Spaceship Earth Refurb Details

[Captain Schnemo]

Okay, now I know I haven't been going crazy for the past 10 years or so. I knew there used to be a space scene in there but whenever I mentioned that to my family, they looked at me like I was nuts.

I felt the same way when I read about all the effects that used to be in the Universe of Energy dinosaur scene that have disappeared over the years (particularly the wind and rain.)

For years I had the feeling that the scene was somehow much better in the past, but eventually I figured it was just my bias towards classic Epcot and the fact that I was more easily impressed when I was younger. It was a real relief to discover I wasn't nuts (at least not in that way).

Back to Spaceship Earth, the old scene was one of the most convincing space effects I've ever seen. The space station was huge, and the way it moved (or seemed to anyway) and the way you moved past it really gave the impression of zero G, more so than the similarly cool space scene in Horizons.

[HSolo29]

I felt the same way when I read about all the effects that used to be in the Universe of Energy dinosaur scene that have disappeared over the years (particularly the wind and rain.)

For years I had the feeling that the scene was somehow much better in the past, but eventually I figured it was just my bias towards classic Epcot and the fact that I was more easily impressed when I was younger. It was a real relief to discover I wasn't nuts (at least not in that way).

Back to Spaceship Earth, the old scene was one of the most convincing space effects I've ever seen. The space station was huge, and the way it moved (or seemed to anyway) and the way you moved past it really gave the impression of zero G, more so than the similarly cool space scene in Horizons.

Yes, I've definitely had similar experiences with other attractions as well.

As for Spaceship Earth, was that big, dark silhouette you could see when you got to the top of the sphere all that remained of the space station after '94? The first time I rode it after that refurb, I thought that was the space station only the effects weren't working. That shape always bothered me and that's what I thought it always was. I could be wrong, though.

[Cheshire Cat]

As for Spaceship Earth, was that big, dark silhouette you could see when you got to the top of the sphere all that remained of the space station after '94?

I'm pretty sure it was the '94 refrub. I only vaguely remember the version before that.

My thoughts on the descent after I've had the chance to cool down ...

I know may people feel that the descents were always the most bland portion of the ride. But I see it as the "awe-inspiring, rethinking everything you have just seen" sequence. Especially the fiber-optic version. I thought it was brilliant the way you went past one or two people communicating via holographic computer screens and then kept "zooming out" until you saw that entire cities were filled with other people doing the same thing. Finally you reach the SSE model and come to the realization that the entire world is constantly in a state of communication. Then these fiber-optics transformed into abstract lines, easing you out of the ride and giving you a few moments to digest everything you have just seen (to the soothing 1994 instrumental score). Of course it can also be seen that these "communication fiber-optics" were reaching out into space after circling SSE, possibly to space stations or other planets.

Although, I guess ths finale wouldn't work anymore seeing as the ride is no longer about communication.

Perhaps the video that they use now in the descent is just an extended version that they are only using during previews until they finish the "physical" dioramas. It doesn't feel right that the trivia section would be permanent. That would get extremely old. My guess is that once they finish the physical features of the area, the video sequence will be much shorter. At least I hope. In my previous "storm the castle" post, I had forgotten that the ride may not be completely finished .

[Captain Schnemo]

Not sure what the remnants of the space station are. You passed pretty close to it, and I don't believe you could see the "whole thing" at once. It seemed that you were only seeing a very small section of what must have been much larger. You could see some kind of technician inside a window, operating somethingerother. Could have been an exterior robot arm.

It had a lot of classic "computery" blinking lights, which I think computers should have more of these days. I find things in the physical world far more interesting than anything you can put on a screen (which has a lot to do with which attractions I like). Like Arthur Dent, I want my computers to have many indicator lights, all of which have some kind of useful meaning, but most of which are just there to look really cool. Some of the new servers are going back this design, and I approve.

