We have reached the top of our journey through Spaceship Earth, but this is hardly the end. Everything has been leading up to this view of our spaceship drifting through the blackness. Our guide summarizes the climax of this adventure, and not always in the same way. There also have been head-scratching removals that really shined in the early versions. Like many updates to this attraction, I have mixed feelings about some changes. This remains a powerful scene that brings an epic scope to a story that has presented individuals and not the big picture to this point.

This moment aims to remind us how small the Earth is when compared to the vastness of space. Given that fact, our achievements seem even more impressive within a short time. If we’re able to open our minds, this attraction can have a big impact. There’s an optimistic view of technology and the future that has always connected with me.

There’s a reason that Spaceship Earth continues to charm so many guests more than 37 years after it opened. This epic scene takes advantage of the massive sphere that seems even larger than it is. We can easily imagine that what we see extends further into the background. I’ve never seen this room with the lights on, but I suspect that reality is a lot tighter than my expectations. It is a brilliant way to showcase our planet.

A Flood of Electronic Babble

Before we glimpse our spaceship, we enter a transition that’s essentially a transport vessel. The first two versions offered a tunnel with flashing lights carrying us forward. In 1994, the entrance here received an upgrade as a globe with fiber optic lights. I always enjoyed this choice because it connected to the idea we traveled beyond Earth. It’s an interesting way to set up Jeremy Irons’ pointed questions about technology:

“But will these seemingly infinite communications become a flood of electronic babble? Or will we use this power to usher in a new age of understanding and cooperation on this, our Spaceship Earth?

Looking at today’s Internet, Irons’ comment about the “flood of electronic babble” rings true. There are benefits of having the world at our fingertips; my blog is a perfect example. I would love to say we have greater understanding and cooperation because of the Internet, but there are definitely obstacles. What interests me is seeing this question in a theme park attraction. The script for this version did an excellent job spotlighting issues that remain prominent today.

For the 2007 update, the tunnel changed to resemble something out of The Matrix. Art Director Neil Engel labeled the tunnel as “basically a gauze hose”, which is an interesting way to think about it. This shift connects to the focus on technology with Siemens. Judi Dench’s narration describes a “truly global community” to shape our future. This fits closely with the idea of the Global Neighborhood for the AT&T versions, but now it’s more about how technology helps us achieve that goal.

It’s a Space Station

One of my favorite moments as a kid was seeing the satellite and space station at the top. It felt like the right way to present how advances in communication have extended beyond our planet. It also enhanced the epic vibe. We weren’t just watching the Earth drifting the stars; we were part of the action! The image of a satellite and astronaut on the screen also focused it directly on the communications.

The well-designed scene works because our vehicles move through it. Having the Earth on our right and the sets on our left supports the theme. We pass astronauts on a satellite and see a girl looking out the window of a space station. Our vehicles spin backwards, and it feels like we’re entering the space station. Sadly, this set was covered up for the 1994 update and still remains inside the attraction. Returning to Walter Cronkite, this quote connects well to this scene:

“Today, our search for understanding is unbounded by space and time. Centuries of information stand ready to reach us in an instant … our link with the past … our hope for the future.”

The satellites offer the promise of instant information, and Cronkite’s phrase “unbounded by space and time” is fitting. The space station presents our ability to communicate outside of our planet and into a new era of hope. The stage is set for a rousing finale to nail down this point, but I will cover that song in my next installment.

Captains of Our Own Destiny

What I love about each version of Spaceship Earth is the way the story empowers us to take charge of the future. This goes back to the original version and Lawrence Dobkin’s narration during the planetarium. Dobkin says that “we must return and take command of our Spaceship Earth … to become captains of our own destiny … to reach out and fulfill our dreams.” The idea that each of us has the control to shape our world was a key part of EPCOT Center at the start. Technology would be the tool to make us the achieve this new era, but we would take charge.

It’s an idealistic look at the world, but that’s not really a bad thing. I appreciate that Spaceship Earth has always had an idealistic view of what humanity can accomplish. The visions of our past advances reveal the potential for growth and a stronger community. Irons’ warning about infinite communications rings true today, but all is not lost. We’ve seen the wonders of our Spaceship Earth, and the final step will give us a mission statement for the road forward.

Sources: INTERCOT, Martin’s Videos

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