Spaceship Earth [Its Creation and Design]

[@neilengel3715]

I was the show art director for the Dench Rehab '08. The retrofit started in the summer of '07. The heat inside the building was so bad sweat rained off the front visor of my hard hat and poured everywhere. The Show Producer was Bob Zalk who was a great guy. Such glamourous times.

[@disfarers]

It’s so amazing that you were the art director for the ’08 Rehab! You must have taken part and contributed to so many fantastic decisions and creations! I don’t mean to put you out, but if you would be willing to share any stories about Spaceship Earth or any other projects you’ve worked on, I’d love to hear them all. Really, thank you so much for watching and sharing!

[@realestateunplugged6129]

Hear, hear with disfareres! Would super like to know stories of that sweat equity renovated back into the Spaceship.

[@beasst94]

Are there many original props left at the top of the dome ? The astronauts or the ‘ space station ‘?

[@neilengel3715]

@@beasst94 Oh yes...they are all still up there. They are just painted black. The "hologram" windows of the family you use to see at the half-way down mark are all still there too.

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Wow! Now that must have been a cool project to work on, hot, but cool.

[@squidward_tortelllini]

Spaceship Earth is the most Walt ride they’ve ever done since he died and it will obviously never be topped

[@disfarers]

I have to admit that during this current Disney era it certainly appears to be the case. But there's always hope a new, more Walt-like, era is around the corner. Thanks so much for watching!

[@danikaclark9166]

I worked at Spaceship Earth in 2017 on my Disney College Program and loved every second of it. You uncovered so many hidden facts that I once learned training there, but have since forgotten! Actually, because of the hassle it is to take the set pieces down during refurbishments, many are still left inside. They are just hidden from guest view. Thank you for this video and giving Spaceship Earth the attention she deserves!!

[@disfarers]

I had no idea that there are still set pieces inside from previous renditions!!! I totally would have added that, had I known. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. It's so great to learn new things! And again, it's great to hear that you enjoyed watching.

[@SolarNole.]

That is true I have seen a few. Many dark rides do that though as it's faster to put up a curtain or paint something black than to take it out. You also don't want saws and drills anywhere close to your super expensive ride structure

[@nuclearpr0]

My pops worked for a steel company and helped build the original. It was pretty cool seeing him in pictures years later.

[@markherron1407]

Spaceship Earth 🌎 looks like a GIANT golf ⛳ ball Blessings and Hugs 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@disfarers]

I'm actually surprised Disney doesn't make Spaceship Earth painted golf balls. Thanks so much for commenting and watching!

[@mederosyx412]

I’m dreading the refurb and losing Dame Judi Dench telling me to thank the Phoenicians in my ear and falling asleep to her sweet narration when it’s a 1000 degrees outside. 😅

[@disfarers]

It's really going to be rough to lose, but I'm also so excited about the future! I can't wait to see what going to be changed. Especially the ending. They have all been so awesome!

[@zachhatten261]

Hers is good but Jeremy Irons' was so much better

[@marinashan4]

After coming out of space ship earth in 2003 I cried like a baby..I was so emotional.❤

[@adamcankaya9022]

The ATT post show area was amazing for the time. You could make free long distance calls to friends around the country. They had a soundproof booth with a giant touch dial phone inside, like it was six feet tall and you'd push each button with your whole hand.

[@Soliaipix]

I was just there yesterday and yes, the sound of Dame Judi Dench's voice is exquisite for the role of narrating this ride. Thank you all for making it possible and thank you for all your hard work in researching this!

[@disfarers]

It was such a pleasure making this episode. I loved learning all about Spaceship Earth and then I got to share all of that fun info with others. It's so awesome you got to ride it yesterday, but I can only image being outside in that heat!

[@Brandon_B777]

This episode was fun and informative, I like the longer video format better and look for to more like it!

[@disfarers]

Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. There'll be some more longer episodes in the future.

[@thatevangarcia]

That fiber optic city skyline was so cool. Only saw it once back then but it burned in my memory ever since.

[@disfarers]

I know!!! I saw it more than once, but it's always stayed with me. It was so dramatic! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@NeilEngel]

Oh gosh, long time ago. I remember at the same time I was supervising some sets I co-designed for the Haunted Mansion over in the Magic Kingdom. Marty Sklar, the Pres of WDI wanted updates to the whole SSE upramp. So I tried to make it a little grittier. Bob Zalk said Marty wanted the Paper Boy set to be a "winter set" So I had my guys snow up the set and sparkle the set with diamond dust in order to make the set wintery. The paper boy had to have a new costume for the "winter" Well...the script at the time was still being written and my crew was running out of hours in their budget. I called Glendale and spoke to the writer and asked her "Listen, I have to have the headline for the news papers right now so I can get the papers made! Finally she said to me to have it say "Civil War Over". Oh great, I thought. The set and the paper boy are all dressed for winter and the Civil War ended in APRIL! So, all the snow and dust had to come off, the set repaired etc. We ran out of time and couldn't change the paper boy's costume. The executive producer told me to turn the boy around so he'd have his back to the audience. Ugh. The costume lady for the rehab was a seamstress on the movie "The Ten Commanments." So I asked her, 'can we re do Pharoah's costume to look like the Pharoah in "The Ten Commandments and she thought that would be so fun, so Egypt'd set was redone! Too funny. Oh god, what else. The computer room set was designed by others in Glendale and they made it like 6' too high and the set would have hit the inside of the ball. So I had to redesign it to fit. Wow, that was a real pain! During worklights off rehearsals when the ride was stopped, I'd get in a ride car in the "blue star" set and listen to Pink Floyd on my CD player. Ah, the glamour.

