HOLY COW!!! Major Changes Coming To Epcot

[Chuck S]

I like SSE, but the ride system is aging. Too bad they don't just shut it down and replace the track and cars, maybe update a few scenes. They could have done that with the Imagination pavilion, too. I still miss all the neat stuff they had upstairs, the ones they tried to copy downstairs aren't as much fun.

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by Chuck S
I like SSE, but the ride system is aging. Too bad they don't just shut it down and replace the track and cars, maybe update a few scenes. They could have done that with the Imagination pavilion, too. I still miss all the neat stuff they had upstairs, the ones they tried to copy downstairs aren't as much fun.

I agree.


And Bri -- I wasn't doubting you, just wondering if this has appeared in any place besides that one source? We've seen rumors come from one source that never came to pass. But when they're reported from various sources, it's more likely.

Screamscape did mention there is a "Project Gemini" in the works somewhere in Epcot, but they didn't have any details.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Remember when Walter Chroncite was the narrator? That changed during the last refurb a few years back.

This doesn't surprise me, in March we heard that the current sponsor was thinking of pulling out at the end of this year. Which makes me sad because I work for them, and we got good discounted tickets. If it's all true, I guess I will be ordering a few more tix before the end of the year.

Yes, a lot of people love this ride, but times change, so I guess everything has to move on, once the popularity starts to slip.
It used to be lines all day, but now, it's almost a walk on.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A great ride it is. Love it. http://disneysounds.virtualave.net/spaceshipearthintro.wav



http://screamscape.com/html/walt_disney_world.html

 

[Brisully]

Rajah - I know you weren't doubting me. I just wanted to let everyone read it where I read it.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I think these days Disney doesn't want any ride that lasts longer than about 10 minutes. Think a ride as long as PotC or Indy would be made these days?

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

That is so sad if they dismantle that ride. My dd loves it, as well as EVERYONE I know. I personally don't know anyone who thinks overwise. Pass me the tissues please

 

[Chil Sung]

>>>Test track is...ok, but it isn't World of Motion. Mission: Space looks nice...but it isn't Horizons. HISTA sucks! Brink back Captain EO.<<<

Oh my god!!!!!!

 

[CarolA]

Well, I think it is time to change it. However, I know that I am in the minority here. Epcot was NOT designed to be static and keeping the exact same things for years is static.

Horizons had gotten to be a joke when they finally pulled the plug and I personally like Space Track much better than World of Motion. So as far as I can see the only real disater was the Imagniation Paviolion.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I think it is time to change it. However, I know that I am in the minority here. Epcot was NOT designed to be static and keeping the exact same things for years is static.

Horizons had gotten to be a joke when they finally pulled the plug and I personally like Space Track much better than World of Motion. So as far as I can see the only real disater was the Imagniation Paviolion.

 

[FergieTCat]

(To be said in a high-pitched whine, causing crystal to shatter and dogs to howl ...)

But I LIKE SE!!!

Wahhhhh!!!

 

[Disneydenise]

I read that they are going to close it in 2005 and retoole the ride for the 25 year clebration of Epcot. Oh well. I think I better get to editing my videos for the best copy I have of the original ride.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Nothing has been confirmed and this has been heard from a "source" plus a FORMER imagineer is cited as to what system will be used. Don't know how credible it truly is.

 

[grinningghost]

That will be like a losing and old, dear friend.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I don't like fast rides.....and the slow rides sure are disappearing. SE is such a relaxing ride at the end of the day when you are exhausted.
I agree with the poster about the ride lengths....they sure are getting shorter......

 

[kaabost]

First time I went to EPCOT, I noticed that many of the rides had the same basic concept. SSE, Horizons, WoM, and JIYI were all relatively long, continuous, rides that took you on some kind of themed journey that was both entertaining and informative. This created my concept of the EPCOT ride experience. I understand that things must change and do not argue that. I was sad to see WoM and Horizons go BUT I like Test Track and I am excited about Mission: Space. Imagination was a wonderful ride but quite annoying now. That leaves SSE, the only representative of the old "EPCOT ride experience." For this reason, I too, hope that they refurbish the ride but hope that they do not change the whole ride concept.

 

[Blondie]

SSE is one of my favorites. At least they're giving us fair warning so that we can ride it over and over and over and over again before it's closed down.

 

[DocRafiki]

Kaaboost, I think you hit the nail on the head.

I liked World of Motion a lot, but I can understand the change to Test Track. I never really cared for Horizons much, maybe because it wasn't there during my first trip, and I'm anxious to see Mission Space. Imagination... they screwed up twice now, IMO, but at least we still have Figment.

It just seems like sacrelige to mess with SSE. That and the American Adventure are the central nervous system of Epcot. (I hate to think of the day when they remove the American Adventure show and replace it with a coaster -- oh yeah THAT teaches us a lot about America!) I do think that SOME things are sacred and should always remain.

And why don't they scrap that stupid Energy ride? I could only stand to ride it once in the past 10 years!

Of course, SSE is always a walk-on when I'm there. I guess they don't care if people love it, as long as they're not riding it. Maybe we should stop taking our favorite attractions for granted.

 

[Boots]

Space ship earth has always been my favorite ride. I really don't want it to change!

 

[Micca]

I wouldn't mind an update/upgrade for SSE. I love what it is, but they could improve it with more modern technology. They wouldn't have to totally abandon the concept, just add scenes with more interesting effects and up-to-date animatronics.