Epcot VP Announces Removal of Mickey Mouse Arm and Wand Structure

[cetacean01]

I like that wand and I'm upset it's coming down.

ME TOOOO!

Now we can all go back to referring to it as "That Ugly Golf Ball looking Thing!!!"

[TiggeRia]

I've never seen it without the hand and wand...so for me, it's going to look like something is missing...kinda plain!

I, too, have never seen it without the hand and wand...I think I'm going to miss it. Just like those folks who have memories of SE without all the decorations, there are those of us who will remember our first trip to WDW with SE containing the hand and wand. I know times must change, and I will grow used to the "new" look, however that hand, wand, and the words EPCOT will always have special place in my heart. Cheesy...I know.

[Magic Fanatic]

Now that the arm and wand are going to be removed Disney can move forward with that Callaway Golf sponsorship and have a 550 foot long Great Big Bertha making contact. After all, Spaceship Earth is teed up perfectly!

[gauvin4]

I've never seen it without the hand and wand...so for me, it's going to look like something is missing...kinda plain!

Ditto!

[brownie]

I din't mind it, but I'm glad it's coming down. I like Spaceship Earth better without it.

[GrumpyFan]

I never had a problem with the wand....just the hat at MGM!

I'll be sad to see it go. But, at least we have some pictures of it for memories.

[Dsnygirl]

I guess I'm not a purist, b/c I liked the hand & the wand... I'll miss seeing it. Not that I disliked the "plain" sphere, but I liked the Mickey touch. Oh well - it certainly won't change how much I like the park - the sphere will just look empty (to me) for awhile.

[ariel03]

I for one am happy it is coming down. I have never been to Epcot without it being there and have always wanted it back the way the original imagineers had invisioned it.

For all of those who are upset that the wand is coming down please remember that you are also the people who want the world to go back the way it used to be in the past and this is just a step towards that direction.

[mainemajor]

Hip, Hip, Hooray

[Disneyatic]

How disruptive do you think the dismantling will be?
We are going in September and I read that there will be a crane in MK also because of the castle Christmas decorating.....

We are going to have some interesting photos with cranes!

[mickeysworld]

YIPPEE!!! It's about time!

[Jeff G]

I prefer Spaceship Earth without the wand so this is good news. If I had a choice I would have preferred that they get rid of the monoliths at the entrance of EPCOT and kept the wand.

We ordered the most recent vacation planning video that arrived a week or so ago and in two seperate scenes they showed Spaceship Earth without the wand so this news didn't strike me as a surprise.

[DrumTastik]

Awesome, just awesome. EPCOT is getting a lot of love these days, and for good reason. Now what do you think will replace WOL......

[Roo Girl]

I am really bummed. The hand & wand never bothered me like it so bothered others. I liked the festive, sparkly greeting and it gave the ball that exciting and interesting preview for the greatness that is Epcot. It's not a big deal because Epcot is still my favorite of all the parks but I really liked the hand & wand. I hate to say it (and I know the purists totally don't agree) but it gave a bit of Mickey to Epcot- Epcot isn't very "Disney" if you know what I mean- I know it wasn't envisioned that way by Walt but it is a Disney park. Just the hint of Mickey Mouse's arm on the ball was enough to get me so happy to be there. I know it sounds silly...

[animalkingdomguy]

Frankly it about time. I have never understood the logic behind having a huge sign on the ball telling everyone that this is EPCOT. After traveling by car, bus or monorail and reading hearing or seeing that you are approaching or entering EPCOT do you really need a sign. SSE is sign enough. It is the icon of EPCOT. It would be like putting a similar sign structure on the rock face at Mount Rushmore. If you can figure out that you are at EPCOT without the wand, stars and huge name, you have got serious problems that require immediate and possibly prolonged medical assistance.

[countrycharmer]

Our entire family is very sad about this change.... our very first trip to Epcot was in 2000 when this was up and to us it is part of the "Childhood" Memories for my kids!!

Even my husband said that it is a shame they are taking it down. My girls are very confused, because everytime we go we take a family photo in front of it; now things will be different!! Not very happy about this, but not like I have a choice!!!

[Stickey]

The wand added character to the golf ball, especially at night.

After Siemens, the next sponsor will be Nike Golf, or Titleist. It can be Spaceship Earth, version fore.

[LSUgirl07]

I'm with you, Ricbr- I leave in TWO days for WDW, with our first Epcot day being on Monday. If there if a crane next to Spaceship Earth, I will be . Not only can I not goooo on SE, I can't even take good pictures with it! Who wants a big stinkin construction site in their picture? I didn't mind the wand really. I thought it looked cool at night, but it doesn't bother me that it's coming down. What DOES bother me is the short notice of this announcement. Whatever, I'll still have fun, but I really don't want my friend's first time seeing Epcot ruined by some huge crane.

[TheAdventurer]

This totally makes up for SSE being closed during my next trip!!

[Stu29573]

Having first seen just the "pure" ball, I always thought the sign looked like it was just tacked on. I don't really care one way or the other, but it's actually suprising to me that it took this long to take down what was obviously to me a temporary decoration.

P.S. I really hate golf and never thought it looked like a golf ball.....