by Spaceship Earth is closing for an extended period of time at EPCOT beginning in May 2020.
Since the announcement of Spaceship Earth’s reimagining last year, we’ve known that the ride would soon close at EPCOT. Disney has now announced the official dates for this extended closure.
Spaceship Earth will close at EPCOT beginning May 26, 2020. After that date, guests will no longer experience the latest version of the ride. We expect the transformation to continue through 2021, and possibly into 2022 for EPCOT’s 40th anniversary.
UPDATE (3/9/20): It appears that Disney shortened its plans for the Spaceship Earth update. The attraction could be open by Holiday 2020, but certainly before Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in October 2021.
Since opening in 1981, Spaceship Earth has undergone many transformations. New scenes, narration, and other updates have been added to the ride. The latest closure will make the attraction’s fourth redo. Meaning that the ride is updated about every 10 years.
New and updates scenes, including on from Egypt, will take over the ride. The same ominmover ride system along with a narrator will continue. However, we’re expecting fresh narration with a new voice (today, it’s Dame Judy Dench).
Since the attraction is based on the story of people and communication, it makes sense that updates are needed. EPCOT has already begun its enormous transformation with the removal of building, fountains, and other features. The park is a bit of a hot mess right now, but Disney promises that’ll be well worth the wait.
