Does anyone like the new Spaceship Earth?

[SpecJoe Magic]

I've seen numerous negative reviews of the new Spaceship Earth at several places on the Internet, and I think that either those who like it are not as outspoken or there are very few who like it. I want this thread to be a place for fans of the new Spaceship Earth to express their feelings about it. Feel free to compare it to the previous version, and a few negative comments are okay, but I want this thread to be positive for the most part. I haven't experienced the new one yet, but I plan to ride it in about a month so I will reserve judgement until then.

[Marker]

Yes, I do like it.

I agree, those with negative commentary are often more vocal that those with positive comments.

Specific comments -

- I do perpaps like the old narration better, I do not dislike the new one. Although for me, it's not so much the voice difference, but rather the tone of the narration. I think the new version sounds aimed at a younger audience. Some of the wording sounds a bit more elementary. But I'm ok with that. Perhaps it will better catch the ear of younger folks, and still get the message out for us no as young folks. Also, I did find it easier to hear and listen to.

- I liked the mammoth hunting video image at the beginning.

- I thought many of the usual scenes looked better much

- the first think I noticed that I "missed" were the light chariots travelling down the road. Although, I like the look of this scene much better now. While I always got a kick out of the light chariots, they were kind of corny.

- I'm not bothered at all with the computer interaction on the decent, as many seem to be. I think it's a creative use of that transition time, and would be a nice touch for kids. Although, after riding it a second time, I was hoping that the image of the future that it drew would have been different based on the answers to the questions. I got a real kick out of the way they used your face on the story of your future. And I loved the map that shows where people are from (although I suspect some will locacte themselves in odd places just for kicks).

Granted for frequent return riders it might get old, but for the audience that does not return as frequently ( likely the significant majority ) I think it's a really nice addition, and a draw for younger riders.

- I liked the computer lab and the garage scenes, I think they are nice additions.

- I kind of missed the kids talking from different countries via video phone, but it's depiction of the "future" was really not so futuristic anymore.

- I thought that it looks like they might have left room for another scene right before you come into the view of the earth space. Perhaps some flexibility for a future revision.

My one question though. What's up with the paper boy? You know, the kid selling papers on the street corner. He was back in the corner facing the wall. That looked really odd. There was a stack of newspapers out front, but the paper boy was in back facing the wall.

So all-in-all, I think it will have a greater appeal than ever before for younger and less frequent riders. And, I liked it too.

[CaptainSad]

Going up is great. Going down is horrible. I still like Jeremy Irons and Walter Cronkite better.

[like2workout]

I love it!!! i've only done it once, but looking forward to doing it again. it has most of the old favorite aspects still there, but plenty of updates too.

[big blue and hairy]

I too,like the refurb of Spaceship Earth. DW and I hadn't ridden it in a while and I had completely forgotten about the light chariots!

As for the paper boy, something must have malfunctioned with him, because we rode it when it first reopened unofficially and he was facing you. I noticed that too the second time. Anyone know what happened to him? Was he bad? Is he being punished?

[Disney-lovin' Dutchman]

I did not like it. At first, the "movie" at the end was fun..the first time.
Going up is pretty cool but I liked the old version better.

The one thing that really ruins this ride is the narration. Jeremy Irons was perfect as narrator, Judi Dench just doesn't do it for me

[JPL]

I loved the work they did on the first half of the attraction. I can't stand the new Narration by Judi Dench. I absolutely hate the new ending the video segment are lame and face recognition software makes it look like a poorly done cut and paste job.

[Ian]

I really enjoyed the first half, up until the descent (outside of the new narration, which I don't like ... I think it lost the majesty that the Irons narration had).

The descent I think is one of those things that, the first time it might be mildly entertaining, but after like 5 times of seeing the same low-quality animation it's going to get very, very old.

I would have much preferred to see them do something with the 2nd half that was up to the standards of the first half.

[Marker]

The descent I think is one of those things that, the first time it might be mildly entertaining, but after like 5 times of seeing the same low-quality animation it's going to get very, very old.

I'm not totally disagreeing with you, but to be fair, after 5 times the entire attraction, any attraction for that matter, is the same thing over again. And probably the vast majority of riders experience it once or twice in their life, or every several years anyway. If that is indeed the case, then it would not become nearly as repetitive to the average rider.

