Spaceship Earth to Close?

[Myron]

I have heard from several sources that the attraction inside "Spaceship Earth" will be removed and replaced with roller coasters; similar to "Space Mountain". This is terrible, all the nostalgic, educational, rides are being removed. "The World Of Motion", "Horizons", "The Electrical Parade", possibly "Carousel of Progress" and who knows if "It's A Small World" will ever re-open? Disney evidently wants just to have "thrill" rides for the young. What about those of us with motion sickness who can't ride on "Space Mountain" or on "Test Track" or "Mission to Mars" ( uncertain of name)? I haven't visited since 1998 and nothing has been added that I care to see!

 

[RyMickey]

There had been rumors for a long time, but supposedly, the cost to gut the attraction and redo the ride is astronomical. So, as of right now, no worries about Spaceship Earth.

RyMickey

 

[Bobb G]

Not saying it will happen, but if WDW every became a park of nothing but roller coasters, they will have seen the last of me.

 

[msn1]

I haven't visited since 1998 and nothing has been added that I care to see!

Go and see Mickey's Philarmagic. It is excellent.

 

[OK!]

Just curious, but does AT&T still sponsor Spaceship Earth? If so, I wonder if their ongoing financial lunacy might have anything to do with the "closing" rumors.

Just firing a random thought off the top of my head.

Signed,
A Highly Disgruntled "Downsized" Former AT&T Employee. Grr.

 

[DisneyMan1016]

I hope that Spaceship Earth doesn't close, although it desperately needs a rehab. Actually, I think due to the structure, gutting the ride and replacing it with a roller coaster would never work.

The Electrical Parade is actually the Main Street Electrical Parade, and can still be seen at Disney's California Adventure. Oh, and it was never educational.

I believe the Mission to Mars attraction you're talking about is Mission: SPACE. It's still a fabulous ride, though.

 

[AJKMOM]

It's A Small World will re-open in the spring. Supposedly, March 16.
The Winnie the Pooh Ride is a nice attraction that is tame.
Mickey's Philharmagic is great.

 

[DebbieB]

Just curious, but does AT&T still sponsor Spaceship Earth? If so, I wonder if their ongoing financial lunacy might have anything to do with the "closing" rumors.

Just firing a random thought off the top of my head.

Signed,
A Highly Disgruntled "Downsized" Former AT&T Employee. Grr.

No they don't. The exhibit they had after getting off the ride is gone, the room is empty. I would think any redesign of the ride would have to be accompanied by new sponsorship.

 

[Leota]

I don't think that'll ever be a reality......

The empty Global Neighborhood is just downright depressing. They really have to put something else in there. It's like a vast, gaping wound after the ride now...... Very cheesy & disappointing.

 

[golfgal]

No they don't. The exhibit they had after getting off the ride is gone, the room is empty. I would think any redesign of the ride would have to be accompanied by new sponsorship.

Is that the room where they had all the interactive stuff like being able to morph one face with another?

 

[jellydisney]

The empty Global Neighborhood is just downright depressing. They really have to put something else in there. It's like a vast, gaping wound after the ride now...... Very cheesy & disappointing.

ITA! Very accurate way to describe it. Very depressing.

 

[Leota]

Golfgal - The morphing faces is at Imagination - Global Neighborhood was all interactive exhibits dealing with communication....

 

[Luckymommyx2]

They can tweek Spaceship Earth but never get rid of it completely! It's nice to have some originals around. Sometimes newer isn't always better.

 

[barb45]

Spaceship earth is one of my favourties - I hope they never close it. I too get motion sick and don't go on many thrill rides. I wish they would do something new for us?? There are also old people and little kids that can't do thrill rides so they need to keep a balance.

 

[SueM in MN]

I believe the Mission to Mars attraction you're talking about is Mission: SPACE. It's still a fabulous ride, though.

Mission to Mars was what was originally in the building in Tomorrowland that the Stitch attraction is now in.
When it was Mission to Mars, you sat on seats that surrounded the room (like now), but the seats were fairly low back without any restraints. The seats sort of "shook" during take-off and you could see different space scenes in the screen that was set in the floor in the middle of the room.

After Mission to Mars, it was renovated to Alien Encounter and re-themed to the current attraction.

Mission Space took the place of Horizons, which was an educational ride (something like SpaceShip Earth) about what life would be like in the future, with possibilities of living under the sea, in space and bringing high tech farming to the desert.

 

[Disney-Kim]

The Epcot redo is part of the rumored Gemini project. You can find out about it on the rumors/news board.