The Wand...

Originally Posted By plpeters70

It's being reported on the Mousegeeks forum that the cast member's Eyes and Ears is saying that the wand will be taken down for EPCOT's 25th, but that it will be PUT BACK after the birthday???!!! It sounds like the wand will go temporarily, but the Epcot sign will stay!! Does anyone have any real information on this? They can't really be doing something this crazy, can they?? That thing must go, ASAP!!

Here's a link to the post:

<a href="http://mousegeeks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2337#post2337" target="_blank">http://mousegeeks.com/forum/sh
owthread.php?p=2337#post2337</a>

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

I'd like to see a scan of the Eyes and Ears. Without that, I find it highly improbable they would take it down and then rebuild it later. I mean, isn't that thing a huge, welded structure? Wouldn't they have to cut it up to take it down?

 

Originally Posted By plpeters70

By the way, for anyone who actually likes the wand, I suggest you visit the following sites and then tell me what you think:

<a href="http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/epcot/50027.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/epc
ot/50027.jpg</a>

<a href="http://www.startedbyamouse.com/features/spaceship_earth02.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.startedbyamouse.com
/features/spaceship_earth02.shtml</a>

Those pictures just make me sad...

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While I am not a fan of the wand, I am not really a detractor either. Showing people the unadorned SE probably won't change anyone's mind, and I think you could find as many people who like the wand as you could those who don't.

 

Originally Posted By plpeters70

I suppose so -- I wasn't really trying to change minds, just really wanted to share pictures of the old EPCOT. For me, that's what Spaceship Earth is supposed to look like -- the Mickey wand is an intrusion on the beautiful symmetry of the geosphere. Not to mention all that added clutter in the Innoventions plaza that ruins the sightlines of Spaceship Earth.

But, I guess to each his own -- I just don't get it myself.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

How much you want to bet that the wand will be replace by something like a birthday candle. Only the outside image that is attached to the structure will be changed.

I personally can take of leave the wand. I don't think it adds or detracts. I have stated before that I think it connects Epcot with the rest of WDW for those that seemed to think it was a separate entity. I wouldn't break my heart, however, if they lost the glitter on top of SE.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

Doesn't this wand rumor conflict with the "No Epcot 25th Celebration" rumors on this discussion board? It seems to me that doing something like this with the wand is SOME form of 25th recognition, isn't it?

And "messing with the wand" is not the same thing as "messing with the tower." I figure the tower itself is here to stay. What they can do from time to time though is modify what's being presented from the tower.

And maybe all this rumor about the wand and the star on top of it will explain why it looks more than ever that there are lights out up there that they're not replacing. They're probably waiting to bring the whole thing down for a ground-side refurb instead of servicing it significantly so high up in the sky. Makes sense to me.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

The wand was budgeted to be up until 2009.

Despite hopeful rumors over the past year, I doubt Disney will rip it down anytime before that ... and I don't see it coming down then.

MR. IGER TEAR DOWN THAT WAND!!!! AND HAT!!!!

 

Originally Posted By tonyanton

I second that sentiment!

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

I like the hat, just move it...the placement is the problem

plenty of empty space in the Studios these days to place it

 

Originally Posted By Autopia Deb

>>>I like the hat, just move it...the placement is the problem

plenty of empty space in the Studios these days to place it<<<

Couldn't agree more. There are so many empty or under-themed ares in that park where the hat would be welcome. As it is, it hides that wonderful icon. As tacky as Hollywood is, they haven't hidden the real theater behind a giant street walker.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

I believe the Grauman's icon has to be hidden. Copyright issues. The hat is there for a reason.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

"I like the hat, just move it...the placement is the problem"

I don't think ANYONE disagrees with that.

 

Originally Posted By demderedoseguys

>MR. IGER TEAR DOWN THAT WAND!!!! AND HAT!!!!<

And bulldoze that "graveyard' in front of EPCOT as well.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

So how did Copyright issues pop up over a decade after it was built?

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

<<I believe the Grauman's icon has to be hidden. Copyright issues.>>

I don't beleive that story. If it was copyright infringement, wouldn't they have to do more than put a BAH in front of it? It's not like you can't see it from other vantage points, right?

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

The hat could easily go in the courtyard where the old animation building is. Not much in there now and a perfect spot so it doesn't block the theater from view.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

I believe the Grauman's copyright was granted for a limited period of time. The time ran out, the copyright permission was not extended. Probably because Disney didn't want to pay what they wanted. Either Disney had to take it down, or hide it. At least it is no longer featured in any prominent sight line, and is no longer touted as the park icon. The hat is.

In fact I don't know why Graumans' has been hidden. I have asked many insiders, and I have heard any number of reasons why the hat is where it is. I can't get anyone to say for sure.

My own conclusion is based on my personal observations of where the hat is placed, and how permanent it is. It's there for a reason. It's not there by accident.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

I'm OK with the wand. I generally like what they've done with Epcot over the years. Originally it looked too lifeless and museum-like. I like the fact that Disney has brought some color and whimsy to the park.

I won't be upset if they take it down, but I'm not upset with it being there either. It's not totally obnoxious like the Pepto-Bismol colored Castle Cake was.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

Can anyone help me with this? I can get to the MouseGeeks link in LP Post#1, but I can't get at the JPG links listed in MouseGeeks Post#2.

I've tried registering at MouseGeeks, but no response. Maybe they don't like me.

What I'm trying to find out is more about the Eyes and Ears reference to all this in the LP Post#1.

I'm looking through recent Eyes and Ears and I can't find it.