New Spaceship Earth - a disgrace

[hismattjesty]

Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin75 View Post
my wife and i just rode it a little while ago and while it's been about 16 years since i rode SSE, i don't think my reaction this time was as positive as it was last time. i seem to remember that when i rode it back in high school, i loved it. now, i am not so sure. our ride stopped near the beginning, during the mammoth scene projected on the wall, which i didn't think was normal.

i have a couple of questions though.....

1. at the top, when you get to the earth shot with the starshot, was there originally something else there? it seemed that in the shadows, that there was supposed to be something else there.

2. what are the big changes that have occurred (i.e. different narrators)? what were they originally and what are they now?
The ride does sometimes stop to allow disabled travelers to board. On our last ride, we were stopped for 20 minutes, however, in the new garage scene.

At the top, there was always the image of the earth and stars. I don't ever recall anything more at that point, just the backward descent had various scenes and narration.

The original narrator was Walter Cronkite, followed by Jeremy Irons. They both had very dramatic voices that did an excellent job of reading the narration that was more story-like in nature. Dame Judi Dench is the current narrator, and while her voice is fine, the script is horrible and very dumbed down. Her tone also sounds as if she can't believe she's having to say such stupid stuff, so that makes it even worse.

The backward descent is currently the fiberoptic lights above and the touch screen cartoon (which is REALLY bad). I can't imagine a company the caliber of Siemens is going to let that be the end, and the opening isn't until Feb, so they do have time to rebuild some scenes there (plus we could see tools, ladders, etc still lying around by the black curtains). The script needs to be re-written and re-recorded, get rid of the photo at the beginning (there's been noise about using YOUR face on the cartoons...LORD have mercy ), and use the touch screen for more informative/interesting purposes that build to the exit area of the attraction (perhaps a preview of what's there). They also need to build in some kind of video loop that can remind people to stay seated if the ride stops and perhaps offer some further background about the scenes to keep people amused while they wait (and less likely to stand up) Part of our delay was the CMs having to come on and remind people to SIT DOWN.
__________________
Dawn

Next trip: Short little hop to see CM DD sing in the Candlelight Processional with Stephen Curtis Chapman on 12/10! Thanks, Dad!

Oh kevin75, you are so right. At the top of Spaceship Earth, you were surrounded in a starfield with the moon clearly visible. There were also 2 different satellites up there as well; A small one with one astronaut attached, and a much larger sprawling satellite with 2 astronauts attached for a space walk. Once your "Time Machine" rotated backwards for the descent, up and to your right was an animitronic girl looking out a window into space, and waving at the astronauts. From there, you would descended throught the "Core" of a spaceship, and there was a 1/2 octagonal ring of red lights. From there, you entered the "Tomorrow's Child" ending of the ride. All of this was pretty much gone with the 1994 Jeremy Irons refurb though. I was able to personally confirm in 2005 that none of the original props were left at 180 Top, the upper portion of the attraction. This was through night photography, and emergency lighting.

In my opinion, it really does appear that Spaceship Earth is UNFINISHED at this point, and is "soft opening" now, with hopes it can help accommodate holiday crowds. The first 1/2 of the attraction looks fantastic, but the narration and ending really need some work. I do hope that this addressed, as the cornerstone of EPCOT should never ro-open the way it currently sits. I also remember that at one time Patrick Stewart was supposed to do the narration, but who knows.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I don't get it. I was at Epcot 3 days last week and every day, the walls were still up and they were telling people it was closed until February.

It is, officially, but as you can see, occasionally they let people in for a sneak peek.

Last week, I checked every day to see if it would open, even asking an attendant if there were any times it might open. She told me that they were aiming for mid-December, but don't give up and keep checking back. One day, when I was in a different park, I got a phone call from some friends of mine saying they had opened it and were letting people on, so I rushed as fast as WDW transportation would take me and found they had removed one of the panels surrounding the refurb and were lining people up. You just had to catch it right.

 

[jenseib]

The Romans were there, but they never called it "the first world wide web".

It seems like they're trying too hard to compare ancient times with current technology.

Also, Walter Cronkite was NOT the first narrator, he wasn't in the ride until 1986. Vic Perrin was the first narrator.

The space scene used to have a space station and an astronaut in the early years, but that was covered up, I think in the 1994 refurb.

As far as the narration, I wonder if they've recorded a few different types of narratives in case people don't like the first one.

I still swear the ysaid something about it being the first web, becuase I seem to remember to laugh at it. I know somewhere you can get the narration, but I have never been able to find it myself.

 

[outlander]

Well....the good news is, the refurbed scenes and the new garage scene look great. I was afraid that I would be dissapointed by the narration, as Dame Judy Dench doesn't seem to have that soothing, 'let me guide you into the future' voice that SE (to me) was about. Well, I was indeed disappointed with the voice but I was more disappointed with the narration. It was so juvenile and simplistic. I guess if that is what they were going for, they nailed it. I can tell you that it is V E R Y C L E A R that this is about communication and how each era played a key part in the ongoing communication of our world.

