Spaceship Earth closing in the Fall!?

[crazyj4488]

From D-troops:

SPACESHIP EARTH: All options seem to be on the table concerning changes in the ride itself. At one point, Disney had considered having a track enter and exit the sphere (from holes in the side) according to those who had seen artwork, as we had hinted at earlier; however, we hear that all of the future work to the attraction would keep the show elements inside. The pavilion is expected to close as early as October. More information as it becomes available. . .

***

Man, I will have to say my last goodbye to one of my favorite attractions at WDW (plan on riding it a minimum of 3 to 4 times while I'm there next week)...I hope they stick to the dark ride element and not some crazy thrill ride. SE is the last of the great dark rides at EPCOT. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes right now...Arrrgh.

 

[stinkerbelle]

shall we all pray for padded headrests for our "return to earth?"

 

[scrump]

Man, I will have to say my last goodbye to one of my favorite attractions at WDW (plan on riding it a minimum of 3 to 4 times while I'm there next week)...I hope they stick to the dark ride element and not some crazy thrill ride. SE is the last of the great dark rides at EPCOT. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes right now...Arrrgh.

OH NO!!!!!

I love this ride. It is a great ride, nice and relaxing and wow what memories for me!!!

 

[kupperman]

OH! NO! Say it isn't so! This is one of my favorite rides at WDW ,its a classic! I hope they don't change it too much.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Unless there is news that I am unaware of, they had talked about this, but decided that the structure couldn't support this type of ride.

This was part of Project Gemini.

I haven't seen this news on wdwmagic either, and I have more faith in their reports.

 

[mousemom218]

Oh noooo!

This is one of our most favorite rides! It is cool in summer and warm in winter, not to mention those swell surprise stops when you least expect them! I hope theyhave the good sense to keep the classics as is!!

We'll ride an extra time in June

 

[pdarrah]

Does anyone remember the original Spaceship Earth? It was narrated by Walter Concrite and had a different sound track. When it was "updated" the narration changed to Jeremy Irons and they added/updated the current/future communication part near the end. Much of the ride stayed the same. Another update like that would probably be good - keep the basic ride but make it more current near the end and maybe improve the track.

pdarrah

 

[safetymom]

I doubt they are going to take Spaceship Earth out during the 50th celebration. I say everyone should wait for an official announcement before they get all upset.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone remember the original Spaceship Earth? It was narrated by Walter Concrite and had a different sound track.
pdarrah

That sound track was "Tomorrow's Child" and I loved it! Fortunately, it's still played often, just as an instrumental, as the "bush" music. And fortunately I still have it on a CD. I LOVED that song-if they're going to change SE, the only thing that would satisfy me is if they brought back this song. Hey, they went back to the original song in COP, why not in SE?

 

[liznboys]

Ack! My heart sank when I saw this. I sure hope they never change SE, that would be really, REALLY sad!!!!

 

[caribear]

I have heard it would just be a refurbishment with a few added elements.....kind of like IASW. The ending of the ride needs an update....but please keep everything else the same! Maybe an upgraded track (it's so squeaky!) and new omnimovers! Love the idea of the padded headrests!

 

[mommykds]

I agree that I don't think they would take SE out for rehab during the 50th celebration..i hope not, I'd like to ride it in Oct one more time before they do anything to it.

 

[nygrl]

we are going the first week of oct and this is my ds favorite ride... i hope it is not closed

 

[*Sooner Girl*]

I definately agree with not changing the ride itself...my mom and I love this ride! But I would agree with updating it a little more. Is it me or does everything look futuristic with and 80s spin on it? LOL

 

[Catrin]

My husband and I still sing "Tomorrows Child" on the way down...... we really have always enjoyed that ride....

WHatever they do, it cannot beat the feeling in the early 1980's when Spaceship Earth was very innovative and awesome.
For those of you who went on this ride from 1982 to about 1985 know what I mean - way ahead of its time.
Catrin

 

[ReninDetroit]

I certainly hope they don't dramatically change it but it definately needs some updating. The animatronics are among Disney's loudest, the track is obnoxiously squeaky, and everything from the "present" to the end of the ride needs serious updating.

There are small hints of the AT&T logo everywhere towards the end even though AT&T no longer sponsors the exhibit. The neon bar lights that lead you into the view of the whole dome need to be replaced with something more modern.

The padded headrests are a GREAT idea.

And, of course, the pavilion at the end is empty right now and really needs something to go inside of it, even if it's just bathrooms or a snack stand or gift shop or something.

 

[eeyore0062]

I have to agree w/ Safetymom, I cannot see them taking out the attraction that is in the signiture icon of Epcot before the end of the Happiest Celebration on Earth completes its run in September of 2006.

However, after that... bring on the THRILLS, baby!!!!

 

[WillCAD]

These rumors have been circulating periodically (probably every time somebody reads an old thread about it on a message board) for several years, but it's NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

The Time Racers thrill ride that Disney had on the preliminary drawing board to go into the geosphere turned out to be impossible, because the original ride structure is integral to the geosphere. In other words, taking out the old ride would make the whole ball collapse on its own weight, because the ride is part of what holds the ball up.

This was a welcome discovery to those of us who love the original Spaceship Earth ride, but it comes with a pricetag: it means that the SE ride is very difficult to repair, because any major changes to it would destabilize the geosphere just as ripping it out would.

A little updating of the various dioramas would certainly be welcome, but considering how Epcot has been spending its money on new attractions and letting the existing attractions go to pot over the last few years, I seriously doubt that it will happen any time soon. Heck, they can't even keep the bathrooms clean!

 

[DrTomorrow]

shall we all pray for padded headrests for our "return to earth?"

Yes, please! I'm 6'4" and my head always hits the UNPADDED top of the headrest.

 

[minijeanie]

I hope they don't change a blessed thing about SE....it is absolutely perfect, noise, squeaks and all............

best ride in all wdw...always has always will be


and that is my say on all this