EPCOT's iconic Spaceship Earth attraction has officially reopened to guests today, concluding a refurbishment that lasted nearly three months. The ride, which serves as the centerpiece of the park's World Celebration neighborhood, had been closed since August 25 for system and infrastructure maintenance.
Following a brief period of limited soft openings last week, the attraction is now operating for the full park day. The reopening brings all of EPCOT's attractions back online just as Walt Disney World prepares for the busy Thanksgiving holiday season.
Key Takeaways
- Spaceship Earth officially reopened after a closure of almost three months for maintenance.
- The refurbishment focused on the ride's operating system and infrastructure, including a new fire detection system.
- There have been no significant changes to the guest-facing show scenes or storyline.
- With this reopening, all attractions at EPCOT are now fully operational for guests.
A Welcome Return for an EPCOT Classic
Guests arriving at EPCOT this morning were greeted with the news of Spaceship Earth's full return. By 9:15 a.m., the standby wait time for the attraction was posted at just five minutes, allowing early visitors to experience the classic ride with minimal delay.
The reopening marks the end of a significant maintenance period that began in late summer. While the attraction was unavailable, construction walls were present around its base, redirecting guest traffic through the park's main entrance area. Those walls have now been removed, restoring the grand view of the geodesic sphere.
A Park in Transition
The Spaceship Earth refurbishment is one of many projects underway at EPCOT as part of a multi-year transformation. Other ongoing work includes the construction of the CommuniCore Hall and Plaza in the center of the park, which will serve as a new festival and gathering hub.
Focus on Infrastructure, Not Story
The refurbishment work was centered on the attraction's essential systems. While specific details have not been released, the updates included maintenance on the ride system itself and the installation of a new fire detection system. These types of projects are crucial for ensuring the long-term reliability and safety of classic attractions.
Riders will find the experience largely unchanged. The journey through the history of communication, narrated by Dame Judi Dench, remains intact. All show scenes, from the Stone Age to the digital era, are the same as they were before the closure. The interactive touch screens in the ride vehicles, which allow guests to design their own future, also remain part of the experience.
Did You Know?
Spaceship Earth's geodesic sphere is an 18-story structure composed of 11,324 aluminum and plastic-alloy triangles. The ride track inside is over 1,500 feet long, and the journey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
A Wave of Updates Across Walt Disney World
The completion of the Spaceship Earth project is part of a broader effort across Walt Disney World to refresh and maintain its facilities. Several resorts are also undergoing significant updates:
- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: The iconic grand lobby is scheduled for a major refurbishment.
- Disney's Port Orleans Resort ā French Quarter: The resort's lobby is also being refurbished in a project expected to last through September.
- Disney's Pop Century Resort: The main lobby at this value resort is set to receive a retro-inspired refresh.
These updates, combined with the work at EPCOT, demonstrate a continued investment in the guest experience across the property. With the busy holiday travel period approaching, having major attractions like Spaceship Earth fully operational is a key milestone for the resort.
For now, visitors to EPCOT can once again travel through time inside the park's signature sphere, experiencing a journey that has been a staple of the Walt Disney World experience since the park first opened in 1982.
