Artemis II - IV, The 2028 Planned Moon Landing, and Epcot

[Baloo124]

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you probably know of the recent excitement involving the final frontier.

This has sparked a lot of excitement in younger people now eager to dive deeper into studying space, and a lot more "I want to be an astronaut when I grow up" conversations around the dinner table lately. Understandably so. These are good times for NASA and all who admire its work, and will only get better with the planned moon landing a few short years away.

Now to WDW, Epcot specifically, and a big question: Could this recent, Artemis-triggered spike in outer space / NASA enthusiasm among many, notably younger folks as mentioned earlier, be a wake-up call to WDI that this topic is still popular theme park material and maybe... just maybe... a pavilion / attraction, something soon be in the works for Epcot that isn't a Disney, Marvel IP?

In other words, an outer space- focused attraction like days of old, Epcot Center days, with no IP involvement, just the study of this amazing and fun topic? We have Mission Space, but could there be another, Artemis inspired family attraction, with no movie or superhero tie-in, like the Epcot Center yesteryear days once were all about? Thanks to these real superheros, and others like them?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

…has Bob made a movie about it?

…there’s your answer

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you probably know of the recent excitement involving the final frontier.

This has sparked a lot of excitement in younger people now eager to dive deeper into studying space, and a lot more "I want to be an astronaut when I grow up" conversations around the dinner table lately. Understandably so. These are good times for NASA and all who admire its work, and will only get better with the planned moon landing a few short years away.

Now to WDW, Epcot specifically, and a big question: Could this recent, Artemis-triggered spike in outer space / NASA enthusiasm among many, notably younger folks as mentioned earlier, be a wake-up call to WDI that this topic is still popular theme park material and maybe... just maybe... a pavilion / attraction, something soon be in the works for Epcot that isn't a Disney, Marvel IP?

In other words, an outer space- focused attraction like days of old, Epcot Center days, with no IP involvement, just the study of this amazing and fun topic? We have Mission Space, but could there be another, Artemis inspired family attraction, with no movie or superhero tie-in, like the Epcot Center yesteryear days once were all about? Thanks to these real superheros, and others like them?
View attachment 917220

Just a straight up Artemis type pavillion/attraction with no other tie ins or IP, not likely. The entire Artemis timeline is scheduled to be completed by late 2028. Any completely brand new ride/pavilion may not be completed by the time the program is concluded.

I could see more of an original test track type model however with Space X, or Blue Origin sponsoring/funding such a pavilion.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just a straight up Artemis type pavillion/attraction with no other tie ins or IP, not likely. The entire Artemis timeline is scheduled to be completed by late 2028. Any completely brand new ride/pavilion may not be completed by the time the program is concluded.

I could see more of an original test track type model however with Space X, or Blue Origin sponsoring/funding such a pavilion.

Yeah…ummm…no

When’s the last time they got a new sponsor in Epcot? Without begging for Almost nothing?

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Yeah…ummm…no

When’s the last time they got a new sponsor in Epcot? Without begging for Almost nothing?

When's the last time they tried? When the last time they built a new pavilion for that matter based on a specific area of technology set up perfectly for corporate expansion?

 

[Baloo124]

…has Bob made a movie about it?

…there’s your answer

Just a straight up Artemis type pavillion/attraction with no other tie ins or IP, not likely. The entire Artemis timeline is scheduled to be completed by late 2028. Any completely brand new ride/pavilion may not be completed by the time the program is concluded.

I could see more of an original test track type model however with Space X, or Blue Origin sponsoring/funding such a pavilion.

The short timeframe of this makes sense as to why this is probably all wishful thinking. 2028 doesn't seem that far off by any stretch of the imagination the way the past year+ has flown by.

Though consider the lasting impact of 2028. It's going to feel as big, if not bigger than 1969 for those (self included) who weren't around to witness 1969 as it happened. Epcot would be the park to take full advantage of the global hype.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Mission Space IS a nicely themed non IP pavilion and feels very EPCOTy to me.

