Is anyone else upset about changing Spaceship Earth?

[Mickey Rules]

I don't know about you, but I know that I love Spaceship Earth just the way it is...well that is except for the "hush-a-bye don't you cry..." part (we were stuck there for about 5 minutes and trust me, 5 minutes of hearing that will drive someone crazy). To me, Spaceship Earth is one of the most relaxing rides to go on. The lines are short enough where you maybe have to wait 5 minutes at most. The rickety track, the smoke smell at the fall of Rome, the incomvenient stops (they were relaxing at certain points...and not at others (see above)), and a personal favorite is when the cave man says "Umbaday"...kinda strange but it's funny. So I know that I am extremely upset with the changes that are planned to happen. I believe they are also changing the end so that the passengers can "choose their future" and experience that (I believe it's going to be like Horizons was). That sounds OK...just OK, but I love going backwards and looking up at the Earth. So without ranting anymore about this, does anyone else feel like I do about this?

 

[ChrisFL]

Epcot NEEDS change, but often it comes in replacing the classics with stuff that doesn't fit in.

Besides a few updates, SSE hasn't changed since it opened for the most part and it's showing its age. I DO think it needs an update and as long as they don't totally change it, I think it will be fine. I dont' believe they're going to replace all of it, just certain parts closer to the end

 

[anewvance]

We rode Spaceship Earth on Saturday night and went back to Epcot on Monday and it was closed for refurbishments. Anyone know just how much they plan on changing it?

 

[Schmeck]

It would be nice if they could get rid of the loud clicking sound of the ride mechanism - there's much better technology out there now, but it would cost $$$ to replace the tracks, I'm guessing.

I don't think they're changing much of the uphill part, but the ride vehicles are getting interactive, and the downhill part is getting changed. I read about it online -allears, I think?

 

[BobLefty61]

I find SSE to be the most relaxing ride at WDW...I've never had to wait for even a minute to board...I love the smells, the music, and the Jeremy Irons narration. Yes, it's dated and yes, it needs changes. But for me, it's perfect just the way it is!

I'll be VERY bummed if it's "closed for refurbishment" next week (the 17th-20th).

 

[mom2my3kids]

When we rode it, it kept stopping and saying it was having a small technical difficulty..I bet it stopped 5 times during the ride.

 

[Jules76126]

I find SSE to be the most relaxing ride at WDW...I've never had to wait for even a minute to board...I love the smells, the music, and the Jeremy Irons narration. Yes, it's dated and yes, it needs changes. But for me, it's perfect just the way it is!

I'll be VERY bummed if it's "closed for refurbishment" next week (the 17th-20th).

Just wanted to let you know that it will be open next week. It was only close for four days this week to do some maintance.

 

[Epcot242]

I agree with the OP. It does certainly need some changes, but I really hope they keep most of the scenes the way they are (a few costume changes and various other little odds and ends can't hurt). I especially love the smells of SSE. For some reason, they always get me. It'll probably still be for the best, and I think all of us SSE lovers would say we'd love for it to stay the same forever, but we know it has to change along with everything else in Epcot. Doesn't make it any less sad...

 

[vettechick99]

I find SSE to be the most relaxing ride at WDW...I love the smells, the music, and the Jeremy Irons narration.

Totally agreed! When I was pregnant, I downloaded the narration and played it for Avery in my belly. Now when she's freaking out I play it for her. Nothing like Jeremy Irons to stop a screaming baby in her tracks!

I'm eager to read about the changes. I hope it's not too much!

 

[Vemnox]

Guys if you saw how awesome the Project Tomorrow post-show looks, you'd have no fear of the upgrades to SSE. SSE is by far my favorite ride in the park and I irked when that whole "Time Racer" coaster rumor was going on, but this time I have no fear that they are going to legitimately improve on the current ride.

Realize much of it will remain untouched except for a general improvement of costumes, props, and technology. The stuff that is going bye-bye won't be missed, I'm sure.

 

[themudd4]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Epcot's 'Spaceship Earth' to Feature Re-Imagined Time-Travel Adventure
and New Finale Presented by Siemens

[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 11, 2007) -- Inside the Epcot icon, remarkable changes will be taking place over the next several months. A re-imagined Spaceship Earth presented by Siemens will combine the magic of the iconic attraction's time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale which provides guests the opportunity to imagine their futures.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from the caves to the cosmos.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Enhancements to the time-travel attraction will encompass changes to each of the ride scenes. New show scenes will be added to the attraction's story along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This adventure through time leads ultimately to the very top of Spaceship Earth's geodesic dome, where guests arrive at the present. The time travel adventure will be enhanced through new, interactive touch screens installed aboard each "time machine" that will enable guests to create their own visions of the future and see themselves in that future.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As guests disembark the time travel experience, they are invited to visit "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow," where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The space is filled with fun, interactive games and displays that showcase innovative technologies. Here guests step into the world of tomorrow and glimpse the future of medicine, transportation and responsible energy management across the globe.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Opening to Epcot guests later this month, the first completed phases of Project Tomorrow will include:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]--An illuminated globe measuring 20 feet in diameter that will offer an ever-changing collage of inspirational images that invite guests to imagine the wonders of tomorrow.
--Body Builder, a 3-D game that enables users to assemble a digital human body, simulating the Siemens technology developed to perform remote surgeries.
--Super Driver, a driving simulation video game that showcases motor vehicle accident and avoidance systems developed by Siemens.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With phased renovations occurring through the year, Spaceship Earth's makeover is scheduled to be fully completed in early 2008. [/FONT]​

 

[MickeyNicki]

I cant wait for it to change!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It would be nice if they were to have the narration by Walter Cronkite, as in the original version.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

The only thing I hate about it is that it will be closed when we are down in October. But I look forward to May 2008 to be able to see the refurb.

 

[perdidochas]

It would be nice if they were to have the narration by Walter Cronkite, as in the original version.

Walter Cronkite wasn't the original. Vic Perrin was the original (1982-1986). Walter Cronkite was the second (1986-1994), and Jeremy Irons since 1994.

 

[Mickey Rules]

ok, i agree that it technically "needs" change, but it's just the principle of the thing for me. I would be fine with upgrading the scenes with new costumes etc..., but from what i've read from a lot of websites is that they are making drastic chages to each scene, and i don't like hearing that. I guess it's just nostalgia. I love the classics (obviously) and I hate seeing them changed (hense the nostalgia hahaha).

 

[byoung]

It keeps us going back.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'll take this time to mention that it appears that subtle changes are already being made for Siemens.

The one I caught last Sunday was the paperboy is now yelling someting like "extra! extra! first transatlantic phone line"....or something...remembering the commercials from a few years ago, Siemens did that.

I dont know if there were any other changes so far, no obvious ones yet.

 

[dolphindan1]

I think updates are find. The main problem I have is the audio I find it hard to hear sometimes. maybe its just me

 

[Camicar]

No one in my family will be upset if they decide to make changes. It is one of the few rides we went on and said, "Not worth doing again."