How much truth to permanent closing of Spaceship Earth Ride?

[jimmytammy]

Our DD is so upset. She just saw a post on the Teen Disney forum where someone wrote that WDW is planning on closing SSER in late 03 or sometime in 04. Is their any truth to this rumor? This is her fave ride so if anyone knows anything pleeze post. Thanks.

 

[Disneymoon04]

EEK! I had to go searching through Teen Disney and then found the link that started it: http://pub115.ezboard.com/fdisneyshauntedmansionfrm1.showMessage?topicID=64.topic

Wow... a roller coaster? I sure hope not. They already took away Horizons and World of Motion- two of my absolute fav rides! I understand the need to update but to completely remove it... ugh, I think I need a stiff drink.

 

[CRCrazy]

There were big rumors flying about big money being allocated to Epcot for huge improvements by 2005 about 6 months ago or more. At that time, it was put forward that Disney would be closing down the Spaceship Earth ride, and replacing it, inside the ball, as a roller coaster type ride - called Time Racers.

I don't know if this is true or not - time will tell - for now- there has been nothing official announced - and no construction has begun. I do know that the Expedition:Everest ride in AK is a definite go ahead, along with the stunt show in MGM. I don't know if they will go forward with this or not. I also heard they may put in a clone of Soarin' from DCA in Epcot. I would much rather see that than a replacement for Spaceship Earth - this is a classic!!

 

[nativetxn]

JT (love your pretty purple clipart )

I have heard this true but I don't know if it will happen or not. SSE is one of my favorites. I need to ride as much as I can in August. I will hate to lose it if they close it down

 

[ead79]

I read these rumors a few months ago. I certainly hope they are not true--Spaceship Earth is my favorite ride too! I'm personally not convinced that there is much truth to these rumors, as it would make so many Epcot attractions thrill rides if they turn it into a roller coaster. Part of what I love about WDW is the amount of non-thrill ride attractions. Of course, you never know, but I hope it's just a rumor.

 

[I am JEN]

Jaw dropped here...this is the first time I've heard rumers of the Spaceship Earth ride closing. I'm glad we will be there next week...this is the first thing I want my dh to see & ride! I remember going the year it was opened and couldn't believe how neat it was!

 

[tfr33]

I have heard that ATT pulled their sponsership. That is why they are redoing the ride. Not sure though. I meant to ask the CM there this past weekend but I forgot. I will certainly ask them next weekend. I am interested also, as we love that ride.

 

[SmileyJoyz]

We heard the same thing about ATT sponsorship being pulled when we were in WDW last October. I believe a CM at that time also told us there was talk about putting a roller coaster in there. FH and I rode it twice that night, expecting that the next time we get to WDW it won't be there.

 

[padisneylover]

Wow, I sure hope this is just rumor and not fact. This is also one of my favorite rides and would hate to see it replaced with a rollercoster. I too like the fact that their is less thrill rides at WDW.

 

[Disneymoon04]

To those who heard from CM's.... did they say WHEN att would pull their sponsorship? I hope it's still there and working in Feb.

Hasn't att been the sponsor since it originally opened? I wonder what changed....

 

[wdwguide]

What gives this rumor some credibility is that SSE: Time Racers (or something similar) is a registered trademark by the Walt Disney Company. I doubt it'll be a true roller coaster though.

 

[Plutes]

I'm a thrill ride junkie - the faster/crazier the better. BUT....

Spaceship Earth is one of my all time favorites. As a matter of fact, it was the first ride I ever went on in WDW, so it really holds a special place in my heart. I would be completely crushed if this rumor turns out to be true. This is a classic & epcot just wouldn't be the same without it! I just feel bad for DH - he's going to be riding this one over & over & over again with me in October, just is case! lol!

 

[Mike_in_FL]

We were notified in one of our official notifications from WDW (I think it was the Mickey Monitor - the Florida Annual Passholder newsletter) that SSE is going to close in 2005. It had some info about the planned replacement, but I cannot for the life of me remember it. I seem to recall that it was NOT a thrill ride, though. This was some months ago, and plans may of course have changed by now. I will see what I can dig up...

Mike

PS I still miss the original Walter Cronkite version!

 

[BrerRabbit28]

Can a ride really be closed because there is no sponser? other rides have no sponsers right? maybe it is next to be transformed into a thrill ride think.

world of motion = test track
horizons = mission
spaceship earth = ?

I hope I am wrong this ride always pack em in they wouldn't think of replacing it, I hope.

 

[Piglet203]

OMG!!!!!!!!! I hope that this is just a rumor and that it holds no truth. One thing that I love about WDW is that there are classic rides that you look forward to doing everytime you go. If they took Spaceship Earth out Epcot would simply not be the same. I really hope that this isn't true and if it is I hope I get to ride it again before it's gone.