News Spaceship Earth Refurb - 2 Year Closure

[britain]

One of them.

 

[marni1971]

Was there for the 50th at DL. That was near the end of the "let's be as cheap as humanly possible/Pressler era." There was lots of bunting, a cool fireworks show, thank god the buildings were finally painted (maintenance had been awful in the years prior), and YES everything was running... and a few attractions even got minor plusses. However, I think most people would have happily traded all of that for some mega new attractions/major ongoing renovations...

SSE up or down, we'll have a bunch of mega new attractions to celebrate for the 50th.

Currently SSE is looking to be closed October 2021. But the primary focus of the 50th will be the MK.

 

[tparris]

They clean them decently regularly.

They are supposed to be self-cleaning. And some green stuff has been accumulating on one area for a while now

 

[Wngo905]

Currently SSE is looking to be closed October 2021. But the primary focus of the 50th will be the MK.

Wow, it is not until seeing this date that I realize HOW LONG a two year closure of a favorite ride really is

 

[marni1971]

Wow, it is not until seeing this date that I realize HOW LONG a two year closure of a favorite ride really is

Two years may be optimistic. We’ll see.

 

[Wngo905]

Two years may be optimistic. We’ll see.

OH NO that is worse.......
So you are saying it could be LONGER?!?!

 

[tparris]

Two years may be optimistic. We’ll see.

Are you expecting a closure some time this year? If you can comment of course.

 

[trainplane3]

OH NO that is worse.......
So you are saying it could be LONGER?!?!

If it's done right, let it be 3 years. I don't want another Space Mountain situation.

 

[Wngo905]

If it's done right, let it be 3 years. I don't want another Space Mountain situation.

Agree
But the heart wants, what the heart wants. Guess I will just watch Martin's SSE videos on repeat during that time and stalk the external picture thread here that I am sure will be started if they replace any panels.

 

[marni1971]

Are you expecting a closure some time this year? If you can comment of course.

Late this year. Possibly.

 

[Phil12]

For how long have we all been lamenting the change from the Irons version to the present...whatever you want to call it? Now, we all have to worry about what it might become. This is troubling.

Don't worry. They're getting rid of Dame Judi Dench and replacing her with Lil Wayne.

 

[trainplane3]

Don't worry. They're getting rid of Dame Judi Dench and replacing her with Lil Wayne.

Wrong. I have on good word there'll be a mini Tupac hologram in each car.

 

[marni1971]

Wrong. I have on good word there'll be a mini Tupac hologram in each car.

They tried that in 82. Didn’t work.

 

[Kamikaze]

Currently SSE is looking to be closed October 2021. But the primary focus of the 50th will be the MK.

So the current plan means its going to be closed all of 2020 and 2021?

 

[marni1971]

So the current plan means its going to be closed all of 2020 and 2021?

At least.

It may still be open at the very start of next year.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

OH NO that is worse.......
So you are saying it could be LONGER?!?!

At first glance I took "Two years may be optimistic" to mean "They may scale down the plans and shorten the refurb, but we'd miss out on some of the cool stuff" . . . but putting it in the context of everything Martin's saying and what Tom reported about the extensive refurb, with (rumored) track replacement and extension, moving of the load area, and updating of nearly every scene . . . I'm starting to think you're right, it MIGHT be longer . . .

The ride was closed for almost 8 months during its last big refurb, and that one wasn't especially involved in terms of cosmetic changes to the ride. (Rumored) Total track replacement alone is beyond the scope of anything that happened then, and as was said, SSE is a weird building to get things in and out of.

I suppose it's not crazy to think it COULD be longer.

EDITED To Add: Speaking of Refurbs Running Rampant, @marni1971, any word on what the heck is going on at Phantom Manor? That 10 month refurb is now in its second year, and it looks like the end may still be months away??

 

[Goofyernmost]

Now I can talk a little.

If you like the Phoenicians get a ride in this year.

There’s a lot of work going to be done.

WHAT? They're doing away with the alphabet????

 

[Bender123]

WHAT? They're doing away with the alphabet????

I hear they are going to make the Phoenicians face the wall and run an auction to sell items from the sack of Rome...

 

[trainplane3]

While SSE is down, are they going to demo the post-ride area as well? The lack of it in the art shows it at least was a thought at one point.

 

[Horizons '83]

While SSE is down, are they going to demo the post-ride area as well? The lack of it in the art shows it at least was a thought at one point.

I want to say @marni1971 said they are reconfiguring the load and unload which would include the restructuring of Project Tomorrow.