Mouse Extra

It appears yet another major refurbishment is coming to Epcot, this time to the park’s icon Spaceship Earth.  We all knew that when Siemens took over the attraction’s sponsorship that they would eventually want to put their own stamp on what is often referred to as the most attended attraction in all of Walt Disney World.  The new post-show was already announced, but that was only the tip of the iceberg.  My thanks go to Deb Wills and AllEarsNet.com for providing the press release.

At Epcot, a re-imagined Spaceship Earth will combine the magic of the iconic attraction’s time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale, presented by Siemens, which lets Guests imagine their futures.

Enhancements to the time-travel attraction will encompass changes to each of the ride scenes. New show scenes will be added to the attraction’s story along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score. The time travel adventure will be enhanced through new, interactive touch screens installed aboard each “time machine” that will enable guests to create their own visions of the future and see themselves in that future.

So it appears as though the essence of the ride will remain, but with some very noticeable updates.  Take a look at the first sentence of the second paragraph above.  The plan is to affect each scene in some way or another, and to add even more scenes.  The historical story will remain somewhat intact, at least it seems that way in the first paragraph, and enhancing that can only be considered a good thing.  The ending will change dramatically.  As Siemens looks to inject itself into the ride, the finale is the natural place to do this.

Now, take a look again at the last sentence which says riders will have “interactive touch screens installed aboard each “time machine” that will enable guests to create their own visions of the future and see themselves in that future.”  All the Horizons fans should be jumping up and down right now, because this sounds very similar and even a bit more fun. 

The potential here is terrific.  Spaceship Earth is one of my absolute favorite attractions, and I must admit I am a little nervous about such sweeping changes to a wonderful attraction.  I can completely understand altering the ending sequence to meet the sponsor’s needs, but the historical portion certainly is not in need of changes to every scene.  But this is Disney, and I believe even the best attractions should be always growing and changing.