Spaceship Earth

[MitchK]

Is it true that they are going to get rid of Spaceship Earth? I will admit the ride does seem to need some updating, but to get rid of it would be crazy. What is the first thing you think of when you think of Epcot? The big ball. I always go on it at least two times a visit. If they did get rid of Spaceship Earth, would that mean they would take down the big ball, or just close it off. Anyway, I hope nothing happens to Spaceship Earth, one of the last great Disney dark rides.

 

[mitros]

This subject has come up several times before. And at this point in time, they are rehabing SE scene by scene. The original idea was to gut the inside and add another section onto the left hand side of the sphere on the ground{ Supposedly a "Launching point" for the new ride} as you walk into the entrance gate. That particular idea has been set aside for now. I doubt that you will see any major changes to this ride for some time.

 

[Cobra B.]

I agree with you Mitch. When I go to Epcot I go to ride Spaceship Earth. It is the most relaxing ride I have ever been on. Something about the dark, slow ride and Jeremy Irons narration makes me want to take a 17 minute nap. I know that doesn't exactly sound like an exciting ride, but for some reason it is. It's kinda like a diversion ride. It breaks up a hot day very well. And it's an institution. It can't be removed!

 

[tiggersmom2]

Cobra B.,
I totally agree, it is an institution ,but so was 20,000 leagues under the sea, journey into imagination, world of motion, horizons and Mr. Toad's wild ride. It really sucks that all these wonderful rides are gone.

 

[YoHo]

The ride that was intended to replace the Dark ride was scaled down to a simulator and is currently being installed in the postshow area.

 

[Planogirl]

Isn't it true that the proposed ride would have been too stressful for the geosphere? This is one time when I'm glad that progress was halted.

 

[Prince Eric1]

Everytime this comes up, it seems most people agree. The ride is an institution and a nice relaxation stop. I ride it two or three times when I'm there just for a relaxing break, and my kids love it too. I hope they never do away with it, and the last thing I need is another simulator (even though I like them) to jerk me around.

 

[liquidsky88]

I have to say this is one of my favorite rides in all of Disney. As many times I've been on it before, I can't wait to always go back on it again. To remove this ride from Epcot would be like removing the Castle from Magic Kingdom. It's a Disney Icon!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Cobra B:
It's an institution, but never think it can't be removed (or changed)..Horizons and World of Motion were "big" dark rides, and look what happened to them!!!
These "dark rides" are my favorites, but unfortunately (for me) they are becoming a thing of the past. I doubt we'll ever see a new one, and will consider it lucky if we retain the few we have left.

 

[vinny16]

I hope they don't do away with it. We took our 4 year old to WDW this month for the first time and she wanted to go back on that ride 3 times! She was fascinated by it. It is a great look at things!

 

[wtg2000]

I'm heartened to hear that children enjoy this ride. All I usually hear is that children find these slow rides boring and therefore they have to be changed. I know as I child I would have been in awe of Spaceship Earth. I still love the ride, as I'm a reader of history and it's neat to ride by the various scenes throughout the ages. I truly hope they keep it so families will have something to ride together.

makes me want to take a 17 minute nap.

I'm amazed you make it by the sleeping monk without nodding off!

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by wtg2000
I'm heartened to hear that children enjoy this ride. All I usually hear is that children find these slow rides boring and therefore they have to be changed. I know as I child I would have been in awe of Spaceship Earth. I still love the ride, as I'm a reader of history and it's neat to ride by the various scenes throughout the ages. I truly hope they keep it so families will have something to ride together.

I keep hearing this too and it amazes me. I can only go by our own son who discovered it when he was a toddler and absolutely loved it. We rode it so many times that I almost had the words memorized. It's still a must-do now and we don't have that many of those.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I sincerely doubt we will see the removal of the structure of Spaceship Earth -- it is to EPCOT as Cinderella Castle is to MK; the Chinese Theatre is to DS and the Tree of Life is to AK. It's the "Weinie" that draws us into the park and certainly something more than Horizons or the other attractions we have seen move through the parks and into history. An excellent book to read that highlights such structural considerations at WDW is "Inside Disney" by the folks who brought you the Unofficial Guides.

 

[wtg2000]

the Chinese Theatre is to DS

Speaking of which, is Mickey's hat permanent? If so, then the Chinese Theatre is no longer the weinie, unless you have x-ray vision.

 

[meri's dad]

A very reliable source inside WDW told me that the plan is to keep the current concept of Spaceship Earth, but that the actual ride will be vastly different and will be a takeoff on a ride at DL that involves soaring. That is to say, you would board the ride at the top of the ball, soaring down through the ball in a sort of hang glider vehicle. Not sure I like the idea.

 

[MitchK]

Is this true about Spaceship Earth? I think they should leave it the way it is.

 

[YoHo]

Originally posted by meri's dad
A very reliable source inside WDW told me that the plan is to keep the current concept of Spaceship Earth, but that the actual ride will be vastly different and will be a takeoff on a ride at DL that involves soaring. That is to say, you would board the ride at the top of the ball, soaring down through the ball in a sort of hang glider vehicle. Not sure I like the idea.

No, no ,no the Soarin ride is Soarin over California and it is already being constructed at The Land.

 

[MitchK]

Thats what I thought he was talking about

 

[Suzi Q]

I hope they leave SE the way it is now. Our youngest son was 3 the first time we went to WDW. He loved it!! We rode it several times that trip. He is now 25, married, and still loves that ride. Doesn't want to see it changed at all.

 

[Distriv]

Originally posted by Planogirl
Isn't it true that the proposed ride would have been too stressful for the geosphere? This is one time when I'm glad that progress was halted.

Thats what I heard. When the idea of gutting the geosphere was first rumored I saw an interesting note on screamscape. Apparently the ride is important to the structure itself and can't be removed without compromising the integrity of the structure.