Credit: Anthony Quintano, FlickrWalt Disney World Resort has filed the first of what is likely to be many construction permits for Spaceship Earth at EPCOT ahead of the major reimagining announced at D23 Expo 2026. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming project on the second Central Florida Disney park’s iconic geodesic sphere.
Spaceship Earth Reimagining
At D23 Expo 2026, Walt Disney Imagineering announced plans to reimagine Spaceship Earth at EPCOT. The slow-moving dark ride will continue to celebrate innovation, but with a focus on human connection.
Thank the Phoenicians 🌐 A broadened vision of human connection is coming to Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, bringing this iconic attraction into present day and beyond✨ #D23 #WaltDisneyWorld
Thank the Phoenicians 🌐 A broadened vision of human connection is coming to Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, bringing this iconic attraction into present day and beyond✨ #D23 #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/7A0bFZT6xs
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) August 16, 2026
Walt Disney World Resort previously announced a Spaceship Earth overhaul in 2019, with plans to close the EPCOT attraction in May of 2020. However, the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it long appeared to have been shelved while work continued to transform Future World into three new neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature.
Disney described the updated Spaceship Earth as “classically EPCOT, a journey through time, celebrating the progress made possible through human connection.” However, Imagineers did not share any details about a potential new narrator (currently voiced by Judi Dench), updated audio-animatronics, or any other potential changes to the attraction.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced when Spaceship Earth will close or how long the reimagining project will take.
Disney World Files Construction Permit on Thursday
On August 27, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a Notice of Commencement to “install signage” at 2060 Avenue of the Stars, the approximate address for the Spaceship Earth attraction at EPCOT. As with most construction permits at Walt Disney World Resort, the filing expires within one year.
The Notice of Commencement lists Jon Richards Company as the third-party contractor associated with the project. Jon Richards Company has installed themed elements at all four Central Florida Disney parks, as well as at Disneyland Park in California and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan. The company is currently working on Monstropolis, the new land inspired by Monsters, Inc. (2001), at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Walt Disney Imagineering’s involvement in the project suggests that the new “signage” at Spaceship Earth will be a noticeable, visible change for EPCOT guests. Typically, construction permits for simple maintenance or refurbishment projects are filed by Walt Disney World Resort’s Facility Assets Management Team, not by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Beyond the Notice of Commencement filed on Thursday morning, Walt Disney World Resort has not shared any further information about this construction project or whether it’s related to the upcoming reimagining of Spaceship Earth.
What do you think about Walt Disney World Resort’s plans to reimagine Spaceship Earth at EPCOT? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments!
