Concept art recently posted to the wdwmagic forums reportedly shows new and reimagined scenes envisioned for the indefinitely delayed Spaceship Earth overhaul. In the concept art below released by a third-party themed entertainment creative, we see new and reimagined scenes for Spaceship Earth. The work is from the 2018-2019 timeframe and is a snapshot of the creative direction for the project. The artist says that the work encompassed “design of ride’s descent, 3D models, illustrations, media concepts, and story development”.
Another 3D rendering shows a refreshed descent scene.
Spaceship Earth Refurbishment Overhaul
The Spaceship Earth refurbishment project was announced during the 2019 D23 Expo. The now-CEO Bob Chapek took to the stage and announced that Spaceship Earth would get some “new magic” as part of the World Celebration overhaul project.
The new Spaceship Earth will still feature great moments of human history, but instead of inventions and technology, Disney will focus on something that binds all of humanity together: storytelling. Many of the scenes you know and love will remain, but Disney plans to bring them to life in amazing new ways. New scenes will also be added to reflect the universal nature of the human experience.
In addition to fresh narration, you’ll have a new guide. In each moment of your journey, you’ll follow a magical light that Disney calls a Story Light which will play a central in the experience.
On February 25, 2020 it was announced that Spaceship Earth would be closing on May 26, 2020 for an extensive refurbishment.
When the theme parks closed in mid-March 2020 due to COVID-19, construction around the resort was paused indefinitely – including the Spaceship Earth refurbishment. On June 1st, we wrote that it was rumored that Disney was going to delay closing Spaceship Earth.
By June 20th, Disney confirmed our reporting and announced that Spaceship Earth would continue to be available in its current state while they pause on its planned refurbishment.
For more on the Spaceship Earth refurbishment and overhaul, check out our project tracker below!
I hope this never happens in any way envisioned or supported by Chapek, whose touch is poison. I don’t want some bogus feel-good “storytelling” in there; I want the progress of man’s knowledge and technological achievement. Modernize the presentation of that, please, while retaining beloved classic elements like the snoozing scholar and the smell of Alexandria burning.