Anyone here rode Spaceship Earth for the 1st time as an adult?

[DebbieB]

My first WDW trip was when I was 34 (1994). I was disappointed that Spaceship Earth was closed, I think the renovation from Walter Cronkite to Jeremy Irons. So I didn’t ride it until 1996.

I think it’s time for a major renovation. I was there this week, it hits me that the last scene before the top is Steve Jobs in a garage in CA. So much has happened since then with communication, the biggest being cellphones.

 

[goofyernmost]

I first visited WDW when I was 35 years old in 1983 that was just after EPCOT opened. The lines for everything were massive and since not all of it was even working yet, or there, we spent very little time there. Embarrassingly I was so green around the edges that I didn't even know the SSE was a ride. A few years later, we returned and did ride it when Walter Cronkite was the narrator and my memory of it is that it has only changed slightly over the years, The most expansive changes have been from the earth view down to the bottom. I don't even remember many of the thing that were in that area. I do remember the theme song "Tomorrow's Child". To quote a memorable sign off by Mr. Cronkite "and that's the way it is".

 

[BridgetR3]

I was an adult the first time I rode it and have no idea what the abandoned sets are. Where were they on the ride? What were they? Going to google now that you have piqued my interest! I wish they would give it some love and continue the story past a computer in a garage.

 

[NickC]

I rode Spaceship Earth as a teenager. When I went with my wife and kids, years later, it really didn't have a huge place in my memories. But, other attractions certainly did--Tiki Room, CBJ, Space Mountain, HDDR, Pirates, etc. I guess that's the thing with nostalgia is you never know what is going to be remembered.

 

[Oneanne]

I started going to WDW as an adult in the early 1990's. The Birnbaum's Disney World Guide (only had books for research back then, no internet... geez I'm old) recommended doing EPCOT first because it was so large and would feel less crowded which would help you to easy into things. Spaceship Earth was my first ride on the first trip. The music, smells and breeze at the SE entrance are a core memory. I remember being totally wowed at the top when you spin around and look back at Earth. And I still miss the Walter Cronkite narration and would dearly love to ride it one day and hear him again.

 

[NickyH]

I rode Spaceship Earth for the first time in 1998 when I was 22. It was the first ride and my first visit to a Disney park and it blew my mind, the sheer size of Epcot, how innovative the whole park was and the fact that there was a huge ride within a golf ball . It was my first visit to the US too and it was such an exciting time, I think partly because I didn’t really know what to expect so the rides were a surprise (say, in comparison, to how much we know already about the new Epic park where we can watch rides and view the park virtually via social media before we have stepped foot in the park).
Because of this amazement, I too have a nostalgic link to Spaceship Earth and it’s the smell that does it for me every time.

Similarly, I remember having that feeling of ‘wow’ when I stepped into Universal for the first time and hearing the theme tunes for ET and Jaws as we left the car park and entered the park, the excitement would build and again, the sheer size of the attractions were amazing (I couldn’t believe how amazing Kongfrontation and Jaws were!).

 

[Disnsyncey]

It's a pleasant ride (I rode when I was a kid, I think I am as old as Epcot!) but what I don't like now is the seat hits my head in the most uncomfortable spot that I can't relax.....

 

[DisneyMom93]

I rode it for the first time in my early 20s. I really don't remember the first time I rode it but I remember when I rode it again years later and it all came back to me. The smell especially. I also love Judi Dench's accent and it's a big part of what makes the ride for me.

I like to ride twice each time we visit Epcot. Once to ride it and enjoy it, the second to take a nap. It's the perfect nap ride IMO.

Not sure I would want an update to include more recent technology. I think it would be good, but not if they are going to take out something already there.

 

[quagmire0]

Although my parents brought us to Magic Kingdom when I was around 4 or 5, I didn't have much memory of it. So, the first time I ever *really* went to Disney World was when I was a father, in 2011. I loved, and still love, Spaceship Earth. I loved all the old-timey/classic rides. Those are what gives these parks character.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I like to ride twice each time we visit Epcot. Once to ride it and enjoy it, the second to take a nap. It's the perfect nap ride IMO.

I try SO HARD to nap, but the top of the headrest hits the back of my head weird and if I slouch it's not comfortable! One of the most uncomfortable "relaxing" rides for me.....

 

[DisneyMom93]

I try SO HARD to nap, but the top of the headrest hits the back of my head weird and if I slouch it's not comfortable! One of the most uncomfortable "relaxing" rides for me.....

How tall are you? I’m 5 feet. lol

 

[Disnsyncey]

How tall are you? I’m 5 feet. lol

makes so much sense.....I'm 5'10"......

we should survey the taller folks too HAHAHA

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I rode it for the first time in my early 20s with my son in the early 2000s. I thought it was a really cool ride back then. My son loved the picture part of it the most at that time. The smell takes me back. It is nostalgic to me. It’s a must do each trip.

 

[JackiesHubby]

I rode this ride with my wife and daughters on our first disney trip when i was 32. I love history and the smells of Rome burning is a distinct memory for me . I wish the hunting scene wasnt so dark . Also I have to admit that my wife thinks I have a thing for the woman in the mini-skirt in the computer room (she may be right ).

 

[BrianL]

I rode this ride with my wife and daughters on our first disney trip when i was 32. I love history and the smells of Rome burning is a distinct memory for me . I wish the hunting scene wasnt so dark . Also I have to admit that my wife thinks I have a thing for the woman in the mini-skirt in the computer room (she may be right ).

One interesting thing is that the hunting scene probably seems dark because your eyes take time to adjust to the darkness. It's early in the ride, so your eyes won't be adjusted (and the camera flash probably doesn't help either). If you ride at night, you might find that it seems brighter. A lot of dark rides are like that.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I was an adult when I visited WDW for the first time and LOVE Spaceship Earth. Love everything about it, even the uncomfortable seats (and I'm 5'7"). It screams Classic Disney to me and it's a ride we go on every trip, usually several times.