Spaceship Earth 2-Year Overhaul Info
After years of rumors, Walt Disney World has officially announced an overhaul of Spaceship Earth. This massive reimagining will close the attraction for ~2 years, and will substantially change the ride. In this post, we’ll offer official details along with speculation about timing, history, and more. (Updated February 4, 2020.)
Let’s start with what’s official. At the D23 Expo, Disney announced that Epcot’s Future World Being Replaced by 3 New Neighborhoods. One of these will be World Celebration, which is essentially the central spine of EPCOT. It will offer new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us. A reimagined Spaceship Earth will remain the flagship attraction of the park’s core.
With Spaceship Earth’s reimagining will come changes to the message and substance of the attraction, but not its core ride system or the nature of its show scenes. However, there will be a shift in theme: from technical innovations in communications–a vestige of its original sponsors of Bell System/AT&T–to the power of storytelling to unite the human experience…
Disney has announced that this will be accomplished via new narration, an entirely new musical score, and new show scenes. Most notably, guests will follow a magical “Story Light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.
The new Spaceship Earth will focus on the moments and ideas that define our shared story. To accomplish this, the current scenes that begin the attraction will be joined by new scenes and upgrades throughout Spaceship Earth. Additionally, the back of Spaceship Earth will be reworked with a new post-show.
Upon exiting Spaceship Earth, there will be a breathtaking new view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point, which will also feature a statue of Walt Disney seated on a curb. This area behind Spaceship Earth will also feature natural environments, a wishing tree in an enchanted forest, and a story fountain playing Disney music.
This isn’t the first time a radical overhaul of Spaceship Earth has been on the table. Before we discuss a timeline, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look at what almost was–but will not be: Time Racers. This was a time travel themed roller coaster proposed for Spaceship Earth as part of an early 2000s initiative known as Project Gemini.
That comprehensive plan would have reimagined Future World into Discoveryland, which would’ve demolished buildings (including Innoventions), removed concrete, and transformed the area into a lush, green environment. This ambitious proposal for overhauling Future World was rumored to cost $500 million, and ultimately the entire thing was shelved, save for a clone of Soarin’ Over California.
Irrespective of why Time Racers didn’t happen, Spaceship Earth instead received a more modest refurbishment a little over a decade ago. While that wasn’t exactly well-received by fans, it was certainly a more welcome change in keeping with the spirit and mission of EPCOT Center than Time Racers would’ve been. We’re expecting the upcoming changes to be far more ambitious and scope-changing than the last refurbishment, but still in keeping with the spirit of the original attraction.
The official confirmation of an overhaul of Spaceship Earth came after over a year of persistent rumors. (We originally published this article well before the official announcement, and have updated it a couple of times since.) Notably, those rumors were right on the money.
These predicted that all scenes would refreshed prior to the Industrial Revolution, plus more significant changes for the scenes following that. They also indicated that 180top would be drastically reimagined utilizing the latest in projection mapping tech. These indicated that it’d be a 2-year closure with the aforementioned show scene changes, plus track replacement and extended track layout, new load and unload stations, and a new post show.
We mention these rumors because Walt Disney World has released nothing about the Spaceship Earth overhaul aside from the announcement of the “Story Light” and tonal change, plus vague details about some scenes changing and others staying put. Disney hasn’t even released any concept art–it only flashed on screen during the D23 Expo. Given that and the fact that none of the leaks have yet to be contradicted, we’re continuing to use them to “fill in the gaps” on what’s on the horizon for Spaceship Earth.
The major remaining question on the mind of many Walt Disney World fans is when will the Spaceship Earth overhaul begin? Given that the attraction will likely be down for two full years, many people are wanting to be sure to get a last ride in before the current incarnation of Spaceship Earth goes away.
Officially, Walt Disney World has not revealed a closing date. Given the status of Spaceship Earth as a beloved fan-favorite and the duration of this closure, it stands to reason that a a few months of notice would be ideal and appropriate here. However, the entire Epcot overhaul has been on a vague timeline, with interdependent opening and closing dates. As such, we doubt that a huge amount of notice will be given here.
Turning once again to rumors, it was originally expected that Spaceship Earth would be closed by late last year. As other dates have slipped, the revised (anticipated) closing date slipped to “this winter.” (Sound familiar?!) In other words, no one really knows for sure, and the actual closing date depends on a few factors.
