Epcot VP Announces Removal of Mickey Mouse Arm and Wand Structure

[handa]

Hopefully, two more things will happen:

1. An opening (re-opening?) of paths around either side of SSE for direct access to Energy and The Seas.

2. Yes, I'd love to see the big hat at MGM go away (maybe move the Earful Tower to a more central location). I always thought it was redundant because there is a big sorcerer hat at ASMovies.

IMO only, I always thought that the simplicity of SE spoke volumes, so the big wand left behind after the celebration in 2000 was a big distraction. Some liked the change, but I honestly thought it was a short-term thing that satyed a bit too long.

I would feel the same way if Cinderella Castle were still dressed up to look like a big pink birthday cake since the late 90s. (I'll admit that I did like the new lighting and characters added for the 50th, though)

Chris

[JPL]

[gwfx1031]

I think the sorcerer's hat at MGM is an eye sore too. I miss looking down HB and seeing the theater.

[Jeff]

I will be sad to see it go.
I liked the Arm and Wand!

[Magic Smiles]

I've never seen Epcot without the hand and want. I will surely miss it!

[dixielandings]

Zipadeedoodah! About time. I didn't mind it for a time but Epcot is a statlier Park than the others and the big Mickey hand, while I love the Mouse, seemed really out of place. I'll be glad to see it like it was the first time I passed through the gates! Now if we could just get rid of those big granite picture thingies...

[DisneyJunkie]

Woo hoo! That idiotic, trashy-looking eyesore shall be gone! It took them long enough, but I guess they really DO love Spaceship Earth and care how things look. I've hated that stupid wand since day 1.....now my Sept 2008 is looking much brighter already!

[Clay Ransone]

It's about time! I hope the Leave a Legacy junk is next to go at Epcot. Now if we can get the folks over at MGM to take notice and remove the stupid hat I would be thrilled.

[Tinkerkel]

I will miss the hand, but I'll be happy to see SSE in it's original form. DD9 will be sad I think, she's never seen SSE w/o the glittery hand Now, something I wouldn't cry over never seeing again...the Leave a Legacy stones. I think it's really a nice idea but it totally takes away from the simplicity of that area.

[Dr. Disney]

Here's 2 better ideas:

1. Remove the Leave a Legacy 'Tombstones"

and

2. Remove that rediculous hat at Disney Studios

[PirateLover]

I'm kind of surprised at some of the condescending attitudes that continue despite the good news. I for one don't care whether the wand stays or goes but if I did hate it I would still respect that many like it. You are getting your wish, why do you have to continue to bash it when you can see how many are genuinely saddened by it's departure? I hate the placement of the Sorcerer's Hat at MGM but I don't sit here and constantly bash it or those who like it.

And for the record, I don't think it was trashy at all. It added nothing during the day but at night I thought it looked pretty cool. And do we really need to bring the Leave a Legacy stones into this again!! OK, so they aren't the most beautifully designed structures ever and they might be better served elsewhere, but I along with many others have a picture on there and I don't really appreciate the structures being called tombstones or junk.

And by the way.... do you really think they will leave it alone now?? I'm sure something else will go on there... maybe just a few sparkles that are only seen at night... but this is Disney we are talking about here.

[GAN]

Is there any truth to the rumor that they intend on mounting the "Leave a Legacy" tombstones to SSE after removing the wand?

[DisneyDudet]

From when I was 6 years old, Epcot was my favorite park. What 6 year old makes a HUGE park full of countries their fave over MK? This one did. I LOVED SSE.

It will be great to have some digital pics w/o the wand and hand. I didn't like it at all. I tolerated it. I still took countless pictures of it.

I can't wait to see SSE the way it was originally envisioned, the SSE I fell in love with when I was 6 years old...

[ChipDale]

Ding dong, the eyesore is dead!

I hated that ugly thing from the moment they put it up. Good riddance!

[Doug The Disney Man`]

I am happy that it is coming down and as has been noted in this thread several times already the only constant at any Disney park is change. When asked when Disneyland would be finished, even Walt said never.

I thought that it looked out of place as well. I would wager that SOMETHING will replace it eventually, too. Whether we'll like that or not is yet to be seen, assuming they actually do put up something else.

And while I am happy that the arm is coming down, I hope that it is merely a sign of other more important potential forthcoming changes at Epcot. Like a new show in place of HISTA. An update on Energy (at least refilm the Jeopardy! part with a non-mustachioed Alex! Ha!). And something where WoL sits. I'm more excited to see the new SSE ride and post- show stuff. Of course, I leave in 2 days so I'll be lucky to see the old SSE ride this time, but I'm sure we'll make the trip again in the next year or two.

I can't wait to leave!!!!
"There's a party inside and it wants out!" -my DW.

[AvonleaCF]

I for one am VERY happy to see the wand go! SSE doesn't need embelishment. Epcot is not supposed to be like the Magic Kingdom. It's a completely different park with a completely different theme. And as for some saying their kids will be upset, well, kids are resilient. I doubt they'll even mind once they're there.

Now the Legacy tombstones need to go and be replaced by the gardens that once occupied that space. Oh and get rid of the hat at MGM. Then we'll be all set (but then I'm also one who can't stand when they add decorations to the castle, even at Christmas). You can't please all.

[SgtTigger]

I will like to go next time and Not see the wand.....
Now they just need to light it like it was before the wand went up....
I also wish the would laser write on it like they use to.........


Hey it only took 8 years to get it down so the Hat at MGM has a while before that happens....

[pogo]

Change is change....... and this change we can't stop so why complain.

Look on the bright side..... now we can look at a bare naked shiny ball.

[Lizzie]

I also have never seen SE without the wand.

[SteveL]

[QUOTE=BMan62;1345068]I think the only time I have seen SSE without the wand was in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but
2001: A Space Odyssey was released somewhere around 1968 (I was still in high school), long before EPCOT/SSE was built.
Heck, that was even before the MK was built.