Chances are it’s the first thing you see as you step into EPCOT, and probably your last picture in your camera roll on the way out.
Spaceship Earth means different things to different people but if there’s one thing that our team has agreed on, it holds a special place with everyone. This park icon is beloved by so many, and we’re here to tell you why.
Spaceship Earth has literally been in EPCOT since day one and is one of the first things to greet you as you step into the park. It’s already an iconic piece of EPCOT and Disney World history but also doubles as a ride — and most of the time has a short wait.
Let’s talk about a few reasons why we consider Spaceship Earth so near and dear to our hearts.
The Break From The Sun
Need we really say more on this one? Everyone seemed to agree unanimously that it’s a great place to stop in for some well-deserved time OUT of the sun.Â
After playing in the Florida heat for most of the day, getting out of the harsh sunlight and heat is a welcomed transition and we don’t think you’d disagree with us on this one.
Great For Napping
We said what we said…sometimes when you mix getting out of the sun with the slow-moving pace of a dark ride, it’s an opportunity too good to pass up!
While we love the ride (don’t get us wrong), under the right conditions it can be a seriously useful change. It’s a great place to sit down, relax and recharge, and especially helpful if just got done eating a large meal & looking to spread your next thrill ride out from mealtime — we’re looking at you Guardians and Mission Space. A few of us have been guilty of using this ride to con our kids into a short mid-day power nap and found it extremely helpful to get through the rest of the day.
The Ride Is ICONIC
We know, we JUST got done telling you it’s a great place for a nap– it is– BUT, we also stan the ride itself. Let us explain…
…almost every single one of us had at least ONE scene that we loved most out of this ride. If you’ve never ridden inside Spaceship Earth just the fact that you’re going up into the big “Disney golfball” is amazing of its own accord but the whole ride is built around communication. We start the ride narrated by Dame Judy Dench in the dawn of time when people used very primitive motions and grunts to communicate and venture all the way through the technology boom.
We recounted the iconic scenes throughout the ride like the sassy scientist…
…thanking the Phoenicians for inventing a common alphabet that’s used among the different languages…
….and the fall of Alexandria– more specifically the smell of Rome burning.Â
There are so many great scenes in the current form of this ride that it’s hard to imagine changing it up from the way it already is.
The Unsettling Peek Into Your Future
Yeah… you know what we’re talking about already, don’t you?
Of course, we’re referencing the second half of the ride where if you didn’t already know and smile for the camera at the beginning of the ride, you might just get the laugh of a lifetime. On this second half of the Spaceship Earth ride you’re asked to answer a series of questions about how you would ideally like to see your “future” self.
Then, a short animated clip is built out using the answers that you selected and your photo. Most of the time, half the fun of this leg of the ride is laughing at yourself and your friends when you see what funny faces you’ve made, who wasn’t looking for the camera, and if you might have a weird look at yourself on the photo like missing part of your picture, or wonky eyes. Laughter is the best medicine we suppose!
Look How She Shines
Directly quoting one of our team members, she’s “the prettiest girl in school.” We LOVED the addition of the lights covering Spaceship Earth during Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration and were so glad to hear that they would be sticking around!
They’ve proven themselves useful for several light shows for the various festivals held around EPCOT year-round that correspond to musical medleys that accompany the lights. When you’re exiting at night, EPCOT lights up Spaceship Earth in a multitude of colors that have made for gorgeous pictures against the night sky.
So there you have it, there’s our condensed version of why we all love Spaceship Earth and recognize it as the icon it is. Do you have any other reasons you would add? Stay tuned with us at AllEars for the latest in Disney news and events.
Don’t Get Stranded in EPCOT By This Transportation Change
Why do you LOVE Spaceship Earth in EPCOT? Tell us in the comments!
We always enjoy Spaceship Earth. I know, a lot of people think it needs an update. If Disney can do an update with new audio-animatronics that would be interesting. Just no projections. As far as napping. As many times I’ve been on Spaceship, I’ve never napped. As a tourist, I appreciate the attractions and rides because it might not be there on our next trip.
Actually, count me as someone who does not like Spaceship Earth and will not ride it anymore.
Yes, it looks great at night, has great narration, animatronics and a fun ending; but it all comes down to ride comfort.
The headrests do not provide enough support for tall people – especially on the descent. Every time I’ve ridden it, I ended up with a stiff neck that lasted for several days and really impacted my ability to enjoy the rest of the park.