In celebration of the year 2000, a large 25-story "magic wand" held by a representation of Mickey Mouse's hand was built next to the sphere. Inspiration for it came from the Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence of Fantasia (although, oddly enough, Mickey did not use a magic wand in that sequence). At the top of the structure was a large cut out of the number 2000. The structure was originally not meant to be permanent; it was intended to have only lasted for one year. After the Millennium Celebration ended, the structure was left standing due to financial issues. The number 2000 was replaced with the word "Epcot" in a script font which differs from the park's logotype. On the morning of July 5, 2007, after years of speculation, it was officially announced by Epcot Vice President Jim MacPhee that Spaceship Earth would be restored to its original appearance and that the "magic wand" structure would be removed in time for the park's 25th anniversary on October 1st.
In celebration of the year 2000, a large 25-story "magic wand" held by a representation of Mickey Mouse's hand was built next to the sphere. Inspiration for it came from the Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence of Fantasia (although, oddly enough, Mickey did not use a magic wand in that sequence). At the top of the structure was a large cut out of the number 2000. The structure was originally not meant to be permanent; it was intended to have only lasted for one year. After the Millennium Celebration ended, the structure was left standing due to financial issues. The number 2000 was replaced with the word "Epcot" in a script font which differs from the park's logotype. On the morning of July 5, 2007, after years of speculation, it was officially announced by Epcot Vice President Jim MacPhee that Spaceship Earth would be restored to its original appearance and that the "magic wand" structure would be removed in time for the park's 25th anniversary on October 1st.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceship_Earth_%28Disney%29