I remember a long while ago, there were promos for Disneyworld, where they had Mickey Mouse standing on top of the Epcot Spaceship Earth ball. I've always wondered how did they do that? My parents thought maybe they used a crane, or cherry picker to get a cast member dressed as Mickey up there. I also was wondering, how they found someone who wasn't afraid of being up there. I mean, it must be terrifying to be so high.
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Old Epcot Promo, with Mickey on top of Spaceship Earth
- Thread starter violet_yoshi
- Start date
donsullivan
Premium Member
I believe there are actually stairs that run along the top of the sphere in the area where you turn around back to earth that go to a hatch, right at the top. You never normally see them because it's so dark.
Close...
In 180Top (the planetarium) is a scissor lift platform next to the ascent tunnel. Though not functional anymore, this used to lift up to just below the hatch in question. It was used for several Mickey commercials, Chris Columbus in a VP video, and also a construction worker when SSE was completed.
In 180Top (the planetarium) is a scissor lift platform next to the ascent tunnel. Though not functional anymore, this used to lift up to just below the hatch in question. It was used for several Mickey commercials, Chris Columbus in a VP video, and also a construction worker when SSE was completed.
darthjohnny
Active Member
I remember that commercial! I think it was also used in the old vacation planning videos. I've always wondered how they did it as well! 
I would have hated to have been the CM "helping" Mickey on top of that sphere. How would Mickey "put on his coat" so to speak on top, or would he do it before going through the hatch?
RobotWolf
Well-Known Member
Magic Spoiler alert...
The Mickey in question was brought to life by a woman named Elaine Gezzi. She and Karen Kolnick were the two primary go-to girls when it came to Mickey and Minnie promo shots. Elaine, due to having previously been cast as Tinkerbelle, (in her flight from the castle spire to Tomorrowland) had hazard training and little to no fear of heights. Karen, because she had pyro training from the finale of the "15 years of magic" castle show.
When asked about her experience on top of Spaceship Earth, Elaine would always say that being up there in and of itself was much less scary than being buzzed by the helicopter that was filming her.
The Mickey in question was brought to life by a woman named Elaine Gezzi. She and Karen Kolnick were the two primary go-to girls when it came to Mickey and Minnie promo shots. Elaine, due to having previously been cast as Tinkerbelle, (in her flight from the castle spire to Tomorrowland) had hazard training and little to no fear of heights. Karen, because she had pyro training from the finale of the "15 years of magic" castle show.
When asked about her experience on top of Spaceship Earth, Elaine would always say that being up there in and of itself was much less scary than being buzzed by the helicopter that was filming her.
mharrington
Well-Known Member
"That girl who i can't remember her name" as you call her is named Brianne Leary. She and JD Roth are also sometimes accompanied by George Foreman.
maelstrom
Well-Known Member
I believe the lift is no longer functional.
RonAnnArbor
Well-Known Member
Most likely because things break and unnecessary things do not get fixed or replaced.
maelstrom
Well-Known Member
Disuse and disrepair, perhaps. Ever heard of the saying, "use it or lose it"? That lift was put in when they were building SSE in the early 1980s and it was unused for the majority of the time. Sad, but these things happen.
It would have been used in the final stages of construction, then I doubt it had any use until the promo people had the idea. It`s probably not been maintained since it really is up in the gods; access was from above the time tunnel area, and the lift was above the edge of the central core. Plus I`ve heard it was a little wobbly to say the least.
Oh, and of course the ride would need to be empty of guests to use it; kind of limits its availability!
Oh, and of course the ride would need to be empty of guests to use it; kind of limits its availability!
Spring Breeze
New Member
that is an impressive effect used. it is said that a trap door was used to get ole mickey on the top. he can't really use a ladder.
hrcollectibles
Active Member
Mickey Winked? I have never seen him do that.. I rememebr that commercial
In one of the Disney trivia books (i think the first volume) one of the questions go something like what is at the top of SSE and the answer descibes that Mickey was restrained to a polethat is unseen by the cameras