8/31 Epcot, Yak and Yeti, Contemporary Photos

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by jane2073

We were also at Epcot on Friday. I was afraid that Spaceship Earth would look bald and weird without the wand and name; but I was wrong-it looks very majestic.

I've seen a lot of people saying that (those who never saw SE pre-wand). I am so happy that it is back to normal! I can't wait until those canopies come down, though.

[ultramm]

Great pics! It has been soo long I did forget what it looked like without the wand. Get to see it in 7 weeks when going for the ToT 13K

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by ultramm

Great pics! It has been soo long I did forget what it looked like without the wand. Get to see it in 7 weeks when going for the ToT 13K

Thanks, it looks SO different being back to normal. Epcot actually looks like Epcot again.

Good luck with your 13K! It seems like there are runs going on all year long, I need to train for one of them.

[tofubeast]

Thank you so much for you ongong photo essays! It has been so much fun watching that darn wand come down down down! SSE looks stunning once again. Can't wait to see it in less than 6 weeks.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by tofubeast

Thank you so much for you ongong photo essays! It has been so much fun watching that darn wand come down down down! SSE looks stunning once again. Can't wait to see it in less than 6 weeks.

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed them! It is hard to go to Epcot and not just stare at it now, it's great to have it back.

[WDW1974]

Originally Posted by nbodyhome

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed them! It is hard to go to Epcot and not just stare at it now, it's great to have it back.

I have a suspicion that more of the original EPCOT Center will be returning ... I'm hearing lots of positive vibes from all sorts of behind the scenes spirits!

And I don't mean necessarily old stuff returning, so much as a return to the feeling and type of experiences that EC was known for.

The 25th with any luck, some great leadership from Jim MacPhee and some money from Burbank is just the start of a new era for the park that made me a Disney geek for life!

[Bill]

^ Ha, wonder where you got that idea.

Epcot's 25th looks to be very nice. You will be pleased.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by WDW1974

I have a suspicion that more of the original EPCOT Center will be returning ... I'm hearing lots of positive vibes from all sorts of behind the scenes spirits!

That is the way it feels, actually - except for everything being boarded up.

I'd still love to see the original Imagination return. But overall, the park is looking great - the wand/hand coming down is a HUGE step in the right direction.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by Bill

^ Ha, wonder where you got that idea.

Epcot's 25th looks to be very nice. You will be pleased.

I'll be there (with my camera!) I can't wait. I'll be onsite for 10 days leading up to that as well, I hope they take the canopies down by then too.

I guess I'll be heading over to the AKL on Friday to see if I can get any construction pics (those are the ones I get asked about the most now!)

[WDW1974]

Originally Posted by Bill

^ Ha, wonder where you got that idea.

Epcot's 25th looks to be very nice. You will be pleased.

Oh, Young Bill, my tentacles reach into many dark recesses (no jokes) ... you'd be surprised at how much people are talking now. Even some who reside in Northern California!

The sad thing is all the people who couldn't care less about the 25th and wanted nothing at all, even a pre-opening CM only moment, will be out there with the media front and center on the first taking credit for all that has been done in a scant few months.

Inoverheadmeg might yet regret pushing Rexie out for someone who understands exactly what EPCOT is all about. She created a monster who won't go back to hiding under the bed when the spotlight is away!

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by WDW1974

The sad thing is all the people who couldn't care less about the 25th and wanted nothing at all, even a pre-opening CM only moment, will be out there with the media front and center on the first taking credit for all that has been done in a scant few months.

So who should be taking credit, besides the 16 year old who wanted to see the Epcot 25th celebrated? (Jim McPhee, I am assuming!) It is too bad they decided to extend the "Year of a Million Dreams" as opposed to making a real celebration of Epcots 25th.

I guess I can say I have one of my dreams, since the wand is now down! If they want to fulfill the other one, they can demolish the hat. I don't need an all-day fastpass.

[tcsnwhite]

Originally Posted by WDW1974

I have a suspicion that more of the original EPCOT Center will be returning ... I'm hearing lots of positive vibes from all sorts of behind the scenes spirits!

And I don't mean necessarily old stuff returning, so much as a return to the feeling and type of experiences that EC was known for.

The 25th with any luck, some great leadership from Jim MacPhee and some money from Burbank is just the start of a new era for the park that made me a Disney geek for life!

Reminds me of the late 03-04 up to 2005 era when Matt freshly arrived at DLR (with Greg Emmer) and breathed new life into the place...and helped DL turn a corner and ready it for its 50th.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by tcsnwhite

Reminds me of the late 03-04 up to 2005 era when Matt freshly arrived at DLR (with Greg Emmer) and breathed new life into the place...and helped DL turn a corner and ready it for its 50th.

I didn't make it during the 50th celebration, but I thought there had originally been more planned (including more money) and it was scaled back?

[tcsnwhite]

^What? The only thing I know of that got scaled back (but seems to be going into full effect now) was taking 5 major attractions and giving them major 21st century updates.
Much of the other stuff I believe was planned a bit already, but Matt and Greg, as far as I know, did push for many things, and greatly beefed up the resort wide refurbs before the anniversary. I don't know the whole story, but from what I was told, Paul/then Jay and Cynthia's 50th anniversary probably wouldn't have had quite the same touch.
I believe Matt saw the potential for the subs to return, and pushed for that as well.

What I was referring to when WDW1974 made his comments is that Jim and company coming to Epcot and what is currently going on there now (and how it all makes the fans feel) reminds me of how us Disneylanders felt when Matt and Greg and company arrived and set a new face for DL and the resort as a whole leading up to the 50th.