EPCOT LOVERS!!!! WEIRD Rumor

[graygables]

I may have been imagining things, but I thought the headrests had vinyl padding on them when I first rode it in 1982 and were much comfier. This last trip, my bad knee gave out just as I was sitting down and I whacked my head on the headrest...OUCH! I actually had a knot and had to put ice on it.

 

[MitchK]

Personally, I would be just devestated if they laid a finger on that ride. Someone made the point that it really is the only true educational ride left in the park and I agree. I know a lot of kids nowadays aren't like me, but when I was a girl in the 80s and 90s, I simply loved Epcot. It's so nerdy but today I was talking to my friend about how I learned about the hypothalamus in Cranium Command!
Though I like the new rides and ideas they have introduced, I really miss Horizons and World of Motion and Kitchen Kabaret. Imagination used to be my favorite ride, but since that 'renovation' of sorts, I really don't trust them with re-doing Epcot rides. (I miss Dreamfinder )
I know I'm not supposed to live in the past, but really, that ride is cool. And, in a way, sacred.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Planogirl]

I was under the impression that Time Racers or anything similar had to be scrapped because such a ride would compromise the structure of the sphere. Maybe they can replace the innards in some manner that will still support the structure but supposedly a ride that exits the sphere is impractical.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I'd love to see a new ride, we don't even ride Spaceship earth anymore.

 

[rotary2808]

Mitros, I didn't know that. I have the WDW CD from the '80's and Tomorrow's Child is one song I still listen to. And I do remember the newsboy.

 

[stemikger]

As much as I love Spaceship Earth, I think it needs something more. The ride is very well done, but after a few times, it gets a little old. I think it should have some more exciting elements, but not too crazy like Mission Space where it excludes too many people because of the extreme nature of the ride. I think Soarin is a great example of a little bit of excitment, but something where everyone can enjoy without needing a barf bag.

 

[dbm20th]

I know there are a lot of folks, many of them here, that get attached to what is done at WDW. Spaceship Earth has been a mainstay and I never miss it.

However, we need to be real here. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER, have to wait more than perhaps 5 minutes to get on that ride. What does that mean to me and probably bean-counters at WDW? The biggest and most iconic structure in all of WDW is not attracting guests, and hasn't been for years. Instead, people are waiting on lines for Soarin, and Test Track. This MAJOR change in inevitable, because EPCOT needs to use this amazong symbol for something that attracts and entertains guests.

Believe me, I'm with the old-schoolers, but our time has passed us by. The tradtitional EPCOT was a financial loser for WDW compared to the newly spiced version we are seeing now.

 

[Horizons16]

We seem to be leaning on reasons to change the ride like, its old, we need something fresh. If that be the case, then cut Pirates, CoP, The Great Movie Ride ( those movies are dated ), small world, and many of the other unchanged classics.
Obviouslly im being sarcastic, I dont want these attractions moved to the extintion list.
Just what I thought of after reading

 

[raidermatt]

However, we need to be real here. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER, have to wait more than perhaps 5 minutes to get on that ride.

The ride does have longer waits earlier in the day, as guests enter the front of the park.

However, its also important to note that SE, like Pirates, loads at a high rate. So a short line for those rides would not mean the same thing as a short line for, say, Test Track, which doesn't load nearly as fast (especially when downtime is factored in).

All that said, it could use some updating with some newer effects and show elements, but that doesn't mean turning it into another "thrill" ride is the only solution.

 

[YoHo]

Matt is of course correct, the load times on SE are fast.

Now that's no the be all end all. The ride is dated, but the intention for Epcot from day 1 was that it would need updating and ride replacement in futureworld on a regular basis. I love Spaceship earth, but it needs at least an update. Doesn't need to be a thrill ride.

As for the comparison to Pirates. That's misguided. The story of pirates doesn't change as the future reveals itself. Of course, even it may receive some updates as reported elsewhere, but even so, At no point has pirate's story become outdated.

