SPOTLIGHT on: Spaceship Earth!

A picture with the Mickey Mouse arm, wand, and "Epcot" sign. This was removed in 2007.

Pic above and below were taken from Wikipedia. Close up of the triangular panes used to make up the outside of the attraction facade.

The beautiful Spaceship Earth sphere at night.

Spotlight on Spaceship Earth:

Spaceship Earth is what everyone has come to recognize as Epcot's big, iconic "golfball" and is one of the most recognizable structures in Walt Disney World. My kids think that I am crazy (what's new there?) because most kids (and some adults too) are bored stiff on it until the very end when their pictures show up on screen. But it is one of my favorite rides, not only in Epcot, but of all! Maybe because it combines some of my favorite things, Disney animatronics and history.

Taken from Wikipedia:

"Not only is it the centerpiece and main focal point of Epcot, but also the name of the attaction housed within the 18 story geodesic sphere that takes guests on a time machine themed experience using the Omnimover system. The 13 minute dark ride shows guests how advancements in human communication have helped to create the future one step at a time."

The structure was designed with the help of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, who also helped write the original storyline for the attraction.

I did think that it was interesting that it was designed so that when it rains, no water pours off the sides and top onto the ground. With it being a sphere, that would be hard to do. There are one inch gaps in the facets and is collected in a gutter system and finally channeled into the World Showcase Lagoon...clever!

Construction took 26 months and 40,800 labor hours to build. It has been through many upgrades, refurbishments and narrators. Here is the general timeline:

October 1, 1982:

Spaceship Earth opens with te opening of EPCOT

Sponsored by the Bell System

Narrator uncredited, but believed to be Vic Perrin

May 26, 1986:

Attraction reopens from its first rennovation

AT&T is now the sponsor who signed on in 1984

Narrator is now Walter Cronkite

Finale music changed to Tomorrow's Child

November 23, 1984:

Attraction reopens after another rennovation where scenes were removied, final scenes are replcced, Tomorrow's Child ending removed, and Earth Station (exit area) replaced by Global Neighborhood.

Narrator is now by Jeremy Irons

New ride score by Edo Guidotti

September 29, 1999

The Mickey Mouse arm holding a want is dedicated with "2000" over Spaceship Earth

May 2001:

The Mickey Mouse arm holding the wand is changed to say "Epcot"

November 2005:

Siemens takes over as the new sponsor for 12 years

February 15, 2008

Attraction reopens its 4th edition to the general public.

New Narrator is Judi Dench

Mickey Mouse arm and wand has been removed completely over the summer