What is inside that big ball at EPCOT?

[pepperderr]

The last time we went to EPCOT, we never did the world showcase and we didn't go in that big silver ball thing whatever it is called. My son kept saying there was nothing in there he was interested in seeing and I kept saying yes there was but we got busy with other things and never went into it. What is in there exactally?

PEPPERDERR

 

[hulagirl87]

It's a ride called Spaceship Earth. About how communication has developed through past present and into the future. It was recently refurbished and it's interactive now. They put your faces into a video in the end. So fun!

 

[Tomh]

It is worth noting that the Spaceship Earth ride is NOT a thrill ride in any way shape or form, and shouldn't be scary at all to any children.

 

[randomDisneyFan3000]

A Ride through time called "Spaceship Earth". Rather slow, but fast loading if you get there at the end of the day. starts with cavemen, ends in the future. Fun ride.

Do they still go down backwards? that does scare you a little.

 

[dizzydina]

Spaceship Earth is a pretty awesome ride. It's slow-moving and takes you through the history of communication. It sounds boring, but there is great animatronic scenes in there! And you make a video with yourself in it!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

My kids love Spaceship Earth - they call it "the big ball ride"! They love the entire ride - and especially the computer graphics at the end. They like making faces for the camera at the beginning of the ride so they have silly faces on the computer screen. We usually ride this 2 or more times on each Epcot day!

 

[jngwright]

Before our first trip to EPCOT in 1980-something, I thought ALL of Epcot was inside the big silver ball

My kids loved it at 4 years old, and again last trip when they were 5. We were just watching the planning DVD and they said "remember that? That was COOL!"

Have a great trip!

 

[fall08CP]

A Ride through time called "Spaceship Earth". Rather slow, but fast loading if you get there at the end of the day. starts with cavemen, ends in the future. Fun ride.

Do they still go down backwards? that does scare you a little.

During that backwards part is now the interactive video to distract you

 

[carmiedog]

Before our first trip to EPCOT in 1980-something, I thought ALL of Epcot was inside the big silver ball

sadly, you're not alone.

don't worry...there are others out there!

 

[pepperderr]

Thanks. I thought that was what it was but then I thought maybe it was one of those things that we decided to skip thinking the kids wouldn't like it. DS kept saying it was spaceship earth so I thought maybe it was something where you pretend to go into space. I also thought maybe it was just something where you walk around and look at stuff. I didn't know for sure if it was a ride or not. We will put it on the list for our next trip for sure then! Thanks.

PEPPERDERR

 

[Captain Nick]

Here you go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtk-Xym-k0

 

[autumnpalm]

Spaceship Earth is one of our family's favourites. One of the classic Disney rides we can't miss. Luckily, every time we've caught it, we've been able to just about walk right on. Love the new interactive part!

 

[Micca]

It really is one of the top attractions at Epcot. Highly recommended.

 

[Teachckg]

It's a ride called Spaceship Earth. About how communication has developed through past present and into the future. It was recently refurbished and it's interactive now. They put your faces into a video in the end. So fun!

How recently was it refurbished?

 

[Captain Nick]

How recently was it refurbished?

A little over 1 year ago.

 

[Steffiesunshine]

I so miss the end when you would go down backwards and all the beautiful, twinkling fiber optic lights would chase over your head.

Sniff, sniff

 

[goofyernmost]

How does a person not know what is in the "ball" at Epcot know to come onto DIS to ask about it. I am a tad suspicious! Not that it matters, but it seems pretty basic to me.

 

[bytheblood]

ATTRACTION



Spaceship Earth - Learn about the history of communications from cavemen to future centuries. The voice of Academy® Award-winning, English actress Dame Judy Dench guides you through this gentle 16-minute ride.

As you journey though the superb Audio-Animatronic scenes, your seats eventually rotate to reveal a glorious star-filled night sky. You continue your trip backwards passing through the future.

The attraction was totally redone in 2007. The scenery was cleaned up, repainted and lots of new audio-anamatornics as well as scenes were added. The new audio-animatronics are amazing, very realistic and really brought each area to life. (Deb's Review of the current Spaceship Earth.)

Some scene highlights include: the New Kingdom of Egypt where the papyrus was invented, 9th century BC Phoenicians invent the alphabet, Renaissance in Italy, the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Ancient Greece, Dark Ages and Destruction of Rome, the Age of Enlightenment, and the invention of the printing press. As your journey comes to an end, the narrator notes: "We all share the common bonds of hope and sorrows and dreams and joys."

Ten time Emmy®-award winning composer Bruce Broughton conducted a 63-piece orchestra and 24-voice choir for a new musical score for Spaceship Earth at Walt Disney World Resort. For the musical score, each scene was infused with musical styles and instruments appropriate to the time period, which was not an easy task according to Walt Disney Imagineering senior show producer Bob Zalk. “To have that score transition smoothly as vehicles travel from one time period to the next is extremely difficult,” he said. “The first time we rode through the attraction accompanied by that music, we were amazed.”

http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_spe.htm

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

What is actually in the ball though? Is it the whole ride or just the last part?

 

[pepperderr]

How does a person not know what is in the "ball" at Epcot know to come onto DIS to ask about it. I am a tad suspicious! Not that it matters, but it seems pretty basic to me.

I think it is because there were SOOOO many rides to figure out and decide which ones we wanted to go on or not, that we overlooked a few things. It was our first trip so we didn't know what all to expect. I am sure we have a LOT more to learn about WDW before we go again and I will continue to use DIS to find out all I can. For me it was like I could get tons and tons of info from the boards, like about the fastpasses, but untill I got there and saw where and how things were, I didn't totally understand it all.

PEPPERDERR