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Location: Epcot » Future World » Spaceship Earth
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| Spaceship Earth |
| Opening | |
| October 1, 1982[1] | |
| Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | |
| Latitude — 28.37535 | |
| Longitude — -81.5495148 |
| Diameter — 164 | |
| Volume — 2200000 |
Spaceship earth is one of the most recognizable buildings to spot at Walt Disney World. It is an 18 story geodesic sphere that encapsulates a 13 minute Omnimover dark ride detailing the history of human communications and how it helps to create the future.
The large mural painting at the entrance of Spaceship Earth was painted by Claudio Mazzoli.[2]
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[edit] Development
Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury helped design the structure and create the original storyline for the attraction. The work of Buckminster Fuller was also used for the structure and name of the attraction but he was not credited[3].
[edit] Outer Skin
The outer skin of Spaceship Earth is made up of 11,324 aluminum and plastic-alloy triangles.[4]
[edit] 2007 Rehab and Press Release
In 2006, Siemens took over the sponsorship of the Spaceship Earth pavilion. With this new sponsorship, many rehabs and new projects were planned. Beginning in 2007, major rehabs to both the ride and pavilion will begin.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 11, 2006) -- Inside the Epcot icon, remarkable changes will be taking place over the next several months. A re-imagined Spaceship Earth presented by Siemens will combine the magic of the iconic attraction's time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale which provides guests the opportunity to imagine their futures.
On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from the caves to the cosmos.
Enhancements to the time-travel attraction will encompass changes to each of the ride scenes. New show scenes will be added to the attraction's story along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score.
This adventure through time leads ultimately to the very top of Spaceship Earth's geodesic dome, where guests arrive at the present. The time travel adventure will be enhanced through new, interactive touch screens installed aboard each "time machine" that will enable guests to create their own visions of the future and see themselves in that future.
As guests disembark the time travel experience, they are invited to visit "[Project_Tomorrow_Inventing_the_World_of_Tomorrow|Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow]," where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future.
The space is filled with fun, interactive games and displays that showcase innovative technologies. Here guests step into the world of tomorrow and glimpse the future of medicine, transportation and responsible energy management across the globe.
Opening to Epcot guests later this month, the first completed phases of Project Tomorrow will include:
- An illuminated globe measuring 20 feet in diameter that will offer an ever-changing collage of inspirational images that invite guests to imagine the wonders of tomorrow.
- Body Builder, a 3-D game that enables users to assemble a digital human body, simulating the Siemens technology developed to perform remote surgeries.
- Super Driver, a driving simulation video game that showcases motor vehicle accident and avoidance systems developed by Siemens.
- With phased renovations occurring through the year, Spaceship Earth's makeover is scheduled to be fully completed in early 2008.
[edit] Sponsors
- Bell System
- AT&T
- Siemens
[edit] Related Items
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[edit] References
- ↑ Polsson, Ken. "1972-1982". Chronologoy of Walt Disney World. Retrieved on December 29, 2008.
- ↑ marni1971. "Spaceship Earth Mural". WDWMagic.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Spaceship Earth". Wikipedia.
- ↑ "Epcot Fun Facts". WDW News.
- ↑ "Spaceship Earth". Lost Epcot. Retrieved on January 23, 2009.