Update: I originally published a longer version of this article on November 17, 2006.
The Epcot Icon Tower—the hand-and-wand structure at Spaceship Earth—lasted from the Millenium Celebration until mid-2007.
For more information, please read Epcot’s Icon Tower at Spaceship Earth.
— Werner Weiss
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The
Not-So-Temporary
Epcot Hand and Wand
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The Millennium Celebration Icon
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There have been numerous Internet bulletin board postings and blog articles lamenting how the 25-story growth on the side of Spaceship Earth detracted from the magnificent sphere.
But enough of this negativity!
Let’s take a positive look at the hand and wand…
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The hand and wand, still there in 2006
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Maybe the Sorcerer Mickey hand and wand weren’t that bad.
Things could be much worse.
I repeat, things could be much worse.
For example…
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How about a Mike Wazowski makeover?
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Pixar has created a bunch of unforgettable characters, which are now part of numerous Disney theme park rides and shows.
Perhaps Mike Wazowski from the 2001 Disney/Pixar movie Monsters, Inc.
is more relevant to today’s audiences than Sorcerer Mickey.
But having Spaceship Wazowski looming over Future World would be a bit much.
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Captain Jack Sparrow strikes again!
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Considering the success of
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and the even greater success of
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006),
it’s no surprise that Audio-Animatronic Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow
now makes three appearances in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride
at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.
Fortunately, Captain Jack Sparrow hasn’t been added to the Spaceship Earth ride.
Otherwise, the narration might go like this: “Phoenician merchants established the earliest commercial highways, trading goods and information at distant ports of call—and there’s
Captain Jack Sparrow trading with them.
Watch out, Phoenicians!”
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Everyone loves Stitch, right?
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Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2002) added a highly marketable new character to Disney’s roster.
Stitch’s popularity on tee shirts, pins, beach towels, and other merchandise rivals that of the classic Disney characters.
However, we can be glad that there’s not a 25-story Stitch head (to the top of the ears) at Epcot.
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Spaceship Earth with the tower Photoshopped away away
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Hmmmmm… Spaceship Earth doesn’t need to be dressed up. It looks great all by itself.
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© 2007-2022 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks
Updated January 7, 2022
Photograph of the Millennium Celebration icon (wand with 2000): 2001 by Allen Huffman.
Photograph of Spaceship Earth with wand and “Epcot”: 2006 by Werner Weiss.
“Photoshopped” Spaceship Earth with Mike Wazowski makeover: 2006 by Werner Weiss.
“Photoshopped” Spaceship Earth with Captain Jack Sparrow hat: 2006 by Werner Weiss.
“Photoshopped” Spaceship Earth with Stitch makeover: 2006 by Werner Weiss.
“Photoshopped” Spaceship Earth with grandeur restored: 2006 by Werner Weiss.
Characters © Disney/Pixar and Disney
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