Fate of Spaceship Earth?

[Aimz]

I picked up a copy today of Frommer's guide to Walt Disney World and Orlando, and in the Epcot section of attraction descriptions, there was a sidenote about the possibility of Spaceship Earth being closed down in 2005 to build a new ride for Epcot's 25th anniversary. Has anyone else heard this "rumor" yet, and if so, has there been any talk about when it might be closed in 2005? My family has a trip planned next April and my kids really want to try out that ride.

 

[luvsTink]

Say it isn't so!!!

 

[safetymom]

There are always rumors floating around about Spaceship Earth. AT&T no longer has the sponsorship but the ride is still going strong.

 

[mickey0216]

They can't close Spaceship Earth... I'll hold my breath until I turn blue in the face. NO!!!!!

 

[chicknoodle99]

I hope not also as I enjoy this ride very much! I can remember riding it the first time....

 

[crow11ad]

I don't think it's going anywhere. I just read that Disney is in talks with Nextel.


This is what it said...



Disney may be in talks with Nextel about taking over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth and a Nextel version of the old AT&T Global Neighborhood post-ride area.


I love that ride and look forward to riding it again in December.

 

[Aimz]

Thanks, crow11ad! That does make me feel a little better now.

 

[pumpkinfish]

I am so sad! I love spaceship earth. Let's hope that this one STAYS a rumor!

 

[ToTLaugher]

I read about a year ago that Imagineering was looking into a new thrill ride within the sphere to replace the existing attraction. WDW seems to think that FW needs thrill rides to compete and drive attendence.

As the story went, they were looking at the sphere and came to the conclusion that the track flooring for Spaceship Earth is a critical structural element holding the sphere together. They cannot simply gut the interior to put in a thrill ride.

Because of this, they shelved plans to replace SSE.

 

[disneyvoice]

I sooooo hope that isn't true. Spaceship Earth is my favorit ride at Epcot and one of my all time favorite rides in WDW. I usually end up riding it a dozen times during one single vacation. It's so relaxing and peaceful - the perfect spot to get out of the heat and off your feet. Plus I just think it's an all around great ride - educational, entertaining, and always ends up making me misty eyed at the end!

 

[crow11ad]

It's just so peaceful going around in your vehicle and enjoying the peace and quiet. Plus to see the city laid out like it was. I piked the building to live in the corner next to the window on the right hand side.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Epcot would never be the same without SSE!! I've always loved it and it never gets old. Apparently my DS feels the same way...he dragged my DH on twice during our last trip!!

 

[disneysteve]

I agree with all of you, but stating it here doesn't do any good. What you all need to do is write to Disney and tell them. In general, people who dislike something complain. People who like it never say anything. So if all the company hears is complaints, they change things. Write to Disney and tell them how much you love SE and would hate to see it change. Tell them we don't need more thrill rides at EC unless they are newly added, not replacing old non-thrill rides.

 

[Aimz]

In case anyone is curious, Frommer's guide stated it like this:

"Stay tuned- local media scuttlebutt says Spaceship Earth will be shut down in 2005 so a new moving ride can be built in time for Epcot's 25th anniversary in 2007. At publication time, Disney wasn't commenting."

Now, keep in mind that we don't know for sure when this book went into publication- the copyright only says 2004. But, it's the new Frommer's guide for 2005. Anything might have changed since this book came out...by the way, what is a "scuttlebutt" anyway?

 

[JMD]

I love the ride too, but I have to admit, it is a bit dated. The cars are uncomfortable, the ride is rough, and its generally anti-climactic.

The only people that seem to really like the ride are all the Disney Old-Timers that get nostalgic every time they ride it. You don't see first time visitors or little kids get excited about this ride. I know I like it because riding it reminds me of all my other past Disney vacations, and not necessary because its great ride.

I loved World of Motion, but Test Track is better. I loved Horizons, when we used to go to Epcot that was the first ride we went on every time. But Mission: Space is better. I would hate to see SSE go, but I'm sure whatever they replace it with will be much better.

 

[jann1033]

can't agree that all the new things are "better" , just different ( tt is just so so to me, ms is fun but i liked the older attractions just as much) sometimes they just need to update not throw out!...maybe they are forgetting their customer base is not limited to 14-20 ys olds and everyone doesn't like thrill rides...personally i do but husband does not and that is the main reason we never go to Universal, local Cedar Point and others loaded with "trills' but do go to WDW. they seem to be shutting down more and more of the "educational" aspect of FW...to bad... before it was entertaining and instructional bit I don't really see that much in TT or MS. it's not a crime to actually "learn" something once in awhile!

 

[iceskatejen]

I only went to WDW the first time this past April and I LOVED SE (rode it twice). My only complaint would be that the seats/cars were somewhat uncomfortable. Maybe give those an update to put a little padding in, but otherwise I loved it. M:S was my fave ride at Epcot, but SE comes in second. I thought Test Track was ho hum.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I hope they never get rid of Spaceship Earth ! It is my very favorite ride in all of WDW !

I would love to see it updated with padding on the headrests,
and a smoother track, though.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I hope they never get rid of Spaceship Earth ! It is my very favorite ride in all of WDW !

I would love to see it updated with padding on the headrests,
and a smoother track, though.

 

[Hollymom1229]

My DH's first trip to WDW was in 2000 and this became his favorite ride on that trip. We have 2 full Epcot days this trip, mostly so he can ride SE at least 10 times. I would be heartbroken if it went away.