Spaceship Earth, Future World rumors might be true

Park Hopper · 10-11-2003

There's been considerable speculation that Disney plans to revamp Spaceship Earth as part of an overall Epcot makeover that's called Project Gemini by company insiders. One rumor says Spaceship Earth will become a Microsoft-sponsored attraction called Time Racer. Another rumor speculates that Disney is toying with the idea of changing the name of Epcot's Future World to Discoveryland.

Well, I guess I've got far too much time on my hands, but a search of trademark applications reveals that on April 1, 2003, Disney Enterprises Inc. applied for a trademark on the name SSE: Time Racer. Gee, any guess as to what SSE might stand for?

A search also reveals that Disney Enterprises applied for a trademark on the name Discoveryland in November of 2002.

Seems to add some credence to the rumors, but who knows? Rumors are just rumors, of course, but it's interesting to see what a little research can dig up.

monorailgoof · 10-11-2003

That's an Interesting post!
I dunno If I can handle all this change at one period of time!
LOL!
:dazed :laugh
I think that I like FUTURE WORLD better then DISCOVERYLAND!
That sounds weird!
:D
Thanks for the GOSSIP!
Lol
-mOnOrAiLgOoF

Belle's Momma · 10-11-2003

What a depressing thought...:cry: :madmad :( :madmad :cry:
I guess Discoveryland is a more befitting title (since FW is not very futuristic), but it sounds kind of boring. And don't even get me started on SSE. Doesn't Disney know that icons shouldn't be messed with. Remeber the pink castle??? Enough said... Guess I should just get off my saopbox and deal with the fact that this is all likely a done deal.:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
:madmad :)

**Dana** · 10-11-2003

I hate when they make so many changes. I little update isn't too bad, but full blown out changes to things we hold dear and look forward to seeing are just depressing.:cry: I echo the pink cake opinion....it was a tad tacky. I was there with my DD that year for her first trip. She wanted to know why Ciderella lived in a birthday cake....cute thing, but ruined her first impression of the center of all of WDW. That castle is the first "WOW" everybody experiences when entering the MK. I hope their changes to our Epcot icon arent' as severe. Thanks for the information and rumors Park Hopper. As always, you're posts are an advance "heads up" and a favorite part of me logging on to DC.:)

spike · 10-11-2003

I find it intresting that Discoveryland was uttered by Wise durning the media event.

From Orlando Sentinel
________________________________________________

Disney looks to new ideas to boost parks, cruise line

By Todd Pack | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 10, 2003

Disney's most ambitious ride in years has barely cleared the launch tower, but Imagineers already are talking about what's next for the company's parks and cruise line.

One day after dedicating the $100 million Mission: Space ride at Epcot, company officials today are expected to confirm plans to build another ride at the park and to announce several projects for the Orlando resort during the next three years.

They're changes Disney hopes will help the entertainment giant recover from a tourism slump that has softened earnings.

Along those lines, Disney executives also are looking ahead to longer-range projects -- ones that are in their infancy -- at the parks and cruise line.

Though plans are sketchy, there is talk of refreshing Epcot's Future World and extending the cruise line beyond Port Canaveral to California and possibly the Mediterranean and Asia.

"We don't have any current plans or thinking on what we're going to do specifically," Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said Thursday.

But this spring, Disney Enterprises Inc. of Burbank, Calif., applied to trademark the name "SSE: Time Racer" -- the initials of Epcot's iconic Spaceship Earth -- for unspecified "amusement-park services."

Disney also has applied for a trademark on the name "Discoveryland," also for amusement-park services.

"There's nothing greenlighted," Weiss said. "There's nothing concrete."

But "we always do a lot of brainstorming on different things," he noted.

Discoveryland, for instance, has been discussed as a possible new name for Epcot's Future World area, Weiss said.

Conceived as a showcase for cutting-edge technology, Future World faces the unique challenge of constantly needing to reinvent itself as the future becomes the present.

Reducing or eliminating the need to always update Future World's attractions is "something we'll always ask and try to figure out," Weiss said, adding that the company has made no decision about what changes to make, if any.

Less speculative are plans to grow Disney's cruise business.

