Hallmark to take over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth

**mickey** · 04-01-2004

Orlando - In a stunning announcement today, Hallmark will take over the sponsorship of SpaceShip Earth, the symbol of Epcot for over 20 years. Hallmark will do an extensive remodel of the ride, and turn it into a Small World snow-globe, complete with Hallmark shop, modeled after the It's a Small World attraction at Disneyland. No word has been released yet on what kind of ride will be incorporated into the snow globe. An inside source has told DisneyCentral that it will be similar to It's a Small World in the Magic Kingdom, but more "vertical", and possible incorporating a fall, similar to Splash Mountain. Apparently, they are even going to instal pre-broken ceiling tiles into the ride to give you the same feeling as riding It's a Small World. AT&T had previously sponsored the attraction since 1994.

It had been long rumored that Microsoft would take over sponsorship, and alter the ride into more of a roller coaster/action filled ride. Due to increasing pressure from internet groups and park visitors alike, Disney started to move away from that idea. Pressure increased when Bill Gates suggested that if the updated Spaceship Earth didn't outdraw the other attraction in the park, they would just buy up sponsorship of Test Track and Mission: Space and close them down.

MerlinMatt · 04-01-2004

LMAO!!!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

bumble · 04-01-2004

I sure am glad it's April 1st, :p :D :laugh

**Dana** · 04-01-2004

very interesting mickey....little prankster you.:laugh

Metalfan · 04-01-2004

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

BuzzLightBeer · 04-01-2004

I like the anti-MS jab in there. But scary enough, it would follow MS business policy to buy up M:S and TT, and shut 'em down...however, it would then be followed by some practice like charging extra admission to ride the new SSE, operating it on selected days, etc.

But Hallmark, yeah, that was pretty good. I can hear the theme song already..."It's a beautiful day 'cause it's a Hallmark day." Lose Jeremy Irons for Dr. Phil - "A bright and cheery message can go a long way towards making our world a bright and cheery place."

Willbegone · 04-01-2004

You had me going there for awhile! Too funny! :laugh

crystalrp · 04-01-2004

Good one Mickey!! :laugh

dznygrl · 04-01-2004

Wow, I'm REALLY glad it's April Fools' Day! When I first read this, I started freaking out and cursing Hallmark and Disney and saying, "How could they do that? That's so RETARDED!"....on and on and on....:o

Geez, I feel like a fool! :hmmm :laugh

Metalfan · 04-01-2004

It's alright, the sad part is it actually sounds like something Eisner would do!

MickeyMac · 04-01-2004

LOLOL - Joanne at UOG has a "Floating Ball at Epcot" prank for her April Fool's joke - you guys all crack me up.

And why is everyone picking on that one poor little icon?? LOLOL!

Has everyone heard about the merger between Walmart and Disney??

BuzzLightyear · 04-01-2004

That was the best Aprils fools joke I've seen all day !!

Disnatic · 04-01-2004

that does sound like something eisner would do!!!! That is too funny!!!!:laugh :laugh

disneymom · 04-01-2004

Wow, you got me for a second!:)

Disneybound · 04-02-2004

OH my gosh. I am sooooooooooooooo glad that was only an April Fool's joke. I was falling for it, hook-line and sinker.

04-01-2004	#1 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	Hallmark to take over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth Orlando - In a stunning announcement today, Hallmark will take over the sponsorship of SpaceShip Earth, the symbol of Epcot for over 20 years. Hallmark will do an extensive remodel of the ride, and turn it into a Small World snow-globe, complete with Hallmark shop, modeled after the It's a Small World attraction at Disneyland. No word has been released yet on what kind of ride will be incorporated into the snow globe. An inside source has told DisneyCentral that it will be similar to It's a Small World in the Magic Kingdom, but more "vertical", and possible incorporating a fall, similar to Splash Mountain. Apparently, they are even going to instal pre-broken ceiling tiles into the ride to give you the same feeling as riding It's a Small World. AT&T had previously sponsored the attraction since 1994. It had been long rumored that Microsoft would take over sponsorship, and alter the ride into more of a roller coaster/action filled ride. Due to increasing pressure from internet groups and park visitors alike, Disney started to move away from that idea. Pressure increased when Bill Gates suggested that if the updated Spaceship Earth didn't outdraw the other attraction in the park, they would just buy up sponsorship of Test Track and Mission: Space and close them down. Attached Images Last edited by mickey; 04-01-2004 at 11:33 AM.

04-01-2004	#2 (permalink)
MerlinMatt DC Grand Poohbah Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 3,492	LMAO!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D __________________ Erin's still my favorite.

