Whew. That was a long couple of months without Dame Judi Dench telling us to “thank the Phoenicians!” Disney shut down Spaceship Earth in EPCOT for a couple of months of refurbishment (and no, it wasn’t the ride overhaul we’ve been promised for literal years now).
Spaceship Earth
When a ride closes like this in Disney World, many of the changes are not noticeable when it reopens, because they are doing routine maintenance on machinery, refreshing paint, and sometimes updating technology. But you, DFB readers, you’re a different breed — you even noticed a change in the smells on the ride!
Really, Spaceship Earth just closed to get a bit of routine maintenance. However, that phrase tends to be pretty vague and can cover a wide variety of updates. When we rode, we noticed the ride has been mildly refreshed, and some of the animatronics move more fluidly. When we posted about the ride reopening early on Facebook, some of our followers chimed in to tell us what they noticed!
Lines at the soft reopening
What Has Changed
Robin Perry noticed an adjustment to the smells on the ride, “Rome was burning, but it didn’t seem as strongly scented.” Interesting! (And, yes, we know it’s the library at Alexandria burning and not Rome, but the whole Rome burning thing is a fun iykyk for Disney fans!)
Spaceship Earth
Jamie Foster shared, “There were animatronics that either didn’t speak before that do now, or the volume was turned up on them. There’s a whole scene with the boat rocking that now moves where it didn’t before, lighting updated, fresh paint on the outside mural.” Cast Members told us many of the updates were to animatronics, and the sound is definitely adjusted!
Spaceship Earth
Corey Trimpey and Brian Clarke noticed the ride is, well…cleaner. Corey said, “CM told my wife that the mammoth scene was updated to HD and they washed the animatronic clothes.” And Brian noticed less dust — “looked like they cleaned the dust from the walls.”
And then there’s the mystery of the newspaper boy yelling, “Extra, Extra!” Lisa Stassun thought he was missing from the ride, but he’s still there. He’s just not as noticeable. As Heather Wilcox pointed out, “there isn’t a spotlight on him anymore.” (Why DOES he face away from the ride, anyway? Some people say people on the ride could touch him so they turned him, some say his face is missing…the world may never know.)
Things That Stayed the Same
But don’t worry, Spaceship Earth fans, the essence of the ride is still the same! Michael Battles said, “My favorite foxy IT worker is still there.” John Beres said she better still be there — “As long as BOOTS are still there I’m good.” And Victoria Charlotte said, “oh she’s my favourite.” I love her, too!
Our favorite scientist!
The storyline and narration of the ride are the same, as are the animatronics. Way back in 2019, Disney had announced an overhaul of Spaceship Earth’s storyline, but that project has been on hold for several years so that Disney could focus on other parts of the EPCOT transformation.
Spaceship Earth
Johnny Driver (fitting name!) told our followers, “They sped it up to 50mph.” Funny, Johnny, but I’ve gotta say I’m thankful that was a joke. That pic at the end would be of my face in a barf bag.
If Spaceship Earth is a must-do for you, make sure to ride it during your next trip and come back and tell us what differences you noticed!
Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates.
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I am looking forward to seeing the updates. We liked the smoke smell from Alexandria. I also am hopeful we can hear the Pharaoh speak in ancient Egyptian, hear the Romans speak Latin and the philosophers speak Greek. I remember when the Phoenician’s boat rocked a bit. It sounds like WDW didn’t mess things up with the refresh this time.
Years ago the boat did rock so this is nothing new.
Every “refurbish” has been a huge disappointment IMO.