Spaceship Earth to close May 26th

[Carolynleanne]

Has there been any official date release yet for the closure? Last I heard it was 'early 2020' but I'm hoping our trip mid-January might allow us one last ride *fingers crossed*

EDIT: I know it's a REFURB, not a forever close

 

[shanew21]

A refurb is still only a rumor.

 

[chippydale33]

I almost passed out thinking Spaceship Earth might be closing for good! If it's a refurb, I can handle that. I haven't properly thanked the Phoenicians yet

 

[Carolynleanne]

Oh yes. Sorry. I knew it wasn't closing for GOOD but I thought it'd been officially confirmed that it would be down for a year or two for refurb?

 

[rteetz]

Oh yes. Sorry. I knew it wasn't closing for GOOD but I thought it'd been officially confirmed that it would be down for a year or two for refurb?

No confirmation.

 

[DVC Jen]

I almost passed out thinking Spaceship Earth might be closing for good! If it's a refurb, I can handle that. I haven't properly thanked the Phoenicians yet

 

[Carolynleanne]

I almost passed out thinking Spaceship Earth might be closing for good! If it's a refurb, I can handle that. I haven't properly thanked the Phoenicians yet

It's a family favorite, so that would be super upsetting if it was closed for good!!! Epcot just wouldn't be the same!

 

[chippydale33]

It's a family favorite, so that would be super upsetting if it was closed for good!!! Epcot just wouldn't be the same!

Totally agreed!!! I know it went through a refurb quite a while ago now, and it is certainly due for another, but hopefully not *too* much will be changing in this next one. Maybe it'll be a re-vamp of new cartoon options/adventures to put our heads on One of my favorite parts of the ride!

 

[shanew21]

Nothing confirmed yet. If it does happen, I'd be surprised if they started the refurb before both Ratatouille and Guardians are open. They'd be foolish to take out such a high capacity attraction without things to replace it (BUT THAT'S WHAT WE SAID ABOUT GMR)

 

[Phicinfan]

Heard from a few insiders it still 2 years out

 

[Carolynleanne]

Heard from a few insiders it still 2 years out

I hope so!!!

 

[Phicinfan]

I hope so!!!

Hate to break news to you then, but at least one fairly well thought of insider has said things have changed. Could close by as early as end of 2019 and be down for 2-3 years in refurb. Per him if not late 2019 then early to mid 2020 looks pretty solid.

 

[easyas123]

Wow, 2-3 years? I'm guessing it's a pretty extensive rehab then.
I enjoy Judi Dench, hope they don't change the narration.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Hate to break news to you then, but at least one fairly well thought of insider has said things have changed. Could close by as early as end of 2019 and be down for 2-3 years in refurb. Per him if not late 2019 then early to mid 2020 looks pretty solid.

That's what I had heard, which is why I was surprised to see so many comments saying NOPE. We're going January 2020, and I'm betting a 50/50 chance it'll be closed.

 

[mcjaco]

It's a family favorite, so that would be super upsetting if it was closed for good!!! Epcot just wouldn't be the same!

EPCOT hasn't been the same since 1994....

 

[intertile]

That's what I had heard, which is why I was surprised to see so many comments saying NOPE. We're going January 2020, and I'm betting a 50/50 chance it'll be closed.

Up until about 30 days ago all signs and conversations were pointing to it closing in about 2 years. All of a sudden the spine redo caught traction(as in they seem to have finally settled on a plan). With all of the construction and demolition work that will be done in the area, it seems that logistically it would be better for them to do this now even if the park will lose another needed attraction. I was still told that it will be late January- early Feb 2020 at the earliest, and that late 2019 wold not be the case. However, up until Christmas this was at least 2 years out and that seems to have changed rather quickly.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Up until about 30 days ago all signs and conversations were pointing to it closing in about 2 years. All of a sudden the spine redo caught traction(as in they seem to have finally settled on a plan). With all of the construction and demolition work that will be done in the area, it seems that logistically it would be better for them to do this now even if the park will lose another needed attraction. I was still told that it will be late January- early Feb 2020 at the earliest, and that late 2019 wold not be the case. However, up until Christmas this was at least 2 years out and that seems to have changed rather quickly.

Hopefully we can sneak in a quick ride before closure during our January 13th 2020 trip

 

[jknezek]

Hopefully we can sneak in a quick ride before closure during our January 13th 2020 trip

We thanked the Phoenicians 4x on our trip in Jan. One of the whole family's favorite rides. I did learn, however, that the area where the queue is located is a massive wind tunnel. It was a horrible day, rainy, cold, windy when we went, and that area was like being in a hurricane when the slightest breeze came through. One of my kids was standing on the lower rung of the queue rail and the wind just about blew him off it.

 

[sigp228]

I hope its a refurb and not closing for good. My teenage son used to love it as a toddler but that was just for the sights/ride. Then he got "bored" with it. Now as a teenager he is actually interested in the info provided by Dame Dench and the history and wants to ride every time. Now my daughter who is younger is interested in it for the ride and sights. History repeats!

 

[choirbird]

I hope its a refurb and not closing for good. My teenage son used to love it as a toddler but that was just for the sights/ride. Then he got "bored" with it. Now as a teenager he is actually interested in the info provided by Dame Dench and the history and wants to ride every time. Now my daughter who is younger is interested in it for the ride and sights. History repeats!

They would need something exceptional to replace Spaceship Earth (well, the ride inside Spaceship Earth...) and I just can't see that happening. Perhaps in 20 years they'll remove the sphere entirely for a different icon, but who knows. I'm imagining an update to the 90s "future" stuff.