The company intends to add a third ship to its fleet, but construction plans are on hold because of an unfavorable exchange rate between the dollar and euro, Weiss said, noting that all four of the shipyards that build cruise ships are in Europe.

"You do some preliminary designs, you go out and get a price for that, and then you can really start the process of looking at the currency exchanges," he said.

"We're in the middle of that process right now, of getting the prices back from the shipyards that would build that. But we won't be able to go forward until you get much closer to parity between the euro and the dollar," Weiss said.

Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said the company may expand its cruise business beyond Florida.

"I am very optimistic about the depth of that market for us, not only here domestically, but ultimately internationally, whether we're talking about the Mediterranean or Asia," he said. "California is obviously a cruise market as well."

As for what lies ahead in the next two or three years, Disney executives will discuss several major projects today, the final day of a three-day media tour.

They include the Expedition Everest roller coaster planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom and details of a stunt show at Disney-MGM Studios that is expected to feature stunt cars, similar to an attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.

Disney also is expected to confirm plans to bring to Epcot a virtual clone of Soarin' Over California, one of the most popular rides at Disney's California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif.

The attraction takes guests on a simulated hang-glider ride over California, from the state's redwood forests to its citrus groves and beaches.

Such additions are crucial, not just for Disney but also for Orlando, said Abraham Pizam, dean of the Rosen School of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida.

"It really means a lot," he said. "The parks need to reinvent themselves, to refresh themselves, to add new attractions to give people another reason to come back."

Disney's decision to add several rides and attractions in a relatively short period also could be a powerful enticement for people who haven't visited Orlando, Pizam said. "It could bring a lot of fresh new faces."

On Thursday, as several hundred journalists, celebrities, astronauts and Disney executives looked on, the company dedicated its latest fresh face, Mission: Space.

On stage with Disney Chairman Michael Eisner were Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina, whose company sponsors the ride; NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe; and several astronauts, including Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Wally Schirra.

As a nearly full moon rose behind the attraction, Eisner praised the Disney Imagineers for marrying strong storytelling with sophisticated technology.

Mission: Space, he said, is "the quintessential Disney attraction."
__________________________________________________ _________________

DisneyAnne · 10-11-2003

WOW! I hate to see things change that people are so fond of, but I enjoy changes if they are positive. It does seem as if Disney is unloading alot at once, but they have done a pretty good job of keeping us entertained and coming back for more. I am sure it will all be for the positive. I personally don't care for Discoveryland, but Future World is a hard concept to maintain. Wouldn't it be cool if they held a contest and let the public choose an appropriate name? You could get lifetime passes to the parks.... Just an idea....

**Dana** · 10-11-2003

I like that idea Anne. I wouldnt mind a lifetime pass.

**Turnwrench** · 10-11-2003

Check out this link on Jim Hill's site for the full poop on Project Gemini.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/i...m~contentFrame

mickaholic4077 · 10-12-2003

As long as they don't change the design of SSE,I don't care what they put inside it.

CowboyMickey · 10-12-2003

Hey Turnwrench, welcome to DC! And thanks for that great link, make's for very interesting reading indeed.

Personally, I wouldn't be bothered if they choose to completely redo SSE. Whilst I do love the current SSE incarnation, I feel it is possibly time for it to be moving on. A "Time Racers" concept ride sounds intruiging, and I can think of worst Company sponsors that the alleged Microsoft...at least they'll have the dollar-clout to bring to the ride.

I like Anne's idea of letting Joe Public choose a name for this redevelopment of Future World. "Futureworld" and "Discoverland" sound just a bit on the cheesy side to me...

The thought of bringing the Cruise Lines to other parts of the globe sounds good to me as well...I wonder what a proposed Californian cruise would be like....

CM

MrDisneyfan1 · 10-12-2003

I just hope they do not make it a fast ride. Don't get me wrong, I love fast rides, but SSE is Timeless! I like it because we can start the day there, and end the day there. It builds up the excitement of whats to come, and after a long day, well it kinda brings you back down...weird??
Anyway, I loved the big pink cake castle, I even bought a small replica of it, signed by the designer of the"cake". BUT I would hate for anything perminate to change on it.
Den:D

**DisneyTeacher** · 10-12-2003

I am one of those people who happens to like SSE just the way it is. I loved sharing it with my 5 year old this summer and it was one of his favorite rides in Epcot. I like the addition of new rides but I think some rides should be left to share with the next generation.

