Once fully installed, the entirety of Spaceship Earth should look something like the concept art provided, with these lights located between many of the Alucobond panels:
The new nighttime lighting package was announced as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”, the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World which will kick off October 1st, 2021. The new look will debut by then, but will remain as a permanent fixture of the reimagined EPCOT.
Disney previously announced exciting details that will be arriving for Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. One of the announcements included changes coming to the nighttime experience of Spaceship Earth as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” at EPCOT. 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. Disney Imagineer, Zach Riddley shares more details of the transformation below!
As shared by Zach Riddley via Instagram: “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”
Anyone else excited to experience Epcot’s Spaceship Earth transformation? We simply can’t wait for the 18-month celebration to begin on October 1, 2021.
Disney has filed permits for the new nighttime lighting on Spaceship Earth that was more formally announced today as part of the rollout of info for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”.
Thanks to WDWMAGIC and @danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC Forums, we have additional details that these permits are being carried out by Pro Sound and Video. The permits are for the “install of lighting equipment and low voltage terminations.” The audio, video, and broadcast integration company is no stranger to the Walt Disney World theme parks; Their partnership includes working on Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Though the new lighting will be added as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration for the Walt Disney World Resort, this nighttime look will become permanent at EPCOT. The new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.
Disney PhotoPass recently revealed a few of the Magic Shots guests can expect to see around EPCOT during the Taste of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts this year.
The Twitter post features three different “drawings” guests can stand in front of to take a unique picture. The photos are shot with a construction wall in the background, but then the art is digitally added to your photo after.
The designs include some of EPCOT’s icons, such as Spaceship Earth and Figment! There is also a rainbow you can stand under. All of the photo-ops have “EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2021” written next to them.
The effects of Covid-19 continue at Disney World as the company has now confirmed additional changes to its construction calendar. This round of changes effects the Epcot revitalization project.
Disney has confirmed that both Spaceship Earth’s scheduled reimagineering (which had already been delayed) and the new Mary Poppins attraction, Cherry Tree Lane, has been postponed indefinitely.
It is also notable that the preview film at the Epcot Experience preview center has been updated with both new attractions removed. This does not necessarily mean that the projects are cancelled, although there is no indication when, if ever, the projects will be put back on the construction calendar.
A Disney spokesperson confirmed, “As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone development of the “Mary Poppins”-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at this time.”
While no official statement has been made regarding other Epcot related projects (and there are many), we also noticed the “Opening Summer of 2020” signage outside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has been removed indicating a delay to that project as well. Construction continues to progress on the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at Epcot and Tron Lightcycle Power Run rollercoaster over at Magic Kingdom.
