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Spaceship Earth Rehab!?
- Thread starter dwldzm9
- Start date
New Audio
I think SE is great! It does need some upgrades. Here's my idea. As many of you remember, Walter Cronkite (CBS news) did the narration and that was great. Jeremy Irons is great too. However, this is a ride dedicated to communication! English is not the universal language. My idea is simple. Get a well known and respected person form each country in the entire world and have them do the recording for the show in their own language. It could be an actor, president, news person, singer, etc. The idea is that it would be someone that each visitor could recognize and identify with as they experience the ride. I am not a world traveler so I don't really know the people to suggest for the roles. As an example, Presidente Fox could speak in Spanish to Mexican visitors, Tony Blair or Paul McCartney in English to British visitors. France, Canada, Japan, China, Norway, Russia, Germany, Brazil, Australia and many other countries could be included (sorry if I left your country out). The technology exists today to do this! Remember in Horizons how you could pick your ending? I'm not going to go into the technical aspects of this as to the how can it be done. Trust me, with a little imagination, it can be done.
I think SE is great! It does need some upgrades. Here's my idea. As many of you remember, Walter Cronkite (CBS news) did the narration and that was great. Jeremy Irons is great too. However, this is a ride dedicated to communication! English is not the universal language. My idea is simple. Get a well known and respected person form each country in the entire world and have them do the recording for the show in their own language. It could be an actor, president, news person, singer, etc. The idea is that it would be someone that each visitor could recognize and identify with as they experience the ride. I am not a world traveler so I don't really know the people to suggest for the roles. As an example, Presidente Fox could speak in Spanish to Mexican visitors, Tony Blair or Paul McCartney in English to British visitors. France, Canada, Japan, China, Norway, Russia, Germany, Brazil, Australia and many other countries could be included (sorry if I left your country out). The technology exists today to do this! Remember in Horizons how you could pick your ending? I'm not going to go into the technical aspects of this as to the how can it be done. Trust me, with a little imagination, it can be done.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
I don't think that would be a good idea, because, oooh, 95% of SE's riders understand english.
Languages
Even if most people do understand English I think it would be great if the "Japanese version" was done by a famous and well respected person from Japan. While I don't speak Spanish or French (darn it) I really enjoy watching DVD's such as Dumbo and Hercules in those languages. I have some friends from Mexico that have told me that they learned the English language from watching TV in the United States. I have heard the Spaceship Earth narration many times and I would enjoy listening to it in other languages. Have you heard the Haunted Mansion narration in Japanese or French? It's very fun and educational to hear. Who knows, if this idea works at Spaceship Earth then perhaps other rides with sound systems in their cars could also get onboard.
Even if most people do understand English I think it would be great if the "Japanese version" was done by a famous and well respected person from Japan. While I don't speak Spanish or French (darn it) I really enjoy watching DVD's such as Dumbo and Hercules in those languages. I have some friends from Mexico that have told me that they learned the English language from watching TV in the United States. I have heard the Spaceship Earth narration many times and I would enjoy listening to it in other languages. Have you heard the Haunted Mansion narration in Japanese or French? It's very fun and educational to hear. Who knows, if this idea works at Spaceship Earth then perhaps other rides with sound systems in their cars could also get onboard.
You know....
you know what? We could be on to something doable here. I really don't think it would cost much extra if you were rehabing the audio anyway to include a system to select language. We've all seen through the advent of DVD just how easy it could be, and considering that DVD-audio would be a possible format for the new audio (if they rehabbed it, that is) then I don't see why they couldn't put a switch on the car to select audio. Either that, or put a set of headphones on board that would run alternate audio.
I think it would be a great idea!
you know what? We could be on to something doable here. I really don't think it would cost much extra if you were rehabing the audio anyway to include a system to select language. We've all seen through the advent of DVD just how easy it could be, and considering that DVD-audio would be a possible format for the new audio (if they rehabbed it, that is) then I don't see why they couldn't put a switch on the car to select audio. Either that, or put a set of headphones on board that would run alternate audio.
