Spaceship earth!

[DV Brer Rabbit]

:biggrin: Wow this is my first time posting in the WDW forum! So excited! Anyways if you've been to Epcot before then you must know about Spaceship earth in the Epcot ball! Have you ever been on it? It's my second favorite ride in Disney! It's makes me wonder...how did they fit that whole ride in that ball? It's just amazing! So what do you think of Spaceship earth?:biggrin:

[Kileli]

that was also oneof my favorites! you just seem to go down for forever. although the cm was not the nicest the first time i went on it. my brother is 16, im 14, and my sister is 10. we are all pretty tall, and she decides to put all in one seat. i got the middle, so i was sitting on the little bump with no head rest. while going down the big hill, my neck was leaning way back and my back was on that bump, so it was killing me. next time we went on it, i made sure that didnt happen again. other then that experiance, i love going down backwards, seeing the news reports and the people from japan and america talking. my favorite dark ride in the park

[DV Brer Rabbit]

Off Topic- Wow so a CM was not nice to you? I thought almost everyone was nice at WDW!? I think people at DL are not very nice.
On Topic- Spaceship earth is just spectacular! Love it! Sooo much!

[Kileli]

Off Topic- Wow so a CM was not nice to you? I thought almost everyone was nice at WDW!? I think people at DL are not very nice.
On Topic- Spaceship earth is just spectacular! Love it! Sooo much!
well, i guess not really not nice, but she didnt realize that we were all so big and had to stuff into the car

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Spaceship Earth stands as a monument to how great an originally-themed attraction can be.

-- PMM :cool:

[tyler14man]

dont want to sound stupid but what is spaceship earth?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

See for yourself, it's the giant geodesic sphere. :smile:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/7783/img4950ha1.jpg

This taken at the entrance of Epcot. Much better first thing to see than a giant hubcap...

-- PMM :cool:

[HMF]

See for yourself, it's the giant geodesic sphere. :smile:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/7783/img4950ha1.jpg

This taken at the entrance of Epcot. Much better first thing to see than a giant hubcap...

-- PMM :cool:
I wish they would take down those little stars. They dont have any significance after 2000 ended.;)
A lot of people refer to the Mickey arm with the Wand and EPCOT script the Hand of Eisner but i like it. In fact i have never seen Spaceship Earth without the hand in person.but I have seen tons of photos.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I was skeptical about the hand, but it actually looks pretty nice in person.

-- PMM :cool:

[Neo]

LOL so instead of a giant hubcap you want a humongous golf ball? LOL sorry just had to ask LOL

[PeoplemoverMatt]

They don't play Frisbee Golf in the PGA. :wink:

-- PMM :cool:

[Neo]

LOL @ Matt touche

[HMF]

LOL so instead of a giant hubcap you want a humongous golf ball? LOL sorry just had to ask LOL
Its supposed to be a round Spaceship which is representational of the Earth thus Spaceship Earth. It does look like a golf ball indeed but when the press refers to it as a golf ball i get ticked off.:icon_cry:

[DV Brer Rabbit]

The press is just looking for dumb humor by saying "Hey that golf ball crashed today!" SE is the greatest ride to hit the Disney company since it opened! I've only rode it twice!

[wdwmickeyfan]

The press is just looking for dumb humor by saying "Hey that golf ball crashed today!" SE is the greatest ride to hit the Disney company since it opened! I've only rode it twice!


It's good, but not the best Disney ride. Or anywhere close in my opinion.

[tyler14man]

i mean whats inside it?a ride or show or what?

[wdwmickeyfan]

i mean whats inside it?a ride or show or what?

It's a dark ride.

[tyler14man]

It's a dark ride.


cool,whats the ride about?
douse anyone have any pics?

[wdwmickeyfan]

cool,whats the ride about?
douse anyone have any pics?


Try doing a search on Google. It's really hard to picture since it's so dark, but I'm sure they're there somewhere.

[mrhappybomb]

what is it about Never been there but I've heard it's like a dark slow moving Space Thing right?

