WDI’s Zach Riddley Shows Off Installation of New Permanent Lighting Package on Spaceship Earth

Walt Disney Imagineering Site Portfolio Executive Zach Riddley took to Instagram to show off some testing and installation that will debut on Spaceship Earth for the Most Magical Celebration on Earth as part of the icon’s new permanent lighting package.

UPDATE 3/18/2021:

  • Jason from Walt Disney Imagineering was featured on the Disney Parks TikTok showcasing these lights, and explaining how not only are they a single point, but they have been modified to reflect color onto the triangular faces that make up Spaceship Earth.
@disneyparks

Spaceship Earth Lights, Spaceship EARTH LIGHTS, SPACESHIP EARTH LIGHTS! 🌐✨ #Disney #DisneyParks #EPCOT #WDW #Imagineer #Lights #SpaceshipEarth

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What’s Happening:

  • Zach Riddley, Walt Disney Imagineering Site Portfolio Executive who oversees everything EPCOT as of late, as well as frequent social media user, took to Instagram and posted some photos of overnight testing and installation of some light fixtures that will debut on Spaceship Earth in the coming months.
  • As part of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, Spaceship Earth was named as one of the anniversary celebration’s “Beacons of Magic” which a lot of people thought meant a temporary projection overlay, when in actuality Riddley teased before the 50th announcement that Spaceship Earth would be getting a new permanent lighting package as part of the new entry plaza enhancements that included the return of the classic glass pylons, and new flags sporting original pavilion logos.
  • Riddley captioned his photoset: “A few weeks ago we shared our exciting plans for new Spaceship Earth lighting debuting Oct. 1, 2021 as a Beacon of Magic during the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World. Today I’m excited to give you a first look at one of the points of light, as overnight our team test fit the very first of these fixtures before we start installing at the top and working our way down! Our team at Imagineering has been hard at work innovating the design and technology for this poetic and inspirational lighting concept. And we’ve had to get quite ingenious in how we go about installing these new fixtures and all the high-tech systems so that they seamlessly integrate with the iconic profile of Spaceship Earth. There is a lot more work ahead as we continue installation and ready for testing, but I couldn’t wait to share with you that we’ve begun.”

  • The celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World will be known as the “Most Magical Celebration on Earth.” Along with Spaceship Earth, Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom is also undergoing a bit of a makeover, featuring golden bunting, sparkling golden embellishments, and a 50th anniversary crest. The Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also be transformed into “Beacons of Magic” for the event, though based on press releases and concept art, those two icons will be limited to minimal touches, likely consisting of projection based effects.
  • The Most Magical Celebration on Earth kicks off on October 1st, 2021.

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