Spaceship Earth at EPCOT: Exploring the Past to Create a Brilliant Future
“Scientific people…know very well that Time is only a kind of Space.” —H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
As any decent history major will tell you, studying the past truly matters because it helps us understand where we are now and how to avoid mistakes in the future. (My degree is not worthless, thank you very much!) “Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it,” is a phrase we certainly seemed doomed to repeat at the very least.
However, Spaceship Earth at EPCOT takes this slightly sleepy concept and turns it into an exciting journey, exploring the past from a fresh, new angle that, frankly, I wish I could’ve stolen for my master’s research.
This slow-moving dark ride takes you back in time in order to catapult you into the future, an excellent reminder that all time is indelibly intertwined. This journey also reminds you that your time in history makes an impact, even if you might feel small. Indeed, Spaceship Earth ride is here asking the big questions: how will you use your time to create the future you want to see?
Spaceship Earth: The Icon of EPCOT
“Looking at these stars suddenly dwarfed my own troubles and all the gravities of terrestrial life.”
—H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
When you think “EPCOT,” what comes to mind?
For most of us, it’s probably the giant golf ball (professionally known as a geodesic sphere).1 Although sweet, little Figment the dragon is definitely a close second!
It took Imagineers two years to make this engineering marvel, and it was the first thing people saw when entering EPCOT on its opening day in 1982.2 Meant to be part of a “permanent World’s Fair,” the golf ball remains the centerpiece of the park.3 While it might not exude the same whimsy as Cinderella’s Castle, Spaceship Earth is still pretty magical—it houses an entire ride within its glimmering walls! Beat that, Magic Kingdom!
Since its opening, the ride has undergone some changes, but the concept of traveling across thousands of years of history has always remained the same. And there’s always been an emphasis on the importance of communication in civilization (partly because that’s genuinely a big deal and partly because Spaceship Earth was sponsored by phone companies like Bell and AT&T respectively).4 The narration of the ride was scripted by Imagineers and esteemed science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury—seriously, everyone needs to read Fahrenheit 451—while historical accuracy was ensured by the Smithsonian Institute.5
Different voices have narrated the journey throughout the years, including Walter Cronkite and Jeremy Irons. Currently, it is Dame Judy Dench who leads us through time, along with the graceful swell of an astounding orchestra that seamlessly captures the sound of each era.
Another refurbishment has been on the horizon for the past few years but was postponed due to the pandemic. While further news on the subject has been scarce, if there’s one thing Spaceship Earth teaches us, it’s that time is sure to bring change as it marches ever onward.
Enlightening in the Dark
“As I stood there in the gathering dark I thought that in this simple explanation I had mastered the problem of the world…” —H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
At its core, EPCOT exemplifies the heart of Walt Disney, a man who was mindful of the past, awed by nature, and infatuated with invention and progress. Some might call it a paradox, but I think Walt was onto something. Past, future, industry, and nature don’t necessarily have to cancel each other out.
Rides like Living with the Land help exemplify this—a quiet water-ride through the art of agriculture, with an inside peek into Disney’s truly spectacular gardens.
Spaceship Earth is certainly a kindred spirit to this. In style, I’d say it’s like the PeopleMover meshed with the Carousel of Progress. Gentle, continuously loading “time vehicles” roll leisurely through the ages, past vivid scenes brought to life with audio-animatronics.
The entire ride lasts just over 15 minutes. While mentally stimulating, it is physically relaxing, offering an excellent escape from the heat and much-needed time off your feet. The darkness might make little kiddos anxious, but there’s nothing truly frightening about Spaceship Earth. (Except occasional cases of existentially induced ennui brought on by over-contemplation of the cyclical yet linear nature of our lifetimes.) In fact, it’s consistently rated as a must-ride, family-friendly attraction!
With its continuously loading vehicles, Spaceship Earth miraculously manages short wait times despite its popularity. It’s the busiest first thing when the park opens since it’s right at the entrance, but if you return later, you won’t have long to wait. (Oftentimes, the line is less than 30 minutes long!)
Time After Time
“So I traveled, stopping ever and again, in great strides of a thousand years or more, drawn on by the mystery of the earth’s fate…” —H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
Your journey through time begins with lonely hunter-gatherers, just developing a record-keeping system on cave walls, then will fast forward to an ancient Egyptian who’s inventing papyrus. I love the detail that “an unknown Egyptian” is the inventor of this world-changing thing. This note drives home the fact that anybody can make a big difference in the world. (Yeah, I’m talking about you!)
Next, you’ll run across Phoenicians creating an alphabet and a group of Greeks discussing mathematics. I would be tempted to destroy this subject when time traveling, thereby saving myself from high school geometry class, but as a responsible Creative Editor, I must sadly advise you to remain in your seat when you ride Spaceship Earth…
In the blink of an eye you’ll experience the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, meet Jewish and Arab scholars who are busy protecting literature, and watch the printing press come to fruition.
All the while, Dame Judy pleasantly points out astute observations on the parallels between these ancient cultures and modern life. For example, have you ever considered that Roman roads were the first worldwide web?
Find yourself welcomed to the Renaissance before being flung into the Roaring Twenties. Snazzy cars, the moon landing, and home computers whizz by ushering you toward the present day.
It might seem fast, but that’s how time moves, isn’t it?
Finally, you’ll begin moving backward as your “time vehicle” returns you to your own place in the world. A computer screen will come to life in your vehicle, and by answering a few quick questions, you’ll be able to create a customized vision of the future—a great, big, beautiful tomorrow, no doubt!
Although the result might be (adorably) like something from The Jetsons, the question is one to take with you long after the ride is over. What do you want the future to look like?
Well, as my favorite time traveler has so eloquently put it:
“We’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?”
(The Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who)
What’s your favorite part of Spaceship Earth? Exploring the past or designing your future? Let us know in the comments below!
We’ll see you in the future!
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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