there are so many little things to stumble upon. These days there are fewer and fewer of those sorts of things because everything gets listed on the internet or in the guide books and something that was just a charming little touch gets built up to be some huge thing that must get pencilled into the schedule. The fiber optic sidewalks (or whatever they really are) are a nice thing to discover. If people discover them and choose to come up with something to call them, great! But I think it's overkill to try to come up with a name for them online.

Oh come on! We are taking over the world on-line! If it ain't on-line, it simply ain't!



Jud

 

[MAKmom]

No offense taken at all. In fact that is an interesting thought.

Many of us felt that the lights reminded us of TinkerBell and the Fairy Garden that is part of The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in the Spring.

We were also trying to come up with two names since there are two different areas with lights.

I always just call them the fiber optic sidewalks.

I really, really dislike all the names for the same reason most other people mentioned - they are way too cutesy. Most of Fantasyland is going to be very girly and cutesy (Pixie this, princess that) and that's fine because "cutesy" fits there. But there's no need for the cutesy stuff to spill all over WDW. Epcot really doesn't need to be cutesy! It just doesn't fit at all. But besides that, I completely agree with this:



One of the best things about visiting the Disney parks is the fact that there are so many little things to stumble upon. These days there are fewer and fewer of those sorts of things because everything gets listed on the internet or in the guide books and something that was just a charming little touch gets built up to be some huge thing that must get pencilled into the schedule. The fiber optic sidewalks (or whatever they really are) are a nice thing to discover. If people discover them and choose to come up with something to call them, great! But I think it's overkill to try to come up with a name for them online.

My family calls them the fiber Optic sidewalk also..that is what they are. Epcot is about education so using the correct name is the way to go.