Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Yeah. It's big. Yeah. It's ugly. But it comes with pixie dust and a certificate of authenticity. (oh, and you pay the shipping, naturally) And since John Stamos likely can't afford it after the divorce settlement, it can be yours because ... drum roll, please ... As of this fall, that hideous monstrosity that has tarnished the grandeur of SSE since 1999 will be headed to the trash heap of history. Yep. This time it's more than rumor. The wand is coming down. Siemens has hated it from the start. The only way they wanted it was if their name (honestly) was what was on the sign. You knew Disney wasn't going for that. So it's coming down ... about seven years too late, but at least it is. When SSE comes back from its major redo this fall, look for the original sleek look.
Originally Posted By pheneix YAY! They're doing a lot of work all over the front of the park. The ugly Leave a Legacy add that surrounds the mirrors on SSE is going soon, as is the kiosk that they sell the photos from. They're also doing some major work reconfiguring the security checkpoints at the front of the park into a much more functional design. I'm eagerly awaiting all these changes!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Yep. Forgot to mention the reworking of the entrance area/security.
Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, That is great news and it makes perfect sense...Now what about that ugly big old hat? Could we possibly hope in time that someone will finally realize these giant icons aren't all that great? Sometimes bigger is better but this AIN'T the case....Actually though in reading different threads I am getting the idea that WDW might getting its act back together very slowly....Hope I am right...
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost You know what thought strikes me? It's not if the wand is staying or going but how willing Disney is to alter their visions for the mighty corporate dollar. One would have to ponder if Walt Disney would have buckled completely to an outsiders money. He, in many instances, didn't even care about his own money much less someone else's. Look what corporate money has altered, that we know of, Figment and Imagination, World of Motion and Wonders of Life, just to name a few. No corporate support, no attraction. This from one of the largest corporations around. You'd think they could afford to keep it going on their own, wouldn't you? For all of you that got your knickers in a knot over the wand, congratulations your favorite entertainment establishment has allowed some corporate geek to dictate the artistic content of WDW. It's a happy day.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Sorry about that final paragraph. It was totally unnecessary and nasty sounding. I didn't intend to put it exactly the way it came out. It is just that it is a real concern of mine, that Disney is for sale on every level. Regardless of my like or dislike for the wand, I just hate to see an outside corporation calling the shots for our beloved parks. Good or Bad!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd <<<One would have to ponder if Walt Disney would have buckled completely to an outsiders money.>>> There originally was a brassiere shop on Mainstreet. I don't think that was part of Walt's original plan. Much of the original Disneyland was shaped by corporate sponsership.
Originally Posted By jmuboy While I ceertainly understand Goofyernmost's points and can agree with a lot of what he is saying.....I for one am glad this eyesore is going away.
Originally Posted By Elderp "It's a happy day." Yep, its a happy day. I think that wand looks dumb. We all know what mouse rules the land. We never needed his disembodied parts to help us remember. As for the corporate sponsor thing I think that is exactly the way Walt would of wanted it. Epcot is supposed to be a showcase of talent sponsored by big companies.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>There originally was a brassiere shop on Mainstreet. I don't think that was part of Walt's original plan. Much of the original Disneyland was shaped by corporate sponsership.<<< Well, there was at least a couple of good reasons to have that shop. They were deserving of return support. I could go on and on but in the interest of good taste I will "let it go".
Originally Posted By Labuda See, dang it. Now I'm gonna have to get at least one more trip in on this AP so I can at least see SSE unadulterated! Rats!
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn I think that is great news. It will looks so much better without the wand. The 2000 wand was cool, but should have been scrapped after. I wonder if they'll now bring back the spinning laser globe that they used to put on SSE after Illuminations now? That was one of my favorite, favorite things. I would love to see that back. It was just a really cool effect.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <You know what thought strikes me? It's not if the wand is staying or going but how willing Disney is to alter their visions for the mighty corporate dollar. One would have to ponder if Walt Disney would have buckled completely to an outsiders money. He, in many instances, didn't even care about his own money much less someone else's. Look what corporate money has altered, that we know of, Figment and Imagination, World of Motion and Wonders of Life, just to name a few. No corporate support, no attraction. This from one of the largest corporations around. You'd think they could afford to keep it going on their own, wouldn't you? For all of you that got your knickers in a knot over the wand, congratulations your favorite entertainment establishment has allowed some corporate geek to dictate the artistic content of WDW. It's a happy day.> I don't see it quite the same way - but as for what Walt would have done -- it is more what would Roy have done - he handled all the business aspects ( and is a major reason we even have WDW ) - as for the answer - look at the early year pcitures of DL -- how many items had corporate logo's plastered on them ? Lots - and for good reason. Without Siemens we would NOT be getting the re do of SSE , and we would not have someone ensuring that Illuminations has funding - even allowing for a second show a few times lately -- I don't see that as buckling to corporate greed - I see that as finally having a few more corporations who believe in the drawing power that is Disney -- I feel very good about that. I'd feel better if some of the greedy US corporations felt the same way --
Originally Posted By vbdad55 now if we could just get some corporation to take an interest in the land under the stupid Pooh playground --
Originally Posted By MickeyChick When is it supposed to be coming down? We'll be there starting October 7 (first trip to WDW for us) and I'm hoping it's gone by then.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby I liked the wand with the "2000", didn't really care one way or another with the "Epcot" as much as everyone else seemingly did. But the big blue hat at MGM? Hated it from the start. Maybe Lassiter will get it taken down.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I'm glad the wand is coming down. The addition made Spaceship Earth look like some tacky Las Vegas hotel or something. As if a geodesic sphere isn't impressive enough.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror This is one of the most recognizable and potent architectural symbols of the last century. It made a bold, metaphorical statement to futurism and optimism and a point of view. To pollute it with a crass cartoony hand - ugh. Just utter poor taste. Nobody with half a brain (or at least any appreciation for good design) will mourn it's passing.
