The Future of Spaceship Earth

[EpcotMark]

Does anyone wonder or know of anything regarding the future of Spaceship Earth? Historically, contracts with companies for the attractions have been for about ten years. Siemens picked it up about 11 years ago and the remodeled attraction opened already about 9 years ago. Seems to be about that time where the future of the ride might be in question. Even if Siemens extends their contract with Disney, there would likely be an update to the ride just as AT&T did when Jeremy Irons came in during 1994.

 

[marni1971]

The current contract IIRC ends at the end of next year.

What happens then who knows. But I don't expect huge changes at the moment.

 

[righttrack]

SSE must work towards taking us from the cusp of the mid-80s to the personal device age with it's next refresh/refurb.

 

[ShoalFox]

I say put the huge computers where the moon landing is now, personal computers where the 60s computer scene is now, and personal devices where the garage in California is now.

I just want the screens to go away.

 

[Hakunamatata]

SSE must work towards taking us from the cusp of the mid-80s to the personal device age with it's next refresh/refurb.

They definitely have room to add that on the decent.

 

[zengoth]

I say put the huge computers where the moon landing is now, personal computers where the 60s computer scene is now, and personal devices where the garage in California is now.

I like whole garage scene's intricate detail. (It's the only part of the ride I wish was a bit slower.) I always felt that scene was designed by someone really in love with the history of technology.

 

[Polydweller]

They definitely have room to add that on the decent.

Not so sure about that. There's very little room coming down. The first down stage goes between over the upward spiralling track twice, effectively going over an behind parts of the ascent dioramas. It then makes a hard circle turn going under itself and the ascent track twice. You the descend to the unloading and loading level. They might be able to make a small display in the about 3ft deep area in the top where they had the video call display or half way down where there was about a two foot deep communications display but that's about it. It would have to be quite minimal.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

All I'm saying is....Let's be greatful Time Racers Never Happened...

 

[Incomudro]

I like whole garage scene's intricate detail. (It's the only part of the ride I wish was a bit slower.) I always felt that scene was designed by someone really in love with the history of technology.

I love that scene myself, one of my favorite's on the ride.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As far as I know, Siemens is out. My Aunt has worked for them for probably 40 years. She was going to get me into their lounge on one of our recent trips, but said they don't have a Siemens lounge anymore. Don't know if any CM's can confirm/deny.

 

[No Name]

Spaceship Earth is a great attraction. All I think it really needs is a scene about the internet (there isn't one, right?) and one about cellphones and/or smartphones. Of course any greater, positive changes are welcome, but what I mean is that relatively little would need to be updated.

Whatever they do, much like in DHS, the central, "umbrella" attraction needs to remain strong and needs to encompass the park as a whole.

 

[danyoung56]

Does anyone know what the guest satisfaction ratings are for SSE right now?

I don't have any numbers, but I do remember the general online reaction when this version opened. Everybody loved the upgrades and tweaks to the first half of the ride, and everybody was horrified by the descent.

 

[zengoth]

Everybody loved the upgrades and tweaks to the first half of the ride, and everybody was horrified by the descent.

At least Disney made an effort to keep people occupied with screens during their descent (those words make me think how cool it would be to end up in the hell scene from Toad at the end...)
But, seriously - if imagineers could come up with something entirely different for the screens - what could it be?

(And am I the only one who purposely listens to the narration in german, just because... judi dench in german?)