[@disfarers]

These stories are so amazing!!! Wow I wish I could have used them in this episode. The snow, the Civil War headline, the paperboy’s costume, Marty Sklar! All of it! I had zero idea that the costumes were made by the same woman who worked on the Ten Commandments. And you got her to redo the Pharoah’s costume?! It’s just so great! I’m totally going to look closer at the computer room, seeing as you had to adjust it for the height issue. Thank you so much for sharing all of these. I was already having a great day and this just made it so much better. The last part you mentioned about sitting back and listening to Pink Floyd just left me beaming. Really, I can’t thank you enough for sharing all of this. I just want to clarify, if you’re not too busy to reply again, but are you saying the paperboy wasn’t turned around because of fire damage? I’d hate to think that I put out wrong information. And you co-designed for the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion too?!!! You know I have to ask again if you don’t mind sharing any of those stories too. I’d absolutely love to hear them! Again, if you’re in the mood to reply. You’ve already been so generous with your time.

[@alienlizzie1]

Fantastic stories. I can remember the paper boy facing the audience for a long time, the change seems a lot more recent.

[@scubahooduk]

It's criminal that this doesn't have more views

[@disfarers]

Your comment cracked me up! Thanks so much. And for watching too!

[@Mr17051963]

I still have the Walter Cronkite narration in my mind!!!!! 😊

[@disfarers]

It was such a fantastic version! You're lucky to have it so ingrained!

[@cortneyball6452]

Me 2!🥰

[@realestateunplugged6129]

That sphere is crazy. Just a magnificent structure.

[@disfarers]

I know, right? Thanks for watching and listening!

[@neilengel3715]

Surely you meant "malignant" structure! LOL@@disfarers

[@raidersfigureguy]

Also wanted to add some more detail regarding the garage scene at the end. My father was an imagineer during its reovation. He always told me it was Steve Wozniak and that they basically told him to them it on a 1970s garage. So he included a coke bottle, epcot coffee mug and a bunch of other thrifted tools, bikes, etc.... Also fun fact the car outside has a bucket of water next to it and inside the bucket is a hidden mickey.

[@disfarers]

It's so amazing that your father was an imagineer!!! What other attractions and areas did he work on? Did he work just on Epcot or other parks? How long was he an imagineer? What Spaceship Earth renovation was he a part of? What are his best stories? I have so many questions, I'm so sorry. I never knew about the Mickey in the bucket! That is so great! Thank you so much for sharing and watching!

[@raidersfigureguy]

@@disfarers It was during the 2007 renovation. He primarily worked with the control unit (he was an electrical engineer). He retired in 2012 but worked for Disney for 8 years. He worked another job but took a pay cut cause he wanted to work for Disney Lol. I will say he did also work with most of the LED lights and sensors on the ride(kinda boring). If you notice there's a bunch of Christmas lights in the garage laying over a box-type thing in the garage and he was the one that strung those up with our Christmas lights. He told me that Disney plans everything perfectly so his best story was really just setting up the garage since they allowed him to do whatever he wanted. A lot of the equipment on the desk in the garage is his (the soldering iron, Epcot mug) all of it was put in the garage. Unfortunately, it probably won't be around much longer with the renovation.

[@disfarers]

I'm excited about the new renovation, but the next time I find myself watching content of Spaceship Earth I'll be sure to think of you and your father when I get to the garage scene. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@philrabe910]

4:40 This is a key WED imagineering protocol: Walt used to say, OK, that's good, you guys, now let's "Plus It".

[@disfarers]

Exactly! Hench was from the generation working directly under Walt Disney. He had the goods! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@deborahlore3025]

Love learning facts about Disney. Great job. Looking forward to more. The way you present the info with humor was entertaining.

[@disfarers]

Thank you so much for watching, commenting and your awesome compliments! I'm glad you enjoyed the episode! And there are many more in development and underway.

[@Lizzas]

It may just be nostalgia, but the Jeremy Irons version along with its iteration of the theme music was my favorite. There was an almost spooky quality to it, it always gave me goosebumps. It’s hard to believe it’s been gone longer than it even existed!

[@disfarers]

You know, you're really spot on with the "spooky quality" vibe that the Irons version possessed. I was never able to articulate the feeling it had and you just nailed it. Thanks so much for commenting and watching!

[@gargoylestories]

I get to be the first commentator... Yay!!! Dude, once again you hit me with loads of great Disney factoids that I didn't know. And I'm a huge Disney fan. You have impressed me yet again, and that's hard to do. I hope this video gets lots of love; you've earned it! Thanks again!

[@disfarers]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it and got to learn more fun stuff. I dove a bit deeper for this episode and had to sift through a lot to get some good info that isn't so widely known. And thanks for the kind words too!

[@lukeemery7066]

Not seen your videos before, but this is nothing short of brilliant. Great work! I'm looking forward to more interesting stuff about Epcot.

[@disfarers]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the episodes! I'm actually planning to start another script involving Epcot just next week. Thanks for watching and listening!

[@chuc98]

At 1:32 in, the concept art shown isn’t of EPCOT CENTER, that is concept art for the never built WESTCOT. They’d abandoned the idea of a “Space Station Earth” due to costs and switched to the spire design. Also I’d never heard that they completely reused animatronics for the ride, I’d always been told that they reused the face molds only, the animatronics were all new at the time. Favorite version of the ride would have to be the Cronkite version. That version gave us Spaceship Earth’s theme song Tomorrow’s Child as noted, although the imagery on the way back down left something to be desired. I love that the current version still features Cronkite in the moon landing living room scene! Pretty cool about the astronauts in Space Mountain being from SSE…always wondered what happened to those props!

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much for sharing and watching! You really know your stuff!

[@pianistabella]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this video! This is the WDW I remember and want. Thanks for sharing. By the way, hurricanes are rated by “Category.” So a “5”, which is the worst of the worst, is called a CAT 5. Hurricane Categories Category One: Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour (mph). ... Category Two: Winds 96 to 110 mph. ... Category Three: Winds 111 to 130 mph. ... Category Four: Winds 131 to 155 mph. ... Category Five: Winds greater than 155 mph. We survived Hurricane Hugo and it, at one time, was a CAT 5. Super fierce and damaging with flooding like never seen before on our coastal town. Absolute devastation. Thanks again for this great video. I will be keeping it in my files.

[@disfarers]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! And I can't thank you enough for taking the time to comment. So awesome. Thank you!