04-01-2004	#3 (permalink)
bumble Mouse Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Part time Fort Wilderness resident ;) Posts: 1,363	I sure am glad it's April 1st, :p :D :laugh __________________ I cant wait to be at Fort Wilderness Campground! Our on site trips to WDW have been at:CSR, PO R & FQ, WL, Poly, All Star Sports, PC, Fort Wilderness, Contemporary, Beach Club Bumbles buzz!!!® http://www.myspace.com/bumble__bee ,-._,-. \/)"(\/ (_o_)

04-01-2004	#4 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 23,782	very interesting mickey....little prankster you.:laugh __________________ ~82 off-site~91 off-site~97 ASMusic~ ~00 ASMovies~02 Wilderness Lodge~04 Animal Kingdom Lodge~ ~05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian~ ~05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West~ ~07 Port Orleans French Quarter~08 Old Key West~ ~09 Saratoga Springs~10 Port Orleans Fench Quarter~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day do all or die trying trip. 272 days 8 hours 3 minutes

04-01-2004	#5 (permalink)
Metalfan Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 848	HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA __________________ Rock Hard! Ride Freeeeee! Like a tiger in a cage, I begin to shake with rage! Nothing else.

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Hallmark to take over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth

04-01-2004	#6 (permalink)
BuzzLightBeer Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 302	I like the anti-MS jab in there. But scary enough, it would follow MS business policy to buy up M:S and TT, and shut 'em down...however, it would then be followed by some practice like charging extra admission to ride the new SSE, operating it on selected days, etc. But Hallmark, yeah, that was pretty good. I can hear the theme song already..."It's a beautiful day 'cause it's a Hallmark day." Lose Jeremy Irons for Dr. Phil - "A bright and cheery message can go a long way towards making our world a bright and cheery place." __________________ "He's got more gadgets on him than a Swiss Army Knife!" "Impressive wingspan!!!"

04-01-2004	#7 (permalink)
Willbegone Southern Princess Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Too far from WDW! Posts: 2,658	You had me going there for awhile! Too funny! :laugh

04-01-2004	#8 (permalink)
crystalrp Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: skowhegan, maine Posts: 1,235	Good one Mickey!! :laugh __________________ 1972~off site 1982~Contemporary 1998~Port Orleans 1999~Caribbean Beach/Disney Magic 2001~Dixie Landings/Disney Wonder 2003~Wilderness Lodge/Disney Wonder 2004~POFQ and AKL

04-01-2004	#9 (permalink)
dznygrl aka dizzygirl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The breezy shore Posts: 9,335	Wow, I'm REALLY glad it's April Fools' Day! When I first read this, I started freaking out and cursing Hallmark and Disney and saying, "How could they do that? That's so RETARDED!"....on and on and on....:o Geez, I feel like a fool! :hmmm :laugh __________________ Proud former 2-time Disneyland CM Avatar: Moooom, make Alice stop hugging me! 2000 ~ off-site 2002 ~ Polynesian 2003 ~ All-Star Movies 2008 ~ All-Star Music My Disney Countdown Counting down to: The girls' first trip to Disneyland! 41 days 12 hours 3 minutes

04-01-2004	#10 (permalink)
Metalfan Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 848	It's alright, the sad part is it actually sounds like something Eisner would do! __________________ Rock Hard! Ride Freeeeee! Like a tiger in a cage, I begin to shake with rage! Nothing else.

04-01-2004	#11 (permalink)
MickeyMac Cherubic Chocoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,233	LOLOL - Joanne at UOG has a "Floating Ball at Epcot" prank for her April Fool's joke - you guys all crack me up. And why is everyone picking on that one poor little icon?? LOLOL! Has everyone heard about the merger between Walmart and Disney?? __________________ ... back in the frozen tundra!

04-01-2004	#12 (permalink)
BuzzLightyear MB Cast Member ® Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,917	That was the best Aprils fools joke I've seen all day !! __________________ 86,92,96 Offsite * 2002 AKL * 2003 BCV * 2004 Contemporary * 2005 WL * 2006 BWV* 2008 CSR * My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 109 days 18 hours 3 minutes

04-01-2004	#13 (permalink)
Disnatic Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 408	that does sound like something eisner would do!!!! That is too funny!!!!:laugh :laugh __________________ Disnatic

04-01-2004	#14 (permalink)
disneymom Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 450	Wow, you got me for a second!:) __________________ Dec. 1999 First trip ever to DL - offsite Mar. 2001 WDW - offsite (never again) Dec. 2002 WDW - AKL Sept. 2003 WDW - POR Mar. 2004 DL - DLH Feb. 2005 WDW - WL Dec. 2005 WDW/Cruise - POR/Disney Wonder 4 night! Nov. 2006 WDW/Cruise - POR/Carnival Cruise Dec 2007 WDW/Cruise - POR/Carnival New Years Eve Cruise Oct 2008 WDW - POR Nov 2009 WDW - POR Proud member of Disney Overplanner AnonyMOUSE My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Another Disney Trip!

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04-02-2004	#15 (permalink)
Disneybound Big Cheese Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Crown Point, In Posts: 545	OH my gosh. I am sooooooooooooooo glad that was only an April Fool's joke. I was falling for it, hook-line and sinker. __________________ Sept. 1993 Grand Floridian March 1996 Caribbean Beach March 2003 Grand Floridian and the Disney Wonder Ship July 2003 All-Star Sports March 2005Port Orleans Riverside March 2005 All Star Sports