[wdwmickeyfan]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=SpaceshipEarthAttrac tionPage&bhcp=1

[PeoplemoverMatt]

In a nutshell, the ride is about the history of human communication. It brings riders from the beginning of history through the timeline showing the how communication has progressed over the centuries. It's climax occurs when the present is reached and the tunnel opens up into the massive all open upper area of the sphere. Star fields are projected and an image of Earth is projected up at the very highest point on the inside of the sphere. While it's meant to more or less simulate outer space, the outer structure can be seen reminding you of where you really are and the whole room is one of the biggest WOW! moments you'll ever have. It's really an amazing sight to behold.

-- PMM :cool:

[Harrison Hightower III]

LOL so instead of a giant hubcap you want a humongous golf ball? LOL sorry just had to ask LOL


Please don't call it that. Its to revolutionary to be the but of a way to old joke. Honestly it can take all the rainwater and put it straight to WSL! It can holds one of the most classic Disney rides ever.

[Neo]

ummm first spell and grammer check that last post just a bit, I am having a hard time understanding it.

second it was just an inside joke with Matt LOL alot of people knows he calls our thingy in DCA a hubcap so I was making fun of WDW's

[Harrison Hightower III]

First I'm sorry but I hate when peeps make fun of it and second there is no spell check on posting.

[wdwmickeyfan]

Spaceship Earth is a wonderful ride and all, but it's not the best ride at Epcot. The exterior is one of the most impressive structures ever created by Disney, with only Mt. Prometheus beating it.

[Harrison Hightower III]

I think TOL beats it to.

[HMF]

I wish they got rid of the you are now going backwards warning it ruins the effect. Can you imagine them having that after the fall from the Attic into the Graveyard at the Haunted Mansion.:eek:

[PeoplemoverMatt]

They need the warning in case people decide to get up & run around while it's rotating & hurt themselves. It's not needed on Mansion because there isn't an opportunity to get up and move about the buggy.

-- PMM :cool:

[HMF]

They need the warning in case people decide to get up & run around while it's rotating & hurt themselves. It's not needed on Mansion because there isn't an opportunity to get up and move about the buggy.

-- PMM :cool:
Arent they both Omnimovers?:icon_roll

[PeoplemoverMatt]

They are but the point is Spaceship Earth's car is a whole lot larger than an Omnimover you'd be familiar with if you've only seen Mansion or BLAB here. Spaceship Earth's cars are similar in size to the Peoplemover's, but with seats that just face forward. There is room to move around in those cars and someone *might* get hurt when it rotates. Hence the need for a warning.

What I don't really understand is why there needs to be a forewarning in the beginning about the rotation, and another warning during the rotation. That seems a little redundant, but then again Mission Space has 15 some odd warnings in it & look what's happened there.

-- PMM :cool:

[HMF]

They are but the point is Spaceship Earth's car is a whole lot larger than an Omnimover you'd be familiar with if you've only seen Mansion or BLAB here. Spaceship Earth's cars are similar in size to the Peoplemover's, but with seats that just face forward. There is room to move around in those cars and someone *might* get hurt when it rotates. Hence the need for a warning.

What I don't really understand is why there needs to be a forewarning in the beginning about the rotation, and another warning during the rotation. That seems a little redundant, but then again Mission Space has 15 some odd warnings in it & look what's happened there.

-- PMM :cool:
I was on Spaceship Earth before I ever went on The WDW Mansion Before i even knew what an Omnimover was. EPCOT was the first Disney Park i ever set foot in. the vehicles are pretty wide but any person with common sense would not get off the Omnimover. I think it ruins the Outer Space effect.:old_wink:

[Mr. EPCOT]

:biggrin: Wow this is my first time posting in the WDW forum! So excited! Anyways if you've been to Epcot before then you must know about Spaceship earth in the Epcot ball! Have you ever been on it? It's my second favorite ride in Disney! It's makes me wonder...how did they fit that whole ride in that ball? It's just amazing! So what do you think of Spaceship earth?:biggrin:

Believe it or not, the ride is actually a big part of what keeps the sphere stable.

[LoehnWolf]

Its all subjective. The great thing about SE is its a nice change of pace from all the walking you are about to do around World Showcase. I love Jeremy Irons narration, which to me totally lends so much to this attraction. The AA's are great and the scenes are very beautifully laid out. And I dont know about anyone else, but I am in awe still everytime I come around the top and look out acroos that sky with that sight of the Earth radiating like a beacon in space. Corny I know but since I know Ill never be an Astronaut..its **** kewl

[DisneyParksFan]

Believe it or not, the ride is actually a big part of what keeps the sphere stable.