[@davidhudson5251]

Bravo! And yes Judy Dench.

[@disfarers]

Ha! Thank you.

[@oryanstudios951]

This is a great look at my favorite ride! I remember Walter Cronkite narrating, but Jeremy Irons was my favorite 🤩 This is a very unique channel, I’m glad I found it. Thanks!

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And I'm so glad you enjoy the channel! Honestly, I miss all of the narrations of the past. I have playlists for background music at home and all four versions are in this rotation of attraction stuff I've put together. It's neat.

[@Bogart12321]

Amazing video. I know you won't see this but I just wanted to say this is the first video I've watched and I can't wait to watch more. Disney should hire you for a Disney plus show. Very well done.

[@disfarers]

Why wouldn't I see your post? And it's such a great post! I'm so glad to have seen it! I appreciate your compliments too! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@davidschiller1611]

This is a great video. But, you did not mention the fact that the ride vehicles were originally planned to make an additional rotation up another level. This was changed as the angle of descent from the higher level was too extreme. I was on a Cast backstage tour several years ago and we were able to walk on that surface. It was really fun.

[@disfarers]

I never heard about a plan to have it go higher and thus have a steeper decent. Where did you learn about this? I would love to learn more about it! And you're saying you actually got to walk on the surface of Spaceship Earth?!!! That's incredible! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@davidschiller1611]

It was a Cast Member backstage tour. Every now and then our leadership offers a backstage tour. I have done a Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, and a Laundry Facility tour. We walked the track all the way up, and at the highest point we continued to the platform the additional track would have been attached to. The vehicles also run on a tubular steel track just like Matterhorn. Some Cast Members were given a tour of Rise of the Resistance, I did not make it for that one. Maybe next time.

[@disfarers]

That's so awesome! I never heard of cast member backstage tours. It's so cool that you've had the chance to experience all of that! I'm so sorry you missed the Rise of the Resistance tour. You're so lucky though!!!

[@SolarNole.]

I just went on the cast tour and they said originally you were going to go outside like World of Motion but it was cut very late. The footers are there for the track that never happened. It is amazing what they did without computers and how fast they built it compared to Tron or Guardians

[@RobertGoldsackHospitalityArchi]

There was an ATT lounge for employees in Space ship earth. I visited it with a friend who worked for ATT.

[@disfarers]

Really?! That is so amazing! I've never heard anyone talk about a time they used one of the corporate lounges while they were a functional corporate lounge. Could you tell me what it was like? Did they serve anything? Was it some kind of a function or was it just you and your friend?

[@littlecatfeet9]

@@disfarersMy dad worked for AT&T and visiting the SSE lounge was a highlight of our trips during that time! I remember he had to show his employee badge to a camera and then we were allowed into a secret elevator that went up to the lounge - not sure what floor it was on; not too high. They had a soda fountain, restrooms, and maybe some light snacks. There were windows and seating to enjoy the views of the park. When you were ready to board the rides the cast members led you right to the front of the line. We felt so important!!

[@littlecatfeet9]

As an employee, you could visit whenever you were in the parks (as long as the lounge wasn’t being used for something else). No special function or invitation was required!

[@RobertGoldsackHospitalityArchi]

@@disfarers It was set up like an airline club, snacks and beverage. We were just visiting the park no function was going on. Then when you were ready, there was a special loading area for the ride. The one time I didn't have to wait in line for a Disney ride.

[@zorin79]

Great job! Looking forward to more . This was my first vid of yours but plan to watch all past and future vids.

[@disfarers]

It's so great to hear that you enjoyed this episode! I really hope you enjoy the others too! If you find yourself liking some and not others, please share you're opinion. I like taking in feedback, the good and the bad. Thanks so much for watching!

[@PencilStash]

Fantastic video!!!! Thanks so much!

[@disfarers]

And I appreciate you watching! Thanks for the kind words.

[@raizedbynerdz8718]

I love the dad pushing the kid out of the way getting into the car at the 64 world's fair

[@disfarers]

I'm sorry for taking so long to get back to you, but you didn't timestamp the moment where the dad pushed the child out of the way so I had to scrub through the whole video because I wanted to know what you were talking about. When I finally found it I burst out laughing. I had never noticed! Thanks so much for sharing, commenting and watching! Too funny.

[@pault5557]

GREAT JOB ON THIS! You really did your research!🙌 I’m watching on Oct 1, 2023, the 42nd Anniversary of EPCOT, my favorite Disney park! 😎 Thank you!

[@disfarers]

Hey, thanks for the compliments. And thanks so much for watching and commenting! I didn't even realize today was the anniversary.

[@ctschofield1]

Well, that was fantastic! 🤩🙌🙏

[@disfarers]

So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@davidfirth1]

Dame Judy is the best. Forever.

[@disfarers]

I know, right? Thanks so much for watching!

[@VirtualTempleOfTheForbiddenEye]

This was really well done. I learned some new things about Spaceship Earth I didn't know.

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much for the compliment! And I'm so glad you got to learn some new Disney Spaceship Earth fun stuff.

[@StewartYT41]

Awesome work, Disfarer. New sub!

[@disfarers]

That's so great! Thanks so much for kind words, subscribing, commenting and watching! (It took me so many more words than your comment to thank you.)

[@theruleoffire]

Awesome show. Thank you bro. Would have watched for hours. Thank you Best part was hear scar narrate. It gave me goosebumps

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much for the morale boost, commenting and watching!!!

[@randomexploring541]

You can’t convince me it’s not a giant golf ball! 😂😅

[@disfarers]

Ha! You literally made me laugh out loud!

[@howardcraigiv518]

wow…. Amazing job. This was my First Video on your channel. You received a subscriber right away. Awesome Work 👍🏻

[@disfarers]

That's so awesome! Thanks so much for subscribing. Thanks for the compliment too. I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode.

