Recently, there’s been talk of an elevator that is able to actually reach into space. While this may seem like a fantasy to many, the Imagineers at Walt Disney World have recently turned this fantasy into a reality. . . . Well, you know, in the way that most things at Disney are a “reality.”
In September 2021, Disney opened the restaurant Space 220 at Epcot close to the Mission: SPACE attraction in the area of the park formerly known as Future World. The “story” is that Space 220 is on the Centauri Space Station located 220 mi. above the Earth. The restaurant provides a unique prix-fixe menu, specialty out-of-this-world cocktails and breathtaking views of Earth through large picture windows, as well as a few Disney surprises.
According to Space.com, the view from Space 220 is a “simulated vista similar to what astronauts see from aboard the International Space Station (the name of the restaurant comes from the altitude at which the ISS circles Earth).”
And how do you get there? An elevator, of course. The Stellarvator to be specific. While aboard the Stellarvator, guests can watch as the elevator launches from Epcot, Central Florida and Earth, climbing to its destination 220 mi. above Earth. According to Collectspace.com, the space elevator follows a vertical track at 10,000 mph.
Of course, in reality, the Stellarvator is a motion simulator with guests seeing projections on the floor of the launch into space . . . but I won’t tell if you won’t.
On Instagram, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley wrote, “Beginning with a trip in the first-ever space elevator, travel 220 miles above the Earth at this new restaurant that fits perfectly in our EPCOT story!” So, next time you’re in the area, check it out!
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