Good news on Spaceship Earth From the source (and other info too)

[Strmchsr]

This past Friday I had lunch with Jerold Kaplan, Technical Director for Walt Disney Imagineering. Jerold is/has been the head of projects such as Toy Story Mania, Mission Space, Test Track, the effects for Illuminations, the current Spaceship Earth refurb, etc. So, lots of info to pass along straight from the source:

1.) Spaceship Earth - So I asked what had gone wrong to push SE's opening back almost 3 months. He looked surprised when I asked him this and said, "What are you talking about?" I mentioned that the official Disney website (and Intercot) had originally listed SE as reopening mid November but had suddenly changed to February 18. He was really surprised by this and said that their hard date had always been after the first of the year. His only guess was that someone had originally posted the soft opening and he acknowledged that the soft opening had indeed been pushed back, but that the project was quite on track. In fact (here's the big news) he mentioned soft openings could begin as soon as this coming weekend (Dec 8-9) so if any of you folks are going soon you may get to ride SE after all. Since he's overseeing the project this isn't just a rumor. He told me that the refurb of SE would be very much like what we've seen with HM and POTC - all of the classic elements remain with a few enhancements. He said the ride vehicle would be considerably enhanced. It'll still be the ride you know and love (like the smell of Rome) just better. I hate that I missed SE by a week, but sounds like it'll be awesome.

2.) Journey Into Imagination - I asked specifically about JIYI getting a new facelift. He said that WDI is very aware of how immensely popular Dreamfinder is and that they are always kicking around ideas as to how to get him back involved but there is currently nothing even on the drawing board for JIYI. I asked what it would take to get something new and he said, basically, a new sponsor or Kodak kicking in some big bucks like Siemands has with SE. Without that, it ain't happening. I told him I had continuously heard rumors about JIYI and he said the folks at WDI do check out the big Disney fan websites and find that about 60% of the info/rumors you read are surprisingly accurate and the other 40% are so far out in left field it's laughable. Oh, and the rumors of the rainbow tunnel and all the original post-show stuff still being upstairs is apparently no longer true. Everything has been removed, though the space is still there and not being used for anything. So much for my hopes of seeing the rainbow tunnel again.

3.) Why no 25th anniversary celebration for Epcot? The basic answer: YOMD has been incredibly successful/popular and they didn't want 2 promotions at once. However, WDI loves to do big stuff for anniversaries and they are well aware that Epcot will celebrate 30 years in just 5 short years and that WDW will be turning 40 in just 3 years. There are some big things on the drawing board, but he couldn't say what as he's not sure those projects will actually get the final green light, but it appears that the next big thing to look for with WDW will be 2011 at the earliest.

4.) World Showcase - He said they are constantly talking about adding new pavilions, but there have been no serious discussions in at least 2 years. They were incredibly close to doing Spain, but when Spain had those terrorist attacks a couple of years ago and their government completely changed those talks fell through and nothing serious has happened with any country since. No, Russia is not (and hasn't been) on the drawing board, and though Israel has been kicked around nothing serious has ever occurred their, either. In fact, the only other serious country to almost happen was Switzerland. Apparently the entire pavilion was to be themed around the Matterhorn and WDW would get its own version of DLR's Matterhorn. He said that's still possible, but no serious discussions are occurring with any country right now.

We discussed lots of other stuff, but that's the main thing I thought you would be interested in. Of course, WDW isn't getting a lot of attention right now because Disney is pouring a TON of money into turning DCA at DLR into the "Pixar-land" but WDW will get its turn eventually. And Toy Story Mania looks to be really cool (sort of a cross between Buzz Lightyear and the virtual reality pirate game at DisneyQuest.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the info!

[chrisb26]

wow thanks for the update

[AbeeNormal]

Great news on Spacecship Earth, I sure hope we get to see it in January.

[Jared]

Thanks so much for such a great post, Chris! You definitely asked all the right questions.

Great news about the Spaceship Earth soft opening. I'm really looking forward to seeing the changes.

[RedheadWriter]

This was a GREAT post to read! Thanks!

[amorillo]

Great post! Lots of interesting info! Thanks so much!

Looks like it may still be possible to continue the family tradition... Our new DD may just get to have her first WDW ride be Spaceship Earth!

[magicofdisney]

Fabulous report. Thanks for the update.

[EPCOT84]

Excellent report. That is why I love Intercot !

[Lessie]

Thanks so much for sharing! And that is wonderful news about SSE!

[Maleficent's Dad]

Chris,
This report is better than you weather reports!

Thanks so much for shaing the great info!

[Deesdisney]

Thank you for the great news. I am taking 2 family members that have never been in Jan. I was a little upset that they would not see SE. Now this will make the vacation complete.

[CaptSmee]

The Swiss pavilion with a new Mattherhorn is old news. There are even schematics in some of the disney books out there. I doubt that will ever happen now that Everest has opened (basically, its a new versin of Matterhorn). Still was a neat idea though...

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[Ian]

In fact (here's the big news) he mentioned soft openings could begin as soon as this coming weekend (Dec 8-9) so if any of you folks are going soon you may get to ride SE after all.

Ummm ... that would be me!

I'll let everyone know if I'm fortunate enough to get to check it out!

[Maleficent's Dad]

UPDATE from the Orlando Sentinel:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...,1046256.story


Epcot's Spaceship Earth to reopen mid-December
Christopher Boyd | Jason Garcia and Scott Powers, Sentinel Staff Writers
December 3, 2007

Epcot's Spaceship Earth ride is expected to reopen in mid-December for sneak previews with a new story overlay, new technology and a whole new soundtrack -- created by 10-time Emmy Award-winning composer Bruce Broughton, a 63-piece orchestra and a 24-voice choir.

Walt Disney Imagineering announced late last week that Broughton's music has been fitted to each scene in the attraction's storyline, which follows the history of human innovation from one generation to the next, from prehistoric times to the 21st century.

The ride was closed earlier this year as the entire system also has been updated with new show scenes, lighting, costumes, set decorations, interactive features for riders and a new narrator, Academy Award-winning actress Judi Dench.

"To have that score transition smoothly as vehicles travel from one time period to the next is extremely difficult," said Walt Disney Imagineering show producer Bob Zalk. "The first time we rode through the attraction accompanied by that music, we were amazed."

The 180-foot-tall Spaceship Earth geodesic sphere opened as Epcot's centerpiece in 1982 with a ride storyline that originally focused more on the history of human communications. It has had occasional updates, but this year's overhaul by Walt Disney World and the attraction's sponsor Siemens AG was the first major change.

[Dznygrl79]

I'm gonna be in EPCOT on Sat morning I so hope they do a soft opening I love that ride! If not I will ride it on one of my upcoming trips!

I leave on Friday!!! I can't wait!

[dolphinmickey9170]

Chris, you ROCK!! I sure hope the soft opening happens, we'll be there the 14th-21st!! I'll let you know in my trip report what happens!! Looking forward to your weather report now.

[goofy for pluto]

He told me that the refurb of SE would be very much like what we've seen with HM and POTC - all of the classic elements remain with a few enhancements. He said the ride vehicle would be considerably enhanced. It'll still be the ride you know and love (like the smell of Rome) just better.

[Ian]

I wonder what the definition of "mid-December" is?

We leave on the 15th ... hopefully it comes up before then!