A major EPCOT attraction has undergone a sudden change, and guests were none the wiser until the construction walls came down. After years of planned updates and delays, Disney appears to have quietly moved forward with minor modifications to Spaceship Earth.
A Canceled Transformation
Spaceship Earth, EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere, has been a staple of the park since its grand opening in 1982. The attraction takes guests on a journey through time, exploring the history of communication from ancient civilizations to the digital age. While Spaceship Earth was once slated for a massive overhaul as part of EPCOT’s multi-year transformation, the project was shelved in 2020. Since then, the ride has remained largely untouched—until now.
In August 2019, Walt Disney Imagineering announced that Spaceship Earth would be refreshed and modernized as part of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2021. This was meant to align with EPCOT’s sweeping transformation, which introduced World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature as replacements for Future World. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed multiple projects, and several planned attractions never came to fruition, including the Spaceship Earth refresh and a proposed Mary Poppins (1964) ride for the United Kingdom Pavilion.
What Changed at Spaceship Earth?
Earlier this year, construction walls appeared outside the eastern entrance of Project Tomorrow, the interactive exhibit area at the ride’s exit. While many speculated about the reason for the closure, Disney never formally addressed the work being done.
On Tuesday, BlogMickey reported that the construction walls had been quietly removed, revealing some of the mystery changes. According to the report, Disney crews patched and repainted parts of the ceiling inside and outside the attraction. Tarps still cover portions of the ceiling inside the entryway, suggesting additional work may be ongoing. It’s unclear whether this update is related to the upcoming Spaceship Earth-themed lounge, which is currently under construction in the former Siemens lounge attached to the attraction.
A Sign of Future Updates?
Though the recent work on Spaceship Earth appears to be minor, many guests wonder if this signals a larger transformation. The ride remains a central part of EPCOT’s identity, and fans have long speculated whether Walt Disney World Resort would revisit its scrapped refurbishment plans.
The attraction remains open for now, and Disney has not officially announced any future updates. The Spaceship Earth lounge is expected to open later this year.
What do you think of EPCOT’s recent transformation? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
