Spaceship Earth: Is the current version a bust?

[FlightlessDuck]

I like Judi Dench, and I like playing the game. I didn't like the ride down backwards before, but now that I don't have to look up, it's much more tolerable.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I like the updated version and I like Judy Dench (I liked Jeremy Irons too). I LOVE the computer portion and the little video of us in the future. And the kids like to see their photo on the world map after the ride. I agree that having to look up moving backwards was more nauseating than keeping myself occupied with the computer questions. And I always have a different future so it's not 'stuck' with one thing.

 

[MariDisney]

I miss Jeremy Irons. Judy Dench doesn't quite do it for me. I'd be happy to skip the whole second half of the new ride. I think they could have made much more relevant changes.

 

[Mary T in PA]

I have mixed feelings.. I do miss Jeremy Irons voice. I think the ride definitely needed updating but after awhile I just zone out of the last part and let my kids do the touch screen part. We will ride it if there's no line and I need to rest my feet.

 

[AnthonyJPreston]

.

 

[MouseyMin]

When the new version first opened, there were many threads talking about how the ending wasn't completed yet, and that there was more coming later. Any new rumors (or facts) about this?

 

[grossmansr]

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

No way! El Rio del Tiempo is way cooler now. I LOVE Donald Duck. He's perfect in this ride

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

As a veteran I like the new version, have no problem with Judi, but miss Jeremy Iron's voice. It just seemed to 'fit' the future theme for some reason to me. A nice strong manly voice. We have been on the 'new' one so many times now that it is hard to remember the old one. Although some don't we love the interactive computer element at the end and like to make our stories as goofy as can be. Also the exit area has improved drastically from days past. The games are actually worth spending a minute or two checking out now.

 

[sharadoc]

I miss Walter Cronkite.

YES - and that last scene, when you would turn around backwards and those first strains of "Tomorrow's Child" would start. I sing it and lament about what's missing and say things like - look, you can still see the outlines of the building, etc. etc.

The Jeremy Irons version was fine, too but I hate this ending now. The Judi Dench story/narration is okay, it's just the ending that is awful to us.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

YES - and that last scene, when you would turn around backwards and those first strains of "Tomorrow's Child" would start. I sing it and lament about what's missing and say things like - look, you can still see the outlines of the building, etc. etc.

Now I'm gonna cry, yes I do miss that version, too.

Also, I wanted to make sure everyone was clear that I'm not disparaging certain aspects of the update. The post-show is a vast mprovement over the Alice in Wonderland Global Neighborhood graveyard!

 

[GinnyEmma]

I miss Walter Cronkite.

lol,I agree.

 

[nick-pappagiorgio]

I think the new AA and narration give it a fresher look and feel. The Touch screens are very fun, and modernize the ride. Epcot was beginning to become retro futuristic, and i thing this is a step in the right direction. I think it just takes time for people to get used to new effects and thus all of the attacks on the touch screens

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't need to get used to the touch screens. I don't like them. I usually ride alone, that means it isn't as fun to use them. I rode Spaceship Earth to take a break and look at the dioramas, not to play a computer game. They could provide something to look at for those who don't want to play the computer game. It is fun the first couple times but doesn't really lend itself to repeated use.

 

[Ro Z]

I also miss Walter Cronkite! (showing my age) The computer play at the end is a distraction. I used to love that time to relax and listen to the music. OK it was kinda funny the first couple of times but I am OVER it now!

 

[Oglet]

I personally love the ride and every time we walk into Epcot we walk on to Spaceship Earth. My biggest complaint is the final scene when you look back at the Earth. The scene is great its just not dark enough as you can clearly see the outlines of things in the distance.

 

[Ro Z]

I personally love the ride and every time we walk into Epcot we walk on to Spaceship Earth. My biggest complaint is the final scene when you look back at the Earth. The scene is great its just not dark enough as you can clearly see the outlines of things in the distance.

Oh don't get me wrong. If we walk in the front entrance this is ALWAYS the first thing we do. Every time. I just miss the old version.

 

[kaligal]

"East, West, North and South...all roads lead to Rome." )%*#@)&%. I miss that. Also the paper boy.

So many kids have no idea that you once needed an entire room for a computer. They never saw that. Good to see, IMO.

But the ride needs a male voice: the deeper, the better.

 

[si-am]

I hate the new version. The computer thing at the end is interesting once but not for repeat rides. And some of the lines are so cheesy: the monks toiling endlessly = the world's first backup system. *gag*

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I miss how COOL it used to be. Like, temperature wise. It was always drafty and chilly. Now the air is kind of stifling. (AC on a lot of rides seem to be this way now with cost saving measures all over, but this always sticks out more on SE for me...)

 

[SueM in MN]

I miss Walter Cronkite.

YES - and that last scene, when you would turn around backwards and those first strains of "Tomorrow's Child" would start. I sing it and lament about what's missing and say things like - look, you can still see the outlines of the building, etc. etc.

The Jeremy Irons version was fine, too but I hate this ending now. The Judi Dench story/narration is okay, it's just the ending that is awful to us.

I miss the Tomorrow's Child too. It has special meaning to me because we came on our 2nd trip to WDW just after my youngest DD was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy - she was just about 2 yrs old.
She didn't like Small World - in fact, she put one arm across her eyes and covered her ears on that, at the same time as she was sucking her thumb and twirling her hair Many of the MK attractions got the same response - too noisy, too much happening.
The things meant for kids in MK were way too much stimulation for her, which made me sad and not very hopeful for her future......

Until, we got to Epcot and rode Spaceship Earth. She watched everything, was paying attention and loved it all. Then, Tomorrow's Child started and she was smiling and 'dancing' to it while sitting in my lap. Lucky the ride went on for a while after that song because I had time to compose myself and dry my tears.
We rode a lot of those Classic Epcot rides that are no longer around and she loved every one of them - Horizons, the original Imagination, Kitchen Kaboret. She even liked the Universe of Energy (yes, very long, but it had some great music).

I agree with the poster who wrote the it's sad to see things dumbed down for kids. Spaceship Earth with Walter Cronkite was not over the head of my not quite 2 yr old, but the new script is just groan producing, not inspiring.