EPCOT Spaceship Earth refurbishment coming soon?

[muddyrivers]

This isn’t the big one but it will include noticeable improvements. This is the one where the vehicles are being swapped to OLED screens and the projectors are being replaced.

Will they also be adding a brightness adjustment button under the screen so in the descent we can turn the screen off?

This refurb doesn’t have anything to do with the track or the show scenes. It’s all show systems upgrades which have been planned for a good while now and just needed a start date. Most of the work won’t be noticeable other than the new screens to those with keen eyes and the projector upgrades.

Any idea from your sources how long it will be closed for? I'm heading down there last week of September and am hoping to ride one of my favorite attractions.

 

[aladdin2007]

Honestly I would wait for the big refurb for that. While the current descent has been an embarrassment for the last 17 years. I want WDI to have time to really think about how they can create a great ending again. A temporary fix now would be just that.

While I get what your saying, they have had over 15 years now to figure out the mess and do something better, how much more time do they need.

 

[KDM31091]

They can add those credit card scanners some planes have so you can get a Disney+ account after you’ve watched 12 minutes of Phineas and Ferb.

The sad thing is I could almost see them doing it

 

[Tha Realest]

The sad thing is I could almost see them doing it

If you’ve paid for LL for the day you can tap your magic band to watch the original “Tomorrow’s Child” ending

 

[DisDude33]

Surprised they decided to close it right before D23 and of course that is the weekend I am there!

This might end up closed longer.

Who knows Disney might decide to go ahead and do a full refurb.

Hmm…

 

[Moth]

I'm still team Imagination goes before SSE, I wouldn't be shocked if SSE goes first at this point in time.

SSE is more "Destination D23" material, they'd want the huge crowd reaction for Figment.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

When I first read Spaceship Earth I was scared for a bit that that be the next thing they want to absolutely ruin. Lol

Small refurb is a relief. Not saying maintenance and track replacing is something I'm against not at all.

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

I'm still team Imagination goes before SSE, I wouldn't be shocked if SSE goes first at this point in time.

SSE is more "Destination D23" material, they'd want the huge crowd reaction for Figment.

I definitely agree with your last statement, I feel like JII has always been intended as another Villains style announcement.

In that case though, do you think we’d see Epcot go all of 2026 without anything down? Can’t see them taking SSE offline again until at least 2027. Who knows though, UoE carpet replacement & Muppets seating would like a word… although I don’t think those are as comparable. I’m sure you get the idea lol

 

[Moth]

I definitely agree with your last statement, I feel like JII has always been intended as another Villains style announcement.

In that case though, do you think we’d see Epcot go all of 2026 without anything down? Can’t see them taking SSE offline again until at least 2027. Who knows though, UoE carpet replacement & Muppets seating would like a word… although I don’t think those are as comparable. I’m sure you get the idea lol

I think SSE could stay closed longer but, I feel like they'd want to telegraph if they had plans.

I feel like something is down in EPCOT for 2026.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think SSE could stay closed longer but, I feel like they'd want to telegraph if they had plans.

I feel like something is down in EPCOT for 2026.

Could do the Coco update to Grand Fiesta or update Frozen to change out the projection faces for actual animatronic faces like Hong Kong has

Just trying to think of things other than JII that could see updates

 

[Moth]

Could do the Coco update to Grand Fiesta or update Frozen to change out the projection faces for actual animatronic faces like Hong Kong has

Just trying to think of things other than JII that could see updates

The former is never happening, and I have no idea for the latter.

Maybe ONLY Magic Eye goes down for 2026?

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

The former is never happening, and I have no idea for the latter.

Maybe ONLY Magic Eye goes down for 2026?

How much capacity is it even drawing on the daily? Can’t imagine it’d have much of an effect on park ops having it down alongside SSE. I feel like this refurb needs to make way for something significant, and whatever that is it ain’t Magic Eye imo. I’d imagine JII and SSE are much closer to each other in capacity, the tradeoff & timelines almost make too much sense as much as I don’t want to get my hopes up

 

[HMF]

While I get what your saying, they have had over 15 years now to figure out the mess and do something better, how much more time do they need

I agree with the sentiment but they have to be committed to bring the sense of awe and majesty that the 94 version had and I don't think the time allocated will be enough to do that properly assuming they do it at all.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The former is never happening, and I have no idea for the latter.

Maybe ONLY Magic Eye goes down for 2026?

Didn't realize Coco was permanent off the table


... In any event, just trying to think of things that wouldn't be major mut enough of an update/upgrade that could be marketed a bit

Could just be Magic Eye theater or something small like that too

 

[Gusey]

I mean, for all we know they might want a theme park without any construction in 2026, then once Tropical Americas opens in 2027, attention may turn back to Epcot (It'll be 10 years since the Epcot redo was announced in 2027)

 

[mattpeto]

Didn't realize Coco was permanent off the table


... In any event, just trying to think of things that wouldn't be major mut enough of an update/upgrade that could be marketed a bit

Could just be Magic Eye theater or something small like that too

I thought Coco was off the table due to crowding. That pavilion doesn’t have a space for an extended queue and/or lightning lane.

 

[bmr1591]

Genuinely curious: do CA fans care about Figment? Would the Expo really be a better location to announce an Imagination refresh than Destination D?

 

[Touchdown]

Genuinely curious: do CA fans care about Figment? Would the Expo really be a better location to announce an Imagination refresh than Destination D?

I always get comments walking around DL with Figment gear on.

 

[graphite1326]

I see SE will be closing late August. I will be there a few weeks later. Honestly if I had known so many attractions would be closed during my visit I would not have made my reservation and gone to Universal.

 

[esskay]

I thought Coco was off the table due to crowding. That pavilion doesn’t have a space for an extended queue and/or lightning lane.

Bingo. Trying to route a frozen level of queue anywhere through that pavilion would be a nightmare. Not to mention how unbearably loud it would be, it's already too noisy in there as it is.