I understand many hate the Mission Space because they can not tolerate it physically, but I feel it a nicely themed non IP space themed pavilion. I also like they added Space 220 and it has 2 attractions (spinning and non spinning)

The non spinning attraction does go around the moon, so maybe they can add a Artemis tie in there.

Perhaps, change one of the placards in the queue to display the Artemis II crew.

While Mission Space is no Horizons, again, its a nicely themed non IP space pavilion in my opinion and I always make it a point to ride (the more intense orange team) when I am there.

 

[Baloo124]

Maybe something as simple as a temporary projection show on SSE, showcasing the crew that will be stepping on the moon in 2028.
Or brief overlay to Mission Space with the Artemis crew that year part of the pre-show. (?)

All wishful thinking for now. But this event deserves something, imo.

 

[Baloo124]

Perhaps, change one of the placards in the queue to display the Artemis II crew.

You beat me to it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The short timeframe of this makes sense as to why this is probably all wishful thinking. 2028 doesn't seem that far off by any stretch of the imagination the way the past year+ has flown by.

Though consider the lasting impact of 2028. It's going to feel as big, if not bigger than 1969 for those (self included) who weren't around to witness 1969 as it happened. Epcot would be the park to take full advantage of the global hype.

I’m a nasa freak…

So I HOPE we get public pull off this…but I’m not optimistic

Imagination involves cats breaking boards with karate chops and/or mocking angry Starbucks customers now…

 

[Disstevefan1]

NASA will AGAIN land people on the moon and return them safely to the Earth before Villains land is open for previews.

I feel NASA Landing people on Mars will not happen in my lifetime...

 

[WorldExplorer]

They just gave up on the childhood benchmark that is dinosaurs. You think they're going to try for space?

Childhood wonder is worthless; it can't be trademarked.

 

[JIMINYCR]

If anything there could be a patriotic display that includes the space event in the AA pavilion. But having a major production would probably be held off until there was an actual moon landing. Circling the moon was dramatic and historic because it hasn't been done for such a long time. We got a lot of photos that were different views than before. But it wasn't the same level as a landing and walking on the moon. Once that happens then we can talk more.
Mission Space can rightly post something on their queue wall showcasing the event as they have done for other space crews.
If it does get more young kids interested in science and Nasa then that's good. I believe their interests lie mostly in wanting to be like sports figures, movie stars and musical artists.

 

[JIMINYCR]

NASA will AGAIN land people on the moon and return them safely to the Earth before Villains land is open for previews.

I feel NASA Landing people on Mars will not happen in my lifetime...

I'm not counting on seeing a human get to Mars. The technology advancements they are saying that needs to happen are tremendous. We've spent billions and trillions of dollars to get what in return? Yes we have discovered various advancements that have made life better here but have we gotten a return in what was spent? Going to Mars will be a great accomplishment but what will we do with that? We aren't going to go out into the outer reaches of space and find a planet to live on. Health issues are compromising astronauts bodies from living in space for the short time they are there now. Unless we get some technology from alien crafts that we have and are testing and back engineering our ability to span distances and remain healthy doing so is limited. For now the rich can pay to go up into the atmosphere and come back as a joy ride. Space travel for the common man will never happen.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Nasa and am Wowed by what we've done in space now and in the past, but how far are we willing to go at the expense of what could be done here at home.

 

[Baloo124]

So I HOPE we get public pull off this…but I’m not optimistic

I'd be optimistic. It's going to be really big when humans walk on the moon in a couple years. Think of the population growth since 1969 -'72 missions. How many people alive today who only know of Neil's big moment through history books, stories from parents, and replays... now getting a chance to see it happen again in their own lifetime; in real time. Then there's social media, all the tech advancements, more globally connected... it's going to be a major event.

