News Spaceship Earth Refurb - 2 Year Closure

[*Q*]

Maybe they'll finally turn the paperboy around so he's facing the guests!

And with the way WDI is with budgets they'll probably spend $50,000 doing it.

The only thing I'm somewhat iffy on is the projection mapping, both inside and out. I hope they don't take that too far.

This is actually one of the elements I'm most interested in, I think it's one of the more appropriate structures at Walt Disney World for projection mapping. Done correctly, of course, doing a lot with colors and effects and illusions and such, and not just slapping characters up there. They're certainly capable of it, the Tree of Life show is classy and perfectly keeping with the spirit of the park. I'd simply be excited just to see the singular boring purple color scheme put to rest. As for 180top, I see plenty of potential there, too.

I just hope they finally remove the interactive screens on the ride vehicles.

I wouldn't mind if they stayed because they came up with some kind of really cool way to interact with the ride itself. But they could also potentially accomplish that with your smartphone, too, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[britain]

Here's my suspicion regarding the timing:

If the new Spaceship Earth is true to the spirit of the original, and IP-less, then from a marketer's point of view, the best time to sell this is Epcot's 40th. You'll have all your advertising arsenal focused on Epcot nostalgia and a new Spaceship Earth would fit into that narrative well. Sorry to say, but any other time, just saying "And Spaceship Earth is new!" just isn't much of a draw to the average tourist.

 

[Jwhee]

It'll reopen as Mickey's Spaceship Adventure

 

[brb1006]

Along with a complete redesign of the ride vehicles.

Seriously, the screens can be very distracting. Especially when one ride vehicle's screen is either frozen or glitched out. Causing the screen to stay look something like this.

 

[Phicinfan]

Am at work and I’ve not read the report. Is this referred to as Gamma?

yes

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Since keeping up with technology, especially communication technology, is so hard due to the rapid pace of change, I would love to see the exit of the pavilion become an interactive museum of the history and future of Epcot. It would be a nice homage and an appropriate use of the space.

The communication theme could be further evolved as well. The central theme being the overall message Epcot is intended to convey and how it is communicated not just through words but through design, sense of place, landscaping, and show.

The center piece could be the Progress City model (if it is in good enough shape to be moved). Perhaps some old friends, like Buzzy, could also be brought back and given a new purpose. A nod to the past with a focus on the future.

Pipe dream I am sure but it was fun to think up.

 

[tparris]

It'll reopen as Mickey's Spaceship Adventure

Better than Groot's IP Coaster

 

[michmousefan]

The ride system is nearly 40 years old. 365 days for each of those takes its toll. Moreso for such a unique ride path.

If they undertake such an extensive refurb to build an updated ride system that will keep the grand and miraculous adventure going for another 40 years, I can take the two year plus shutdown.

 

[disney4life2008]

Here is an idea. Go back to the Jeremy Irons version. We do not need any silly cartoons telling us the future at this point, everything is predictable.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

Hey, I'm all for omnimovers. I love the people mover.

All I was getting that was I understand back in the 80s it would have been exciting for a lot of people. These days, not so much. I would much rather they do stick something IP based in there, being the parks icon.

Keep the omnimover part of course but the history of communication? Naaaa

Surely there's a Six Flags somewhere close to you where you could get everything you're looking for at a much lower price.

 

[flyerjab]

I vote for @marni1971 to be the narrator.

If we can't book Martin, I also vote for Benedict Cumberbatch. Not as Doctor Strange though! The British version is much more preferable. His voice is pretty much perfect for just about anything.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

If true, and if I may...

"Nnnnnooooooooo!!!"

But it sounds like it'll get some MUCH needed love and attention. Time will tell.

 

[kong1802]

I'm hopeful they are really going to do this....

The blank space at the top and the decent down with that LeapFrog tablet is silly, at best...

 

[bhg469]

I vote for @marni1971 to be the narrator.

If we can't book Martin, I also vote for Benedict Cumberbatch. Not as Doctor Strange though! The British version is much more preferable. His voice is pretty much perfect for just about anything.

I vote Cumberbatch ONLY if he says "penguin" several times during the ride. (if you don't understand why, i highly suggest you search audio of him saying penguin)

 

[ppete1975]

I vote Cumberbatch ONLY if he says "penguin" several times during the ride. (if you don't understand why, i highly suggest you search audio of him saying penguin)

neil de grasse tyson
with the ending being a optimistic view of our future with carl sagan

 

[Voxel]

I vote Cumberbatch ONLY if he says "penguin" several times during the ride. (if you don't understand why, i highly suggest you search audio of him saying penguin)

PenWing!

 

[SteamboatJoe]

neil de grasse tyson
with the ending being a optimistic view of our future with carl sagan

I vote for the most distinguished voice of our time, Bobcat Goldthwait.

 

[jt04]

It'll reopen as Mickey's Spaceship Adventure

You forgot the spoiler button.

 

[jt04]

with the ending being a optimistic view of our future with carl sagan

I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you.

 

[Tom P.]

neil de grasse tyson
with the ending being a optimistic view of our future with carl sagan

Ugh. Please no Neil de Grasse Tyson.