Epcot Sign

[Pumbas Nakasak]

You neednt worry that the original definition of E.P.C.O.T. will be cast into history. Hundreds of pub quizzes here in the UK will see to that.
As for the Hand I think it adds a little something. As it was shut for refurb on my first visit i just thought it was a sign anyway. Its now my fav thing at epcot and a few bits off metal on the outside is not going to change that.

 

[disneyfamily]

Me NO likey....and why dont they project the earth spinning in laser light at the end of the fireworks display anymore ? I thought that was so cool...

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Originally posted by Maria


I agree with you. SE is such a structural marvel that it takes away some of it when you see the wand next to it... I was there while the put the 2000 up and it looked cool and a way to remind you in your pictures of what year you were there, but after that, I don´t think the word "Epcot" is neccesary on top of SE.

Also, WDWFreak, I am part of that 1% who understand what you are talking about, but I´m afraid to tell you that Epcot used to stand for "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow", but not anymore. Since they started with the Millennium Celebration, it was taken away, cast members (myself included) were told to encourage the fact that it didn´t stand for that anymore, and Epcot became a single word to name that park. I understand your pain because we all know where it came from, but such is life... :animwink:

Thanks Maria,

But, from what you are saying...They are telling castmembers to encourage killing Walt's Vision of what the park was designed for??? Oh well...not much I can do about it It'll always have 5 little periods in the name to me

 

[RobFL]

Epcot as it stands today, and was designed originally, has nothing to do with Walt's vision for EPCOT.

EPCOT Center (the original design) tried to pretend it was the heart of the mythical EPCOT. Still, it did not reflect Walt's design and was in no manner reminiscent of any of his plans.

Celebration became the modern version of the proposed EPCOT.

Epcot, as we know it today, has nothing to do with Walt's ideals. It was a labor of love for many other designers who people completely forget and whose ideas others try to attribute to Walt. I find this a bit disraceful, as the Disney company had been promoting this idea for several years and even in their own publications.

Epcot is different. It is a discovery park. You are meant to explore and learn as you delve deeper than surface level into its world. However, the ansers are only revealed to those willing to look and ask questions - not the typical tourist. Because if you look you'll discover it's nothing like what you thought it to be, most certainly not an EPCOT of Walt's design and not truly the Epcot the advertising agency is trying to sell you either.

Epcot is a monument to the accomplishments of humanity - be it cultural or innovational. That is simply all there is to it.

-Rob

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I understand that EPCOT is NOTHING what Walt intended it to be...Walt's vision of EPCOT is only seen in ONE location in all of WDW (other than One Man's Dream) and that is the model inside of Space Mountain...and even that isn't a true replica...because if you notice, there is a ferris wheel in the model...Walt HATED traveling carnivals and "throw-together" attractions.

E.P.C.O.T. Center was NEVER Walt's vision...but it STILL stood for "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" and it was STILL the same park (more or less) as it is today. It just seems like it's a kick in the teeth for the people who designed Epcot Center and THEIR interpretations of Walt's Vision.

 

[CmdrTostada]

I dont think the EPCOT sign should be on spaceship earth. Spaceship Earth is a marvel in its self. It was the first geodesic dome to be raised off the ground.

 

[kaos]

Originally posted by kaos
Epcot opened in 1982 as EPCOT Center and was to be a permenant park with varying attractions coming and going. In the late 80's, when the Disney characters were added, the "Center" was dropped, and to reaffirm that that attractions were ideally supposed to come and go like a permenant World's Fair, the name would have the corresponding year in it (EPCOT '96) and so on. When the concept of the changing attractions was dropped, EPCOT '99 was dropped, and the park became simply Epcot. Epcot is now a word recognized in the english language and I believe that one of the collegiate dictionaries actaully has an entry in it with Epcot as a proper noun.

This is my understanding of the names... If I have any of the details wrong, please correct them.

Also,
When I first heard about the giant hand, the first thought that went through my head was of the pepto cake. When I saw the hand, I wondered how we ever felt so strongly about Spaceship Earth's iconic standing without the hand. Yes, it is the icon of the park, but further to that, the Sorceror Mickey's hand does add to the Epcot experience because it reinforces those idea's and values that Walt was instilling into this strange new world he was creating in Florida. The Mickey hand is a very tiny reminder of the ultimate dream of the modern worlds first dreamer and innovator. Long live the Sorcerer Mickey hand, spreading magic dust on the centerpiece of the World. Now, the stupid laser-etched marble things......

OK. I stuck this way back on page 1 of the thread... Here it is again.

And, I just want to say, when I voted, the not likers were kicking the likers butt... nice to see that it is almost even. Remember, You can't please all of the people all of the time. And, opinions are like a%@#$%^s... everyone has one, and it's usually the ones that don't agree with yours that upset you. hehe

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

well said, stingrock23! and pheneix, you took the words right out of my mouth! kaos, my first trip to WDW was in 1992, and I remember it being called EPCOT Center...from my memory, it was called that for quite a while after i started going....so i'm pretty sure it was after the 80's when they dropped the Center.
as for 'Epcot' over SE, i hate it! it's so tacky! i loved the '2000', but for some reason the 'Epcot' is just so ugly! and as stingrock said, why do you have to be reminded of what park your in? if you have to have the 'Epcot' to know that, your in the wrong place! i mean, it's like having a magic wand and 'Magic Kingdom' overtop the castle! or 'Animal Kingdom' overtop the Tree of Life! it's ridiculous!

 

[kaos]

You're right. It was Called EPCOT Center until the early 90's... See??? If I'm wrong, I'll admit it. And, if anyone is longing for days gone by, Coral Reef still uses the drink stirrers from EPCOT Center. My bro stole mine and took it home in bubble wrap...

ahhhhhh the memories

 

[kaos]

and the discussion continues....

 

[shaelyn]

While I do not like it, I can tolerate it. The one thing I really miss is the lazer globe on SsE after Illuminations. Maybe I'm mixing things up, but I swear they did it last year (05) when I was there? This year, before Illuminations there was a green laser trained on SsE, so I got excited, but then nothin'.

 

[autumndawn1006]

At least they changed the name before they put the sign up. Epcot Center or Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow would be even tackier on top of SE.