So now that we know that we know Disney’s plans for the 50th anniversary mostly involve projection shows on park icons like Tower of Terror, the Tree of Life and Spaceship Earth, Disney’s Imagineers are starting to discuss future changes to the parks.
The new lighting coming to Spaceship Earth is going to be permanent, even once the 50th-anniversary celebrations are over and Imagineer Zach Riddley had this to say on the updates:
Yesterday we announced changes coming to the nighttime experience of Spaceship Earth as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” The dazzling, permanent new programmable lighting system will debut as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th Celebration and will continue to live on as a defining feature of EPCOT.
EPCOT is a park about the best of us – what is possible when we embrace the power of imagination and humanity’s ability to make impossible things reality when we work together. We are all connected. That is the theme and the expression at the heart of our work across EPCOT and at the heart of this stellar new visual experience coming soon to Spaceship Earth.
Spaceship Earth is a unique structure recognized around the world. To honor this idea, our Imagineers have created custom lighting features that literally emerge from her unique architecture. These features will shine across Spaceship Earth’s silver panels and “connect” with one another, resembling shimmering stars in a nighttime sky.
Spaceship Earth has maintained her classic multi-color lighting design for nearly 40 years – a legacy the team working on this project are keen to preserve. Her classic look will be maintained and accentuated through new colors and intensity in programmed expressions that extend into the new main entrance fountain and the entire World Celebration area that continues to take shape before our eyes.
We can’t wait to reveal more of the technical innovation and artistry going into this new experience and the team behind the scenes turning imagination into reality. Continue to follow along with me here for more details.
While all of this sounds great… it’s still only a bit of lighting on Spaceship Earth, the big refurbishment of the attraction has still been delayed. I’m sure this will look fantastic but I think we should all stop pretending that a light show is a great solution to every issue at Walt Disney World.
Are you looking forward to the changes on Spaceship Earth? Let us know in the comments below!
Ryan has been attending theme parks since as long as he can remember and his first proper memory comes from when he was just three years old sitting in Main Street USA drinking a Nesquik milkshake from a carton while the piano was being played outside Casey’s Corner.
