Disney+ Just Ordered a ‘Spaceship Earth’ TV Show—and It’s Not What You Think

If you have ever been to Walt Disney World, you instantly recognize EPCOT’s most famous landmark: the massive, silver geodesic sphere known as Spaceship Earth. For over four decades, it has housed a beloved, slow-moving dark ride that takes guests on an educational journey through the history of human communication. But if you thought Disney would simply turn this 15-minute history lesson into a documentary, you are in for a massive surprise.

Disney+ has officially given a pilot order to a brand-new live-action television series based on the iconic EPCOT attraction. Instead of a calm ride through the Renaissance, the streaming platform is pivoting hard into the sci-fi genre, transforming the classic theme park staple into a time-bending, high-stakes teenage drama.

A Cosmic Threat and Time-Traveling Teens

The streaming adaptation is completely ditching the ride’s textbook vibes in favor of a universe-ending adventure. According to the show’s official logline, the story begins when a critical mission to avert an imminent global catastrophe goes awry.

To save the universe, a small band of teenagers pulled from Earth’s past and future must join forces. Together, they are forced to confront a mysterious threat that is as vast as time itself. By pulling an ensemble cast of teens from various points in the past and future, the show aims to honor the time-traveling aesthetic of the original EPCOT ride while injecting it with the narrative urgency of a modern streaming blockbuster. Casting for the pilot is currently underway.

A Marvel-Tier Creative Team

To successfully adapt an opening-day theme park landmark into a compelling television drama, Disney has assembled a powerhouse creative team. The project boasts a roster of industry heavyweights with deep experience in high-concept genre storytelling.

• Jason Fuchs: Serving as the showrunner and an executive producer, Fuchs recently co-created and served as co-showrunner for HBO Max’s IT: Welcome to Derry. His past writing credits include Wonder Woman and Argylle.
• Michael Waldron: Joining as an executive producer, Waldron brings unparalleled Multiverse expertise. He is best known for developing the hit Disney+ series Loki and writing the screenplay for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
• Lee Toland Krieger: Known for his incredibly stylish directorial work on hit shows like You and Shadow & Bone, Krieger is set to direct the pilot episode and serve as an executive producer.
• Production: 20th Television will serve as the pilot’s producing studio, alongside executive producers Adam Fishbach and Adam Fasullo.

Will It Get a Full Series?

It is important to note that Spaceship Earth is currently only at the pilot order stage. This means Disney is funding the production of a single episode to evaluate the cast’s chemistry and the show’s massive sci-fi elements before committing to a full first season. If picked up, it will join the ranks of successful Disney Parks adaptations like Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.

For now, fans will have to wait and see if these time-traveling teenagers can secure a permanent spot on Disney+.