[@thiskid25]

As a Florida native and a life long Spaceship Earth fan, having redden the Walter Cronkite, Jeremy Irons, and Judy Dench versions. I prefer Jeremy Irons, maybe because I was a teenager and I had my first kiss on this version. There is something special about the music and the narration that I love. Don't get me wrong the Judy Dench version is great, but the ending is not as magical to me with the screens and all. Maybe I'm just old. LOL

[@disfarers]

Special memories during different phases absolutely influence likes and dislikes. And there was nothing wrong with the Jeremy Irons version. It was so great and finely crafted. I'll also admit that the ending was stronger than Dench's. But I also loved the interactive video component when it was new and they couldn't have high-lighted it if there were things going on around to distract you. So I totally get your points. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And you're not that old. I remember going on the original before Cronkite.

[@tomthompson4399]

Judy Dench did an incredible job with this. She adds so much to the experience.

[@disfarers]

She really did give it a certain polish and character, right? I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks so much for commenting and watching!

[@acehunter9436]

Great job!

[@disfarers]

Thanks for the compliment, comment and for watching!

[@wayne7270]

I loved the historical overview. I had probably seen the evolution, but never in the context you gave.

[@disfarers]

I'm glad I was able to give it a fresh spin for you! I can't thank you enough for your kind words, watching and commenting!

[@kennethroche6285]

This was amazing!

[@disfarers]

Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching!

[@jackpast]

Outstanding video of my first attraction in the first park I went to in 1991. What a first impression!

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much for the compliment! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting. What made you go to Epcot rather than the Magic Kingdom on your first day?

[@jackpast]

@@disfarers My wife and stepson had already been to WDW twice before I met them. I was around 30 years old and my girlfriend couldn’t believe that her tech loving boyfriend had never been there. 3 years after we were married she made the trip happen. In planning she asked her 9 year old son ‘what park should we take Jack to first?’ He thought a little then told her ‘Epcot…definitely Epcot.’ Great memories that still keep coming!

[@disfarers]

Oh wow!!! That's such a great story!!! Thanks so much for sharing that. I totally agree with them. Based on what you're saying, if I was in their position, I also would have chosen Epcot. Too amazing! Really, your story brought a smile to my face.

[@smith9808]

Such a great video. Subbed!

[@disfarers]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching, commenting and subbing!

[@reefman10]

Your videos are simply outstanding

[@disfarers]

That's so nice of you to say! Thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Fantastic video, thank you so much.

[@disfarers]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching and listening!

[@davidcarroll8735]

This is A+! #subscribed

[@brittanyg6329]

As a spaceship earth cast member,I find this is a great video. Only thing is the lights you see as you’re going backwards, is not mirrors, they’re strands of lights 😃

[@disfarers]

I THOUGHT that, but I couldn't confirm it for myself. Several sources said mirrors. I couldn't help but keep wondering if there were mirrors then why wouldn't the lights appear to go on much much farther. Are you a current Spaceship Earth cast member? That's so awesome, either way. Do you know when the attraction is going to close for refurb? Sorry for so many questions, but I just have to ask. If you have any stories or more to share I would love to hear what you have to say. I love learning and gathering fun Disney information. Oh and of course, thank you so much for sharing thins, watching, and the great compliment!

[@levih343]

I knew it!!

[@darkridedan1]

Thank you for this video. I wasn’t expecting to learn anything new and you blew that notion out of the water! I never knew there was a reason to debate the original narrator of the attraction (maybe it was both?) While World of Motion and Horizon were my favorite opening-era attractions of EPCOT, SSE picked up the slack when they left the scene. I rode the Perrin version twice and the Conkrite version once. The Irons version is my absolute favorite! It was the 1st version I videotaped, the 1st version I experienced during a week-long trip to WDW (we used to pick one park to visit on our vacations to FL,) and it was the only version I experienced as a season pass holder. I loved Irons narration and script, I loved the music and I loved the ending. With so much love and research put into this, I’m wondering why Dench’s version is your favorite?

[@disfarers]

Over the course of making this episode I got to re-listen to all of the versions many many times. They all have a unique charm of their own. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences on Spaceship Earth. I got to experience all of the versions too, though I admittedly was too young to recall any of the audio from the first version. I was having a rough day and you're comment really lifted my spirits today, btw. I just wanted to thank you for that. And I'm so glad you enjoyed this episode. Dench, I feel, did the best overall job throughout the entire attraction. I also feel it has the tightest script. Double also, it was the version I've been able to share with my wife (as far back as my gf) and children. So it holds a lot of magic for me. Thanks so much for watching and listening!

[@Bobsburgers-zl9gm]

I love this ride

[@disfarers]

It's definitely one of the best.

[@cindycharming7993]

Well done! Ty!

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@295g295]

4:11 - At EXPO67, this geodesic dome / sphere served as the USA pavilion. I think, seen to the right here is the USSR pavilion across a bit of the river on another island. After 1967, the 'glass sphere' was filled with gardens, becoming the Biosphere.

[@disfarers]

Wow you really know a lot about this! I supposing you live in the area or have been there, but I have to ask, were you at the EXPO67? Thanks so much for sharing and watching by the way!

[@ajs41]

First visited in October 1988, last visited in May 2002.

[@Earlisking33]

Great video, but lay off tomorrow’s child. It’s a damn classic

[@cortneyball6452]

Fact.

[@diaperdood1]

Best ride in the world!

[@disfarers]

It really stands up among the greats. Thanks so much for watching!

[@briansieve]

Great content

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much! I really try to give each episode my best.

[@NortelGeek]

4:59 ... Sphere. 😉 Great video just the same - thank you!

[@disfarers]

Thanks for the correction. When I first read your comment I was all "pfft. No way." But you're absolutely right. When I watched it I think I literally went "GAH!" So thanks for pointing it out, it helps keep me on the look out in future episodes. And thank you so much for watching and the kind words.

[@NortelGeek]

@@disfarers You're very welcome. Looking forward to more! By the way--did you do research on the Bell System? I'm not sure how old you are, but I was born the year they were divested. I'm somewhat of a telecom buff, so feel free to let me know if you ever need info in that regard. As far as Disney goes it's been ages. When I was last at EPCOT, Horizons was still in service. I hate what they've done to the parks.