Since the ending is obviously not anywhere near being finished, I won't comment on that part except to say that I REALLY hope they have some miraclous work to do and those corny cartoons are going to fit in better.
The bright screens just don't fit in with what is there now and I can only long for the SE of old where you can sit back and ponder the future in a dark, yet quasi futuristic descent. The bright screens with cartoons just ruined that for me. However, I will put my trust in Disney and wait for the final unveiling before I decide for sure that they might have really messed this one up!

In summary, I was disappointed with the ending and the narration but I am extremely thankful that I got a chance to preview one of my favorite rides. I will look forward to seeing the finished version in the future.

 

[boomhauer]

I know this won't be of popular opinion, but to me, there was no way this would come out better than it was. It was a classic ride and simply needed to be "freshened up" a bit. Maybe a new ride track, updates to the animatronic figures. The narration was perfect as it was. The music was perfect as it was.

It sounds as if they just dumbed it down.

 

[hismattjesty]

Actually, the new musical score is not that bad, and I personally think the new exterior music is fantastic! It's still a dark, mysterious, foreboding score, and I absolutely love Bruce Broughton's compositions (Ellen's Energy Adventure, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, etc.) I'm sure the attraction's score will grow on me, but I am so used to what we had with Jeremy Irons.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I was so incredibly disappointed when I rode this last week, the beginning was great, but the video screens are tacky and lame. What a stupid idea! The end with the sparkly city and epcot ball and wonderful music was my fave part, and always our families last ride of our trip. Not anymore. Thanks a lot Disney for ruining the end. According to CM's, the ending is staying.

 

[daisax]

I rode the "old" version in November 2006 and the Romans/roads/world wide web comment was definitely in there -- my sister and I laughed at it.

 

[Gina]

I know this won't be of popular opinion, but to me, there was no way this would come out better than it was. It was a classic ride and simply needed to be "freshened up" a bit. Maybe a new ride track, updates to the animatronic figures. The narration was perfect as it was. The music was perfect as it was.

It sounds as if they just dumbed it down.

I'm glad you said that. I am not against change, at all... but I am also very much from the "don't-fix-what-ain't-broke" school of thought. They went through "it's a small world" and PoC and freshened things up, updated some animatronics -- why couldn't they just do that with SSE?? The one thing that so dearly needed fixing -- the track itself -- apparently wasn't even touched.

They didn't need to change anything else, including changing the theme from history of communication to history of technology. What, just because Siemens is sponsoring the ride, the whole scope had to change? Thank goodness it isn't Trojan sponsoring, I guess.

I used to come off that ride feeling so inspired and filled with "the ability, and the responsibility, to build new bridges..." I really want to believe that they aren't done, at least with the second half, but I can't imagine them going to all that trouble of putting in those video screens and then creating this elaborate stuff around you to distract you from those very screens. I just don't see it.

 

[jenseib]

See, I thought the whole thing was supposed to be a totally different ride. I thought thats what I read. That there wasn't even going to be anything the same. But I read that a year and a half ago. I also thought I read somewhere that the track/ride is smoother now.??

 

[mousermerf]

The descent, which is utterly appauling in this new version, has had 4 versions:

1. Original opening day ride - Computer sounds, images of futurustic stuff on small screens near the side of the track. About as poorly recieved and sterile as the current version. Vic Perrin (of Haunted Mansion fame) narrates.

2. Year 1986 - Tomorrow's Child is added and narrator is changed to Walter Cronkite. The descent uses the screens, but with images of children (very 70's) in silhouette on them, adds some other special FX, and a much improved musical score. Far less sterile.

3. Year 1994 - The descent is vastily revamped, Tomorrow's Child removed, as well as many other scenes, like the space station and astronauts at the top. Many of the effects are removed and replaced. The fiber optic tunnel and city are installed, the global neighborhood videophones, and other parts of the ride are changed. Well recieved, though the additions in the descent age poorly. The wires were always visible and things never had the crisp "finished" look of earlier version - it looks sort of jerry-rigged into place. People like it.

4. Current - Vehicles get screens, narration redone to Dench, etc.. The descent in particular: most (95%) of the old sets are removed. The "virtual classroom" area is now the blue-grid-dot area, which while impressive has nothing to do with the narrative. Beyond that, there is nothing to see aside from black curtains and twinkle lights. The fiber optic tunnel is shut off, but still there, more apparent parts covered in black electrical tape. The part ofthe fiber optic tail that led from the tunnel to the model of SSE still is turned on, twinking white light for no apparent reason. So, only the white bits are on. The SSE model is removed. The screens harken back to the short-lived original, except are in the vehicle rather then beside the track. It is equally as dry and boring.

That all explored.. Why do people defend it because it's not done? What are they going to do? The focus is the screens, much like the original version of the ride. They're not going to install more sets, but rather continue to remove the remnants of the old ones and eventually paste your face onto the poor-animated cartoon. There's nothing grand or exciting coming, because they feel seeing your face on a cartoon is the "wow" that will be coming later.

Why do people keep defending it?

 

[Runaway Brain]

...wasnt the line about the romans being the first world wide web actually part of the previous version?

I thought that it was in the old version too.

The Romans were there, but they never called it "the first world wide web".

