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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]

And the latest rumor says the SE change is on hold "indeffinitely". Not "off" but on "hold" for awhile with no new general dates talked about. So, at least it's sounding like there'll be no change this fall. I'd be pretty bummed if I didn't get to ride it again.

[mattjs]

The latest Screamscape update (8/27/03) lines up with recent rumors about SE...

...claimed that April 2005 has been set as the closing date for Spaceship Earth and when it closes, they will also close the entire left side pathway (Guest Relations side) as well to allow for construction access for all the trucks they’ll need to get in there to gut the giant golf ball’s innards and cart away the debris. The note also claimed that this is also the area where the “launch” would take place.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">If they're realy gonna do it, that seems about right I guess. Presuming it would give just enough time to have it redone for 2007.

The "remake" of Future World is deffinitely on. Maybe not everything we've read...but to some degree for sure (Test Track, SPACE, Soarin, and more and more probably SE).

[Shell_of_the_South]

Matt, I just read this on screamscape too. I am shocked that Disney would remove such an icon. I hope it isn't true! I mean, Spaceship Earth is the whole symbol of Epcot! The ride may be a bit slow, but I think the animatronics are some of Disney's best. [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] I think they are making a mistake by removing it. Add new stuff, but don't take away an icon like Spaceship Earth!

[AKLRULZ]

Stinks IMHO. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] Lousy move on Disney's part. [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img]

[MegglesMom]

Oh no! [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img] That's my all time favorite ride. I guess I'll just have to make DH ride it several times next month!!

[buzzNwoodyfan]

I'll miss the monks. [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] I'm on the old side of the target audience that's fueling the renovation of Epcot and I'd just like to say that the addition of M:S, TT, Soarin' and now Time Racers (?) is already generating interest on my college campus about Spring Break plans. There are other students actually talking about going to WDW and it is a small campus a long way from Florida. The thrill rides are working and Disney knows it, guys.
Philharmagic is balancing out M:S. Something fabulous and B-ticket will come about with SE's E-ticket rehab, I'm sure. Wonder what it will be. . .something in Timekeeper or CoP buildings perhaps? Hmm..

[wdw4us]

I love SE too and am very sad to read this! We'll most definitely have to get back before April 2005 to ride it before it's gone.

Are they leaving the globe in place and just gutting the inside to re-do the inside only?

[BostonTeaParty]

Originally posted by wdw4us:
Are they leaving the globe in place and just gutting the inside to re-do the inside only?

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">That's what it sounds like to me. Don't bet the farm on the complete removal of EPCOT's Icon just yet.

[LilMarcieMouse]

The Castmeber i talked to didn't know if they were putting in a new ride or not but that it was getting Refubered. We got to ride it and I took some pictuers just in case. I hope they come out good I did turn off my flash. I'm still holding for some fresh piant and a small update. I'll be very disapointed if the put in a thrillride.