Spaceship Earth Features Innovative Changes

[Stu]

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11010&stc=1&d=1204379233Spaceship Earth, the iconic centerpiece of Epcot, has relaunched with changes and refinements installed during more than seven months of construction and detailing in 2007 and early 2008.

Presented by Siemens, the relaunched Spaceship Earth looks on the outside like it did when Epcot opened a quarter century ago. But on the inside, Spaceship Earth has undergone changes that will treat guests to an innovative "interactive" attraction with many new scenes, new costumes and set decorations, new lighting and special effects, a new musical score and narration, and a totally re-themed interactive post-show

[Stu]

On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from caves to the cosmos.

During the journey, new scenes depict: a family in the late 1960s viewing the moon landing on television; a massive, two-story computer room of the late 1960s with reel-to-reel-computers; a garage of the early 1970s where the "personal computer" is born; and a "tech tunnel" in which guests become part of a digital data stream.

Even scenes that guests have experienced since 1982 have been touched by the project. "Practically every Audio-Animatronics figure in Spaceship Earth has been updated in one way or another," said Show Producer Bob Zalk of Walt Disney Imagineering. "To make the figures more realistic, they've received a makeover of everything from their hair to their costumes to their movements."

Meanwhile, the makeover of the narration and music benefited from some "star power":


The new narration is delivered by English actress Dame Judi Dench, who earned an Oscar as best supporting actress in 1999 for her role in the motion picture "Shakespeare in Love." While Dench delivers the ride vehicle narration in English, guests can also choose five other languages for their vehicle, a Disney "first" -- French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.
The new musical score was composed by Bruce Broughton, who has won a record 10 Emmy Awards and has been nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy during a career writing in every medium -- from theatrical releases and TV feature films to the concert stage and computer games. A 62-piece orchestra and 24-voice choir brings his latest composition to life.


As the ride-through adventure nears its finish, interactive touch-screens in the ride vehicles light up with a series of questions, soliciting guests' preferences concerning things such as where they'd like to live and work in the future. Then guests are treated to a personalized view of themselves in their idyllic future.

When guests disembark the time travel experience, they are invited to visit "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow" presented by Siemens, where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future. The space is filled with fun, interactive games and displays that showcase innovative technologies. Here, guests step into the world of tomorrow and glimpse the future of medicine, transportation and responsible energy management across the globe. Project Tomorrow includes:


Body Builder, a 3-D interactive game that enables users to assemble a digital human body, simulating the Siemens technology developed to perform remote surgeries.
Super Driver, a driving simulation video game that showcases motor vehicle accident avoidance systems developed by Siemens.
Innervision, a view into the future of medical diagnostics in the home.
Power City, a game that demonstrates how to manage power in a growing city.


Epcot is the Walt Disney World discovery park, where guests are immersed in a celebration of both technological accomplishments and international cultural achievements. The 305-acre theme park encompasses two unique worlds -- Future World and World Showcase -- with attractions, shows, entertainment, dining, shopping and architectural wonders. Epcot is part of the 25,000-acre Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Fla. For more information, guests may call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com.

[madwife]

Thanks for posting that Stu - I love this ride and cannot wait to experience the new format. :wave:

[martyboy]

Damn we were not doing Epcot this year but know!!

[Stu]

We had a preview of some of it when we were last there, I actually think it will lose some of the charm it had. As with all things, change can affect different people in different ways.
The new toys in Project Tomorrow were a good improvement on previous attempts, but I'm just not sure about the new narration by Judi Dench.

[kcanderson]

We had a preview of some of it when we were last there, I actually think it will lose some of the charm it had. As with all things, change can affect different people in different ways.
The new toys in Project Tomorrow were a good improvement on previous attempts, but I'm just not sure about the new narration by Judi Dench.

