Mickey Hand and Wand getting removed from SSE

**TrendyMagic** · 07-05-2007, 02:41 PM

Just found this and thought I would share:

Mickey Mouse gloved hand and wand to be removed from Spaceship Earth

As we did with Cinderella Castle for our 50th anniversary celebration, from time to time, we add special treatments to our icons to enhance or “dress them up” for our celebrations and then restore them back to their original state. As a result, beginning July 9, the Mickey Mouse gloved hand and wand treatment that was installed on Spaceship Earth at Epcot as part of the Millennium Celebration and then updated for the 100 years of Magic celebration will be removed. The timing was ideal to restore Spaceship Earth to its original, classic look, since the venue was already scheduled for enhancement work through November. We anticipate the restoration effort will be complete by mid-September.

Many people have asked if the structure will be donated to a local museum or park, but since it is going to take nearly three months to remove, it is doubtful that it will be maintained in one piece. In addition, the size of Mickey’s gloved hand, the wand and the “Epcot” logo weigh nearly 50 tons and each letter in the logo is 36 feet tall. Those letters are also covered with more than 250,000 reflective eye-catchers.

**Timbo** · 07-05-2007, 03:57 PM

Confirmation from the Sun-Sentinel (Broward County, Florida):
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Mickey Mouse arm, wand coming down from Epcot sphere at Disney World
Scott Powers
Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted July 5 2007

The 257-foot-tall Mickey Mouse arm, glove and wand logo structure at Epcot is coming down.
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Full story here: Mickey Mouse arm, wand coming down from Epcot sphere at Disney World: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

**Disney05** · 07-05-2007, 05:52 PM

I don't know. I have mixed feelings about it coming down. I like it with or without the hand. Can't make up my mind. The hand was the only Disney looking thing there.

**gonesouthin** · 07-05-2007, 06:07 PM

Finally!

**nicks10** · 07-05-2007, 06:09 PM

I think I'll kinda miss it, because I've never been to Epcot without it there.... But it will also be cool to see SSE in its original glory!

**MayBWeRMnt2B** · 07-05-2007, 06:23 PM

hee hee hee! i was waiting for this to be posted!

**cheshire_cat_81** · 07-05-2007, 06:25 PM

O man it is about time!!!! And now that Leave a Legacy is closed, maybe they'll take those stones out of the courtyard. Bring back the acrylic fountain sculpture!

**bucknut20** · 07-05-2007, 06:57 PM

I've been waiting to hear this for so long.

**AAADisneyFan** · 07-05-2007, 07:57 PM

Works for me!!!

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-05-2007, 08:12 PM

I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done...I forgot what it looked like. I seen it w/o the wand when I was little but know I will be able to see it and remember it.

Check this out to see it progress: InstaCam Time Lapse V7.6

In the box next to Every: scroll down to All, then click Start, then increase the speed if desired.

**skiyalater** · 07-05-2007, 08:15 PM

I was just looking at the insta cam and does anyone know why the lights on the wand go on and off a few times during the middle of the night like one and three am?

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-05-2007, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by skiyalater

I was just looking at the insta cam and does anyone know why the lights on the wand go on and off a few times during the middle of the night like one and three am?

I wondered that too.

**MayBWeRMnt2B** · 07-05-2007, 09:03 PM

whoa... jason... yo u posted! I didn't even realize it was you posting until I checked it again. Hi!

**angharad** · 07-05-2007, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by skiyalater

I was just looking at the insta cam and does anyone know why the lights on the wand go on and off a few times during the middle of the night like one and three am?

Standard maintenance, testing, or run-throughs are my guess.

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-05-2007, 09:42 PM

Don't worry it's just a joke!
Here's the story: Yesterland Side Trip: The Epcot Hand and Wand

Sorry if I scared you, these were just too good to pass up!