I still swear they said something about it being the first web, becuase I seem to remember to laugh at it.

I rode the "old" version in November 2006 and the Romans/roads/world wide web comment was definitely in there -- my sister and I laughed at it.

Here are the actual words used by Jeremy Irons ('94-'07):

The mighty Roman empire bridged three continents with a vast system of roads; the fastest information highways the world had ever known. East, west, north, and south—all roads led to Rome.

Walter Cronkite before him ('86-'94):

The Romans build a mighty system of roads—a long distance network to carry laws and tidings over a far-reaching empire.

And Vic Perrin upon Spaceship Earth's opening ('82-'86):

North, South, East, and West, all roads lead from Rome, a mighty network reaching across the land, welding far-flung garrisons into a growing empire.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We rode SSE on 12/15 just before we left the park and I have to say I was very dissapointed with the second part of the ride. I can't believe that after you get to the top that's it for the whole ride. Where's the great scenes and music on the way down. I really think they dropped the ball on this. It is so boring on the way down. I must say that I was really impressed with the first part of the rides rehab. Let's hope they fix the second part and put the great music back in.

 

[Lancer]

Here are the actual words used by Jeremy Irons ('94-'07):

Walter Cronkite before him ('86-'94):

And Vic Perrin upon Spaceship Earth's opening ('82-'86):

OK, I stand corrected, I was so sure of myself that I checked a website of Disney attraction scripts and a you tube Video. Sure enough, Runaway Brain is correct, the words world wide web do not appear anywhere in the script.

But it just sounds so right and familiar!!

Well done Runaway Brain!

Lancer

 

[Disney Von Drake]

Just goes to show that people hear what they want to hear, see what they want to see and make most everything fit their own preconceived notions.

And if it doesn't fit, they don't like it. Poor Spaceship Earth.

 

[PennConn]

I rode on Spaceship Earth twice this past week - once on Wednesday, and again on Saturday. The descent tunnel was more torn up the second time, so they are definitely still working on it. However, like other posters have said, it doesn't seem likely that they will be changing the second half much more, especially since Seimens has invested so much money on the built in touch screens in the vehicles.

Some other impressions I had -

Overall the first half of the ride was very well done, except for the fact that most of the Animatronic figures seemed to be moving fast and jerky - as if they were on amphetamines or something! (But I loved how they added a snoring sound effect to the sleeping monk)

The Apollo 11 moon landing took place in July 1969 - but the family is watching it on a TV from the late 1940's or early 1950's, which looked odd (it would have looked great on the mid-1960's console TV that showed "Wonderful World of Disney" on the old SSE)

The new room-sized computer scene looked great (LOVE those Go Go boots on the female scientist), but the Chevy Vega looked a little out of place in the Steve Jobs scene.

As for Dame Judi Dench, she has a marvelous voice, well-suited for the attraction. If only the narration weren't so idiotic. Miss Dench sounds almost embarrassed to to be reading such gibberish. And the whole soundtrack sounds as if it were recorded in just one take.

The "Choose Your Own Future" computer game on the descent would have been fine as part of the exhibition after disembarking from the ride, but in the vehicles it gives the whole ride a cheap, flimsy feeling.

So overall, the first half (ascent) is almost as good as before, in some ways better. The second half (descent) is absolutely dreadful, and in fact practically non existent.

I used to feel very proud and emotional after riding the old SSE, but this new and "improved" version just left me scratching my head and saying to myself, "What were they thinking?!"

Bottom Line: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!

 

[ChrisFL]

OK, I stand corrected, I was so sure of myself that I checked a website of Disney attraction scripts and a you tube Video. Sure enough, Runaway Brain is correct, the words world wide web do not appear anywhere in the script.

But it just sounds so right and familiar!!

Well done Runaway Brain!

Lancer

I was sure it wasn't "world wide web" because even in 1994 that wasn't a widely understood term yet. "Information Highway" actually makes sense.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm allowing myself to hope that maybe they are just not finished with it. Or that all the old stuff is still there behind all the dropcloths with stars projected on them.

Right now, it's half the ride it used to be.

The first half looks awesome, though. However, I rode it twice and cannot figure out why they take your photo.

One of these days they are going to take your photo while you board the Disney bus to your resort and try to sell it to you.

The narration isn't terrible. Dame Judi does her best to sound chatty, although if they are going for chatty, maybe they should have hired Katie Couric or Ellen Degeneres. The text is pretty simplistic though. And I think the monk always snored - he just snores louder now.

 

[hismattjesty]

As posted by mousemerf:

1. Original opening day ride - Computer sounds, images of futurustic stuff on small screens near the side of the track. About as poorly recieved and sterile as the current version. Vic Perrin (of Haunted Mansion fame) narrates.

Actually, the Haunted Mansion is Paul Frees. Spaceship Earth is the only attraction to Vic Perrin's credit.

 

[crzy4mk]

Thanks a lot Disney for ruining the end. According to CM's, the ending is staying.

I have learned not to put much stock in what most CMs tell me. Often times, I have more accurate information than they do. Just because a CM said it was staying that way doesn't make it so. It definately sounds to me like a work in progress. I hope I get to see for myself in a couple of weeks.