EPCOT Spaceship Earth Refurb - 2 Year Closure

[lnsemsf]

The printing press wheel is working again as of today, discovered by @DreamfinderGuy on Twitter.

I noticed it repaired on Dec 27th. I couldn't tell you the exact date of repair though but sometime between early December and the 27th.

 

[trainplane3]

I noticed it repaired on Dec 27th. I couldn't tell you the exact date of repair though but sometime between early December and the 27th.

12/15 was the first mention of it.

So you know that machine during the industrial revolution that was never going to be fixed? Well it’s fixed!

I went and found a video of it spinning but on 12/10:

Not the greatest video but it's something to show the wheel spinning:

6:08 for wheel if it doesn't start there.

At 8:45, using the left side of the earth projection and a star... is the star field finally moving again? It sure looks like it. Or it's the camera doing some trickery...

View attachment 434230
View attachment 434231

 

[No Name]

I’m not opposed to the new direction of the ride if done well. And hopefully they really put money and effort into it to make the scenes more lively and engaging for younger audiences. While keeping the serious and inspirational nature of the ride strong.

In the past, WDW has had no problem cancelling scheduled FPs for rides that shut down or go into unexpected refurb. When that happens, your FP becomes an 'any-ride' FP.

Would that include tier 1 attractions? Since Spaceship Earth is tier 2?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

12/15 was the first mention of it.

I went and found a video of it spinning but on 12/10:

Still no steam effect in that scene

 

[MisterPenguin]

I noticed it repaired on Dec 27th. I couldn't tell you the exact date of repair though but sometime between early December and the 27th.

You can tell me, I'm a doctor.

Would that include tier 1 attractions? Since Spaceship Earth is tier 2?

Not sure...

 

[Dragonman]

SSE is God-tier

 

[nickys]

Would that include tier 1 attractions? Since Spaceship Earth is tier 2?

Highly unlikely.

 

[Goofyernmost]

@marni1971, is there any new word on when they are going to close it down?

 

[marni1971]

@marni1971, is there any new word on when they are going to close it down?

Epcot timelines have gone very odd at the moment - unless it’s actually underway things have gone very quiet. I’d still bet on soon after test track reopens.

 

[Figments Friend]

There was this from WDW:

• The iconic Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time as the journey transforms to reflect the power of storytelling to unite the human experience. New narration and an entirely new musical score will focus on the moments and ideas that define the story of humanity. Guests will follow a magical “story light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.

Still feeling unsure...but this could be nice?

Historic Transformation of EPCOT Continues at Walt Disney World Resort - Disney World Press Room

Sweeping lineup of new experiences make the real world fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming” as a place that changes with the times. The Walt Disney World...

wdwnews.com

That description ....first thing that popped into my head was 'projections'.

Who wants to make a bet that the 'story light effect' is that - animated 'magical' projection effect overlaid in certain key show scenes...?


If true, I have mixed feelings on the matter.

Done tastefully, it could be a nice enhancement that doesn't take away from the central focus.
Done haphazardly, it could be a distracting blemish that draws unwanted attention to itself and nothing else.


-

 

[Dragonman]

That description ....first thing that popped into my head was 'projections'.

Who wants to make a bet that the 'story light effect' is that - animated 'magical' projection effect overlaid in certain key show scenes...?


If true, I have mixed feelings on the matter.

Done tastefully, it could be a nice enhancement that doesn't take away from the central focus.
Done haphazardly, it could be a distracting blemish that draws unwanted attention to itself and nothing else.


-

Roman Chariot remembers...

 

[ThatMouse]

Done tastefully, it could be a nice enhancement that doesn't take away from the central focus.
Done haphazardly, it could be a distracting blemish that draws unwanted attention to itself and nothing else.

Na'vi River is projections, so that's why I thought it would be done well, but I'm concerned that we may lose the last of the dark ride animatronics of EPCOT though.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Na'vi River is projections, so that's why I thought it would be done well, but I'm concerned that we may lose the last of the dark ride animatronics of EPCOT though.

The Disneyland Fantasyland updates give me a tiny shred of hope. There they very tastefully updated the originals where the projections and animations really do add rather than detract (IMHO). I just don't know that I trust the WDW team to use the same restraint.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I imagine the projections will look similar to those seen in Mystic Manor beginning at 1:55.

@realBobChapek - Please tell me SSE is getting turned into the Disney IP version of The Great Movie Ride!!!

 

[Mac Tonight]

I'm still a bit apprehensive, but as long as the "story light" doesn't translate into "familiar Disney characters", I'm OK.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I'm still a bit apprehensive, but as long as the "story light" doesn't translate into "familiar Disney characters", I'm OK.

It's Iago with a flashlight.

 

[Mac Tonight]

It's Iago with a flashlight.

... you have my attention.

 

[ThistleMae]

I'll be riding end of January. I love the smells in there. I find the ride so relaxing. I hope I get the same feeling with the new ride. It's like clicking my heels together three times, "there's no place like home."

 

[Dragonman]

I'll be riding end of January. I love the smells in there. I find the ride so relaxing. I hope I get the same feeling with the new ride. It's like clicking my heels together three times, "there's no place like home."

Take some pics of our beloved space station just in case

 

[DisneyCane]

Is there any updated estimate of when SSE will close for this refurbishment?