Epcot’s Spaceship Earth is receiving a significant upgrade to its nighttime lighting package. The upgrade comes apart of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration, but Spaceship Earth’s changes have been described as a permanent addition.
The original announcement said “new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another and resembling stars in a nighttime sky.”
Now, we have a bit more information courtesy of Imagineer Zach Riddley.
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Riddley reiterated the language from the original announcement and added a bit more information.
“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.”
The updated lighting package will also reportedly include a new audio loop. Disney will reveal more details soon on how they’ll pull off the appearance that the panels are “connected” and representing a starry sky.
It’s nice to learn that Disney isn’t completely abandoning Spaceship Earth’s lighting schemes guests have loved for years. But, as we’ve seen in other areas around Epcot (RIP Innoventions West), Disney is moving in a new direction at Epcot. The arrival experience, Spaceship Earth and the area now called World Celebration are big departures from the Epcot of old.
We look forward to learning more about Spaceship Earth’s new look soon.
