EPCOT Spaceship Earth Refurb - 2 Year Closure

[montyz81]

What do you guys feel the most likely thing is that’ll happen to 180 top/space station for the refurb?

It will become the new “Space” restaurant

 

[Dragonman]

If the Gutenberg scene survives it would be nice to see the animatronic typeset boy added back:

(Moved in ‘86 to the bedroom computer scene, then totally removed in ‘94)

 

[Victor Kelly]

The new SSE will feature black walls all the wY up and then back down. Cost cutting you see. Now pay the mouse more money.

 

[Victor Kelly]

I think we can expect SSE to close in Feb 2020 and reopen around Feb of 2022. That’s based on me attempting to read between the lines.

I read the tea leaves in divination class. They came up as the Grimm.

 

[MisterPenguin]

If the Gutenberg scene survives it would be nice to see the animatronic typeset boy added back:View attachment 438112
(Moved in ‘86 to the bedroom computer scene, then totally removed in ‘94)

He's never coming back. Turned out there were some 10 year old racist posts on Usenet.

 

[No Name]

If the ride goes from the history of communication to the history of storytelling, honestly I’d be okay with that. I imagine the ascent will run through history ending with a large emphasis on Disney, and then the descent will be some social media related thing. The jokes here aren’t too wild.

My biggest hope is that they recognize storytelling exists outside of movies and television. For example, most pertinently, themed entertainment is a medium of storytelling. Books, music, video games, etc. are important too.

 

[SplashJacket]

If the ride goes from the history of communication to the history of storytelling, honestly I’d be okay with that. I imagine the ascent will run through history ending with a large emphasis on Disney, and then the descent will be some social media related thing. The jokes here aren’t too wild.

My biggest hope is that they recognize storytelling exists outside of movies and television. For example, most pertinently, themed entertainment is a medium of storytelling. Books, music, video games, etc. are important too.

That is the thing, in concept it can turn out to be exceptional, however, done incorrectly, it could be absolutely abysmal.

It is the closest thing to playing with fire. Disney could easily put on an amazing show but also burn themselves just as easy, or in actuality, the guests who truly care about quality.

 

[larryz]

I might as well leak the plans:

The building behind SSE will be replaced. This is where the new entrance and exit will be. Adding to the ride length.

The beginning is a brief introduction to the new theme: storytelling. Then we move up, as always. To the origins of storytelling: a family gathered around the fire to share story time together. Then the ride follows familiar scenes: the Egyptians wrote down their stories, papyrus and hieroglyphs. Phoenician alphabet, Roman spread of civilisation, burning of Alexandria, etc. Then the explosion of new storytelling media from the modern period: movies to families gathered around the fire, erm tv, as storytelling brings them together. The rider learns that Disney is the culmination of this: storytelling that brings your family together. That unites people, from your family to the entire world. This is the theme of the 180 top, images of earth, Disney stories, and people united by them.

Basically history culminates in Disney+.

If this is the case, I'll expect a Stan Lee cameo somewhere in there...

 

[Dragonman]

If this is the case, I'll expect a Stan Lee cameo somewhere in there...

*enters 180 top

 

[trainplane3]

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

 

[Thelazer]

"power of storytelling to unite the human experience." - "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."

I'm sorry, are they talking about SpaceShip earth, or the new Harmonious show here?

 

[Rteetz]

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

Nothing really new there as far as I remember.

 

[trainplane3]

Nothing really new there as far as I remember.

You're right but I feel like they didn't specify that it will "remain a voyage through time" for the original blog post back during D23.

 

[montyz81]

"power of storytelling to unite the human experience." - "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."

I'm sorry, are they talking about SpaceShip earth, or the new Harmonious show here?

The “magical story light” feels like they are talking about the light that used to run the entire length of the Main Street Electrical Parade.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

On the bright side, I think it will be better than time racers would have been.

 

[wdwgreek]

I just got a fast pass for this in march? I was shocked to see it still available? When exactly is this referb starting?

 

[ThatMouse]

Imagine Spaceship Earth with Na'vi River Journey tech. Or in other words, imagine Na'vi River Journey with a real story and dramatic narration. Now the hairs on your neck begin to rise!

 

[Dragonman]

The “story light” could just be some cast member running around shining a flashlight on everything ala Alien Encounter

 

[MisterPenguin]

I just got a fast pass for this in march? I was shocked to see it still available? When exactly is this referb starting?

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.

 

[tparris]

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