Changes to Spaceship Earth Descent.

[Brian Noble]

While I do not know what officially happened, the attractions theme changed from one focusing solely on communication to more of a Horizons 2.0. My understanding is that this was at the request of the sponsor, Siemens.

...and that's not really surprising, because Siemens is not primarily a telecommunications company, while AT&T is.

 

[stewdog1]

The world is a lot smaller than it even 10 years ago! More people have access to WDW thatn ever before. Plus there is the lovely PC movement this country has been under going to an extreme during the same time frame.

It sure would be nice if instead of dumbing down to the lowest common denominator and expecting everyone to lower themselves, that they would keep it at a higher level and expect everyone to better themselves.

There was a time when that was the case.

 

[stewdog1]

...and that's not really surprising, because Siemens is not primarily a telecommunications company, while AT&T is.

So why remove the space station on the descent?

 

[Vader2112]

It sure would be nice if instead of dumbing down to the lowest common denominator and expecting everyone to lower themselves, that they would keep it at a higher level and expect everyone to better themselves.

There was a time when that was the case.

I think the latter part of my comment explains that.

 

[marni1971]

So why remove the space station on the descent?

It got in the way of pretty blue lights. The 82 and 86 girl in the window now has a structural support beam right through her window.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I happen to like the video at the end.. But it'd be better to be part of maybe the interactive exhibit. Not the actual ride.

-WondersOfLife


The last original pavilion. :king:

 

[Master Yoda]

It sure would be nice if instead of dumbing down to the lowest common denominator and expecting everyone to lower themselves, that they would keep it at a higher level and expect everyone to better themselves.

There was a time when that was the case.

You are right. That was 1982 Epcot which the masses refereed to as the most boring place on earth. The lowest common denominator unfortunately makes up too much of Disney's customer base not to be catered to.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Ray Bradbury's death today just makes the current Spaceship Earth script even worse. His biggest contribution to the company and now it's dumbed down and really disrespectful to his legacy.

 

[jwutony16]

I smelled it!

I smelled the smell in burning Rome.

 

[sublimesting]

Yeah all for that at this point, Ill even go up in there for free and hang them up, want to join me?

Thanks to the original poster by the way, wdw71fan, for the update, Im not holding my breath but hoping this time maybe something comes of it soon.

As long as I don't have to take them down when it's cold out.

 

[wayneway]

My wish list for SSE (the 30th Anniversary Edition)

Rewrite the script, make it as good as previous versions, treat guest like they have basic common sense.

New narrator, Patrick Stewart or James Earl Jones (not in his Darth Vader voice), or Jim Cummings (Reflections of Earth etc)..just change it for the better...whoever.

Answer all the questions for the video while climbing the incline at the beginning of the ride. Have fewer questions and a shorter future video. They could even use RFID to automatically know the answer to some questions to save time, such as where you live, or where you would live in the future could be based on where you live now such as city or rural. Move camera that takes your picture to the top of the incline or at the matrix tunnel.

Make the narration have a moment when you turn at the top for the reveal of the earth and stars, like in the Jeremy Irons version.

At the beginning of the reverse descent show the shorter video. This way you would be done with the video and still have room left for new ending scenes.

Redo the descent scenes and play tomorrows child, either a new artist or the original one.

I'm sure WDI has read this and preparations are underway...

 

[spoodles]

It sure would be nice if instead of dumbing down to the lowest common denominator and expecting everyone to lower themselves, that they would keep it at a higher level and expect everyone to better themselves.

There was a time when that was the case.

Amen brother. Great post IMO.

You are right. That was 1982 Epcot which the masses refereed to as the most boring place on earth. The lowest common denominator unfortunately makes up too much of Disney's customer base not to be catered to.

True. But it's a shame.

 

[RSD Part Deux]

I had some fun on my last trip. I played the old Irons narration on my iPhone (w/buds) in sync to the ride. It still worked! I created my own Magical Moment. Next on the list is the TTA old spiel.

 

[aladdin2007]

It got in the way of pretty blue lights. The 82 and 86 girl in the window now has a structural support beam right through her window.

I think they used those lights as an excuse for a "filler", so they wouldnt have to do anything else in that space, just fill it with lights to save money. I dont dislike them per say but eh. Would much rather the expansive view and space station back. At least the 86 girl can look at pretty blue lights now.

 

[PeterMarcus]

I don't want to throw fresh wood onto burning Rome (how's that for an analogy?), but the permit thread had a new permit yesterday for improvements to the SSE "ride envelope". Is that external stuff only? Or does that cover the descent?

 

[Rob562]

Ive only been on Spaceship Earth with the Judi Dench narration. It is a one of my favorite attractions and a must do in Epcot.

Two things that irk me though are-

1 "call it the first back up system" stupid.

2 The earth coming into view always confuses me. What am I looking at exactly? The earth projection looks cheap and then below it there is shadowy equipment? or something. I can never make out what is going on in that scene.

The descent is fine to me because I don't know what I'm missing. Never having scene a better descent, I'm not at all bothered by the video.

I'm glad to see some people on here defending concepts and grammar that aren't dumbed down.

*gasp* You've never seen any of the pre-Dench versions of SSE? Get thee to Martin's video!

http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=278

-Rob

 

[baymenxpac]

You are right. That was 1982 Epcot which the masses refereed to as the most boring place on earth. The lowest common denominator unfortunately makes up too much of Disney's customer base not to be catered to.

you're right. and it makes me absolutely furious.

 

[MKCP 1985]

People got so angry about the changes that they stormed the wand and burned it to the ground. (There's a story you won't see on wikipedia. :lookaroun )

I like the video screens on the descent, and was never all that fond of the earlier version. When they spruce it up, that will be a good thing, but SSE is still one of the very best attractions at Epcot.

 

[George]

SSE is still good....The thing I miss the most is so old, I bet most don't even remember the line - "Behold the majesty of the Sistine Chapel!"

I would like something grand on the descent to look at with some cheesy, over the top classic Disney ride ending music. The kind of song that causes everyone to make fun of me when it comes blaring out of my computer at work.

 

[ChrisFL]

Where I agree with you here on the history aspect "dumbed down" being I do have to point out that Disney keeps things little simplified in the scripts because English is not the primary language of all the their quests.

I disagree...there's a BIG difference between simplifying words so international guests can understand better vs. having some speak to you like a third grade teacher.