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Disney World Quietly Updates Spaceship Earth After Recent Changes to Peter Pan’s Flight

A large, geodesic sphere illuminated with vibrant, multicolored lights stands against a dark night sky. Trees partially obscure the lower portion, and flags wave gently on the right side, setting a magical scene perfect for runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend.
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World Resort is once again sprinkling a bit of magic on its historic attractions! Following recent updates to Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT’s iconic Spaceship Earth has received a subtle yet noteworthy enhancement that has fans buzzing.

An animated image of Peter Pan gesturing with his hand in front of a group of Native American characters. A large red "CANCELLED" stamp overlays the scene.

Credit: Disney Dining

Spaceship Earth Gets a Touch of Classic Magic

Spaceship Earth, EPCOT’s beloved geodesic sphere and a symbol of the park itself, has quietly undergone a modification that harks back to its classic glory days. Last month, guests began to notice that the nostalgic lightning effect, which had been missing for years, was back in action. This effect, which illuminates the ride’s descent as guests exit the celestial room filled with stars, was a signature part of the ride from 1994 to 2007.

Reddit user u/kekeguy7 shared a snapshot of the restored lightning bolts, sparking excitement among Disney enthusiasts. The caption read: “Lightning bolt effect restored from 1994-2007 version of Spaceship Earth!!” This update is a delightful nod to long-time fans who remember the ride in its previous form.

A large geodesic sphere, part of a famous theme park, is prominently displayed against a blue sky. Water fountains arch upwards in front of the sphere, and surrounding greenery adds to the picturesque scene. The geometric panels of the sphere glisten under the sunlight.

Credit: Disney

A Surprise for Fans

The restoration of this special effect came as a pleasant surprise, especially since Walt Disney Imagineering had previously shelved a major overhaul for Spaceship Earth planned for the park’s 50th anniversary in 2021. Despite the canceled high-tech revamp, it’s clear that Disney is still committed to preserving and enhancing the classic elements that guests cherish.

Disney Park guests have expressed their joy at seeing this beloved feature return. “The EPCOT maintenance team has done some great work the past year, getting long-broken effects back online,” noted Reddit user u/Neuriion. Another guest, u/User313, remarked, “We rode this on Saturday and talked about how we didn’t remember seeing that lightning before. Neat.”

While many are thrilled to see the return of the lightning effect, some fans had hoped for a more significant update. One user, u/maxfridsvault, humorously commented, “Ohhh so THIS is the big high-tech Spaceship Earth refurb they announced! [sarcastic].” It seems that while the nostalgic touch is appreciated, expectations for a more futuristic transformation remain.

spaceship earth

Credit: Becky B.

What’s Next for Disney Attractions?

As Disney World continues to update its attractions, fans are curious about what’s next for the other parks. Whether it’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s always speculation about which rides might receive the next round of enhancements.

What do you think? Are there any other Disney World attractions you believe are in need of an update? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s keep the Disney magic alive!

About Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

One comment

  1. If WDI REALLY wanted to improve SE they should bring back Walter Cronkite as Narrator and restore the whole Tomorrow’s Child ending!

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