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Spaceship Earth

Epcot’s distinctive geodesic sphere is home to this breathtaking journey though the history of communication.
Location:Epcot
Future World
Type of Attraction:Slow moving dark ride
Height Restrictions:None
Typical Wait Time:5-30 minutes
Is It Scary?Nothing scary here!

Quick Links:

Magical Moments
Hidden Mickeys & Other Secrets
Did You Know…?
Touring Tips
Photo Gallery

Your journey through time starts with a cave scene set in prehistoric times (demonstrating the beginnings of the spoken language), continuing across the globe to places such as ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Middle East as you see the development of the written word, the theater, information networks, and the higher arts. Next you’ll visit more recent times as you witness the advent of the printed word, motion pictures, radio, the personal computer, and the internet. As you near the top of Spaceship Earth you’ll see a truly stunning sight – the interior of the giant sphere is transformed into a colossal planetarium, with a majestic view of planet Earth high overhead.

For the remainder of your journey, your attention shifts to a video screen in your vehicle, where you can get a glimpse of what the future holds for you. Simply answer a few questions via the touchscreen, and you’ll get to see a whimsical video of your personalized ‘future’.

Spaceship Earth is filled with dazzling effects and stunning visuals, and is truly a classic attraction (with some stunning new updates) that’s not to be missed!

Magical Moments

  • Nearly every scene is magical in it’s own way, you’re sure to find a personal favorite. The Greek theater is particularly enchanting, set as it is under a beautiful night sky.
  • You can actually smell Rome burning!
  • The music and visuals in the Renaissance scene are stirring and romantic (look closely at the violin player’s fingers!).
  • As you near the top of the geosphere you’ll enter a giant planetarium, with a breathtaking image of planet Earth rising majestically in the night sky.
  • Spaceship Earth veterans will note that many of the Animatronics have been updated. Standouts include the Egyptian scene, Michelangelo, and the Renaissance room (but be sure to look at them all, there are lots of surprises in store!).
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Hidden Mickeys & Other Secrets

  • In the Renaissance scene, look for the painter on the left. On his table you’ll see that he’s left three rings of white paint…
  • Look carefully at the parchment on the sleeping monk’s desk to find another Hidden Mickey.
  • In the Middle East scene, look on the bookshelves behind the scholar to the left. You’ll see several parchment scrolls, three of the them are facing out with their ends forming a clever Hidden Mickey.
  • In the exit area, watch the screens on either side of the giant blue globe. You’ll see lots of spots gliding slowly across the screen, occasionally they will form a Hidden Mickey!
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Did You Know...?

  • Do you recognize the voice of the narrator? That’s Judi Dench, who recently played the role of ‘M’, James Bond’s boss, in the James Bond films, and was the voice of Mrs. Calloway in the Disney animated film “Home on the Range”.
  • Spaceship Earth is 180 feet high and 165 feet in diameter, and weighs nearly 16 million pounds. The support piling for the six massive support legs are buried from 120 to 185 feet into the ground.
  • To be mathematically precise, Spaceship Earth is not a sphere but a pentakis dodecahedron.
  • The sphere is actually composed of two spheres. The outer sphere is comprised of 11,324 silvered facets on 954 triangular panels. The inner sphere contains the tracks and maintenance rooms for the attraction itself.
  • A specially developed gutter system keeps rain from cascading off of the sphere. Rainwater is instead channeled through underground drains that lead to World Showcase Lagoon.
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Touring Tips

  • Spaceship Earth is usually not very crowded. Most people head directly for the headliner attractions (Test Track, Mission: SPACE and Soarin’), saving Spaceship Earth for later. If there is a large influx of people at the gates Spaceship Earth may experience a temporary crowd, but if you wait a while it will usually disperse. If Epcot is exceptionally busy there may be moderate wait times all day long, your best bet then is to try and tour early in the morning or late in the day (even if the line looks long, it does move quickly).
  • Right side or left side? Both sides have equally nice views; if you tour more than once try to sit on both sides so you can see everything.
  • Keep in mind that Spaceship Earth (along with the rest of Future World) usually closes at 7:00 while World Showcase remains open until 9:00.
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Photo Gallery

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