LRTJS · 10-12-2003

I too like SSE just like it is. I heard that plans to make any radical changes had been dumped because of the designe of the building and structural something or other! Since it's theme is communication they do need to add something about cell phones...they have definitely changed out world of communication!

tigger · 10-12-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Turnwrench
Check out this link on Jim Hill's site for the full poop on Project Gemini.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/i...m~contentFrame

I read over Jim's info and found it very interesting. I can see the point of change made because of the amount of money and work it takes to keep the concept/content of "FutureWorld" up to date. Face it, most of the content is out of date or state of the art, not Future looking at all.

Doing something of this size, especially to tackle content of this subject is impressive feat to take on.

It would be interesting to see how much (in %) of Walts original dream for EPCOT is present in some form at EPCOT.

There is so much to say on this subject...but little of what I have to say would matter much.

(Mrs. Tigger says trust the imagineers )

DougiesMommy · 10-13-2003

What great information ~ even if it is only rumors at this point. Thanks!

10-11-2003	#1 (permalink)
Park Hopper Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,258	Spaceship Earth, Future World rumors might be true There's been considerable speculation that Disney plans to revamp Spaceship Earth as part of an overall Epcot makeover that's called Project Gemini by company insiders. One rumor says Spaceship Earth will become a Microsoft-sponsored attraction called Time Racer. Another rumor speculates that Disney is toying with the idea of changing the name of Epcot's Future World to Discoveryland. Well, I guess I've got far too much time on my hands, but a search of trademark applications reveals that on April 1, 2003, Disney Enterprises Inc. applied for a trademark on the name SSE: Time Racer. Gee, any guess as to what SSE might stand for? A search also reveals that Disney Enterprises applied for a trademark on the name Discoveryland in November of 2002. Seems to add some credence to the rumors, but who knows? Rumors are just rumors, of course, but it's interesting to see what a little research can dig up. __________________ 30 Minutes from the Mouse

10-11-2003	#2 (permalink)
monorailgoof Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 267	That's an Interesting post! I dunno If I can handle all this change at one period of time! LOL! :dazed :laugh I think that I like FUTURE WORLD better then DISCOVERYLAND! That sounds weird! :D Thanks for the GOSSIP! Lol -mOnOrAiLgOoF __________________ Por favor mantegase alejado de las puertas! Everyday's a holiday....Only in Disney World. A pirate's life for me "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."-Walt Disney

10-11-2003	#3 (permalink)
Belle's Momma Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Boonies!!! Posts: 197	What a depressing thought...:cry: :madmad :( :madmad :cry: I guess Discoveryland is a more befitting title (since FW is not very futuristic), but it sounds kind of boring. And don't even get me started on SSE. Doesn't Disney know that icons shouldn't be messed with. Remeber the pink castle??? Enough said... Guess I should just get off my saopbox and deal with the fact that this is all likely a done deal.:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :madmad :) __________________

10-11-2003	#4 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 24,791	I hate when they make so many changes. I little update isn't too bad, but full blown out changes to things we hold dear and look forward to seeing are just depressing.:cry: I echo the pink cake opinion....it was a tad tacky. I was there with my DD that year for her first trip. She wanted to know why Ciderella lived in a birthday cake....cute thing, but ruined her first impression of the center of all of WDW. That castle is the first "WOW" everybody experiences when entering the MK. I hope their changes to our Epcot icon arent' as severe. Thanks for the information and rumors Park Hopper. As always, you're posts are an advance "heads up" and a favorite part of me logging on to DC.:) __________________ ~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 Coronado Springs~ 10 Port Orleans French Quarter~~11 Port Orleans French Quarter My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Going back to see mickey 352 days 9 hours 36 minutes

