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

[jeters_boy]

Was just thinking about how iconic this ride is, and the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia I get every time I ride. I remember riding with my grandparents in the late 80s and then finding audio clips from the ride when we first got dialup Internet at the house in the late 90s. What a peek-behind-the-curtain achievement that seemed like at the time!

For those who ride it without those childhood memories attached, what was it like that first time? Do you appreciate it more each time you ride it? Do the old abandoned sets that are still visible to this day interest you at all from a historical perspective?

I guess this question could apply to other rides too... Does the person who rides Frozen Ever After today for the first time care that it used to be Maelstrom?

 

[BrianL]

Well, I did ride it as a kid, but I honestly didn't remember too much about it when I started going back as an adult. I don't know that I had nostalgic feelings attached to anything specifically, other than it's existence. I don't pine for the old version, but I do wish they give it a refurb and get rid of the very dated animations on the screen.

 

[jeters_boy]

Well, I did ride it as a kid, but I honestly didn't remember too much about it when I started going back as an adult. I don't know that I had nostalgic feelings attached to anything specifically, other than it's existence. I don't pine for the old version, but I do wish they give it a refurb and get rid of the very dated animations on the screen.

Interesting, thanks. I agree on the screens. Would like to see them gone, and maybe add a nod to Tomorrow's Child on the descent.

 

[BrianL]

Interesting, thanks. I agree on the screens. Would like to see them gone, and maybe add a nod to Tomorrow's Child on the descent.

Yeah, I didn't even like them the first time I rode with them. The descent is so zen - I would like it not to bother me and create unnecessary light. If they don't take them out, at least update the program.

 

[Skippyboo]

When I was a kid only MK was open. Went the summer in between the 4 and 5 th grade. Didn’t go back until 2000 so got to experience Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom for first time as adult

 

[jeters_boy]

Also wanted to add I didn't ride Space Mountain until I was 19 due to fear of roller coasters/dropping. I remember that first time feeling so brave. My older brother and our good friend had talked me into it. The short quick drops got my stomach and I closed my eyes the whole time. It was a strange mixture of fear and exhilaration that doesn't happen often in life. Now days it's one of my top 3 rides in WDW!

The last few visits I've really thought more about the history of it. I don't believe much has changed in there since 1975. Even in that narrow queue I can't help but think about all the people in the 70s and 80s who crammed in there before me.

 

[jeters_boy]

Didn’t go back until 2000 so got to experience Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom for first time as adult

What were your initial impressions if you don't mind me asking?

 

[disneycat321]

I’m a born and raised Californian, and my first trip to WDW was when I was 24 and on my honeymoon. Still loved Epcot and Spaceship Earth. I do know I have a different relationship to Epcot and really to WDW itself than many others on these boards. Disneyland is more of the nostalgia park for me, being a west coaster. But now that I’ve been married almost 15 years, WDW has its own nostalgia for me even looking back on my younger adult self and going with my husband when we were newly married and just starting out together.

I didn’t really think about the evolution of the ride itself, or even of Epcot itself, though I’ve learned more about that over time. I just appreciated it for what it was, which is true of all Disney parks for me personally.

 

[georgina]

Of course, since my first trip to WDW was when I was 36! No childhood memories to compare. No idea what old abandoned sets you are referring to. Some trips I skip the ride, it is kind of ho-hum now.

Grew up going to Cedar Point, which has changed a lot from the late 60's! I do miss the old park in some ways, when you had to take the train to Frontier Town.

 

[PPFlight75]

Was just thinking about how iconic this ride is, and the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia I get every time I ride. I remember riding with my grandparents in the late 80s and then finding audio clips from the ride when we first got dialup Internet at the house in the late 90s. What a peek-behind-the-curtain achievement that seemed like at the time!

For those who ride it without those childhood memories attached, what was it like that first time? Do you appreciate it more each time you ride it? Do the old abandoned sets that are still visible to this day interest you at all from a historical perspective?

I guess this question could apply to other rides too... Does the person who rides Frozen Ever After today for the first time care that it used to be Maelstrom?

I rode it as an adult for my first time. I only went to WDW twice as a kid and I think only MK was there. On my first adult trip I wasn't interested in riding it but my daughter had ridden it on a school trip and liked it so we did. I loved it! It made me love Disney!
That trip, my youngest was only 5 and scared of most rides then and for a few years beyond, but he loved SE too and always requested to ride it. Although he loved more thrilling rides now, he still has SE on his must ride list.

 

[Pyxie]

I first rode it (I think) in 2019, so yes, I was an adult. The first time I visited (which was the only time up until 2019) was in 2003 when I was 20, so technically would have kind of been an adult then too, but i don't really remember if I rode it then. I don't think I did.

Anyway, I love the ride and I hope when they eventually update it, that they don't drastically change it. Some refreshes to the current scenes and maybe a couple additional scenes to bring it to present day are all it needs.

 

[Skippyboo]

What were your initial impressions if you don't mind me asking?

I don’t really remember my first impression of spaceship earth. Probably thought it was cool. I remember power walking to Toy Story Mania and Test Track to get paper fast passes. We went to Typhoon Lagoon twice. Stayed at POR Riverside but it was still Dixie Landing. I remember riding Buzz Lightyear with my parents and we all had to get our own car to see who had the highest score because my dad kept turning the car messing up my mom’s shot.

 

[GsR80]

I rode it for the first time as an adult recently. It meant a lot to me as it's such a quintessential Disney ride and I finally got to do it.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

The first time that I remember riding Spaceship Erath was in March of 1998 when my family stayed at the then Treehouse Vilas at the Disney Institute during our March break. Our previous trips to Florida where when I was younger and we only went for one day to the Magic Kingdom from where we stayed in Clearwater.

 

[elvispursley]

I rode it for the first time when I was 18
One senior class trip in 1995. I fell
In love with Epcot and had no idea there was a ride in the “giant golf ball”. Went back the following year and loved it even more. It’s now a must-do for me every trip. The smell is probably the most nostalgic part of it for me.

 

[Angela63]

Well, I was 22 when EPCOT opened and I thought it was the most magical thing I'd ever experienced. When you got to the top of the ride the vehicles turned to allow you to watch a space launch. It was amazing! That part of the ride has been removed but I still love it so much and ride it every visit to WDW. The interactive screen thing on the way down annoys me though lol.

 

[imbelle]

I was in my twenties when Epcot opened. I've always been puzzled on why Gutenberg's legs are so skinny while computer lady's legs are so thick.

 

[JimmyBean42]

I was in my twenties when Epcot opened. I've always been puzzled on why Gutenberg's legs are so skinny while computer lady's legs are so thick.

Gutenberg was known to skip leg day.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Since you asked… I love WDW, fell in love with it as an adult over the course of the last decade. I rode Spaceship Earth for the first time ever as an adult a few years ago. It is the most boring ride in all of Disney and I will only ever ride it again if desperate for air con or rain shelter. Absolute snooze fest.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Before I get slammed- I actually don’t want it destroyed or replaced with something more interesting. I know others have a deep emotional attachment and that’s cool for them. And they don’t have to worry about me taking a spot in that line lol.