Wouldn't it be interesting if they had the narration recorded by 4 or 5 different people, and the presenter you got to hear on any particular visit was random.

Or, if you could select a "level" of information you wanted to hear, and based on the selection the amount and type of information presented varied.

[darthmacho]

Let's look at the bright side, whether you like the new version or not, we should all be thankful that it didn't turn into Stitch's Earth, or Spaceship Wall-E, or worse, some some sort of rollercoaster. I already miss the Jeremy Irons narration though, and I haven't even seen the new one.

[ASweetLov]

I loved the old spaceship earth. I havent been on the updated one but I will be next April. Hopefully it isnt bad.

[MOJoe]

I very much agree with Marker regarding the narration and added scenes. And Ian's point is well taken also. My family is a prime example of how quickly the annimation inspires silliness. On only our 2nd trip to SE, my sons, 9 & 14 crossed their eyes and stuck out their tongues for the picture. I must say it was hillarious. So much so, that i don't remember what "my future" looked like. I was too busy watching their funny faces bounce across their screen.
I think the idea of creating our own future has value. But the way it is done here is not powerful enough to deter such tomfoolery.

[xipetotec]

I've seen numerous negative reviews of the new Spaceship Earth at several places on the Internet, and I think that either those who like it are not as outspoken or there are very few who like it. I want this thread to be a place for fans of the new Spaceship Earth to express their feelings about it. Feel free to compare it to the previous version, and a few negative comments are okay, but I want this thread to be positive for the most part. I haven't experienced the new one yet, but I plan to ride it in about a month so I will reserve judgement until then.

Although I DO prefer the voice of Jeremy Irons, I really enjoyed the new Spaceship Earth. I find it relevant, interesting, and contrary to many, I really enjoyed the descent part as well!

My Father laughed out loud at "our future" and really enjoyed that bit.

My brother who had a good time making fun of Epcot for its outdated view of the future came out ( in part because of this ride ) thinking a lot better things of epcot.

DW, DS1, DS2 and DD all loved this new instance.

So there.


P.S. We also like Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

P.P.S. We find Sorin to be an "okay" attraction.

[Septbride2002]

we thought it was great. I like the new scenes on the inside - including the video footage of the hunt. I thought all the scenes looked brighter and fresh. I don't know what the paperboy did but he was facing the corner when we went through last week.

I liked that they still had Rome Burning, and the sleeping monk.

I'm not thrilled with Judy Dench as the narrator - as I love the voice of Jeremy Irons. However it isn't terrible, I mean lets be honest we would rather listen to Judy Dench then Fran Drescher!

We liked the interactive part - we thought it was fun and we enjoyed seeing what everyone else in our group choose for their version.

~Amanda

PS - I was disappointed by Soarin.

[BluewaterBrad]

I have to say I like the new version. Maybe the end might get boring , but it has not happened yet!

[DisneyWizard]

I enjoyed it. I thought it was a needed update to the aging ride - while still keeping within the spirit of the original.

The Narration was WAY too loud. It hurt my ears.

And they still need to add padding to the seats...

[wendy*darling]

My DS has had a chance to ride this- a couple of times on his recent senior trip.
He and his friends enjoyed it. He said Judy Dench was good. He liked the new scenes. And they (being silly high school seniors) enjoyed the video animation on the descent.
And as one poster already suspected- yes- someone entered that he was from Nepal or someplace that was not New Jersey!

[wendy*darling]

Hey stranger!!
Good to "see" you again Casey!

And they still need to add padding to the seats...

I agree- padding would be nice!

[DizneyFreak2002]

I have not seen the new Spaceship Earth in person yet.... I watched some video of it... I am not too fond of the narration... Kinda dry... But the show scenes looks awesome...

[Kerry823]

I loved the old version with Jeremy Irons as the narrator. I do like the new scenes, but can't stand Judi Dench as the narrator and the fact there is little to no background music. I miss the city at the end and I think the interactive part is probably funny the first time but after that it is just boring.

As I said in another thread, Spaceship Earth was one of my favorites and I rode it many, many times per trip. Last week, I rode it once and will probably never ride it again. In my opinion, they ruined it with the horrible narration. Bring Back Jeremy and the music!