New article on Spaceship Earth changes

[HMF]

A new article has appeared which talks with one of the original Imagineers who made Spaceship Earth and is now in charge of the re-make.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/spaceshipear...t_tomorrow.htm

[monkey4057]

I am personally not pleased with the refurb.

WDW's visitors are mostly tourists. I myself have only been there twice. I did some more attractions, including El Rio and Spaceship Earth, the second time. Next time I'm there, El Rio is Gran Fiesta and the '94 Spaceship Earth is no longer. SSE was one of my personal favorites; Jeremy Irons' narration, the visuals, smelling burnt wood in the dark ages scene, passing under Michaelangelo, the omnimover cars, and especially, the finale, music and all. It was a very sweet attraction that I'm afraid won't be much better. I'd rather see the guest-vehicle interaction on Horizons.
*lament done*

[echoscot]

If you read his article, they are incorporating a form of guest interaction on the end of SSE similar to Horizons...

[HMF]

[quote=monkey4057;239326] Next time I'm there, El Rio is Gran Fiesta and the '94 Spaceship Earth is no longer.QUOTE]

What happened to El Rio is a sad example of what happens when it is decided that marketing is more important than the culture of an entire group of people. The Spaceship Earth refurb on the other hand is staying true to the original ride and keeping Epcots theme of Discovery and Edu-tainment.
I am very optimistic about it.

[echoscot]

I don't know why everyone criticizes the change to El Rio, it was not a very popular ride in the first place, and only done well at the beginning. The stage setting moment was very good, then suddenly Mexican Small World

[monkey4057]

Originally Posted by HMF

The Spaceship Earth refurb on the other hand is staying true to the original ride and keeping Epcots theme of Discovery and Edu-tainment.

Yes, that is true. I must agree with you on that. I'm just not sure it'll be as good as the '94 version.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Once again what was originally described as minor changes to the ride's conclusion, so as not to rile up the folks who liked the ride as it was, turns out to be a complete overhaul of the entire ride, and changes the ride's entire premise and purpose.

*sigh* But at least it wasn't because a new movie had just come out...

-- PMM

[HMF]

Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt

Once again what was originally described as minor changes to the ride's conclusion, so as not to rile up the folks who liked the ride as it was, turns out to be a complete overhaul of the entire ride, and changes the ride's entire premise and purpose.

*sigh* But at least it wasn't because a new movie had just come out...

-- PMM

I dont see it as an overhaul. I think the rides purpose will be strengthened with this refurb. Spaceship Earth has been through two drastic overhauls already. I am very happy to see that for the first time in a while that a ride refurb stayed true to Epcots mission statement.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Well the head Imagineer in the article said that every show scene is going to be changed, either minorly or majorly, and that went against prior reports. In fact, if you read the article, it reads as if those on the project consider this as basically rebuilding the ride. Sure sounds like a complete overhaul to me.

-- PMM

[HMF]

Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt

Well the head Imagineer in the article said that every show scene is going to be changed, either minorly or majorly, and that went against prior reports. In fact, if you read the article, it reads as if those on the project consider this as basically rebuilding the ride. Sure sounds like a complete overhaul to me.

-- PMM

As a permanent Worlds Fair, Epcot cannot stay exactly the same forever.
When the 1994 version opened it was very different than the 1986 version.
The entire second half of the ride was completely overhauled in 94.
Spaceship Earth needs to change once in a while to keep up with evolving technology. The minor changes in the first half of the ride are just new lighting, costumes, props etc. all of the major changes are in the second half of the ride to keep it up to date. I am in the minority that thinks Horizons needed to be replaced because it depicted life in the 21st century and since we are now in the 21st century it is no longer relevant.

[km2435]

Hmmm.... i liked SSE. it's sad what they did to El Rio. don't get me wrong, i love the 3 cabballeros, but come on. i just hope SSE doesn't get the same fate.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

HMF - you do understand that the point of my post was to show how intial reports once again weren't an accurate description of what's really happened, right?

-- PMM

[HMF]

Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt

HMF - you do understand that the point of my post was to show how intial reports once again weren't an accurate description of what's really happened, right?

-- PMM

I do admit it is more drastic than I thought but it will still be mostly the same. After watching Epcot Center lose more and more of its character over the past couple years it is nice to see a non-character educational based refurb.
I completely understand your point about how Disney lied to us about things like the POTC refurb,Pirates Lair etc. Telling us how very little will change and about adding things seamlessly and then we find that the spirit of the ride completely changed for the worse. However since the Show Producer worked on the original attraction.He seems to respect the ride more than the Imagineers who changed Pirates without originally working on it.
Hopefully we wont see another Nemo or Three Cabelleros at Epcot. Like you said, at least its not promoting a movie.

[LoehnWolf]

I hope that whoever does any narration is in the same caliber as Walter Cronkite and Jeremy Irons. I have to admit I am going to miss that view at the top of SSE when you roll around the corner and that view of Earth lays before you. Yeah the changes sound kewl but I always love that scene. Had the ride stop one time at that spot and it was very peaceful and relaxing

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I have to admit I am going to miss that view at the top of SSE when you roll around the corner and that view of Earth lays before you. Yeah the changes sound kewl but I always love that scene.

So far I haven't read anything to indicate that scene is going to change. The part about seeing yourself in the future you choose, from what I can reason, would replace the scene directly after the intial fanfare/Earth view scene where you'd used to see news broadcasts from all over the world and communication all over the world as you gently begin going downhill. Near as I can tell, and I haven't read anything to substantiate this, this is my own reasoning & theory here, that entire downhill part will be the most renovated and transformed.

Past articles have said that the climax would see the most changes and it doesn't start going downhill until after the time machines have entered the huge atrium at the top & the projection of Earth is seen. So maybe that'll remain intact, maybe not, but I hope it does & I think it still will.

-- PMM