[@disfarers]

I didn't dive too deeply into Bell Systems, though I did learn quite a bit more than I put into this episode. I left it out because the information just diverted too far from the topic at hand and it slowed my pacing too much. It sounds like I'm only a handful of years older than you though. I will definitely keep you in mind if I ever find myself looking for a knowledgeable telecom person (I never know where episodes are going to lead me. I'm working on an episode right now where I wish I knew a car mechanic.) I keep an open heart and mind about every change made to the parks, but I have to admit that I'm overall disappointed with what's continually done to Epcot. The latest opening of an alcohol stand alongside Mickey's meet and greet is a testament to how low things have fallen from the times Walt. But I'm always hopeful. The parks always change. You should totally check out the parks though. There's so MUCH since you've gone (I'm guessing mid to late 90s was the last time you visited Walt Disney World). I get that a lot of the more recent decisions have been dicey but they're still absolutely amazing overall!

[@robh5697]

Great job of this video! Regarding using the faces from the various Presidents, they do that because it costs a lot to produce a new face so they just reuse the same mold to make another copy. It's much cheaper that way and no one usually notices. It might be why they dimly light the figures. I went there 10 yrs ago and again during covid and I couldn't hardly see anything. It had changed allot since the last time I was there. I didn't care for it. They had a big room, maybe the whole upper sphere, with projected stairs on it. It was very cheap looking. I recall seeing it in the 80's, it was much better then.

[@disfarers]

You bring up a good point. I understood the use of recycling but never considered the actual cost involved. I wonder if I could somehow find out some actual figures. Thank you so much for commenting and watching!

[@Quintion-e3j]

Moments of complete apathy are the best for new creations.

[@CoffinFullOfBees]

Spaceship Earth/the EPCOT ball has been through at least a cat 4, Hurricane Charley in 2004 went right through Central Florida and did massive damage. Meanwhile, I was watching 101 Dalmatians on a portable DVD player in my mom's closet and having anxiety about our roof blowing away. Lol

[@disfarers]

That sounds so stressful! I'm glad everything turned out okay.

[@jfisher2370]

Yes, Charley made landfall as a Cat 4 near Ft Myers but was only a Cat 2 when it hit Orlando. I remember it well, I was 30 yrs old & lived 25 miles west from WDW. Also, if a Cat 4 ever hit central Florida it would mean the coast was hit with one beyond Cat 5!

[@raidersfigureguy]

One small correction at 19:08 thats actually the father from carousel of progress.

[@disfarers]

Yeah, I learned about this afterward and smacked myself in the head. Thanks for looking out and helping though. I can't tell you how much appreciate this kind of feedback.

[@raidersfigureguy]

@@disfarers of course I loved the video! I can tell you took your time!!!

[@margoc88]

The jeremy irons version is superior!!! The music just slaps!!! ❤❤

[@disfarers]

Lol I couldn't have said it better. The music WAS amazing!

[@zfilms4858]

I have actually been to spaceship earth twice and my life and my 1st visit has a very interesting fact about me. My very first memory of life in this world is actually right by the entrance of spaceship earth as a 1-2 year old in 2001. and i even specifically remember that my 2nd ever memory is me actually watching the milienum celebration show. i never knew that actually existed or even its name until now. my 2nd visit in 2010 for my birthday, Epcot was the 1st park i visited on my week long trip to Florda and the very first Disney ride i ever remember riding was in fact spaceship earth, and i remember that version well! This ride has been at the very cornerstone of my existence!

[@disfarers]

Wow those as such awesome memories! Thanks so much for sharing! My first memory may have been Disney related as well. I recall a Donald Duck image, like him on a sign and having ice cream stand at Disneyland when I was two years old. It's so neat that both of your stories are related to Spaceship Earth though! Too cool. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@philrabe910]

3:21 me again.. See the piles of books? I had to create stacks and piles of 'stone' data tablets for a silly con valley gag a few years ago and this scene was the inspiration. (my tablets had to be glued into solid stacks with one loose tablet on top for the actors or whatever)

[@chrisbroemel5508]

Tron arcade is totally the concept for the "play" pavilion that was supposed to be built in the wonders of life pavilion

[@disfarers]

I didn't know anything about this!!! I'm putting it into my notes to research in the future. Thanks so much for sharing, commenting and watching!

[@kerry2368]

There is video out there somewhere of Spaceship Earth as the Star Wars Death Star.

[@disfarers]

I haven't see the video, but I've seen pictures that have been tweaked with photoshop to look like the Death Star. Though, Spaceship Earth goes over the history of communication and the Death Star, though destroyed a long time ago in a galaxy far away, was base intended for the annihilation of planets.

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

The original father from carousel of progress is also the mandolin player too.

[@disfarers]

That's true but it hasn't always been true! I couldn't find out exactly when it was and when it wasn't so I just backed away from adding it.

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

@@disfarers 👍

[@scottdepotter8262]

That piece of art out front is the wallpaper for my phone

[@disfarers]

That's so awesome! I'm totally going to set it for my own phone too. Thanks for sharing. Oh and thanks for watching too!

[@charvillalobos2018]

Wow😮❤

[@disfarers]

I'm not sure which part made you go "whoa" but considering the heart I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@paulbriggs3072]

Gold RELECTS heat. Better than nearly any known metal.

[@jfisher2370]

As a FL annual PH - I guess because it was my intro to Spaceship Earth in 95, the Jeremy Irons version will always be my fav. In fact I have that narration on my iPhone, put in ear buds & often play it instead of the Dench version while on the ride! It still works for 90% of the ride. I love Dench as an actress but the script jokes fall flat - a few examples Egypt " Papyrus makes better record keeping for plans, designs, & unfortunately taxes" ~ Phoenician traders "remember how easy it was to learn you A-B-Cs? Thank the Phoenicians!" ~ Rome "Rome built the first world wide web & it's leading us into the future." ~ Mainframe computers "What if everyone had one of these in their house? There was only one problem, they were as big as a house." ~ Ugh bad Dad jokes with a Brit accent, no thanks.