Spaceship earth and in fact all of futureworld as originally conceived has become outdated, because it's theme is "The future" Something not frozen in time.

 

[MitchK]

I know there are a lot of folks, many of them here, that get attached to what is done at WDW. Spaceship Earth has been a mainstay and I never miss it.

However, we need to be real here. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER, have to wait more than perhaps 5 minutes to get on that ride. What does that mean to me and probably bean-counters at WDW? The biggest and most iconic structure in all of WDW is not attracting guests, and hasn't been for years. Instead, people are waiting on lines for Soarin, and Test Track. This MAJOR change in inevitable, because EPCOT needs to use this amazong symbol for something that attracts and entertains guests.

Believe me, I'm with the old-schoolers, but our time has passed us by. The tradtitional EPCOT was a financial loser for WDW compared to the newly spiced version we are seeing now.

Like some of the others said, the lines are not that long because of the loading. It is always moving, there for it is always loading. And as far as it not being popular, Spaceship Earth has the highest attendance rate out of all the rides at Disney World

 

[TheBellhop]

This ride needs an update terribly. It just seems poorly constructed now that we are in the 2000's.

 

[stemikger]

Not sure of the validity of this, but I heard that SE really couldn't be changed because of the structural integrity of the Sphere. For instance, a coaster would not be able to work within the sphere because of the way it was originally constructed.

Again, not sure how accurate this info is. I guess you would have to have some advanced knowledge in engineering to guess if this is plausable.

 

[Horizons16]

SE showcases the history of communication more than the future of it. Yes the end IS about the future, yes that part is outdated. But how can the past become outdated?
I hope im not starting anything or sounded like an a*****e. Maybe we are on two different pages on the definition of an "update".
Update in SE case I would consider reworking the track and omni part of the ride. Smoothing and repairing. The same with the ride possiblly upgrading old animatronics, and finally yes, futurizing the end of the attraction.

 

[lordhavemercy]

SE showcases the history of communication more than the future of it. Yes the end IS about the future, yes that part is outdated. But how can the past become outdated?
I hope im not starting anything or sounded like an a*****e. Maybe we are on two different pages on the definition of an "update".
Update in SE case I would consider reworking the track and omni part of the ride. Smoothing and repairing. The same with the ride possiblly upgrading old animatronics, and finally yes, futurizing the end of the attraction.

yeah...yeah....that's it...!!!!!

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Personally my wife and I ride SE at least once on every visit. It is nostalgic for us, and air conditioned. We love all the originals, but SE does need some type of update.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I think the most exciting thing is that Disney was able to sign another corporate sponsor. This shows that someone else is still willing to make a huge investment in the strategic partnership.

 

[TheBellhop]

SE showcases the history of communication more than the future of it. Yes the end IS about the future, yes that part is outdated. But how can the past become outdated?
I hope im not starting anything or sounded like an a*****e. Maybe we are on two different pages on the definition of an "update".
Update in SE case I would consider reworking the track and omni part of the ride. Smoothing and repairing. The same with the ride possiblly upgrading old animatronics, and finally yes, futurizing the end of the attraction.

No, no you don't sound anything like that. But what I meant by an "update" is that...well there are better effects that are now available than had been, and these effects could be used on SE to...make it look better? I don't know how to explain it. The ride vehicles in themself are innovative, but they are extremely noisy, and should have something done to them. And the animatronics could use a paint job somewhat. But that's what I mean by, "update.

 

[Horizons16]

Im glad thats what you were talking about because I was speaking of the same.
I dont hold with those that say lets gut it and stick a roller coaster or any other attraction in there.

 

[jeanylaser]

siemens and disney will be the sponsor of spaceship earth and illuminations: reflections of earth. and innoventions in disneyworld and disneyland. Oh! one more thing club cool is now open. what is the preride in the spaceship earth at epcot.