10-11-2003	#5 (permalink)
spike Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 260	I find it intresting that Discoveryland was uttered by Wise durning the media event. From Orlando Sentinel ________________________________________________ Disney looks to new ideas to boost parks, cruise line By Todd Pack \| Sentinel Staff Writer Posted October 10, 2003 Disney's most ambitious ride in years has barely cleared the launch tower, but Imagineers already are talking about what's next for the company's parks and cruise line. One day after dedicating the $100 million Mission: Space ride at Epcot, company officials today are expected to confirm plans to build another ride at the park and to announce several projects for the Orlando resort during the next three years. They're changes Disney hopes will help the entertainment giant recover from a tourism slump that has softened earnings. Along those lines, Disney executives also are looking ahead to longer-range projects -- ones that are in their infancy -- at the parks and cruise line. Though plans are sketchy, there is talk of refreshing Epcot's Future World and extending the cruise line beyond Port Canaveral to California and possibly the Mediterranean and Asia. "We don't have any current plans or thinking on what we're going to do specifically," Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said Thursday. But this spring, Disney Enterprises Inc. of Burbank, Calif., applied to trademark the name "SSE: Time Racer" -- the initials of Epcot's iconic Spaceship Earth -- for unspecified "amusement-park services." Disney also has applied for a trademark on the name "Discoveryland," also for amusement-park services. "There's nothing greenlighted," Weiss said. "There's nothing concrete." But "we always do a lot of brainstorming on different things," he noted. Discoveryland, for instance, has been discussed as a possible new name for Epcot's Future World area, Weiss said. Conceived as a showcase for cutting-edge technology, Future World faces the unique challenge of constantly needing to reinvent itself as the future becomes the present. Reducing or eliminating the need to always update Future World's attractions is "something we'll always ask and try to figure out," Weiss said, adding that the company has made no decision about what changes to make, if any. Less speculative are plans to grow Disney's cruise business. The company intends to add a third ship to its fleet, but construction plans are on hold because of an unfavorable exchange rate between the dollar and euro, Weiss said, noting that all four of the shipyards that build cruise ships are in Europe. "You do some preliminary designs, you go out and get a price for that, and then you can really start the process of looking at the currency exchanges," he said. "We're in the middle of that process right now, of getting the prices back from the shipyards that would build that. But we won't be able to go forward until you get much closer to parity between the euro and the dollar," Weiss said. Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said the company may expand its cruise business beyond Florida. "I am very optimistic about the depth of that market for us, not only here domestically, but ultimately internationally, whether we're talking about the Mediterranean or Asia," he said. "California is obviously a cruise market as well." As for what lies ahead in the next two or three years, Disney executives will discuss several major projects today, the final day of a three-day media tour. They include the Expedition Everest roller coaster planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom and details of a stunt show at Disney-MGM Studios that is expected to feature stunt cars, similar to an attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. Disney also is expected to confirm plans to bring to Epcot a virtual clone of Soarin' Over California, one of the most popular rides at Disney's California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif. The attraction takes guests on a simulated hang-glider ride over California, from the state's redwood forests to its citrus groves and beaches. Such additions are crucial, not just for Disney but also for Orlando, said Abraham Pizam, dean of the Rosen School of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. "It really means a lot," he said. "The parks need to reinvent themselves, to refresh themselves, to add new attractions to give people another reason to come back." Disney's decision to add several rides and attractions in a relatively short period also could be a powerful enticement for people who haven't visited Orlando, Pizam said. "It could bring a lot of fresh new faces." On Thursday, as several hundred journalists, celebrities, astronauts and Disney executives looked on, the company dedicated its latest fresh face, Mission: Space. On stage with Disney Chairman Michael Eisner were Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina, whose company sponsors the ride; NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe; and several astronauts, including Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Wally Schirra. As a nearly full moon rose behind the attraction, Eisner praised the Disney Imagineers for marrying strong storytelling with sophisticated technology. Mission: Space, he said, is "the quintessential Disney attraction." __________________________________________________ _________________ __________________ Spike “May your journey forever be laden with peace, and jubilance dreams may forever increase. We look to the future to a beautiful dawn. Till then we will be with you, farewell and dream on, dream on, dream on……”

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Theme Parks
Spaceship Earth, Future World rumors might be true