I think it would be a great idea!
DisneyFanatic4
New Member
Let me take a moment and clear some things up about Spaceship Earth....
I am a WDW cast member and one of the attractions that I work at is Spaceship Earth.
First of all, the astronaunt scene that some of you remember was part of Spaceship Earth. That scene use to be located just after the "Current Events" scene as you are turned around after being at 180 top. The astronaunt scene was actually located where the current "Virtual Classroom" scene is now. The "Virtual Classroom" scene is where two children and one teacher are in front of a very large screen. When in this scene, if you turn around you can still see the spaceship that is now painted all black to hide it. There use to be an astronaunt inside the spaceship who is actually still there but not visible to guests and there was an astronaunt suspended in air near the spaceship.
Secondly, the sometimes loud sounds you hear coming from the ride system are normal. The ride system does not contain any chains like some of you describe. All of the cars are linked together similar to a car hitched to a trailer. The cars are mounted on a rollercoaster track with boggie wheels surrounding three sides of the tubular track at all times. There are hundreds of motors around the track that contain a large virtical boggie wheel that pushing the cars and keeps them in motion. These big virtical wheels come in contact with a flat metal plate under each hitch between the cars. Sometimes when these come in contact together they are not perfectly level and will make a loud noise with hit. This is the noise that everyone is hearing and cannot be fixed unless a brand new ride system is installed.
I hope this information clears up any misunderstandings with this wonderful ride we call Spaceship Earth. I know most think this ride is old and boring, but I respect this ride now more than ever after working at it and I really hope it is preserved for it is a classic ride.
I am a WDW cast member and one of the attractions that I work at is Spaceship Earth.
First of all, the astronaunt scene that some of you remember was part of Spaceship Earth. That scene use to be located just after the "Current Events" scene as you are turned around after being at 180 top. The astronaunt scene was actually located where the current "Virtual Classroom" scene is now. The "Virtual Classroom" scene is where two children and one teacher are in front of a very large screen. When in this scene, if you turn around you can still see the spaceship that is now painted all black to hide it. There use to be an astronaunt inside the spaceship who is actually still there but not visible to guests and there was an astronaunt suspended in air near the spaceship.
Secondly, the sometimes loud sounds you hear coming from the ride system are normal. The ride system does not contain any chains like some of you describe. All of the cars are linked together similar to a car hitched to a trailer. The cars are mounted on a rollercoaster track with boggie wheels surrounding three sides of the tubular track at all times. There are hundreds of motors around the track that contain a large virtical boggie wheel that pushing the cars and keeps them in motion. These big virtical wheels come in contact with a flat metal plate under each hitch between the cars. Sometimes when these come in contact together they are not perfectly level and will make a loud noise with hit. This is the noise that everyone is hearing and cannot be fixed unless a brand new ride system is installed.
I hope this information clears up any misunderstandings with this wonderful ride we call Spaceship Earth. I know most think this ride is old and boring, but I respect this ride now more than ever after working at it and I really hope it is preserved for it is a classic ride.
lifeguard1020
Active Member
Interesting story...
Last January, a buddy of mine was taking a trip through SE. As he reached one of the last scenes before the very top, the ride system stopped. Ten minutes later when it still hadn't restarted, he decided it would be funny to get out of his car and "infiltrate" one of the scenes and pretend an animatronic. Well, needless to say after getting out and taking no less than twenty steps he says, he was hoisted off of the ground by two large cast members. After being escorted to the main gate, they took his picture and told him never to come back...true story...:hammer:
Dan
Last January, a buddy of mine was taking a trip through SE. As he reached one of the last scenes before the very top, the ride system stopped. Ten minutes later when it still hadn't restarted, he decided it would be funny to get out of his car and "infiltrate" one of the scenes and pretend an animatronic. Well, needless to say after getting out and taking no less than twenty steps he says, he was hoisted off of the ground by two large cast members. After being escorted to the main gate, they took his picture and told him never to come back...true story...:hammer:
Dan
Maria
New Member
ditto.
