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[magic mickey]

I READ ON ANOTHER WEBSITE THAT DISNEY MAY BE CHANGING SPACESHIP EARTH INTO A ROLLER COASTER THRILL RIDE. ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

[chezp]

There have been various rumours circulating about this for some time, but nothing definite so far. The latest rumour suggests that a version of Soarin' Over California from Disneyland California may be coming to Epcot, somewhere near the Land pavillion. As that was what was rumoured to be going into Spaceship Earth originally, maybe that means it's now safe for a while? It's certainly very popular amongst Passporters, judging by the recent polls I've done about park attractions.

[mattjs]

Yeah, this one's sorta interesting cause it seems so unlikely given what a popular attraction it is. But, there've been a few bits of evidence. A coaster's probly not gonna happen though. A few pieces of the puzzle:

** Last yearish, rumor had it Disney wanted to do some major updating/changing of Future World at Epcot. Supposedly called project Gemini.

** Rumor also had it the "track system" for Spaceship Earth (SSE) needed total replacement (sooner rather than later).

** Then someone on the internet noticed that Disney (Amusement park services) had applied for trademarks on the names "SSE Time Racer" and "Discoveryland". Discoveryland as a possible new name for Future World. The rumor being that Future World is really more...um...well...Discoveryish than Futurish anyway [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Search under "Time Racer" or "Discoveryland" in the trademarks " UPTO search collections" here.

** The existing AT&T sponsorship of SSE runs out this September (that appears to be a fact). Back in January (2003), it was reported (newspapers not rumors) that the two sides decided not to renew. Since then, I did see a rumor they might've worked out an extension. Never saw it confirmed though.

** Rumor had it that Microsoft was all but a done deal to take over the SSE sponsorship. And that the interior (just the ride) would get redone. Exterior would stay the same. Like chezp said, it sounded like some kind of virtual reality, "Soarin"/"Spiderman" (at Universal) kinda ride. Not a roller coaster.

** Rumor also had it Disney was pitching Microsoft on being some sorta "major sponsor" of the overall "project Gemini/Discoverland" thing. And that Microsoft took a pass on the major sponsorship idea. This part of the rumor I've seen the least of though so who knows.

** Epcot has it's 25th anniversary in 2007 and there's supposedly a push to have a big part of the transformation done by then. Which implies the push to makeover Future World is actually still on. And even that's still unconfirmed [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img]

There's a bizzilion variations out there (and everybody please add if they've seen other stuff) but that's more or less it in a nutshell. As alway, who knows [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] It'll be interesting though to see what happens with that AT&T sponsorship at the end of September.

[ 08-12-2003, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: mattjs ]

[LanieLovesDisney]

Matt...how DO you hear all of this?! Amazing, really.

[Bert & Sully]

Thanks Matt & Cheryl!

[mattjs]

Entirely from searching around the internet and lining up rumors. Not a single inside source of my own [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] But there're some really good posters out there that give up little bits of stuff...sometimes in not so obvious posts. Little bits here and there and, over time, the pieces intersect. Also, over time, ya get a pretty good idea of who's reliable.

WDWMagic (not just for the front page rumors, but also the great stuff on the boards)

MGMStudios.org (same thing)

Screamscape

RADP is great. Gotta sift through a lot of stuff but some of it's pretty funny. Really fast searches bring up years of posts.

At MiceAge the Al Lutz and Kevin Yee articles.

Orlando Sentinel

Jim Hill Media Though sometimes I think his exclusive rumors are early brainstorming/"blue sky" kinda concepts. Stuff that's never destined to make it but maybe got tossed out in some early meeting somewhere. Anyway, he does break some stuff.

Mostly that's it:

Also goto DISboards and Intercot , but not as often.

[mattjs]

Sounds like the AT&T presence is still there. Anybody who's been recently confirm that? And the rumor is they signed a one year extension for now. What that means for the ride though who knows. But probly backs up the idea that nothing happens for at least a year.

[Lotta D'Olwipz]

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like the AT&T presence is still there. Anybody who's been recently confirm that?

[/ QUOTE ]



Yes, it was there the last time I rode, which was within the last few weeks. I'll check again next week when Mom visits. We are heading over that way for sure.



PS, I am with Will. I want to see the ball back to normal. The wand and "Epcot" mess up the view for me.





edit 11/14: still shows AT&T signage

[mattjs]

I don't know how I missed this one but...a 10/13 -- Screamscape update:

[ QUOTE ]
An interview in the Orlando Sentinel with Al Weiss confirmed that one idea they have for Epcot may be to change the name of Future World to Discoveryland.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not anything we didn't already know, but still, it's official acknowledgement they're thinkin about it.