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much for sharing that! I have to admit that the Irons version has it's own special charm. I never thought of listening to an older version while going on Spaceship Earth! Too amazing! I'll have to try that before the new refurb happens. Thank you so much for commenting and watching. I hope you enjoyed the episode.

[@jfisher2370]

@@disfarers Absolutely loved your video - Spaceship Earth is my go-to fav. @ EPCOT. I was there last week & had light crowds - so rode it three times (LOL) ~ I enjoy learning new things & your vid was excellent for that! Keep up great work. Interestingly, if you do the old narration you have to speed up & slow down the audio because they adjust the ride speed & of course the occasional stoppage for those with mobility issues or just the age of the ride needing that refurbishment it hasn't had.

[@disfarers]

Thank you for sharing again. I was there in some sort of light-crowd window back in July and I was able to literally walk onto every ride with no problem. Very cool and kind of crazy. We went on Spaceship Earth twice because of it. Also, I'm glad you were able to pick up on some new Disney info from the episode. Thanks again for watching!

[@markbearorl]

The Global Neighborhood was introduced with the Jeremy Irons narration. During Walter Cronkite it was still Earth Station with Guest Relations and Worldkey. My source: me. I’ve worked at WDW since 1989 and worked Spaceship Earth in 1991. It was still Earth Station then.

[@disfarers]

So you still work at Disney now? That's quite a long time! What other places and locations have you worked for Disney?

[@markbearorl]

@@disfarers I’ve worked at all 4 theme parks at one time or another. Also worked resorts for a few years.

[@disfarers]

!!!!! Okay, I'm sorry to hassle you with more questions, but what resorts? I'm always working on a resort episode and they're really tough to make but I seriously enjoy making them. Any interesting not-so-known information you'd be willing to share would mean a great deal to me. Resorts and anything about the parks mind you. It's so incredible that you've worked across so much of the property!!!

[@BuckeyeBackyardBBQ]

Wow finally a great Disney history channel! That’s well done and has humor! Great work man! Ps is this your only Chanel? Because you sound a lot like thunder? Who plays call of duty!?

[@disfarers]

Wow that's really high praise! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And no, I don't have any other channels and I'm not Thunder402. I actually looked him up to see who this person is that supposedly sounds like me, but yeah, I'm not him. Again though, thanks for watching!

[@chadmcnk]

My favorite ending was the 1994-2007 version with Jeremy Irons. The music was to me, the absolute best yet. The future city that is shown with all of the fiber optics along with the music was always so moving and memorable to me. It was positively the best. I do not personally like the current cartoon ending. It just feels cheap and quick. I have to wonder if that beautiful city of the future is still there just hidden behind walls. The original space station ports were there for years just not lit so it was difficult to see (on purpose). Anyway, that was my favorite version with the most incredible music, the calming voice of Jeremy Irons and that incredible ending.

[@disfarers]

I 100 percent agree with you that the Irons ending had the best ending out of any version! And I agree that the music was amazing, however, I found every version's music to be fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing, it's really enjoy hearing different takes and perspectives. It's like getting to experience attractions through another lens. And hey, thanks so much for watching too. I wish I could have found better photos of the space station, finding photos in such dark places in the 80s and 90s is rough.

[@devonalomar9012]

Almost lost me with geometry. Kidding, this is excellently presented(despite the Dench over Cronkite sacrilege). Well done, and thank you.

[@disfarers]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I really tried to make the math fun. I also like to say pentakis! But really, thanks for watching, listening and commenting. I appreciate it so much!

[@briansieve]

You mentioned the art. I'm SO bummed the Mary Blair murals in the DL Tomorrowland entrance were not preserved.

[@disfarers]

!!! I had no idea they weren't preserved! Why would they have just destroyed them?! I'm going to look into it. I have a smallworld episode planned for later next year. I'll incorporate this in. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@robertmendez7376]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think they took them down, they built over them, and when they needed to support the new facade they broke through the mural to get to it.

[@Mr17051963]

When Disney was really Disney!

[@disfarers]

I'm really hopeful the new upcoming renovation does the attraction some serious justice! How do feel about its prospects?

[@Mr17051963]

@@disfarers I agree with you. Spaceship Earth is a classic in all aspects. I’m hoping for the best!

[@FilmThePoliceFTP]

There’s a wonderful post on WDwmagic about the abandoned space station prop that on one of the last few pages of threads shows the current condition of the paperboys face (from 2023) It’s still intact.

[@disfarers]

Another person just recently informed me that the paperboy was just fine. I feel so duped for having bought in to a rumor. Thanks so much for sharing that. And I'll check out the WDWmagic's post too.

[@FilmThePoliceFTP]

Highly suggested post. It’s very long and most of it is very interesting. If it makes you feel any better, I thought the same thing about the paperboy. The picture was posted just a couple months ago, so until then, I had no reason to believe otherwise (what other reason would they put him in the corner?)

[@shanestuddard2606]

I really REALLY like your videos, and have subscribed to your channel, but I’m compelled to point out something; the characters in Spaceship Earth are not “recycled presidents.” The MOLDS for the FACES of the characters ARE recycled from the presidents and Carousel of Progress. There’s a big difference between using actual Audio Animatronics from Hall of Presidents and the molds used to make their heads.

[@disfarers]

It's so great to hear that you're enjoying the episodes. And thanks so much for not only watching and subscribing but commenting too. I really appreciate it. You're not the first to bring up the "recycled presidents" part and I knew when I made the episode that it was in fact the face molds. I just made the choice to say phrase it as "audio animatronics" for expediency sake to get through the dialogue faster for people that wouldn't be interested in me going over face molds, how they're made and transferred, etc. Looking back, it was a bad decision on my part. But I appreciate you pointing it out and still liking the episode nonetheless. Thanks so much!

[@robertseguin4875]

love the ride but wish it would have a referb.