It looks like that when they were building it, when you could see the frame of the sphere.
Thanks for the interesting fact :)

-mickey2005

[monorailred]

The Jeremy Irons narration is pretty cool, but so was Walter Cronkite's. I do miss "Tomorrow's Child" (the song that used to play as you "returned to Earth").

For the Turning around warnings - I hate them as well. Especially if the story I heard about them was true...Take the following with a bit of a grain of salt as I do not know if this is true or rumor. The story goes that there was a problem with people being startled when the vehicle turned and then they tried to jump out. They put in the audio warning, but the problem did not get fixed. Someone then discovered that the people that were trying to “escape” were primarily non-English speaking tourists. That is why the animation of the vehicles turning at the beginning of the attraction was added. That, apparently, fixed the problem. So I say – GET RID OF THAT HORRIBLE AUDIO at the top! I really destroys the mood!

That’s all I have to say about that….

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Someone then discovered that the people that were trying to “escape” were primarily non-English speaking tourists.

So because of that they choose to add an additional audio spiel up there when all they really needed to do was install the wonderous invention known as a seat belt?

And why would the rotation of the cars alarm people to the extent that they need to lurch out of the car into utter darkness? Doesn't seem like the smartest move to make there.

-- PMM :cool:

[monorailred]

Right there with you! And - I have no idea if the story is accurate or not but it is plausible - I worked 8 years in customer service for several airlines (I am still in therapy http://www.geocities.com/monorailblack/icon_crazy.gif). People do the most inexplicable things http://www.geocities.com/monorailblack/icon_irre.gif

[LoehnWolf]

Or not even a seatbelt, how about a lapbar like in the Haunted Mansion? Seems like an awfully roundabout way to get people to stay seated.

[Harrison Hightower III]

Um is an Omnimover like the TTA??? I mean with the magnets moving the vehicle.

[monorailred]

No...Omnimovers are like Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear. Anyone who has been on Spaceship Earth can attest to the loud mechanical noises, creaks, groans, and clanks that the ride mechanism makes!

[HMF]

The Jeremy Irons narration is pretty cool, but so was Walter Cronkite's. I do miss "Tomorrow's Child" (the song that used to play as you "returned to Earth").

For the Turning around warnings - I hate them as well. Especially if the story I heard about them was true...Take the following with a bit of a grain of salt as I do not know if this is true or rumor. The story goes that there was a problem with people being startled when the vehicle turned and then they tried to jump out. They put in the audio warning, but the problem did not get fixed. Someone then discovered that the people that were trying to “escape” were primarily non-English speaking tourists. That is why the animation of the vehicles turning at the beginning of the attraction was added. That, apparently, fixed the problem. So I say – GET RID OF THAT HORRIBLE AUDIO at the top! I really destroys the mood!

That’s all I have to say about that….
Interesting. I remember seeing the animation of the omnimovers when I last went there in 2004. and i remember saying thats new.:old_wink: They should get rid of the audio now. In response to HHIII the ride system for the TTA is called the WED-WAY Peoplemover.

[RU42]

The video is 'new' - I am not sure when it went in but I know it was not there in Jan 02 or prior.

I too have always found the voice at the top annoying but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. I would be in favor of belts instead of the warning.

And here is a teaser for you.....

I just finished a new SSE multi edit and if I may say, it came out great. I am just waiting for some work from my graphics guru. Oh, and you will be happy to know that Tomorrow's Child is used in my video.

RU

[HMF]

The video is 'new' - I am not sure when it went in but I know it was not there in Jan 02 or prior.

I too have always found the voice at the top annoying but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. I would be in favor of belts instead of the warning.

And here is a teaser for you.....

I just finished a new SSE multi edit and if I may say, it came out great. I am just waiting for some work from my graphics guru. Oh, and you will be happy to know that Tomorrow's Child is used in my video.

RU
Very good to hear. Now i can hear that caveman talk daily. Obnaday Obnaday.

[ekmdisney]

RU, I look forward to your video of Spaceship Earth!

