Disney has finally announced that May 26th will be the closing date for this version of Spaceship Earth. The attraction will undergo an extensive retheme and emerge as something familiar, but very different. 

, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set

Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time; and for a brief moment we have been among it’s passengers. But where are we going? And what kind of future will we discover there?

Spaceship Earth has long been rumored to close for up to two years while Imagineers update scenes throughout the attraction, including an all-new “grand and miraculous” finale. There’s no word on how long this attraction’s update will take, but most of EPCOT’s changes are expected to be complete for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, on October 1st, 2021.

, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set
Herb Ryman’s illustrations of EPCOT were always so glamorous

Spaceship Earth’s Total Overhaul

Details for Spaceship Earth’s reimagining emerged at the last D23 Expo, at the Parks & Resorts panel, Bob Chapek (who is now CEO of The Walt Disney Company as of yesterday) announced Spaceship Earth’s theme will be reworked. The focus will no longer be on the history of communication. Instead, Spaceship Earth will now tell the history of humanity’s storytelling. Many of the show-scenes that we know and love will receive updates, and others will become entirely new scenes! New special effects will be seen throughout, including the “Spirit of Storytelling” following along.

, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set

The iconic narration provided by the legendary Dame Judi Dench will be lost to the annals of time. Now, a new and yet-unnamed narrator will host your trip through the geosphere.

One thing we know now… we’ll still visit Egypt, but the scene will be completely transformed through the “power of light”:

, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set
This looks beautiful!

A new post-show experience and exit will also debut with the updated attraction, we’ve only seen concept art so far:

, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set
New Spaceship Earth attraction exit, leading into the new World Celebration area

Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming,” and Spaceship Earth has truly lived up to that vision. This will be Spaceship Earth’s fourth and most ambitious update since its first day of operation – October 1st, 1982.

We’re torn on losing an integral aspect of EPCOT’s park icon. We have come to love the history of communication as told by Judi Dench, and it has been a major factor in EPCOT nostalgia. Although, we’re also excited to see all the updates and a creative new approach to the classic attraction. Spaceship Earth will close on May 26th, so be sure to stop by before everything changes forever.


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, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set

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Let’s Hear From You

Will you miss the current version of Spaceship Earth? What do you think of the previewed changes coming to Spaceship Earth so far? Any guesses on who the new narrator will be? Let us know in the comments below. 

, Final Countdown for Epcot’s Spaceship Earth – Closing Date Set

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Chloé Ferreira
Chloé loves ‘90s EPCOT, roller coasters, kitschy dark rides, a good background area music loop, Hot Butterbeer, and all things Halloween. You’ll mostly find her wandering around Orlando’s biggest theme parks snapping pics and sharing tips… or probably talking about The Great Movie Ride.