Spaceship in Spaceship Earth

[BoarderPhreak]

It amazes me to this day how dead the top of SSE remains. I vividly remember in the 80s when the astronaut hung from the satellite while the girl looked on from the space station. It was really cool - and would still work today; that is, not too dated that maybe a costume change or minor tweaks wouldn't address. It's a real shame that we've had a simple projected Earth in what is really a massive space and equally expansive scene.

But SSE has bigger issues. Like the trashed drainage system within. Every time it rains, visitors get dripped on at the entrance to the queue below. I can't imagine how they could refurb sections of the interior without fixing that first. Likely a contributing factor to the lengthy refurb that was planned.

 

[Horizons1]

Sure would be swell if this former space station was brought back into service.

Mind blowing this is still there after all these years pretty much intact.
Just slap on a new coat of paint, change out some light bulbs, and give that window a fresh new look.

Or something.....

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Demolition is much more expensive than just flipping a switch off.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Demolition is much more expensive than just flipping a switch off.

Very true. But also lowers the bar on what passes as show quality, arguably in decline over the decades.

Demolition implies improvement (assuming a rebuild at some point) whereas lights out just implies "we give up, nothing to see here."

 

[Dragonman]

Honestly the space station deserves lots of love and a good refurb. This thread started with pure speculation about the scene and blurry memories, it’s amazing how far we’ve come and how much we’ve discovered in this thread.

The station is still 90% intact so it could very well be brought back with the new version.

 

[DoleWhipDrea]

I would love it if WDI could try a new take on the space station (and continuing through the descent.) It might not have worked the way they originally wanted but with today’s tech I’m sure they could do some truly spectacular things with this scene!

People are still inspired by space and the future. Bring back the astronauts, repaint the station and give space station lady a fresh look!

Thanks to this thread, every time I visit SSE I spend my time in this scene trying to shield my eyes from the brightness of the Earth projection so that I can better make out everything that got left at the top, make out whatever has been painted black. ^_^

 

[marni1971]

Thanks to this thread, every time I visit SSE I spend my time in this scene trying to shield my eyes from the brightness of the Earth projection so that I can better make out everything that got left at the top, make out whatever has been painted black. ^_^

I throw a coat over the LCD to marvel at the chicken wire.

 

[Rhinocerous]

I throw a coat over the LCD to marvel at the chicken wire.

I realize you are being literal, but this seems like a metaphor for all of modern Epcot and, arguably, WDW as a whole.

 

[Figments Friend]

I throw a coat over the LCD to marvel at the chicken wire.

And triangles!

Don't forget triangles!



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[WondersOfLife]

Saw it for the first time today! Wow. Amazed that a piece of history was LITERALLY right over my head for 22 years.

 

[FigmentFan82]

After you’re facing backwards and see a room full of endless blue lights, look over your shoulder and up as the lights end and you should see it:
View attachment 492520
View attachment 492523

It looks so creepy just blacked out at left to be forgotten about (shivers)

 

[KikoKea]

Saw it for the first time today! Wow. Amazed that a piece of history was LITERALLY right over my head for 22 years.

I look every time and have never seen it. Can you see it before the descent? Is it behind the strings of light?

 

[_caleb]

I look every time and have never seen it. Can you see it before the descent? Is it behind the strings of light?

SAME. I've craned my neck every time and all I see are the strings of light!

 

[WondersOfLife]

I look every time and have never seen it. Can you see it before the descent? Is it behind the strings of light?

It’s like a few second AFTER the descent. I was Caught off guard by that too I was Like “where is it”

Just constantly keep looking up and back as you go down you’ll eventually see it. It’s among the string lights yes.

 

[marni1971]

As you start descending, look over your right shoulder about level with your position. It’ll be to your right, behind the blue hanging lights on the far wall.

 

[larryz]

I look every time and have never seen it. Can you see it before the descent? Is it behind the strings of light?

Next time you go, take one of these...

If the CM asks why you have a small searchlight with you, just tell them you get frightened by the dark.

 

[Dragonman]

Next time you go, take one of these...
View attachment 493295

If the CM asks why you have a small searchlight with you, just tell them you get frightened by the dark.

Pretty sure these were taken with the same method .

 

[marni1971]

Pretty sure these were taken with the same method .

View attachment 493296
View attachment 493298
View attachment 493299
View attachment 493297

Definite flash photos.

 

[KikoKea]

It’s like a few second AFTER the descent. I was Caught off guard by that too I was Like “where is it”

Just constantly keep looking up and back as you go down you’ll eventually see it. It’s among the string lights yes.

As you start descending, look over your right shoulder about level with your position. It’ll be to your right, behind the blue hanging lights on the far wall.

Thanks! I've been looking up, toward the top. So, the lights were put up later and covered it, and nothing is visible before the light curtains?
I'll be there in 3 weeks, so will be riding SE several times. I'm determined to see it before it might be taken out!

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Thanks! I've been looking up, toward the top. So, the lights were put up later and covered it, and nothing is visible before the light curtains?
I'll be there in 3 weeks, so will be riding SE several times. I'm determined to see it before it might be taken out!

If you'll forgive the crude Photoshopping . . .

The Red is the remains of the Space Station, the black gradient is the beginning of the Descent, the Blue Dots are the . . . Blue Dots. You'll want to turn around as you're under them because the vehicle faces you away from the Space Station. The Blue Lights in that scene do an okay job of lighting it up even though it's painted black, so as long as you're looking in the right place you're very likely to see it.

 

[KikoKea]

If you'll forgive the crude Photoshopping . . .

The Red is the remains of the Space Station, the black gradient is the beginning of the Descent, the Blue Dots are the . . . Blue Dots. You'll want to turn around as you're under them because the vehicle faces you away from the Space Station. The Blue Lights in that scene do an okay job of lighting it up even though it's painted black, so as long as you're looking in the right place you're very likely to see it.

View attachment 493333

Wow! I've been looking in the wrong place! I thought it was right as we start the descent. Thanks- this really helps.