As for the ending, I have to say that I can't remember the classic ending very clearly (I seem to remember a lot of the generic glowing tubes and such). I didn't care for the Jeremy Irons narration (I thought it was somber, not reverential), and I particularly didn't like the bit about "electronic babble". It's a serious point, and probably dead on when you consider nonsense like the "blogosphere", but I believe the point of Epcot is (well, was) to show an optimistic vision of the future, and make it real by example. I prefer that it be shown and referenced as an inevitability, even though I'm probably just about the most pessimistic person there is about such issues.

Epcot was always there to provide a glimmer of hope and remind me that I could be wrong.

[Cheshire Cat]

I found this article that is exactly on par with the way I'm feeling about the new SSE, especially about the dropping of the communication theme.

http://epcot82.blogspot.com/

Even though each pavilion was only part of a whole, and the communication SSE was really irrelevent after EPCOT Center lost it's theme, I still wished they would have stuck SSE's original purpose anyway rather than make a generic trip through time.

[Esmeralda]

I agree that I miss the communication theme and the new ending looks like the Jetsons with creepy live human faces (not exactly my idea of the future). A few of the lines grated (Rome had the first World Wide Web?!), but Judi Dench did fairly well.

That being said, the new costumes and animatronics were fantastic! Couldn't be better, I say. Those improvements really pleased me. The horses were amazing! I was happy that they kept the big Earth at the top of the dome as well.

Did I mention that I was thrilled to be able to preview it and not miss out riding my favorite current Epcot ride for the big 25th?!

[GhostHost]

I'm looking forward to seeing the new and hopefully improved SSE next month. This will be my first trip in about 3 years so I will be seeing a lot of new things including the changes at POTC and HM. I am kind of a Disney purist like many of you here so I'm hoping I wont be too disappointed and that the changes do more to add than take away. Here's hoping...

[dyemooch]

I certainly hope the music is just as good as the version that was up before they started refurbishment! I'm a HUGE FAN of Spaceship Earth- I used to ride it all the time on Lunch breaks when I worked in EPCOT. It's one of the first rides I went on when I first went to Disney (haha! Before 2006, I had NEVER been here!), and I loved it so much XD!!
It sounds like they have a good handle on it, and I'm very excited to see what it's going to become- but I'm REALLY hoping the music is just as dramatic.

[Leigh]

I liked the comment "will it all become electronic babble?" I mean my god, if you were listening to earth from outer space!! That is totally how you would describe it. I always found the ride hopeful as it looked toward the future. And I found the music awe-inspiring, I will seriously miss that ending. I am not techy so maybe the ending seemed silly to someone who understands it all, all those awesome green flashing lights -- but it really showed me the big piture and made me think about communication -- not such an easy thing to do!

[meticulus9]

I agree that I miss the communication theme and the new ending looks like the Jetsons with creepy live human faces (not exactly my idea of the future). A few of the lines grated (Rome had the first World Wide Web?!), but Judi Dench did fairly well.

That being said, the new costumes and animatronics were fantastic! Couldn't be better, I say. Those improvements really pleased me. The horses were amazing! I was happy that they kept the big Earth at the top of the dome as well.

Did I mention that I was thrilled to be able to preview it and not miss out riding my favorite current Epcot ride for the big 25th?!

from the pics, videos, and articles, i miss the old music, the old theme, but the new costumes look amazing. I am disappointed in the descent portion of the ride

[sparkyjmg]

new video pf space ship earth
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RxXKZ2zx9Ws&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0RiFZr85w38&feature=related

[stinoi]

I agree that I miss the communication theme and the new ending looks like the Jetsons with creepy live human faces (not exactly my idea of the future).

OK, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who thought that the animation looked Jetson-esque!

[horizons1]

I think they did a good job with the interactive element although it is a little strange staring at the screen for the entire descent stage of the ride.

[DIAC1987]

I thought the refurbishment was well-crafted, and does a much better job in interacting with the guests. Unlike other "remade' rides, there was a good amount of effort put into rebuilding this classic.

[Captain Schnemo]

I think they did a good job with the interactive element although it is a little strange staring at the screen for the entire descent stage of the ride.

Seriously. They could have put that on a related website and done something actually interesting there.