Is it weird to lose sleep over a giant geodesic sphere?
Spaceship Earth
Well, we tagged along with a friend for Cast Member previews of EPCOT and got to see inside that giant golf ball we all know and love today. And while there have been some changes made, we can tell ya Computer Lady is safe and sound! In fact, she’s not going anywhere for the time being! 😉
This iconic ride has been refurbished many times, but there’s just something about the current permutation of Spaceship Earth’s elements we’re especially fond of. For us, this ride is composed like a beautiful symphony — Dame Judi Dench’s narration is the sweet melody while rhythmic pounding from the papyrus guy beating his reeds flat along the Nile provides the up-beat tempo to our journey up into the ball.
Epcot Entrance
Disney announced its plans to reimagine Spaceship Earth last summer at D23 Expo and later stated the renovation would begin on May 26th, 2020. When the day came, Disney World even updated its website’s “closed for refurbishment” attractions sealing Spaceship Earth’s fate — or so we thought… .
Spaceship Earth
Disney later confirmed Spaceship Earth would, in fact, be reopening in its unaltered form with the rest of EPCOT! And while we haven’t gotten to go up in the ball since mid-March, we DID have the chance to sail our way through the decades today.
The ride was a walk-on for us during the special Cast Member preview, but we’ll be curious to see how the wait times hold up once EPCOT officially reopens on Wednesday! Now that Splash Mountain is going to be rethemed with The Princess and the Frog elements, we’ve noticed it has become one of the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom!
Future World Construction
And although all the Egyptians and the Phoenicians have remained quite intact, a few health and safety modifications have been made. As you can see, social distancing markers have been placed on the ground in the ride’s outdoor queue area.
Spaceship Earth queue
And once we entered the loading area, guests were being seated in every other row. There was a party of two in the car before us with an empty row, then our group of four took up the next car.
Spaceship Earth
We noticed the in-ride camera that captures your photo at the beginning of the ride was working and interactive touchscreen in each car was also working. You can opt-out of this portion of the ride and a generic movie will play at the end of the ride should you choose not to participate.
Touchscreen
The rest of our time on Spaceship Earth was just as glorious as we’d hoped it would be! Even though we had to keep our face mask on the whole time, we were wearing some big smiles underneath.
Computer Lady
Upon exiting, the interactive elements of Project Tomorrow are unavailable, but you will still see your goofy photo posted on the big screens!
Project Tomorrow
When Spaceship Earth will receive its makeover remains to be seen. For now, Disney is stating the attraction will, “continue to be available in its current state while we pause on its planned refurbishment.” We’ll continue to keep you updated as we learn more about the future of Future World and Spaceship Earth!
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Are you happy or sad Spaceship Earth’s refurbishment got postponed? Let us know in the comments below!
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“…or so we thought” – lol, love it.
Leave it alone. Recent refirbisments of major attractions have not always met guest expectations. Ie Test track went from a wonderful learning experience for young and old to a thrill ride with little transfer of education and learning. I remember when the East and west concourses were full of the latest and future technology for everyone to enjoy and wonder “what if” to becoming a meet and greet at best with no educational value. I cherished taking my young children and create a learning experience but that does not seem to be in the cards anymore. Keep EPCOT a educational learning lab to enjoy.
Did you notice if they were cleaning the screens in the cars? If someone chose the interactive part.
Chrystie, the interactive part was working when we rode, but we didn’t notice them cleaning screens. We will check tomorrow.
I’m not seeing any information as to whether or not mask have to be worn for every ride. It would be great if someone could post that information.
Danielle, masks have to be worn on every ride. The only time you can remove the mask is if you’re in a Relaxation Station or seated/standing still and socially distanced while eating and/or drinking.