Our guess is that Spaceship Earth will not go down until at least after Test Track returns from refurbishment on February 26, 2020. At that point, both of the Future World bypasses will be open, all three of the new movies will have debuted, and nothing else that’s major will be down for refurbishment. However, we don’t think it’ll close right away once Test Track returns–and not just because FastPass+ remain available for Spaceship Earth through April 2020.
We expect that Walt Disney World will get even more strategic with its timing, waiting until after Easter, Spring Break, and the initial rush of Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival have subsided. June through August are the slowest months of the year at Epcot. That could remain true in Future World even with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opening in Summer 2020 back in World Showcase.
The reality is that there’s no perfect way to time this. No matter when Walt Disney World opts to close Spaceship Earth, it’ll be down for at least one Food & Wine Festival, Christmas, plus the debuts of the Play Pavilion and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Spaceship Earth is a people-eater that soaks up crowds, and it being down is a big blow for all of those occasions.
With all of that said, our guess (and this is absolutely a guess) is that Spaceship Earth will close in June 2020.
Of course, with any Spaceship Earth changes comes the inevitable discussion of a new narrator. The current host is Judi Dench, who we think nicely delivers a script that’s questionable at times. When this narration was originally unveiled, it was panned by fans as being cheesy and pandering. We largely agreed with that, but it’s interesting how some of the worst lines have become the most iconic (or infamous, depending upon your perspective) over time.
It’s safe to say the current Judi Dench narration won’t return if there’s a substantive overhaul. Every fan has their personal ‘wish list’ for who might be the new narrator, me included. Personally, I wouldn’t mind Judi Dench getting another crack at it, but with a better script. Failing that, Idris Elba, Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma Thompson, or Tom Hiddleston would be solid picks. (Like a stereotypical American, my idea of a dignified and intellectual voice is British.) For a few Epcot or Disney-related wildcards, I could also go for Mark Hamill, Patrick Warburton, Tom Hanks, or a reprise of Jeremy Irons.
Ultimately, hat’s roughly where things stand right now. Two words that are not coming up when discussing the changes are “intellectual property.” This has me breathing a temporary sight of relief, but this is Disney, circa 2020. There’s always the chance that will change. We doubt it, though.
While this is not predicated upon any inside info, the Imagineering team behind Epcot’s reimagining seems like it’s deftly balancing general public ‘interests’ against those of purists in an attempt to appeal to both. Retaining and enhancing Epcot’s most iconic attraction that still more or less exists in the spirit of the original is a sensible move in pursuit of that end.
We’re actually cautiously optimistic about the changes to Spaceship Earth. If the “Story Light” is anything like what we’re expecting (basically, a similar effect from Mystic Manor), it could be really cool. Other than that, Spaceship Earth could use a refresh in many scenes, including both 180top and the descent. Reframing the focus from communications via technological innovations to storytelling seems like a very “Disney” move, and we hope it’s one that’s accomplished with integrity.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think about the Spaceship Earth overhaul? When do you think it will occur? Are you cautiously optimistic about the Story Light? Any ‘wish list’ items for this reimagining, or a narrator of choice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Thank you for this. The last time I was at Epcot and was on SSE Walter Cronkite was the narrator. Your suggestions are great, but I would also love to see James Earl Jones do the narration. That would be epic!
Though I hope it’s not in shut down when I visit November 2020.
Goodness knows this has needed an overhaul for YEARS! Glad to see it coming!
I was pleased to get fast passes for SSE for February 29th! I thought it would be closed by then. Now it sounds like it will be later. I love the “old” SSE, even the cheesy parts. Alot will be lost, IMO, if they get ride of all the communication scenes. I love the Phoenicians and Rome burning. I hope they keep the iconic scenes and just update the rest. I agree that the downward trip needs a lot of help besides riding through the strings of lights and playing on a screen.
I would love Tom Hiddleston as the narrator! I hope the ending goes back to something interesting! I would also like “Tomorrows Child” to make a return because that was beautiful and carried belief in the future, something I have lost.
I was also coming here to recommend Tom Hiddleston for narration. I think he would do a brilliant job and has the right energy for it.
Whatever they do, bringing back the song Tomorrow’s Child would be a dream!
No IP? What if they added the Muppets, Tom? What then? Just saying lol!
