Spaceship Earth, Geodesic dome in EPCOT, US
Spaceship Earth is a geodesic sphere at EPCOT in Bay Lake, Florida, clad in silver-gray triangular panels and rising 18 stories above the park. Inside, Omnimover vehicles spiral up and down a track past scenes of human communication, from cave paintings to the internet. The sphere rests on three pairs of legs.
The attraction opened on October 1, 1982, as part of the original EPCOT facility. Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury worked on the initial story, while several renovations over the years updated the scenes and narration.
The ride shows scenes from different eras, including the invention of the alphabet in ancient times and the printing press in medieval Europe. Visitors see depictions of monks copying manuscripts and Renaissance artists creating their works.
The vehicles rotate and tilt during the ride to direct attention toward specific scenes, with synchronized audio narration available in multiple languages. Wait times are typically shorter during early morning and late evening hours when fewer guests are in the park.
The dome consists of two separate spherical shells divided by a scaffolding system that collects and drains rain through internal pipes. This design prevents water from falling on guests walking beneath the structure.
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