Spaceship Earth: Is the current version a bust?

[Sassagoula Billy]

From the disastrously perky script to Judi Dench's inappropriately trite reading, to the loss of Edo Guidotti's brilliant score from the 1994 version (my favorite attraction score in the history of WDW or DL), to the replacement of the once dreamlike descent from atop the geosphere with a mere iPad-like flash animation jibjab presentation in the dark... is the current incarnation of Spaceship Earth a bust?

Sure, new visitors have nothing to compare. But tried and true visitors? What say you? Though I was looking forward to Judi Dench's contributions, I now miss Jeremy Irons.

Spaceship Earth is especially important to me because for many years, it was always my family's first attraction. That's when we knew we were at Disney World. Now, it's kinda like arriving at a strange parallel universe.

EDIT: There are elements that have benefitted from the upgrade (new AA figures, the removal of certain outdated technology cited as the 'future', etc.), I just wanted to clarify that.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't have a problem with Judi Dench although I really miss Jeremy Irons.

I hate that they removed the entire second half of the ride and you now are expected to play on the computer during that time. I mean, hate it. I used to ride it whenever I could. I've ridden it only three times since the change.

 

[mollygirl13]

I truly miss Jeremy Irons' narration.

I don't mind the computer entertainment at the end-it makes DH and I laugh every time!

 

[coconutprincess]

Billy.. I always am so intrigued by your posts. half the time they make me laugh (even if I'm oblivious to the joke at first)

To a veteran, I like the new version. It is still one of my favorite attractions.

 

[MYD714]

I miss Jeremy Irons too. While I still love this ride, it's definitely missing some things I loved.

I don't know why, but I always loved the animated Roman chariot that would drive through the streets of Rome. I miss it and don't see why it was removed.

I also strangely miss the clip from Snow White that used to play near the movie theater scene. It was missing in August--maybe it's returned since then.

While I find the new ending amusing, I miss the old ending scenes in the final decent.

I find myself watching the old ride on youtube all the time.

 

[Pakey]

I like the newer version better. Jeremy Irons put me to sleep.

 

[puffkin]

I prefer the new version although I miss the Jeremy Irons narration. I have a hard time picking up Judi Dench's voice for some reason...don't know if it is too quiet or what. I also thought the prior ending was kind of boring...I don't mind the computer entertainment. We think it is hilarious.

 

[Gina]

From the disastrously perky script to Judi Dench's inappropriately trite reading, to the loss of Edo Guidotti's brilliant score from the 1994 version (my favorite attraction score in the history of WDW or DL), to the replacement of the once dreamlike descent from atop the geosphere with a mere iPad-like flash animation jibjab presentation in the dark... is the current incarnation of Spaceship Earth a bust?

Sure, new visitors have nothing to compare. But tried and true visitors? What say you? Though I was looking forward to Judi Dench's contributions, I now miss Jeremy Irons.

Spaceship Earth is especially important to me because for many years, it was always my family's first attraction. That's when we knew we were at Disney World. Now, it's kinda like arriving at a strange parallel universe.

THIS.

It honestly hurts my heart when I hear the un-ruined version on Live365. I can picture the whole thing, and mourn every time over the loss. The music at the end was so beautiful... and the cityscape with the lights shooting overhead, and that music soaring, and I could have sat there all day. Every trip we rode it again and again.

Every time I hear people who had only ridden the new version talk about how "hilarious" and "hysterical" the ride is, especially the ridiculous-beyond-words ending, it truly makes me want to cry. I'm fairly sure the original intent was not for that ride to be "hilarious."

Ugh, it just makes me mad and sad beyond all words.

 

[kaybird]

Another long time veteran that likes the update just fine! Love the interactivity, think Dame Densche is awesome (like Irons too), and will ride it over and over as usual!

 

[Gina]

I prefer the new version although I miss the Jeremy Irons narration. I have a hard time picking up Judi Dench's voice for some reason...don't know if it is too quiet or what. I also thought the prior ending was kind of boring...I don't mind the computer entertainment. We think it is hilarious.

