Spaceship Earth is Different, No?

[k-herm]

After experiencing Spaceship Earth recently, I came out thinking that last time [16 years ago!] it was a different ride.

Maybe I'm thinking of something else completely, but I remembered it as an [embarrassing] look to the future with robots cooking and hoovering, etc. A bit naff to be honest.

Has it changed or am I remembering something different altogether?

 

[seashoreCM]

There was a ride called Horizons that had things like robots cooking, that ride was inside Epcot I think where Mission Space is now. I never got to see that ride, it was closed every time I visited except for one time before did not take Disney seriously, and did not try everything.

There have been minor changes at the end of Spaceship Earth, more like replacing some of the worn out video screens and some lighting changes too.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Red-Snapper]

Yes it sounds like you are describing Horizons which was a sort of 1950's look at the future - but actually very good. Lots of moving robots characters set on a revolving stageshowing I think family life through time to the future.

There have been a few changes to Spaceship Earth over the years including a new commentary by Jeremy Irons (used to be Walter kronkite) and also the end is a bit different as they dropped the old sponsorship.

Also think the "modern" family communicating over the web is new or at least redone.

 

[Soprano]

Could very well be the second worst attraction in WDW after The Land. Very, very dull, and way past its sell by date. This does nothing to help EPCOT's reputation for being known as a "boring" park. (Not my view, I quite like EPCOT as you can take it easy there and it is less crowded.)

Lovely on the outside, just nothing much going on inside. A bit like Jessica Simpson.

 

[Lisash]

Every time we've been on it I end up wanting to scream because it keeps stopping! You get that please remain seated message over and over until just before you are ready to jump out of the car and walk back down regardless of what the message says and then you move .... only for it to stop again about 30 seconds later

 

[Goofyish]

I always enjoy the Spaceship Earth wide - especially when it gets to the top and you see the earth above you

 

[VSL]

I love Spaceship Earth!
It was my first ride at WDW...

 

[bicker]

I love Spaceship Earth, and especially since the voice-over is now done by Jeremy Irons.

 

[carolfoy]

I love spaceship earth, its always one of the best cat naps I get at Disney (well that and the TTA)

 

[disneyholic family]

Could very well be the second worst attraction in WDW after The Land. Very, very dull, and way past its sell by date. This does nothing to help EPCOT's reputation for being known as a "boring" park. (Not my view, I quite like EPCOT as you can take it easy there and it is less crowded.)

Lovely on the outside, just nothing much going on inside. A bit like Jessica Simpson.

You think the Land is the worst attraction? have you been there since Soarin was added?....
but even without Soarin, Living with the Land is a very interesting attraction...as is the Behind the Seeds backstage tour...
i agree that spaceship earth is hurting now that AT&T is no longer the sponsor, so the post-ride area is pathetically empty....rumor has it that there's a new sponsor, but so far i've seen no evidence of it....you would think that SBC would come back to sponsor it once the merger with AT&T closes....they could use the post ride area to generate interest in IPTV....

 

[gavvy]

Hay dont dis Spaceship Earth its my Fave ride in the world.

Ok so its slow but i find it really relaxing and the music score at the end is classic gives me goosebumps- and no thats not because of the Air con lol


I know im in a minority though, my family and friends think im mad, but it has to be the first thing I do at epcot otherwise it just isnt right lol

 

[disneyholic family]

Hay dont dis Spaceship Earth its my Fave ride in the world.

Ok so its slow but i find it really relaxing and the music score at the end is classic gives me goosebumps- and no thats not because of the Air con lol


I know im in a minority though, my family and friends think im mad, but it has to be the first thing I do at epcot otherwise it just isnt right lol

we also like spaceship earth....but the really need to fill in the exit area...it looks so sad deserted like that...

 

[k-herm]

Interesting comment with regard to the Horizons ride. That's certainly the one I was thinking of - a have a vague memory of finishing that ride in a pod where you could choose to be either in the sea, space or land I think.

It also got me thinking about other attractions which I remember from 16 years ago:

Mr Toad's Ride
20,000 Leagues [underwater with giant plastic squid]
Mission to Mars ["squishy" moving seats which gave an impression of G forces]

There must be others which you remember too...

 

[gavvy]

we also like spaceship earth....but the really need to fill in the exit area...it looks so sad deserted like that...

Yeah I agree since AT&T dropped their sponcership the old preshow area looks really sad. I remember you used to be able to speak on a video phone to a reservation agent to make PS- this was 15 years ago long before camera phones!
I hope its not one way in which Disney will justifly closing the ride in the future!

 

[disneyholic family]

Yeah I agree since AT&T dropped their sponcership the old preshow area looks really sad. I remember you used to be able to speak on a video phone to a reservation agent to make PS- this was 15 years ago long before camera phones!
I hope its not one way in which Disney will justifly closing the ride in the future!

Ellen's energy adventure (the dinosaur energy ride at epcot) has also lost its corporate sponsorship and my son claims there are rumors that that building will also be torn down....(after they tear down wonders of life)...i hope not....i like that ride now that it has that funny narrative...

as for spaceship earth, even without corporate sponsorship, i doubt they'd tear it down....it's so identifiable with epcot...everyone thinks of that dome when they think epcot......and maybe SBC or Sprint or Verizon will pick up the sponsorship....the rumors are that microsoft was going to take it over....but i haven't seen any evidence of that....

regarding Horizons - i loved that ride....i loved all those dorky rides like that....i also liked the World of Motion that was replaced by Test Track...
and i still prefer the original Imagination to the revamped throwback to figment...and i much preferred the imageworks that used to be upstairs in the imagination building...

 

[Miffy2003]

I love Spaceship Earth! For me it is the epitome of Epcot (the fact that I can pretend Jeremy Irons is whispering directly into my ear has nothing to do with it, of course )

I so agree about the exit though. Surely it would not take much to put something in here to brighten it up a little? Are they waiting for a new sponsor??

 

[Bexx]

I also love Spaceship Earth - though I'm sure that it wasn't Jeremy Irons doing the narration when we went in February. Can't understand how anyone could snooze through it though - not just because I love the ride, but because the seats are probably the most uncomfortable in the whole of WDW!!!

I also adore Universe of Energy! I've heard the rumours that it may close down, but I'm choosing to ignore them!! I would be SO sad if it did.

 

[Miffy2003]

Becky I am sure it was Jezza in Dec 04 and Aug 05. I rode several times just to be sure

I totally agree about the Universe of Energy! This is a great foot rester also

 

[gavvy]

as for spaceship earth, even without corporate sponsorship, i doubt they'd tear it down....it's so identifiable with epcot...everyone thinks of that dome when they think epcot......and maybe SBC or Sprint or Verizon will pick up the sponsorship....the rumors are that microsoft was going to take it over....but i haven't seen any evidence of that....

...

im sure your right about taking down spaceship earth- its as much an icon as the castle is in MK
Im sure disney want to do something with it though, as was said the exit is in a sorry state- Id hate to see the ride go, i think rides like these are disney at their best!

 

[Bexx]

Becky I am sure it was Jezza in Dec 04 and Aug 05. I rode several times just to be sure

Isn't that weird?! I remember hearing good old JI back in 1999, and went on this time waiting to hear his dulcet tones - and didn't!!!

I totally agree about the Universe of Energy! This is a great foot rester also

It is quite useful in that respect , but I really do enjoy this ride. Could never snooze on it though, even if I ever wanted to - again the seats are b****y uncomfortable. It was just a shame I couldn't appreciate it this year - trying to control and comfort one restless and one terrified daughter does rather detract from the experience!! And if they close it before we next go, I'll be gutted!!