First light fixture in place on EPCOT'S Spaceship Earth for 'Beacon of Magic' lighting effects

Mar 17, 2021 in "Spaceship Earth"

Gallery / 2 Photos
Spaceship Earth point of light install

Posted: Wednesday March 17, 2021 3:51pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Imagineer Zach Riddley has today shared a look at overnight work on Spaceship Earth where the Imagineering team tested the install of one of the new exterior lighting fixtures that will be part of the 'Beacon of Magic' lighting effects at EPCOT.

Spaceship Earth point of light install

Debuting as part of the 50th anniversary celebration on October 1, the new lighting at Spaceship Earth is a permanent addition and will live on beyond the 18 month 50th event.

The fixtures, mounted between the triangular exterior panels, appears to be high-output LED's with a silver enclosure to match the alucobond finish. The central main light that will project light outward is surrounded by smaller lights that will shine onto the surface of Spaceship Earth. Following this test fit, crews will begin adding the lights from the top, then moving down the exterior of the structure.

Spaceship Earth point of light install

Concept art of the lighting shows what we can expect when the effect goes live later this year. According to Riddley, "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."

Concept art of new Spaceship Earth lighting system

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

SoFloMagicDec 16, 2023

Wait, now it looks like a cemetery?

Canesurfer90Dec 15, 2023

I loved the palms, they are just so aesthetically appealing and complimented Spaceship Earth so well. Now, it looks like a cemetery.

jmuboyOct 28, 2023

The off balance trees are visually annoying I like the old thin palm tree look much more

Timothy_QOct 12, 2023

its funny they planted hundreds of trees for Moana. but couldn't spare 2 for the park icon

montyz81Sep 21, 2023

And a ride update or at least a good maintenance update

HakunamatataSep 21, 2023

SE also needs a good cleaning.

James AlucobondSep 21, 2023

IMO, they can forgo the painting if they just replace the ragged trees that flank Spaceship Earth.

HMFSep 21, 2023

A thought occurred to me. In Zach and Co's lets re-create the original entrance as closely as possible project they forgot one tiny detail. Notice the red, black and blue paint scheme on the left and right? restoring that would make the new entrance perfect IMHO.

No NameFeb 19, 2023

Damn, cold!

NelleBelleFeb 06, 2023

??? Totally agree about the staying on property. DH realized what a total inconvenience it was this past summer and that we really didn't save all that much (could've stayed at the Swolphin with 2-rooms for the same amount as the disgusting VRBO we rented that was 25 min. away...2mi my @$$). Part of the reason my mom and chose WDW for our "girls trip" this fall (and not Vegas or some other destination) is that it is quite accessible with a scooter and you can get around quite easily when staying onsite. In all our years of coming to WDW, we've stayed offsite 3x (once as newlyweds without kids, 1x with large extended family, and final time to appease DH, who finally saw the error of his ways)! 🤣

SirwalterraleighFeb 06, 2023

Well the alternative is to stay on property and dump the car… Which used to be just an option…but they’ve sold the place for quite awhile to not really want you if you aren’t at beach club. But I hear you on the distances/mobility. I always applaud Disney for getting ahead of the ADA wave and doing a really good job of designing for handicap access…but the reality is those parks were not laid out by walt/Eisner’s boys to accommodate…long pathways for “transitions” and to disguise show buildings are too much in the weather…wheels or not

NelleBelleFeb 06, 2023

I think for people with mobility-issues it is. A lot of times, even with handicap placards, the handicap spots can be completely full. This was our experience when we visiting this summer. Luckily we had rented a scooter and a big enough SUV to get the ECV and us all in that my mom didn't have to walk to far to the gate (she has congestive heart failure). Back in the day, when we had kids that we were renting strollers in the park, if we had to walk from the back-40 in without a tram, my kds would've been whining before we even hit security. Would've definitely put me in a mood before we even entered the parks. I won't even mention having to walk back to your car at the end of the day, especially if your waaaaaaay out there (and add a sudden rain squall that pops up as well). The trams help and do add a little bit of convenience (and a bit of magic to start and end your day).