Epcot sign coming down, Spaceship Earth rehab beginning

The refurbishment seems pretty exciting. Unfortunately, this is one of many that will be going on during my visit in September. I also have to contend with a closed Haunted Mansion and Rock'n'Roller Coaster.

It's about time that stupid sign came down. I liked it during the Millennium celebration. But, it was never supposed to stay up past that time. The Sorcerer's hat at MGM was supposed to come down too. That destroys the forced perspective of Hollywood Boulevard with Grauman's Chinese Theater as the backdrop. All for a pin trading kiosk too.

While I realize it's a sign and not a ride, I was surprised it was allowed to be constructed in the first place. I was always under the impression that the entire Orlando area had a 200ft construction ceiling.

I don't know whether to be happy that thing is finally coming down, or if I should be pissed it took so long to come down, or if I should just be pissed the uglyass thing was ever built to begin with.

A little of all three I guess. ;)

http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html

RollerCoastin - The big old Geodome thing is a ride. It is Spaceship Earth and the ride is inside.

^ I believe he was talking about the sign, not the ride.

RollerCoastin - AFAIK the 200 ceiling was more of a Disney guideline than actual law. I was always under the impression that anything over 200 feet had to have a beacon at the top for aircrafts in the area, and that Disney didn't want beacons flashing on top of all their rides distracting guests from the whole night experience. YMMV, of course.

As for the sign - I never had a real problem with it, but I'm pleased that it's coming down. It's more "original" without it - or something.

Now if only they'd get rid of that stupid graveyard crap right in front of the ball then we'd be all set =)

Any idea of what the refurbishment will be? Just an update or are they gutting it?

^ I'm pretty sure they can't gut it - at least without a ton of work. IIRC the ride is actually part of the support structure.

I remember the rumor that they were going to gut the whole thing and put in a roller coaster. But then, like rOLLocOASt said, they found out that the structure of the ball is holding up the ride.

halltd - Word around the campfire at the Disney Studios is that the hat was erected for the sole purpose of blocking the theatre as the theatre (and the Mann brand) was sold to WB/Paramount a few years back. Disney, not wanting (and rumored to not be allowed under some licensing terms) the centerpiece of their park the new "icon" for the competition, decided to build something to block the view of the theatre. Has Disney ever confirmed that? No, but that seems to be the big-time rumor around the studios and seems to make sense.*** This post was edited by Andrew 7/7/2007 6:27:30 AM ***

I will miss that part of Epcot, Since my family is in the DVC I remember staying at the Boardwalk and looking out our window and seeing the Epcot Sign. Also rOLLocOASt was right in the fact that Disney set guide lines for how tall the rides are, look at EE and T of T they both clock in at 199 feet tall coincidence I think not. Also that actually might be a little Disney fib and they might be taller, just like what SGDK did with V2.

Fair Well to the old parts of SpaceShip Earth.

the giant hand removal is probably the best new i have heard in years. It did not fit at all, and made Spaceship Earth look tacky and it was an eyesore! I couldn't be happier with this news, it brings some class back to EPCOT that it took away!!

I have many thoughts about that big golf ball, but "classy" isn't one of them...

I just came from a week at disney. IT looks like they already started the refurb this past week. There were many dark areas that I remember there being things.

They released a press release about the refurb. They will be adding touch screens to each car and the ending will be interactive. Also the last third of the ride will also be changed. I was there this past week and already noticed some things taken out of the last third.

Interesting majortom. Maybe they've had enough complaints about the removal of Horizons that they've decided to add an aspect of it into the refurbished SSE.

I'm glad the hand is coming down. Like Tim, I thought it was a cool touch for the millennium (with 2000 instead of Epcot) but that's as long as it should have lasted.

The wording of the release is interesting too. Disney has not made any mention of an EPCOT 25 year anniversary celebration at all, but they seem to hint that they will have one starting in October. I really hope they do.

Also, remember Disney owns Lake Buena Vista (the town/city that Disney is actually in). They can set their own requirements for height variances etc, except where the FAA has already mandated something. Its not up to the City of Orlando to make such decisions.

Here's some pics of the wand coming down.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2007/07/no-more-ot-at-e.html