Realy looking forward to this ,was closed on our last visit :confused2 know what you mean re the narration just loved the original when he said one day we will leave this planet :)
Chris

[Scotsmomma]

I wasn't impressed with it really....and I don't think it works with Judi Dench....the touch screens on the vehicles are a waste of time....it's still a good ride to rest your weary legs though

[kcanderson]

I wasn't impressed with it really....and I don't think it works with Judi Dench....the touch screens on the vehicles are a waste of time....it's still a good ride to rest your weary legs though

Did you like the original ride Linda ! :wave:
Chris

[Scotsmomma]

Yeah I did Chris......I just don't think they've done anything to enhance it....lol you might go and love it...I don't know what I expecting of it really....I just thought refurb would be something major....and for me it isn't....

[floridamo]

Thanks for the info,Didn't do this ride on our last visit there was a never ending queue ,but its on my list for next year :)

[kcanderson]

Yeah I did Chris......I just don't think they've done anything to enhance it....lol you might go and love it...I don't know what I expecting of it really....I just thought refurb would be something major....and for me it isn't....

Won,t get my hopes up to high then :d: ,think i would prefer stephen hawkins to judi dench lol

[Captain Nemo]

Went on it at Christmas and enjoyed the post ride area. DD and I were wrecked after playing Power City - put our all into it!!

[norriebhoy]

Is that the ride that is inside the big dome, if so, we done it 2 years ago, and thoughroughly enjoyed it, will be doing it again this year. Thanks for the info Stu. :wave:

[parisdisneyfan]

We enjoyed the new ride last month although for some reason it didn't accept DH's photo so I was sitting next to a cartoon character!!!! It definately interested the kids more and we thought the narration and new animatronics really boosted it.

[jax65]

:wave: Thanks for the info guys... will let you know when we have been this year... always ride the GOLF BALL!...lol

[Spider666]

Went on it on friday, although i hadn't been on it before i loved it and at the time i liked the narration but didn't know it had been changed.

[Quertychap]

Thanks for the info. We will be going next week and look forward to the ride - Epcot has always been our favourite park and we "do" Spaceship Earth every time we visit. We are great admirers of Judi Dench, so this will enhance our expectations.

[loadsapixiedust]

We really loved the changes they have made, no spoilers but we had such a laugh at the photo and there is some really good stuff as you exit too.

[alwburgess]

I was actually crying with laughter at the end it was so funny:d:( the queue wasn't fun though)
If you liked the ride before you will love it now

[TRACEYA89]

cant wait to go on this again in a week's time. it was closed when we were there in November.

[steve@mac155.f]

One of my favourite rides am really looking forward to do it again now it's been revamped

[little_devil69]

I can't wait to ride the new Spaceship Earth in September, I'm so excited now

[Carol J]

I just love Spaceship Earth at Epcot and I can't wait to see the changes when we visit next year. I was sooooo disappointed when it was closed last year! :wave:

[_tinkerbell_]

Hi

Just catching up with this thread. I missed this year year at it was closed for renovations so i am looking forward to riding this year.

Heard a few people say they do not like the new voice, Dame Judy Dench and i am having trouble even before i get there! I loved the old narration.

Looking forward to it though.

[bustersmum]

I loved it and the end is just so funny.Also you can e mail your pics home it was hilarious to see them again.

[Sneezy]

Really looking forward to this :thumbs-up was very dissapointed at the last revamp when they got rid of the tommorow child song :o:

[thehitman]

major disappointment for me. i loved the old spaceship earth, especialy the bit where it showed the future and new technologys. I didnt like this new video that put your face in... didnt do it for me. the bit after was lame... a few games which used no technology which i havnt seen before.

[MattF]

We loved the new ending

[WTP]

Didn't ride it last time so it was a first for me too, this year. Must admit, I loved the ride and found the after-ride pics hilarious.

[shedenuk]

This is one of my favorite rides and I was really disappointed when it was closed on our last visit to EPCOT in Oct 2007.
Looking forward to seeing the upgrades whe we visit next year.

[kaiser]

Looking forward to trying this out, although my favourite version has to be with Jeremy Irons (I think that was the last one), I loved the music.

If anyone would like to hear the Jeremy Irons version in full then I have a copy, send me a PM with your email address and I will send you a copy.

Kai