Imagineer Zach Riddley talks about the new lighting system coming to Spaceship Earth

Feb 20, 2021 in "Spaceship Earth"

Gallery / 1 Photo
Concept art of new Spaceship Earth lighting system

Posted: Saturday February 20, 2021 3:17pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Yesterday during the 50th anniversary announcement, Disney showed-off some new concept art of the nighttime experience of Spaceship Earth, set to debut as part of 'The World’s Most Magical Celebration.'

Although 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.

Imagineer Zach Riddley has taken to Instagram today to offer a bit more insight into what is coming.

EPCOT is a park about the best of us – what is possible when we embrace the power of imagination and humanity’s ability to make impossible things reality when we work together. We are all connected. That is the theme and the expression at the heart of our work across EPCOT and at the heart of this stellar new visual experience coming soon to Spaceship Earth.
Spaceship Earth is a unique structure recognized around the world. To honor this idea, our Imagineers have created custom lighting features that literally emerge from her unique architecture. These features will shine across Spaceship Earth's silver panels and "connect" with one another, resembling shimmering stars in a nighttime sky.
Spaceship Earth has maintained her classic multi-color lighting design for nearly 40 years – a legacy the team working on this project are keen to preserve. 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 that continues to take shape before our eyes.
We can’t wait to reveal more of the technical innovative and artistry going into this new experience and the team behind the scenes turning imagination into reality.

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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).