The many faces of Spaceship Earth.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/pf6e9a6ca4b204253e9228a1f61351203/f63f01da.jpg
EPCOT Spaceship Earth in "98 coming in on monorail

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/pfb44bf73627c970d3c801b9451efa9a3/f63ef93b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/pd651b8485d29d662db23f171c9b61e84/f65f09dc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/p36996bb23bdfe88236029f636f6df1d4/f65f09e0.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/pf80ea215a52594995564e81b9e38425e/f63f01d7.jpg

I think I have some shots from the inside. Will have to check out my storage CDs.

[samiesmith]

http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/gallery/files/9203-100_0289.jpg
I love Space Ship Earth! Its just the EPCOT classic IMHO. Haunted Mansion aside, its one of my favorite dark rides at WDW. Here's my favorite photo of SSE.

[HMF]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/pfb44bf73627c970d3c801b9451efa9a3/f63ef93b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/pd651b8485d29d662db23f171c9b61e84/f65f09dc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/p36996bb23bdfe88236029f636f6df1d4/f65f09e0.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/pf80ea215a52594995564e81b9e38425e/f63f01d7.jpg

I think I have some shots from the inside. Will have to check out my storage CDs.
Epcot 2000. Those were the days.;)

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I dunno, part of me wishes they had removed the wand entirely after 2000, but I've seen it in person a few times & it doesn't look bad at all.

-- PMM :cool:

[disney13]

in english, we were reading fahrenheit 451 and the author, Ray Bradbury, helped design spaceship earth.

[DisneyParksFan]

in english, we were reading fahrenheit 451 and the author, Ray Bradbury, helped design spaceship earth.

yeah, isn't that interesting?

-mickey2005

[WDWanimation]

in english, we were reading fahrenheit 451 and the author, Ray Bradbury, helped design spaceship earth.

Yes, I remember hearing that too, very intersteing.

[Kileli]

i just had a random urge to go on spaceship earth........its tied for my favorite attraction with test track. i love going backwards on the hill down, seeing the kid from america and the one from japan talking to each other on the computer, each translating.....

[monorailred]

I dunno, part of me wishes they had removed the wand entirely after 2000, but I've seen it in person a few times & it doesn't look bad at all.

-- PMM :cool:

It's not TOO bad, but it does get old. I would probably advocate keeping it if it were an actual Mickey arm sculpture. It is just ironworks with a Mickey arm fa?ade on either side. If it were three dimensional it would be really cool. Unless you look at it straight on, it looks like it was meant to be temporary.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Well they had to give it thickness somehow. The width of that sphere would make a 2-D object look rather bad. Maybe the structure doesn't look entirely terrific because it's gapped in the middle w/ the arms on each side, but I can't think of a better way to give it the thickness it needs.

-- The Chief :cool:

[WDWanimation]

I think Spaceship Earth is truly one of Disney's best work of art, even though I did mistake it for a golf ball the first time I looked at it. The glove with the wand adds a nice touch as well.

[LoehnWolf]

I guess it could be worse. They could take the wand and put it next to the Sorcerers Hat in MGM and put giant Mickey ears on Spaceship Earth. LOL

[HMF]

I guess it could be worse. They could take the wand and put it next to the Sorcerers Hat in MGM and put giant Mickey ears on Spaceship Earth. LOL
That would be horrible.:eek:

[tonichelle]

I love the 'giant golf ball' (oh come on you know that's what most people think of it as ;)) as a photographer I could sit and take dozens of shots at all angles (and that's my goal next summer... more photography less hotfooting it around the parks, dangit!)

http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up/998/95998/normal_Image2.jpg

http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up6/998/95998/normal_DSC00688.jpg

http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up6/998/95998/normal_DSC00668.jpg

[RU42]

I just wanted to point out my Spaceship Earth video is now available for your viewing pleasure:

This is my favorite ride at Epcot and one of the best all over WDW. Edutainment at it's best and one of the last audio animatronic rides at WDW.

Your tram takes you on a tour of the history of communication. You start with the caveman days, Egypt, Phonecian, Greek, Roman, Renissance, Industrial Age and into the Communication Age.

So, sit back and enjoy the trip. As a side note, the opening song is a tribute to SSE of the past when Tomorrow's Child was it's theme song.

Check it out here (http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=6935)

RU

[jorgetheviking]

I dont think Spaceship Earth looks like a golf ball. It has triangles on it golf balls dont have triangles.

Spaceship Earth is a truly amazing ride it is an Epcot tradition you always ride it first! The mickey wand needs to go, I prefer te classic Spaceship Earth look.