REIMAGINED! Spaceship Earth

Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time...and for a brief moment, we have been among it's many passengers.

Rising high above the landscape at Walt Disney World, in a world far beyond that of Cinderella's Castle, is the mega-icon of Epcot, the geodesic-sphere known as Spaceship Earth. Rising 180-feet above the crowd in Future World, the fascinating Spaceship Earth not only serves as Epcot's icon, it houses one of the most popular rides in Walt Disney World as well. Debuting October 1, 1982, it weighs in at 16 million lbs. and has over 11,000 shimmering aluminum and plastic-alloy triangles, which make up it's outer-skin. But enough about what an engineering marvel this is, more importantly it is an enthralling ride for the whole family.

Presented by Siemens, this 16-minute ride will take you on a slow, 18 story-spiral journey, through the history of communications and the quest and appetite for knowledge. As you step onto the ride platform prepare to soar through time and space. You are about to embark on a journey in which you will be presented the history of communications, from the caveman days, through early Egypt, and onto Michel Angelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel.

Slowly you continue on through the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, the invention of the printing press, and finally ending with the many visions, hopes and dreams of tomorrow. Perhaps the most spectacular moment of this ride occurs when your ride vehicle, as it gently glides along and reaches the top of the vast sphere, slowly rotates backward to reveal a magnificent view of the peaceful looking, yet majestic, planet Earth and its surrounding star-filled universe in such a glorious and dazzling way, a way that only Disney is capable of.

With it's serene but impressive musical score, a perfect narration using the powerful voice of actress Dame Judi Dench, and the slow glide of the vehicles as they pass through not only moments in time, but scenes of scientific achievements as well, Spaceship Earth is not only a ride, but a dramatic, unparalleled adventure.As we're so eloquently taught, physical distance is no longer a barrier to communication, today the entire world is our next-door neighbor.

Above all, if upon exiting this attraction you look around and see many people different than yourself, remember the last quote you heard as your "travel through time" came to an end, as co-inhabitors of this glorious planet We all share the common bonds of hope and sorrows and dreams and joys.

Last Updated: May 9, 2009