MerfCot and the Merftempory Resort 8/21

[NASAMan]

Merf is it true you live in Arizona? and you went all the way to Epcot today?

Um.. no. I live near Tampa. I still have no idea why folks think I live in AZ.

Tampa - Tempe. It's a vowel thing!

BTW, although I have not been to Epcot since the dewanding commenced, on my drive back to NASAland from my kids in Claremont I took the detour through property to show my DW the beautiful buckyball that makes SSE. Since it was around 10PM, the parking lot gates were open (unattended) so we drove right in and up to the entrance. The discussion on the way home was the use of the 'magic' theme at MK and 'technology and the world' at Epcot, and how the juxtaposition of the magic wand over SSE detracted from the theming of both parks (hey, we've been married 29 years, so we have to have something to talk about!) She asked if they could erect the wand somewhere else. I thought, by replacing the word 'Epcot' with 'Disney', it might fit over Planet Hollywood at DTD. Seen from I-4, it would be visible for quite a distance and could be the 'icon' for that area.

Anyway, Merf, great pics!

 

[mousefan1972]

Thanks for the great pics. It's nice to see what's going on in WDW despite being so far away. We all appreciate you taking the time to post them!! (well, at least I do and I'm sure everyone else does, too!)

So, you're from around Tampa.... are you a Devil Rays fan??

GO SOX!!!!

 

[michaelcostella]

Thanks for the pics! Everything looks great!

 

[800Miles2Magic]

Great pics again Merf!!

Is it just me or does it seem that the 4th floor of the Contemporary is the most remodeled place in all of Walt Disney World. :shrug:

 

[PhilharMagician]

Thanks for the update Merf. Great Job as always!!

What caught me is the fact that there is now a place that you can get ice cream cookie sandwiches with your choice of flavors.:sohappy: I was so bummed when they stopped making them at the Main Street Ice Cream Shop @ MK. They are available at the Bakery, but vanilla only.

 

[WV_Jayola]

I have a retro hat question... How do they fit? Are they adjustable in the back, or flex-fit, or what? also, would you say they would fit someone with a...uhm.....*larger* head?

I absolutely love the way the hats look, but I have this common problem of getting hats that don't tend to fit my oversized noggin.. I am seriously considering ordering one of these, but just want to make sure I'm not wasting my time.

Also, Merf....thank you for all of these pictures. It's great to have an update from someone who lives local enough to get us up the minute images of what's going down. Thanks, again!

jeff.

 

[prberk]

That store at the Contemporary looks really stupid. Its like its in the middle of no where with walls around it Whats the point of the walls?

Hear, hear! I COMPLETELY agree!

I liked that open area to walk around and relax, with monorails wisking by overhead and the sounds and smells of Chef Mickey's next door...

The open space was nice.

Paul

 

[jmuboy]

I disagree, I like the new "free form" shop and the clever theming. Maybe I'm just simple. There will be plenty of other sitting areas on the Concourse Level still.

 

[Now Is The Time]

Hear, hear! I COMPLETELY agree!

I liked that open area to walk around and relax, with monorails wisking by overhead and the sounds and smells of Chef Mickey's next door...

The open space was nice.

Paul

I couldn't agree more. Looks really cluttered to me. I don't get it.

 

[doop]

Excellent pictures merf, SSE looks fantastic.

 

[mousermerf]

I agree - i dont get why they changed the design. They axed the mary blair mural tie-in carpet and the lighted trees which were a nod to the original contemporary's design.

Here's what was posted on the walls last time they had the area boarded up:

Who knows why they changed it, but i hate the new Mickey-ear version. I will NOT stay at the Contemporary.

They got rid of Mickey's arm and wand so they have to throw up giant ears. God, i hate these designers sometimes.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

^I liked that version the best. Why did they have to change it?!

 

[tirian]

You're a few minutes late - the park just closed. Maybe the cart outside the entrance will still be open, though i don't recall seeing them there as EpcotServo did. Maybe they sold out?

I know. It was a figure of speech.

 

[mousermerf]

^I liked that version the best. Why did they have to change it?!

Cuz they're idiots. Again - I will NOT stay at the Contemporary Resort. I had been planning on spending tons of time there when the renovation was complete, even trying the various suites, but my interest has dwindled as the time for this refurb has been lengthened and now this?

To heck with it, it's now my least favorite WDW resort.

 

[prberk]

I agree - i dont get why they changed the design. They axed the mary blair mural tie-in carpet and the lighted trees which were a nod to the original contemporary's design.

Here's what was posted on the walls last time they had the area boarded up:

Who knows why they changed it, but i hate the new Mickey-ear version. I will NOT stay at the Contemporary.

They got rid of Mickey's arm and wand so they have to throw up giant ears. God, i hate these designers sometimes.

I do like that version a little better -- more airy and open. The new version appears anything but open. It looks cluttered.

I also agree on the giant mouse ears. Completely tacky and anything but "Contemporary" in this setting. They are, I'm sure, a nod to the silver ones out by the marina which are smaller and made for a picture spot (see attached photo).

But inside I think the MM ears are just obnoxious.

Paul

 

[devoy1701]

This wall is more interesting - they're installing stroller parking behind the Seas photo op.






Enouh wall nonsense.. Lookie! New signage!

But yes, it IS affixed the tarpy canopy plaza stuff. Oh well.. But they're removing the paitn for the canopies over Fountain View - so those are definately going.

I like that the new signs say EPCOT and not Epcot....though I dunno if that's just because they capped all the letters on the sign...

and I like the design for the contemporary store too! I personally don't think that there is enough Mickey in some of the resorts and this new store design incorporates Mickey very tastefully. Wand=not tasteful. Classic Mickey entrance way=tasteful.

 

[fyn]

Merf,

The pictures are *greatly* appreciated. Can anyone support Enigma's claim that Epcot will soon be called Epcot Center?

 

[RiversideBunny]

When do we get to see a picture of mousermerf and posssibly the merf mobile?

The world is waiting...

:animwink:

 

[mousermerf]

When do we get to see a picture of mousermerf and posssibly the merf mobile?

The world is waiting...

:animwink:

Well, this die-cast 1:18 model of the merfmobile sells on eBay for about $80

 

[kubfish]

Awesome pics Merf. Gave me chills to see Epcot how I remember it as a kid.

Never saw the wand so never had an opinion on it. But I like how it looks in the pics for sure.

They going to run the Retro clothes all year? I definitely want a few retro shirts.