Just wanted to say right quick that I was definitely not picking on you or your use of the word "hilarious" -- I honestly didn't notice you had said that until I read it again. I have just heard lots of people use the word before in describing the new version. But I don't want you to think I was directing my reply to you. We each have our own opinions, and that's what makes the world go 'round.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

The chariot ride! Exactly. I miss it. I remember trying to watch it for as long as I could before it went out of sight...

And as for Judi Dench, I was really looking forward to her. But the new script is so lousy and almost condescending! One line that leaps out at me each time is something like, "Do you remember how easy it was learning your ABCs? Thank the Phoenicians."

As Pooh would say, OH BOTHER.

 

[TDC Nala]

Part of the reason for the refurb, according to Disney, was to make the ride more interesting and accessible to children. Therefore, the computer game and the simplified narration.

 

[Gina]

Part of the reason for the refurb, according to Disney, was to make the ride more interesting and accessible to children. Therefore, the computer game and the simplified narration.

That seems to be their same excuse for adding characters to rides that were just fine & dandy without. El Rio del Tiempo, anyone?

 

[puffkin]

Just wanted to say right quick that I was definitely not picking on you or your use of the word "hilarious" -- I honestly didn't notice you had said that until I read it again. I have just heard lots of people use the word before in describing the new version. But I don't want you to think I was directing my reply to you. We each have our own opinions, and that's what makes the world go 'round.

I didn't take it that way, but thanks. And just for clarification, I don't find the ride hilarious....just the computer entertainment at the end. I find the ride quit enjoyable and inspiring....and yes I do think the narration (while dumbed down a bit) is much more accessible to children. It is one of my DS4 favorite rides and I do think he learned and retained quite a bit from it!

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Billy.. I always am so intrigued by your posts. half the time they make me laugh (even if I'm oblivious to the joke at first)

Aw thank you! But don't you know it's cooler to hate on me?

THIS.
The music at the end was so beautiful... and the cityscape with the lights shooting overhead, and that music soaring, and I could have sat there all day. Every trip we rode it again and again.

Yes, that specific scene, in fact the entire descent, was the most magical, mystical, (insert trippy m word) musicaltastic moment for me of any attraction.

Part of the reason for the refurb, according to Disney, was to make the ride more interesting and accessible to children. Therefore, the computer game and the simplified narration.

But I was a kid on Spaceship Earth and I understood it perfectly. I hate this dumbing down of everything, I really and truly do. Kids are bright, it's the adults who don't allow them to be.

 

[MYD714]

But I was a kid on Spaceship Earth and I understood it perfectly. I hate this dumbing down of everything, I really and truly do. Kids are bright, it's the adults who don't allow them to be.

You are right! My brother and I were 10 and 6 the first time we rode Spaceship Earth, and we loved it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My feelings are mixed. I like Jeremy Irons voice better for this ride (Though generally I find Judy Dench very talented). I sort of like the new ending better, as well as the post ride. I think the idea of guests using interactive technology fits the theme of the ride better than watching kids use a dated image of interactive technology. (that part really HAD to go)

There are some parts I find VERY annoying in the script however. A particular peeve is the quip, "Call it the world's first backup system," referring to Arabs keeping copies of the great texts. It's a terrible dumbing down of the original script by Ray Bradbury. It feels like I'm in grade school again. Disney didn't like it when adults talked down to kids and that was a part of his magic - most adults talked down to kids back then, but he didn't.

I suppose there is also an interesting/ironic point to be made if you think about how they replaced the end of the ride with television screens, remember that Ray Bradbury was a big part of the original ride, and you've ever read Farenheit 451.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I like the new version. I think change is a good thing most of the time.

 

[Bradsdadg]

I like the Jeremy Irons narration much more. The script is dumbed down now and I just don't really like Judi Dench's voice. The ending reminds me of an ESurance commercial, animation wise. And the more you ride it, the worse it gets. The Rome scene is one that I miss, North, South, East, West, all roads lead to Rome.

On another note, am I the only one that thinks the guy working in the 80s computer room looks like Ronald Reagan?

 

[McFlea]

I miss Walter Cronkite.