[@disfarers]

You're in luck! It looks like it's getting a huge refurb starting next year into 2025! Oh and thanks for watching and commenting too!

[@mike9147]

The Walt era was the best 1986-1994

[@disfarers]

The Cronkite really had a special something. I was just recently on Spaceship Earth and found myself humming Tomorrow's Child. For a song that's almost 40 years old, it still has a certain something.

[@joen8529]

You think Judi Dench is the BEST?! WHAT?!? WOW. You have to be kidding…. They destroyed the ride with that one. Hard to even ride it ever since that change, the magic is gone. Or at least dormant, until better narration, soundtrack, and an actual ending is reintroduced.

[@disfarers]

Wow, you really have some strong opinions! That's so great! I can't debate against your opinions but the soundtrack went back to its roots with the original composer. It's tough to say that Bruce Broughton lost his touch. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@catpella]

I laughed at the image of Scar doing the narration. When I was a kid, that was the version I heard first and is the iconic one for me. Also, I was associating the "choose your own interactive future" as a Horizons thing not as a Spaceship Earth thing. But Horizons' choices were pre-set and not interactive, right?

[@disfarers]

Actually, Horizons was awesome because you got to CHOOSE which direction your ride physically went. Spaceship Earth more simply lets you make choices on a screen and plays a vid based on the choices. You know though, your comment makes me think about making a Horizons episode. Thanks so much for commenting!

[@catpella]

I didn't know Horizons made a physical change! Please do a video on it, it's my favorite Disney ride that's now gone. (Although the old Living Seas with Seabase Alpha was great too.) @@disfarers

[@ericswilley357]

Originally that sphere was supposed to be a BWR Nuclear Power plant (per early Disney plans). Apparently that got scrapped before it got any real plans.

[@disfarers]

Where did you hear or see that it was intended to be a Nuclear Power Plant? I've never heard about this and totally have to look into it! Shaped like a huge sphere or not, the very notion of a nuclear power plant in the area is fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing, commenting and watching!

[@ericswilley357]

@@disfarers around 1982 I did a ‘science camp’ in my hometown (Lakeland, Fl) where my instructor was one of the original “Imagineers” that worked the original laser light displays. He told me of all the original ideas that went into EPCOT. I cant remember his name but he was an amazing scientist & engineer (and a nice guy as well). That story always stuck with me as I wound up getting a degree in Nuclear Engineering at UF.

[@disfarers]

Wow! I looked it up and though there wasn't anything about plans about building a plant, Disney has the legal capability to build a nuclear power plant. So cool! Thank you so much for sharing this! I plan on digging deeper into it in the future.

[@LiamVsTheWorld2011]

Love the Dame Judi Dench version of the ride, but prefer the Jeremy Irons narration.

[@disfarers]

That's a really astute opinion. My wife feels the exact same way. Irons does have an amazing voice. I personally thought the Jeremy Irons version had the best music.

[@hd4100]

Strange narration and inflection

[@disfarers]

I love critical feedback! Thanks so much for commenting. Do you mind offering some specifics on what you found so strange and what you thought was off about the inflection? Really, don't hold anything back. I can take it. And thank you so much for watching by the way.

[@mopeygoff]

A Cat5 absolutely could hit Orlando. EPCOT is only about 58 miles/93km from the nearest coast (Cape Canaveral) as the crow flies.

[@disfarers]

Tis few lee shores without a fiery briney, mate.

[@MattyIce1210]

Well done sir…

[@disfarers]

The three dots could be taken as some sort of menacing threat, but I sense the sentiment is genuine. Therefore, I'm going to say... thank you. Seriously though, thanks for watching and listening. Oh and commenting too!

[@RobertLocke-hn8vt]

FYI Walter Cronkite's narration of Spaceship Earth was the original when the attraction opened.

[@RobertLocke-hn8vt]

In October of 1982 I went to preview month for EPCOT and he was the narrator for Spaceship Earth. I was a Cast Member at D/L at the time and was very impressed with their choice for the Narrator.@@disfarers

[@RobertLocke-hn8vt]

Just heard back from Tony Baxter. Points of clarification from Tony: 1. 1982 Spaceship Earths narration was performed by Walter Cronkite. 2. Motor Boat Cruise at D/L opened in 1957. 3. Skyway manufactured by Von Roll out of Switzerland has never been reengineered. It was only closed during Matterhorn construction and reopened with the Matterhorn opening. Eventually they did get new four passenger gondola cars, but that was the only change ever made to that attraction.@@disfarers

[@themeparksandme]

Hey! I just wanted to let you know that there's an error in this video. Those same two astronauts have always been in Space Mountain since it opened in '75. They are not from Spaceship Earth.

[@disfarers]

I had to re-research this because I was like "did I really make that mistake?" because I recall double fact checking this one when I originally wrote the script. Ok, so now I think I understand the miscommunication. Yes, there were astronauts there originally, however, they were in red tinted (what I believe people in the 70's believed were) futuristic booties and space suits. These were later replaced with the more traditional looking astronauts from Spaceship Earth. You didn't make this easy. It took me half an hour to piece it all together. But I don't mind. I like learning more about Disney and this is all part of the process. Thanks so much watching, commenting and for your own channel! I've been a sub of yours for awhile and have found the videos there a treasure chest of source-information. I also have a few in several background music playlists for when I'm working. Ok, this is now too long of a reply to a post that was so short so I'm going to stop here. Right here. Full stop.

[@themeparksandme]

@disfarers Well damn! I stand corrected then. Jeez, I'm sorry you had to do so much extra work haha. I can see now that the current astronauts on Space Mountain look more modern. I was racking my brain about this looking at the promotional footage from '75. Great stuff though! I've been watching a lot of your videos the past few days. I really like the way that they're set up. Thanks for the kind words about my channel as well. It means a lot. Keep up the awesome content!

[@disfarers]

It's so cool that you've watched my episodes! Thanks so much for the compliment too. You're awesome.

[@falloutpictures]

If you are still wondering why spaceship earth lost the att sponsorship. At that time they were in the process of aquiring bell south. That is what the ceo at the time Dave told me.

