Spaceship Earth: Is the current version a bust?

[jess20k]

I absolutely miss the Jeremy Irons version! Along with the score from that one. While I still consider SE a favorite, I really wish they never did the dumbed down narrative along with Judi Dench as the narrator. IMO it is no match.

Also, OP..I know what you mean regarding the part of the script when she says "Do you remember how easy it was learning your ABCs? Thank the Phoenicians." I cringe every time I hear that.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh how I miss the old version!!! The chariot in Rome was one of my favorite parts! At least they didn't take out the burning of Rome and the smell...that's just such a "You're in Disney" smell of wonderfulness.

The computer screens are cute, but I prefer the old decent setup. I feel like we could play that game here at home, not use up time on the ride that could be filled with more of our nostalgic favorites.

 

[bytheblood]

I don't care for it. I would have preferred they left it as it was.

What I miss:
Jeremy Irons
The whole ride back down - that was gutted

What I don't like:
Judi Dench (this ride needs a male narrator)
The entire trip back down
The lame touch screen demographics/future crud they added

What I like:
The animatronics move more fluidly
Their new attire was a much-needed change

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Probably in the minority, but I dig the update, gives you something to do on your "return" to the present other than giggling over how dated a lot of the "futuristic visions of tomorrow's communication" were. I do miss Jeremy Irons voice over though

 

[Planogirl]

(this ride needs a male narrator)

I have to ask....why?

 

[larryz]

Oh how I miss the old version!!! The chariot in Rome was one of my favorite parts! At least they didn't take out the burning of Rome and the smell...that's just such a "You're in Disney" smell of wonderfulness.

And you can relive that smell every time you enjoy a nice cup of hot lapsang souchong tea...

Same smell as you'll experience on Kali River Rapids during the burnt forest scene...

 

[pumpkin7]

i actually don't remember the original from when i went as a kid (1997), which is a shame. i remember judi dench not doing the naration though. i couldn't hear her very well either when we rode last.
i really wished they'd have kept all the cheesy cliches at the end of the ride, and not put in the computer game (although i did have a giggle at this as DH pulled a ridiculous face). it does seem like they just wanted to cut a few corners and save money. oh well. still love the ride though.

 

[JLTraveling]

I think there are a lot of good and bad aspects to the update:

What I Hate:

The new script. I agree with those who said that Walt Disney never would have talked down to children like that. I was six when Epcot opened, and all of Future World was so amazingly awe-inspiring to me. I had to think a bit to keep up with what was going on in the attractions, and I liked it. I sort of felt like I was being invited to step up and be part of the adult world, in a way. I took things like "Tomorrow's Child" very seriously. It felt like I was going to be part of creating this amazing new future. I think Epcot in general has been dumbed down to the point that today's kids don't get that same jaw-dropping experience. In my opinion, the Walter Cronkite version was the best. I'm still mad that they didn't bring back "Tomorrow's Child" in the latest version.

I don't fault Judi Dench though. I think she did the best she could with what she had. I see no reason that the ride needs a male narrator, it just needs an inspiring script.

What I Love:

The audio-animatronics rehab. Some things were looking really dated, others were just looking run down. I love the computer scenes in particular.

What Could Be Better:

The touch screen stuff. I don't hate it. We've been on it so much, we now amuse ourselves by pretending to be from random places (I think it was Uzbekistan last time), and putting together odd combinations of answers to the questions. But why can't there be both? Keep the touch screens for those who enjoy them, and play "Tomorrow's Child" while giving something to look at for those who prefer it? Wouldn't even have to be anything major, just something.

 

[lilosurf11]

I miss the Jeremy Irons version. The second half is fun and it's hilarious to see the photos, but I prefer the version I grew up with.

 

[Brian Noble]

I liked Irons' narration better, but I like the Broughton score a lot. And, the new descent has been a hit with my family from day one. My daughter got off the "new" version (after having been on the "old" version several times) and immediately wanted to run around and see it a second time---even though there was a *line*. It was always a must-do before, but it is even more so now.

I would not be surprised to hear that ridership is up with the new version---still. Like it or not, that's the measure of success.