I love SE, and had the chance to take a "walking tour" one night inside of it, and it was simply amazing! We loved it! We sttod up next to the sleeping monk and it was very cool to see an animatronic so close.
The part I liked the most was being able to see Orlando from the structure, though....it was unbelievable!
Thanks for that explanation DisneyFanatic4!
yes, thanks
definitely nice to have people who actually know what they are talking about - unlike myself!! thanks again for the explanation of the ride!
maria, I was curious -
when you said you could see orlando, were you INSIDE the structure somewhere or outside on the top? - FYI, I think the top would be a little intimidating, but...
bob
definitely nice to have people who actually know what they are talking about - unlike myself!! thanks again for the explanation of the ride!
maria, I was curious -
when you said you could see orlando, were you INSIDE the structure somewhere or outside on the top? - FYI, I think the top would be a little intimidating, but...
bob
Maria
New Member
Oh my God... I was inside! The outside does intimidate me! hehe
At some point of the ride, there is a part in which you can approach the structure (on foot, of course, this was when we were walking through it) and see through the joints of each part of it. I´m not sure if I´m making sense, but you can see Orlando from it! At least, the Marriott!
At some point of the ride, there is a part in which you can approach the structure (on foot, of course, this was when we were walking through it) and see through the joints of each part of it. I´m not sure if I´m making sense, but you can see Orlando from it! At least, the Marriott!
zonguy
New Member
Awww Maria! You could have re-created that famouse shot of Mickey waving at the camera while standing on top of SE.
Actually, I always thought it would be cool to have seen the view from up there, but I would probably freak out... I sometimes have problems walking down stairs in a large stadiums...
Actually, I always thought it would be cool to have seen the view from up there, but I would probably freak out... I sometimes have problems walking down stairs in a large stadiums...
Flower
New Member
Originally posted by Scooter
I just rode Spaceship Earth 2 weeks ago. Actually I rode it TWICE. Some things at Disney World should never be changed and I for one think this ride is one of those things. Everything about that ride makes me smile...the smell of Rome burning, the paper boy yelling "extra extra, read all about it!!", the view of EARTH that makes you feel like you are in outer space, the slow paced, relaxing feel of the ride...it's just a great ride.
I didn't experiance the jerkiness that you spoke of when I rode it, or maybe it just didn't bother me that much. Maybe they had recently greased the wheels or something, or maybe I'm just used to it because I ride it so much.
Perhaps they could upgrade the sound system. With todays advanced audio technology, they should be able to improve the audio portion of the ride, but even if they don't... I don't mind... it's one of my favorite rides, and I say...if it aint broke, don't FIX it.
DITTO- We were there two weeks ago, rode twice, great ride, no problems! Nuf said!
MrPromey
Well-Known Member
From what I understand, because of it's size, being on the top is not that bad. You can't see the ground directly below because of the wide curvature and apparently, there is a rather good sized area on the top that seems to be just about flat....
BTW, now that we have the space walking thing cleared up, does everyone know what Now Inc. was talking about with Horizons?
DMC-12
It's HarmonioUS, NOT HarmoniYOU.
I think SE is in need of an audio upgrade, BIG TIME! (Maybe JBL or Infinity could sponsor that hmmmm) I could barely hear Jeremy Irons spiel. It was like the volume was on 1 when it should of been on 5 or 6. Half of the speakers in the ride cars are sounding really ratty, and muffled. Also, new more comfy ride cars would be nice. :animwink:
leithman62
New Member
:sohappy:
A possible use for the shere could be a ride which depictrs all the peoples of this spaceship earth and the need they have to live together in peace.
A possible use for the shere could be a ride which depictrs all the peoples of this spaceship earth and the need they have to live together in peace.