As part of the Parks and Resorts Panel last year at the 2019 D23 Expo, it was announced that Epcot‘s iconic Spaceship Earth attraction would be transformed with new scenes reflecting the universal nature of the human experience as well as a new guide and narration that will “focus on the storytelling that brings people together”. And now we know a little more about this new vision for this attraction, which will be renamed Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story, as well as when the last day of operation for this attraction in its current form will be:
The current version of Spaceship Earth will close May 26, 2020
Image: Disney
Disney has announced that Spaceship Earth will close on May 26 2020 to begin its transformation into Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story. Disney has not shared a timetable for the opening of this new version of this attraction, but reports suggest that we are looking at an 18-24 month closure, which would shutter this iconic attraction until late 2021 at least. However, we do have some idea about what this attraction will be like when it reopens.
Introducing the Light
Spaceship Earth will adjusting its theme away from the history of communication and “towards storytelling.” And the way they will do this is by introducing a new narrator in the form of a story “Light”, that will guide guests through this enhanced attraction, that will include both familiar scenes with plussed up effects , and new scenes as well. According to Disney, this new theme will show how light plays a central role in our shared human journey, coming to life in dynamic ways. The concept art above shows the new look of the Egypt scene, transformed with the new “Light” theme.
In addition to the new light theme, guests who experience this new version of Spaceship Earth will hear new narration and experience what Disney is calling a celebration of the magic that’s possible “when we all come together.”
Dreamer’s Point will also open with the new Spaceship Earth
Image: Disney
Disney has announced that as part of this massive overhaul, they will be creating a brand new exit area called Dreamers Point which will include lush gardens, a wishing tree, an interactive new fountain and a new statue celebrating the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney. Work on this new area will be ongoing at the same time while work is happening on the inside of Spaceship Earth as well.
Image: Disney
Change is nothing new at Spaceship Earth, as this Epcot attraction has gone through major changes in 1986, 1994, and 2007. However, this new overhaul of this attraction looks like it will be the most ambitious to date, and will completely reimagine this attraction for the new decade and beyond! And though the wait will be quite long, Disney promises that the “ideas we are working on inside that geosphere will be well worth the wait”!
