Trapdoor on Space Ship Earth

**penguinmickdis1** · 10-09-2011, 02:05 PM

Did you know there is a trapdoor on Space Ship Earth? I only found this out recently when writing an article on my blog: The Four Parks: Trapdoor Mickey. You can see in the post the video with Mickey standing on top. Does anyone know where they would enter in the first place?

**N.J.boy@N.C.St.** · 10-09-2011, 08:25 PM

Interesting...that's the first I've ever heard of that...probably used extremely rarely at most

**WDW4Ever** · 10-09-2011, 09:01 PM

I've heard of it before. I'm pretty sure it was for promotional reasons only. Mickey is tethered to the top of SSE via a pole up there as well.

**StewbotTalborg** · 10-10-2011, 07:00 AM

Lou talked about it on the show a long time ago. I think it was in the first year of the show, most likely around Epcot's 25th.

**BamaJenn** · 10-10-2011, 08:44 AM

I believe in addition to the obvious maintenance piece, the trap door was also used as part of the Surprise in the Skies show.

**HauntedGabe** · 10-10-2011, 11:03 AM

Now I'd like to hear an interview with that particular Mickey, stunt person?

**NC_WDW_Daddy** · 10-10-2011, 05:17 PM

I remember those old commercials with Mickey on top of the ball.

**supernova** · 10-10-2011, 07:25 PM

I've seen photos and videos of Mickey waving from the top of SSE. Makes more sense than having a helicopter dropping him off. Still, that ladder better be safe enough to climb up in those clumsy character shoes.

**Dizisit** · 10-10-2011, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by supernova

I've seen photos and videos of Mickey waving from the top of SSE. Makes more sense than having a helicopter dropping him off. Still, that ladder better be safe enough to climb up in those clumsy character shoes.

I'm thinkin' they probably took the costume up there with 'em and then dressed 'im once at the top, then did the reverse after the shoot, maybe...?

**UBMICK35000** · 10-11-2011, 09:51 AM

The following is from R. A. Pedersen's "The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia" (Chapter 3, page 16):

'The (alucobond) panels were intended to be self cleaning (by way of rainfall)....However, the sphere is actually cleaned on a schedule by maintenance workers rappelling down from the top and power washing the structure at night. There is an access panel on the top of the sphere to accomplish this task.'

**weepstah** · 10-11-2011, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by UBMICK35000

'....However, the sphere is actually cleaned on a schedule by maintenance workers rappelling down from the top.....'

I think I just found my new Disney 'Adventure' job!

**JNota0005DakMC** · 10-15-2011, 02:55 PM

i remember seeing a few commercials with either that scene or similar... though i havent heard that being used for characters lately...

**donnyaz** · 12-18-2011, 07:47 AM

If you look while riding spaceship Earth the scene where you are in space you can see the roof and a small trap door all black.

**WDW1014** · 12-20-2011, 09:08 AM

very interesting hmmm

**DopeyDancer87** · 12-20-2011, 07:18 PM

I've heard about it, you can also see the outline of it if you look up in at the ceiling in SSE in the room where they show you the earth and the stars are all around you. Look straight up toward where the top of the ball is and you can totally see the trap door.