As most of you know, in our little hamlet of Passamaquoddy, some of the behind the scenes people call themselves “Quoddesigners”. So while down at Disneyworld, I found that the Disney folks have a similar name for their creative workers, “Imagineers”. So, since I’m attending college online to become a Quoddesigner myself, I decided I’d write my school papers about Disney. If studying their creation will help us get a real tar road out to Foster’s Cove, then so be it… For my first study, I’m gonna look at Spaceship Earth…

From the parks inception, Spaceship Earth has been the prominent icon of Epcot. And whether it sports a sparkly party favor wand or not, it is a symbol that Disney fans hold dear to their hearts. So, when the attraction closes down for a major refurbishment, it catches the imaginations of many. And when the refurb begins to run a bit longer than expected, imagination can give way to paranoia. Rumors were flying about the changes being done inside that big golf ball.

During the recent Mousefestivities, many of the most ardent Disney fans were finally given a glimpse of the attractions latest incantation. Construction walls still block prying eyes from peeking in, but on occasion, they opened the door and let a few folk in… As I walked by the wall, there was not a soul in line and nobody seemed aware of the gap. So with trepidation and excitement, I proceeded through the opening.

The ride vehicles look as before with one large difference, a touch screen video monitor prominently displayed in each seat. These screens are used sparingly through most of the ride, but when they do, they take command of the last quarter of the ride. As the vehicles ascend, a photograph is taken of the riders, one that may be used at a later time but during these previews, were never used again.

As before, the ride is synchronized with a narration. And in the first big change in tone, the ride is now guided by Dame Judi Dench. Initially, the ride was narrated by Vic Perrin who was replaced by Walter Cronkite. Both of their narrations were of the “voice of God” nature, giving an heir of legitimacy and importance to the experience. Several years later, along with a rehab, the narration was switched over to Jeremy Irons, who brought a darker, more cynical commentary to the proceedings. The new narration is definitely the lightest interpretation. Now, it seems to be guided by a matronly presence, more specific to the scenes along the way. This has been a point of contention for some, finding the change limiting for such an important attraction. But maybe that is by design, ramping up the entertainment and decreasing the education.

When the “time travelers” reach the top of the ascension, we see the first in a plethora of fantastic new animatronics. For the next several minutes, familiar characters have been given a new lease on life, exchanging clunky movements for fluid, lifelike choreography. All the favorites are there, looking better than ever: from the cave storyteller, to the Roman Centurion, to the sleeping monk scribing a book, to the 1969 family watching the moon landing on the television. They are joined by two new scenes, one a vast room representing the birth of a large supercomputer and a second showing the invention of the home computer by a computer geek in his California home.

Now, the vehicle gets its view of “Spaceship Earth” floating in a sea of stars. It still is visually impressive, but the narration and musical score lack the oomph that many are accustomed.

Now, the ride vehicles descend back down, returning riders to the present. In earlier versions of the ride, Imagineers toyed with many views of the future, views that may have dated very quickly. The descent is now devoted to the interactive touch screens. With the exception of some hanging light effects, focus is on the ride computer. It guides riders through a series of questions and builds a short video of that future. This may be a section of the ride that is still under construction; cause at this time, this descent is not very intriguing and has a very small replayability factor.

It is good to have the attraction back up and running, and I can only hope for some more minor and major tweaks are done before it opens wide in February of next year.