I just made our FastPass+ reservations for the beginning of April and was thrilled when I saw it on the available list. Hopefully it will remain open for our trip as I am taking my sister and her family for their first trip. My sister’s first trip since 1987! She barely remembers it and is really looking forward to it!
Is it the 50th anniversary of Magic Kingdom or of all of WDW? I think Duane, “The Rock,” Johnson would be a fun, modern narrator. SSE is one of my favorite rides! I sure hate that it will be out of commission for so long but hope the reconstruction will be fully-engaged before Bob Iger leaves. I trust he will be sensitive to traditional and newer visitors.
A two year renovation? A bit surprised by the timing. Would expect it to be fully done in time for Disney’s 50 anniversary celebration next year.
Keep in mind that Walt Disney World hasn’t confirmed the duration or even the scope of the work on Spaceship Earth. It could end up being a shorter reimagining–but that’s not what I’ve heard.
Another thing to remember is that Epcot is going to be torn up until at least 2023, with new things opening in phases. If the 50th Anniversary celebration lasts 18-24 months, the reopening of SSE would help give the festivities a shot in the arm about halfway through.
Going last week in April. Worried about crowd, but glad to hear your prediction. I am taking three other senior citizens who never went and it would be awful to miss the Epcot ball after planning the trip for a year. Thanks for updates, Tom.ro
Bring back walter cronkite ! Nothing else compares!
Well, it’s never been one of my favorites, used it really to just rest the legs so hopefully whatever is coming will be noticeably enhanced. I’m curious if they’ll be rerouting the entrance area to accommodate the construction. Isn’t the area to the left as you approach already blocked by a construction wall? Maybe that construction work will be complete then.
Tom-as a note, somebody’s name and email address were pre-filled in the submittal area. Not sure if that’s web form issue you may want to check. They don’t belong to anyone using my machine.
I vote for Pedro Pascual…
I have no issue with upgrades and refurbishments. But 2 years seems like the perfect amount of time to totally screw up a beloved attraction. I am talking a screw up on par with how the figment ride is compared to the ride it replaced. Will they dumb things down because the history doesn’t agree with modern sensibilities? Will they tout modern enlightenment that in reality only a fraction of the population believe? Will they do away with the really cool picture of the earth at the top of the attraction? Funny the memories one has, I recall being in the post ride area once when it was pouring down rain and playing some of those games that I had always walked right by before and having the time of my life. I sincerely hope they don’t get rid if the smoke smell at the burning of the library scene. What ever happens, let’s always remember to thank the Phoenicians.
I’m going to go out on limb and say that Oprah should be the new narrator. Who better to speak on the human act of communication than the queen of communicative media herself?
That said, Tom Hanks would be a fantastic choice as well.
It is somewhat odd to me that the flagship attraction of one of the main 4 parks and one of the most recognizable buildings in Disney World will be out of commission for the entirety of the 50th anniversary.
I’ll be bummed that it will be down for our next trip (likely 2021), but understand that refurbishments and reimagining happens.
It just means we’ll be anticipating it that much more in some future visit a few years after that.
I’d be delighted if it only closed in June. We are going for 2 weeks in May and we were resigned to it being unavailable then. Definitely one of my five favourite Disney rides worldwide.
We also have our vacation in May. I’ve never been to Epcot and really want to go in SSE, but thought I wouldn’t be able to do it this trip. I just hope I don’t get my hopes up too high only to be let down just before vacay starts. We’re already missing big thunder mountain by a day, so bummed about that already.
Just returned from Disney 5 days ago. Would suggest staying away from EPCOT. They have the place so torn up that it’s a hot mess right now. Was highly disappointed as EPCOT is always my favorite park to visit. Was a complete disaster area.
I’ll politely disagree with Brenda. Yes, Epcot is very much torn up, but this is no secret. World showcase, however, is not a construction zone and is one of my favorite parts of all the parks. Since this is your first trip, expect construction walls (LOTS OF THEM), but please don’t give up on Epcot!
Thanks JC, I’m not too concerned with construction as I know F&G festival will be taking place, so there will be lots to see. I am definitely excited about future world, but also looking forward to some of the rides at Epcot as well.
This is not spaceship earth related, but….would they ever add a country to the world showcase?
Patrick Warburton would be perfect, especially if Spaceship Earth was turned into the “Pull the Lever, Kronk…WRONG LEVER – Groovin’ Peruvian Spiral Coaster of Death” That would be epic.