Spaceship Earth renovations

Originally Posted By WeirdJohn

I remember the old Epcot. I was first there in '83 I think.

Things I remember most:
1. The huge moving diorama in the Communicore (forget if it was east or west). The one with the large toy figure whose chest would open and close. I can picture it, but can't describe it well.
2. The old Universe of Energy music. I miss the song.
3. Dreamfinder....He was so cool in the Imagination Pavilion. Plus Captain Eo was great too. And let's not forget Magic Journeys! The witch head always scared the bejesus out of me when I was a kid. I think Eo came after '83.
4. The old World of Motion ride was just great. I always like the spiral up to the upper floor outside.
5. I remember a treasure finding game in one of the Communicores where you had to put in commands and make sure the guy didn't get chomped by something. I also remember voice recognition.
6. Horizons!!!!!!! The smell of oranges in the farmland section and the end choose your own vehicle was very cool.
7. Probably the thing I miss most though is the old Living with the Land theme music.

'Listen to the land we all love
Nature's hand will shine above
Listen to the laaaaaaand
Listen to the land!'

Good times. And great memories. My dad and I will still walk into the Land and go 'Listen!' Then we look around and the other will say 'Listen to the Land!' Yeah corny, but I love the small stuff!

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

the 'small' stuff usually is what encompasses the Disney touch to things - catchy tunes written by real pros many times, and I too thought Dreamfinder was a great character.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>How about if each vehicle had laser blasters mounted on them. And you could score points by shooting targets on the various animatronic figures?<<

Good idea ssWEDguy... maybe they should retrofit the Hall of Prez with that as well... and rig Baby Bush's AA to offer the highest score and Clinton's the least.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>I would give almost anything to have been at opening day at Epcot in 1982!<<

It was a most magical morning. All the buzz and excitement as we waited outside the gates for the opening ceremony to get underway and all that.. Disney moments like that (where regular guests are allowed to be a part of) are now history... You either have to be in high places or sell your dignity to the devil and become a Disney magazine publisher so you can pass yourself as "press" even when you have no credibility in the matter.

Sad.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>They are just updating it... I believe the whole beginning will stay pretty much the same.<

I'm not so sure about that. From what I've read, the theme is changing completely, from the history of communications to how one age builds from the previous one. And while most of the original settings are supposed to stay more or less the same, what I read indicates that they'll be "tweaking" some of these scenes. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that they do it right.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Personally, this ride needs a major overhaul. While I would prefer (and hoping that) the main comunications concept be kept with the AA cast, the sets, lighting, sound and many many many technical aspects of the how have got to be replpaced and majorly updated to state of the art wizardry. Spaceship earth, being the symbol of EPCOT Center and a vision of the future, deserves NO LESS.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

<>>How about if each vehicle had laser blasters mounted on them. And you could score points by shooting targets on the various animatronic figures?<<

Good idea ssWEDguy... maybe they should retrofit the Hall of Prez with that as well... and rig Baby Bush's AA to offer the highest score and Clinton's the least.
<

now that would be incorrect - we all know Clinton 'scored' more than W

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

LOLOL!!! I can't argue with that. We need to get the "FUN" factor back in the White House and the sooner, the better.

 

Originally Posted By leeharrell

"selfishly -- I am glad they are not taking the ride down completely -- even though I would imagine work areas will be distracting"

It is going down.

"Thanks for the info. Good to know it'll be running in August."

Probably won't be. I'm hearing the likely closure being from July-November.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> LOLOL!!! I can't argue with that. We need to get the "FUN" factor back in the White House and the sooner, the better. <<

Boy do I ever agree, I sure do miss those fun impeachment hearings.
So far the few pictures I've seen of the post show look like they are going to do a good job on the refurb. It sure seems like a very short time frame for them to do a whole lot. If they are doing it in phases, has anybody heard if it will go down again after the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year season?

 

Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

Will this close in late July or early July do you think?

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

mid August I hope

 

Originally Posted By leeharrell

"Will this close in late July or early July do you think?"
Mid to late. Subject to change as always.

 

Originally Posted By DVC_dad

<<<I would have loved to be there as well, but I was busy being born that year .>>>


ROFL!!! Ouch! I'm old.

 

Originally Posted By DVC_dad

<<<It was a most magical morning. All the buzz and excitement as we waited outside the gates for the opening ceremony to get underway and all that.. Disney moments like that (where regular guests are allowed to be a part of) are now history... You either have to be in high places or sell your dignity to the devil and become a Disney magazine publisher so you can pass yourself as "press" even when you have no credibility in the matter.>>>



TDLFAN I would like to hear MORE about it. Any chance you could elaborate and post it? I did not make it to Epcot until 1998 !!! OMG!!!

 

Originally Posted By FenwayGirl

How long will the shut down be?

 

Originally Posted By NYthrillseeker

Does anyone else think that the Mickey arm and 'Epcot' sign looks good? I guess we are all used to it by now, but I really thought it was only there for 2000 and would be coming down. It's written as a word "Epcot" when it's actually an acronym and should be spelled with capital letters. We don't have a sign on Cinderella's Castle saying "Magic Kingdom". I think the sign should come down, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

Originally Posted By mrkthompsn

^^^ You're stepping into many many previous threads.

 

Originally Posted By imtigger2

"...Disney moments like that (where regular guests are allowed to be a part of) are now history... You either have to be in high places or sell your dignity to the devil and become a Disney magazine publisher so you can pass yourself as "press" even when you have no credibility in the matter."

I know what you mean. A perfect example is Dave M. from Laughing Place.

(ha! just kidding Dave... who loves ya..)



Dan B
imtigger2
Carlsbad, CA

 

Originally Posted By utahjosh

" It's written as a word "Epcot" when it's actually an acronym and should be spelled with capital letters."

NYthrillseeker, Disney dropped the acronym several years ago, and they consider Epcot the name of the park - a strange name without the acronym, but I still like it!