Originally Posted By Shooba Spaceship Earth does look a little bland on its own. The trouble with the wand is that the metal framing holding it up is way too visible. As a result, the wand looks okaaaay at night, but not so nice during the day. At least the hat at the Studios looks nice, even if some people prefer the theater as the icon for the park.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I guess I am one of the few that thing the wand is OK. It adds the theme that Epcot is part of Disney and a continuation of the Disney "magic". Now the Hat, that sucks in any language!
Originally Posted By Shooba ^^^ Doesn't the same logic apply to the hat? Mickey's hat indicates that the Studios are part of the Disney magic, whereas the Chinese Theatre does not... I think the average visitor doesn't really care anyway. Only us Disney nerds get caught up in the whole wand/hat debate. Heck, my visit to WDW was my first in 13 years and since there were hundreds of things to love about the place, I really didn't give the wand or hat much notice.
Originally Posted By Doobie I like the hat. Very Disney, works well for me. The more ambivalent on the wand. I'd prefer it without it because that gives Epcot more of it's original, educational feel which I like. But given all the other changes around the park, I think the wand fits in fine. But I still wouldn't be sorry to see it go. I wish I could've experienced Epcot circa 1987 or so. It SEEMS like a wonderful place I would've loved. But that just be nostalgia for something I never experienced trumping reality. Doobie.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Although I'm not going to slit my wrist because it's going or anything; I always thought the wand was OK... maybe even a plus. The original Future World looked pretty bland and sterile... the wand and recent changes to the Innoventions Plaza changed that. Are they going to do anything with the Space Odyssey Monoliths? Some animatronic apes throwing around bones would be a good start. ;-)
Originally Posted By mickey_ring If ever there was a reason for a ceremony at WDW, removing the wand would be it! Have a band play, let the mayor of Epcot (ok, borrow the Mayor from MK's Main Street) make a speech, then a countdown, then KABOOM! Heck, reattach it and do it over and over for Epcot Center's 35th anniv. If the wand was replaced by Mickey ears, it would look like the world's largest antenna topper.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: My sisters and I have never approved of the wand OR the Sorcerer Hat. The Hat--in particular--is badly misplaced. And if it's really supposed to be some sort of icon, why is it nothing more than a cheap looking pin shop? What does that have to say about the park, in particuar, and the company in general? ORGOCH: I gotta answer fer that! It says GREEDY, TACKY 'n CHEAP!! Somethin' Paul Pressler come ta be known fer. T'was his idea ta put that dang hat there, from what I heard. But sooner er later all his messes gotta git cleaned up. Guess they's fin'ly gittin' 'round ta doin' it.
Originally Posted By gaston lives I think I'd be happier if they put the fountains back at the entrance to EPCOT CENTER!!! Get it?
Originally Posted By GnomeMobile I kinda like the hat, maybe because you can take a pictuse of someone and make it look like they are wearing the hat. I think it looks coo at night also!
Originally Posted By hopemax > If the wand was replaced by Mickey ears, it would look like the world's largest antenna topper. Bite your tongue! Where's ADMIN?
Originally Posted By brotherdave I personally never liked the wand or the monoliths. I'm glad to hear that they might actually remove the wand at least. As for the hat, well, that never really bothered me. It at least has that Disney look to it. I think the hat may have been used better to serve as the entrance to an animation-based atraction at the park as opposed to just being a small gift shop. Perhaps at the entrance to the Magic of Disney Animation would have been a better location. But, as an icon at the end of Hollywood Blvd, it doesn't feel much worse to me than a medival castle at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. It's a shame that the Chinese Theatre gets obscured by it, but, perhaps, that was not necessarily the best place to put the Chinese Theatre to begin with. As much as I love seing the grandeur of the Chinese Theatre, it's certainly NOT Disney. It represents ALL of Hollywood. Perhaps, the theatre/Great Movie Ride should have been built to the left of the hub as part of Hollywood Blvd. The hat could have been used as the entrance to a mock up of the Disney studios in CA where the Chinese Theatre is now, complete with Earful Tower in the background and soundstages on either side. Just my 2 cents...
Originally Posted By mousefun Yeaaaa! The Ugliest icon ever! BTW, the best Disney Park icons, in order: a) WDW/Tokyo Disney Cindy's Castle - simply the best b) Tree of Life, AK - the detail is amazing c) Volcano, Diseny Sea d) Castle, Euro - nice, but, a tad cartoony e) Spaceship Earth, WITHOUT WAND! It's a golf ball, but, an amazing piece of architecture f) ALL THE rest, just fall flat (the studios...eh...DCA...ico...what ico? DCA is simply a bad park. I occasionaly walk in for 30 minutes, so strongly desire to leave.