10-11-2003	#6 (permalink)
DisneyAnne Palmetto Pixie Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,148	WOW! I hate to see things change that people are so fond of, but I enjoy changes if they are positive. It does seem as if Disney is unloading alot at once, but they have done a pretty good job of keeping us entertained and coming back for more. I am sure it will all be for the positive. I personally don't care for Discoveryland, but Future World is a hard concept to maintain. Wouldn't it be cool if they held a contest and let the public choose an appropriate name? You could get lifetime passes to the parks.... Just an idea.... __________________

10-11-2003	#7 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 24,791	I like that idea Anne. I wouldnt mind a lifetime pass. __________________ ~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 Coronado Springs~ 10 Port Orleans French Quarter~~11 Port Orleans French Quarter My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Going back to see mickey 352 days 9 hours 36 minutes

10-11-2003	#8 (permalink)
Turnwrench Administrator Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 189	Check out this link on Jim Hill's site for the full poop on Project Gemini. http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/i...m~contentFrame __________________ Turnwrench --"You're mocking me, aren't you?"

10-12-2003	#9 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	As long as they don't change the design of SSE,I don't care what they put inside it.

10-12-2003	#10 (permalink)
CowboyMickey Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 327	Hey Turnwrench, welcome to DC! And thanks for that great link, make's for very interesting reading indeed. Personally, I wouldn't be bothered if they choose to completely redo SSE. Whilst I do love the current SSE incarnation, I feel it is possibly time for it to be moving on. A "Time Racers" concept ride sounds intruiging, and I can think of worst Company sponsors that the alleged Microsoft...at least they'll have the dollar-clout to bring to the ride. I like Anne's idea of letting Joe Public choose a name for this redevelopment of Future World. "Futureworld" and "Discoverland" sound just a bit on the cheesy side to me... The thought of bringing the Cruise Lines to other parts of the globe sounds good to me as well...I wonder what a proposed Californian cruise would be like.... CM __________________ October 93: Off-site; September 99: Coronado Springs, w/ Hurricane Floyd :nervous; September 02: Coronado Springs; December 03: Coronado Springs/Wilderness Lodge; April 04: Coronado Springs

10-12-2003	#11 (permalink)
MrDisneyfan1 Mouse Meister Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,287	I just hope they do not make it a fast ride. Don't get me wrong, I love fast rides, but SSE is Timeless! I like it because we can start the day there, and end the day there. It builds up the excitement of whats to come, and after a long day, well it kinda brings you back down...weird?? Anyway, I loved the big pink cake castle, I even bought a small replica of it, signed by the designer of the"cake". BUT I would hate for anything perminate to change on it. Den:D __________________ As a Connecticut Annual Pass Holder some of our highlights were: Port Orleans - Engaged Wilderness Lodge - Honeymoon Dolphin & boardwalk Treehouse Villa (great free upgrade!) Old Port Royal & Animal Kingdom Lodge Cabins & The Disney Wonder Disney Wonder & PC 2004 Disney's Grand Californian 2005 DISNEYLAND HONG KONG 2006 BEST DISNEY MOMENT: Navigating the Mark Twain throught the Rivers of America at Disneyland and sounding the whistle!!

10-12-2003	#12 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 19,299	I am one of those people who happens to like SSE just the way it is. I loved sharing it with my 5 year old this summer and it was one of his favorite rides in Epcot. I like the addition of new rides but I think some rides should be left to share with the next generation. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Bay Lake Tower/Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come We're playing in Stormalong Bay right now

10-12-2003	#13 (permalink)
LRTJS Southern Disney Belle Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,403	I too like SSE just like it is. I heard that plans to make any radical changes had been dumped because of the designe of the building and structural something or other! Since it's theme is communication they do need to add something about cell phones...they have definitely changed out world of communication! __________________ Laughter is timeless,Imagination has no age, and dreams are forever! SUPER SOAP WEEKEND!!!!! DW Trip 30 ....CSR ROCKS!! French Quarter All Star Sports All Star Music Pop Century ^i^ * Postcard Pixie * ^i^ ~ Sharing the Disney magic ~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Thanksgiving Trip what a way to give thanks!!

10-13-2003	#15 (permalink)
DougiesMommy Big Cheese Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 567	What great information ~ even if it is only rumors at this point. Thanks! __________________ Cher

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