EPCOT Closes Spaceship Earth Entrance Indefinitely, Guests Sent Elsewhere

So if you’ve been to EPCOT lately and wondered why you couldn’t get into Spaceship Earth the normal way, we finally have an answer. And it’s kind of wild. The giant golf ball is dripping. Yep. The main entrance to Spaceship Earth is closed, and according to cast members at the attraction, it’s because water dripping from the sphere is making the walkway underneath way too slippery. Guests are now being sent to a temporary entrance on the side of the ride instead. Don’t panic, though. Spaceship Earth is still open. You just have to walk a little farther to get in.

Wait, What Happened?

Guests showed up in the World Celebration neighborhood on Thursday, October 22, and found both the Standby and Lightning Lane entrances under the sphere blocked off. There was no announcement, no heads-up, nothing. Signs and Cast Members just pointed everyone to a new entrance on the side of the building, closer to Project Tomorrow, which is the interactive area at the end of the ride. A cast member was also standing at the side entrance scanning Lightning Lanes with a handheld device. And while the closure got noticed on Thursday, some reports say the main entrance may have actually been closed for a few days already.

Here’s Why It’s Closed

Cast members said water drips from the bottom of Spaceship Earth, mostly when it rains. When the belly of the sphere starts dripping, the walkway underneath gets super slippery. And guess which walkway that is? The exact one everyone uses to get on the ride. So yeah, thousands of people a day walking across a slick path right under a dripping giant ball is not ideal. Closing it off makes total sense. If you look up at the underside of the sphere, you can actually see what looks like water streaks. Once you notice them, you can’t unsee them.

What the Old Entrance Looks Like Now

The main entrance is blocked with a black strap stretched between stanchions, right under the Lightning Lane and Standby Entrance signs. There’s a little sign on it that says “Exit Please Do Not Enter,” and the posts nearby are wrapped in blue padding. Funny detail: the black mats are still on the ground, and a purple Entrance flag is still hanging off the strap. So technically it still says entrance. It’s just not one. There’s no word on when the main entrance will reopen, but we’re guessing Disney is working on a fix.

How to Get In Now

The temporary entrance is way back from the sphere, at the start of a path along the side of the attraction. Look for an A-frame sign that splits Standby and Lightning Lane guests, and you’ll see Cast Members hanging around to help. There’s a reason it’s set so far back. Guests have to walk past the ride’s warning sign before going in. The sign says “Those who are made uncomfortable by enclosed, dark spaces should not ride,” reminds you to keep an eye on your kids, and has a Must Transfer icon. Just know the side route means a longer walk to the queue. Not a huge deal, but plan for it if you’re trying to squeeze in a lot before your next reservation.

There’s Even More Going On With Spaceship Earth

This isn’t the only thing happening with the attraction. An exterior panel refresh started back in August 2025, focusing on the flat panels along the Project Tomorrow building. And the big one: at D23 in August, Disney announced it’s reimagining Spaceship Earth with a focus on human connection. Fun fact, an overhaul was originally planned for 2019 but got shelved because of COVID-19 delays. Disney still hasn’t said when the ride will close for the new version, and nobody knows yet if Dame Judi Dench will stick around as narrator. As for the dripping? No word on whether the reimagining will fix it. For now, the side entrance is the workaround.

So, Should You Still Ride?

Absolutely. Spaceship Earth is open and running. Just follow the signs to the side entrance, have your Lightning Lane ready if you have one, and give yourself a few extra minutes for the walk. And maybe don’t stand directly under the sphere on a rainy day.