[@disfarers]

I don't fully understand. Why would that cause them them to drop the sponsorship? Thanks so much for watching and commenting by the way. Really appreciated.

[@remconet]

18:50 I don't think this is correct. They reused facial molds to cast copies of the faces, but they didn't recycle the actual animatronics.

[@disfarers]

There's a good chance you're right about that. I don't fully recall because I wrote and researched this episode some time ago. But I may in fact have meant facial molds. It's tough to say because I know they switch out the actual animatronics at the Hall of Presidents, but when they get taken down they're likely reused for parts....which, of course, those parts may or may not have been used for the animatronics on Spaceship Earth. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! I feel like I'm rambling here so I'm going to stop. Full stop.

[@bigsid1984]

Walter Cronkite was great narrator.

[@disfarers]

He really was. The man had such an amazing and unique voice. He was one of the greats. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@mrosenblatt]

As an FYI, those aren't line array speakers, those are point source. Line array is for a totally different use case.

[@disfarers]

I'm hoping you can help me because I don't exactly understand, how can you tell they're point source?

[@mrosenblatt]

@@disfarers Point Source is an array of speakers that are scattered with very specific beam control. You install and select each speaker based on the X/Y/Z axis in the application. Beam patterns can be most anything. You'll find 90x60, 90x90, 60x60, 100x100, etc... Line array is stacked on top of each other on the vertical plane where each speaker has a specific polar pattern (100x10 Degrees, for example) where the use of them is designed to provide even forward coverage. This is usually used for concert halls, arenas, etc.... If you look at the speakers throughout carefully, you see mostly old EAW point source boxes. That said, they did use a system that I believe is the Renkus-Heinz Beam-Steerable system at the very, very top just as your vehicle tuns around. What I've noticed in it's use is that they're kept very quiet but even, so everyone hears the same thing at the same time. Traditionally these speakers are used for larger rooms, such as Synogogues or Churches. I think they were a convenient speaker to get sound to a large area at very low volumes with minimal effort.

[@mrosenblatt]

@@disfarers Epcot has EAW Point source speakers all over the place. They've been replacing the architectural outdoor systems with other systems during the remodel. I'm not sure what they're replacing them with since they're all physically hidden behind other objects. Knowing they use QSC Q-Sys for park processing, it's fair to assume they might just use QSC outdoor speakers in areas that have been remodeled. But I do find a lot of Meyer hidden about, too. So who knows.

[@disfarers]

To be fair, I had to look up a lot of what you were saying. But I want to thank you so much for explaining. It's taken me into a whole other world of equipment I hardly knew anything about and I plan I learning more. The reason I explained the speakers on screen during the video as line array was because the producer of the refurb during the scene, Larry Gertz, explained on a podcast that he implemented line array speakers he lined up horizontally so guests could hear different conversations during the descent of the Jeremy Irons refurb. The speakers I used were the only shot of any speakers I could find across from the scenes someone took with an 90's camera during an unfortunate ride closure. So I ran with the idea that the speakers were the same Larry Gertz spoke about. So even though I'm obviously out of my depth, I hope you understand why I used the footage, running with the limited information I had. I want to thank you again for your explanation. You opened up a whole other world for me here. That was really cool. As well as your time. Oh and also for watching!

[@mrosenblatt]

@@disfarers Hey, it was an outstanding video. It's just one of those little nuanced things most people wouldn't pick up on if you weren't in the industry :)

[@paulbriggs3072]

Buckminster Fuller did not invent the geodesic dome. He worked for a while at the US Patent Office and copied many things from obscure patents that he thought were never going to be seen. But modern patent searches exposed his many plagiarisms. He never patented his "ideas" claiming they were for the good of humanity. But in reality it was because he knewthat patent searches would be made in order to file those patents and get approval. The 'prior art' as it was termed would quickly be discovered. The "geodesic" dome shape as he termed it was patented in 1875 I believe, as was the same map projection idea. Even his Dymaxion car was closely copied from a French design.

[@yostification]

Well done! !!

[@disfarers]

Thanks so much! It's so nice of you to say so. Thanks for watching.

[@mikesyck2624]

Cronkite was my first and Dench is my favorite

[@disfarers]

Hey, thanks for sharing! I've been getting some flak for liking Dench. I'm glad to see some support. And thank you for watching!

[@christianaguilera1469]

For the record I like the wand on Spaceship Earth

[@disfarers]

I've never heard of anyone who liked the wand before. You're like a unicorn! For your sake, I'm so sorry they removed it. It must have been sad for you to see it taken down. I apologize if you found the comment in this episode at all insensitive, but I'm so glad you decided watch and comment.

[@christianaguilera1469]

@@disfarers I'm not offended I recognize that usually I'm the rare person

[@Karasaph]

The imagineers only implement ride systems. Schwarzkopf did a lot for the rides, just as Vekoma did a lot for the roller coasters. The actual ride systems are made by ride manufaturers. But yeah, the imagineers also did their part. I am just not sure how much.

[@disfarers]

I don't think imagineers are as separately removed as what you're saying, but I absolutely get where you're coming from. I mean, imagineers know what it is they want and set the parameters with the manufacturers to create the best experience. I've only researched specific attractions and haven't yet stepped back to look at the relationships between manufacturers and Disney. Any further insight would be greatly appreciated. By the way, thanks so much for commenting and watching.

[@Karasaph]

@@disfarers Exactly. Thank you for being so considerate. But I think it always shows extra knowledge if the actual ride manufacturer is also mentioned in the videos. That's why I love all the building permit videos from amusment parks and how they are build because the manufacturers are mentioned. For Example Kuka in the Harry Potter rides or Intamin for the Chamber of Secrets.

[@disfarers]

Well, I have to tell you, because of your comments, from now on, I'm going to absolutely dig in to the manufacturers when I cover attractions. I really appreciate your commenting. This has been an eye opener for me. I'm going to check out building permit videos to get a better idea of what you're saying. And again, thank you.