Originally Posted By GnomeMobile Nope #1 is, was and always will be SB's Castle!!! DCA has GRR and Golden gate bridge. and Cali Screamin' and its not as bad as you say or you wouldnt even go in.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...Spaceship Earth, WITHOUT WAND! It's a golf ball, but, an amazing piece of architecture...< Well, who woulda thunk it - me & mousefun agreeing on something!
Originally Posted By tonyanton I really hope this is true. As someone who visited Epcot Center in '83 and multiple times after that in the '80s and early '90s I can't believe people believe without the wand Epcot doesn't have that Disney "magic." Not everything has to be blatantly Disney branded to exude what the company is about. As a child visiting back then, I knew I was in WDW and was taken aback by the magic of Epcot, just by what it offered and knowing it was a part of this overall wonderful place called Walt Disney World. I should also note that I haven't been against the Innovations Plaza additions, Nemo, or other character additions. However, having experienced SSE without the wand for 17 years, I can tell everyone who never had that chance to see it in its original form that its presence and power as an icon loses a lot with the addition. I apologize for going on for so long about this, I tend to pick me battles with regards to changes at WDW and this is one that has always bothered me.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I really hope this is true. As someone who visited Epcot Center in '83 and multiple times after that in the '80s and early '90s I can't believe people believe without the wand Epcot doesn't have that Disney "magic." Not everything has to be blatantly Disney branded to exude what the company is about. As a child visiting back then, I knew I was in WDW and was taken aback by the magic of Epcot, just by what it offered and knowing it was a part of this overall wonderful place called Walt Disney World.>> Agree 100%. I come from the "I'll believe it when I see it at Mouse Surplus" school of thought. I (barely) tolerated the tacky addition for the Millennium Celeb, but to have it stuck on a beautiful, graceful, unique structure like SSE, just waters/WalMarts it down, so bumpkins can see a connection to Mickey. It's just awful. And the BAH? Sorry, but whether you like it or hate it, it destroys the whole design of the park from the original plan. It has no reason for being and destroys the amazing Chinese Theater facade. From basic design principles, it's just wrong in its current locale. And, yes, it screams tacky to me, but I'm a spitited elitist anyway.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros DCA's official icon is the Sun Icon that is directly in front of the entrance, at the back of the Sunshine Plaza. It isn't much to look at, and is often entirely overlooked, but it what's officially recognized as the park's icon. Interestingly enough, since the park faces north, to get enough sunlight on the Sun to make it shine, they have a complicated series of mirrors that are constantly readjusting to direct light from the sun onto the icon. Too bad the icon itself isn't nearly as impressive as the technology used to make it shine. And I can't belive that you complain about the other park icons being too flat, yet you have Cinderella Castle as your number one. That is basically a large flat tower with some extra roofs added in for good measure. I would also like to know why Sleeping Beauty Castle was left off the list (assuming that you don't think that is too flat as well). (BTW, it may sound mean, but I don't mean this as a personal attack, I'm genuinely interested in why you see Cinderella Castle as the best park icon out there)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<And, yes, it screams tacky to me, but I'm a spitited elitist anyway.>> Actually, I don't spit in public. But I AM a SPIRITED elitist anyway. SPELL CHECK ...
Originally Posted By kennect As far as the Studio hat goes I still think there is a fuse somewhere on it they can simply light and it will take off to who knows where....I think Disney wore out the giant icon thing at their All Stars and Pop Century Resorts....It really is sad to see the parks also have to suffer from such creative design ideas that are worthless...
Originally Posted By mousefun [Nope #1 is, was and always will be SB's Castle!!!} Tiny. Looks like a Tinker Toy. Nowhere close. [DCA has GRR and Golden gate bridge. and Cali Screamin' and its not as bad as you say or you wouldnt even go in.] Ugly. I go in as it's quicker for me when I leave through California Adventure hotel to cut through park to Dland. I get so bored, I walk straight out. I have NO desire to do anything at DCA. [And I can't belive that you complain about the other park icons being too flat, yet you have Cinderella Castle as your number one. That is basically a large flat tower with some extra roofs added in for good measure.] Oh, my. You question why I, and perhaps most of the world, feel that Cinderella's Castle is the greatest Disney icon of all? Step down WDW Main Street...look straight ahead. It's awe-inspring. Take the monorail from the Ticket and Transpo center...look across the majestic bay lake. See the beauty of Cinderella Castle blending into the blue sky. Watch the lights go down. See the lights go up on this wonderous castle. It's mindblowing. Step inside...eat at King Stephan's Banquer hall. No wonder that Walt Disney Pictures changed their logo from the tinsy weency Doll House Sleeping Beauty Castle to the grandoise and gourgeous Cinderella Castle.