Unlike back in 1969- '72, Epcot exists sitting just a short drive from NASA, with such heavy origins as a park surrounding science and space exploration. It needs to do something for this when history is made again.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I'd be optimistic. It's going to be really big when humans walk on the moon in a couple years. Think of the population growth since 1969 -'72 missions. How many people alive today who only know of Neil's big moment through history books, stories from parents, and replays... now getting a chance to see it happen again in their own lifetime; in real time. Then there's social media, all the tech advancements, more globally connected... it's going to be a major event.

Unlike back in 1969- '72, Epcot exists sitting just a short drive from NASA, with such heavy origins as a park surrounding science and space exploration. It needs to do something for this when history is made again.

There are still morons pushing their views that the moon landings never happened and were staged. I remember one guy who has promoted this bull getting punched in the face by Buzz Aldrin when he called Buzz a coward. unfortunately there are stupid people who truly buy into their bull crap and believe it entirely still.
NASA was helpful when MS was being installed so it's a good chance that they will be even more instrumental in aiding WDW when the time comes.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm not counting on seeing a human get to Mars. The technology advancements they are saying that needs to happen are tremendous. We've spent billions and trillions of dollars to get what in return? Yes we have discovered various advancements that have made life better here but have we gotten a return in what was spent? Going to Mars will be a great accomplishment but what will we do with that?

A lot scientific and technological advancements have been developed without first knowing the end goal. New things are discovered, learned and developed and then someone else uses that for another purpose.

 

[Tom P.]

Unfortunately, as Neil deGrasse Tyson is fond of observing, space exploration is driven mostly by geopolitical competition with other countries and not by the actual desire for exploration, at least among the people who have to actually provide the money. The main reason Artemis is a thing right now is because China said they were going to do it, just like we were trying to beat Russia with the Apollo program.

That being said, now that it *is* a thing and we want to again prove ourselves to be the leaders in the space race, perhaps NASA will see the PR value in getting some sort of promotional project going with Disney. Even if it's not building a new attraction given the time constraints, just having NASA involved in something at EPCOT would be a nice thing to see. I don't know if that's likely or not, but I could see it as a possibility, particularly since the launch pad is just down the road (relatively) from Walt Disney World.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Unfortunately, as Neil deGrasse Tyson is fond of observing, space exploration is driven mostly by geopolitical competition with other countries and not by the actual desire for exploration, at least among the people who have to actually provide the money. The main reason Artemis is a thing right now is because China said they were going to do it, just like we were trying to beat Russia with the Apollo program.

That being said, now that it *is* a thing and we want to again prove ourselves to be the leaders in the space race, perhaps NASA will see the PR value in getting some sort of promotional project going with Disney. Even if it's not building a new attraction given the time constraints, just having NASA involved in something at EPCOT would be a nice thing to see. I don't know if that's likely or not, but I could see it as a possibility, particularly since the launch pad is just down the road (relatively) from Walt Disney World.

Yes... and if you read up on the advancement of rocketry and how we got to space, it all was off shoots of the German propulsion and rocket science from Wernher Von Braun who we absconded from the Nazis after WWII because we wanted his knowledge and expertise. It all was first based in weapon use. There was competition with Russia because we feared what they might have in mind as military superiority in space. Sputnik circling the earth was a major fear factor when it went up. In the same manner, we now fear Chinas interest in space.

 

[JIMINYCR]

A lot scientific and technological advancements have been developed without first knowing the end goal. New things are discovered, learned and developed and then someone else uses that for another purpose.

As I said, there have been major advancements made that have made our lives better. I don't think there has been a enough return on the money that has been spent. Walking on the Moon or even setting foot on Mars will be fabulous. But what does it get us? We plant a flag and boast about being first... then what? We will never live on Mars or the Moon.
It won't cure cancer or provide homes for the homeless, or solve the issues we face. Maybe as you say, someone will advance further from what we learn by staying in space, that will be a good thing, but there's a lot of money and brains that could IMHO be utilized elsewhere.