Mission:Space vehicles Spotted and a VERY IMPORTANT FYI!

[Testtrack321]

WDWMagic.com
4 April 2002: Ride System spotted

There are suggestions that part of the ride system was delivered to the Central Shops behind the Magic Kingdom a few days ago.* Eye witnesses report seeing a large flat bed truck, with what looked like parts that match the "Space Simulator Pod" concept.* The truck was being escorted by Disney security. (Thanks to Jason for the information)

The FYI is this

The WDWMagic.com boards have posted that Disney will go as far as sue you over the property rights if you post photos of the M:S ride system. I am DEAD serious here. I am not sarcastic. Hence the Disney security. M:S photos will not be posted on WDWMagic.com if they get them becaue they are worried that Disney might shut them down.

Thanks.

[Josiah Harper]

...the Company's concern if the ride system is as revolutionary as I've heard through the "grapevine."

Joe
***"A WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT VACATION" NEW TRAVEL GUIDE*** (http://www.dannhazel.com)

[JeffJewell]

if the ride system is as revolutionary as I've heard ...I guess the ride system is "revolutionary" in the sense that the thing revolves.

The ride mech is an ETC product, basically one of their G-FET simulators modified for high capacity and a lower G-force ceiling. Anyone with the means to write the check (or the ability to convince some computer vendor to write the check) can be revolutionary. This web page (http://www.etcusa.com/ats/ats_gfet.htm) has details on the stock version of the product.

Jeff

[Bob O]

I dont blame disney for wanting to keep things secret. But with the internet and all the sites worldwide, they cant all be sued and things will come out sooner than they would like them too im sure!!!

[Barb]

I agree with Bob, you can bet someone will post pictures. For me, a picture doesn't do much. I need to see it up close and personal to get the full effect. The whole concept does sound interesting. I can only hope it is revolutionary. EPCOT could use a humdinger to put some zip into FW.

[ContempoSMT]

thats cool

[HorizonsFan]

Disney can only sue if the photos were taken in a restricted area. The folks at WDWMagic seem to think that Disney will sue if ANY photos are released. I think that's a little far fetched...

[philjerden]

...for the link to the G-Fet II system. I see what you mean--it's not as though Disney created this technology.

Phil
***"A WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT OUTING" New Travel Guide*** (http://www.dannhazel.com)

[Testtrack321]

Go to the offical M:S website at http://www.disney.go.com/vacations/missionspace/index.html, go to news, then photos. Go to 2-15-01 (not 02) and you can clearly see a pit, roughly 15 ft. in diameter. Those pods can go in there.

[juniorbugman]

I would not be too sure that Disney would not try and sue. As my name implies Iam a volkswagen fan and have been for a long time. In the last year or two Volkswagen has gone overboard in its efforts to inforce its trademarks and to protect its products. They have sued and served legal documents to hundreds of website for the usage of Volkswagen names, product identifiers, and logos. Sites that were using these logos and such for years as part of their website domain names were told to stop using them or face being shut down. Volkswagen now has over 140 domain names registered to them, some taken over from the original owners. The fight is still on for a lot of websites using the terms like "bug" in their domain names, so if corporate Disney decides to sue or shut done some sites they might just be able to do it, based on Volkswagens example. Just my two cents worth:rolleyes:, so WDWMagic.com boards might be right to be just a bit careful, you never know.:smooth:

[mktiggerman]

Originally posted by HorizonsFan
Disney can only sue if the photos were taken in a restricted area.

all of the ride components are presently stored in restricted areas. When people ask "can we see pictures" and the subject in restricted, that raises red flags, and I personally don't blame them for worrying

[HorizonsFan]

all of the ride components are presently stored in restricted areas.
This is true, however the people on WDWMagic were asking for photos that may have been taken during transport. If I'm on the Monorail and take a picture of a truck on the road, it's my picture to do with as I please.

[mktiggerman]

Originally posted by HorizonsFan

This is true, however the people on WDWMagic were asking for photos that may have been taken during transport. If I'm on the Monorail and take a picture of a truck on the road, it's my picture to do with as I please.

that's why they're shipped in covered trucks, or dissasembled, so they look like construction equipment...

HEY-O... i'll be here all night!

[HorizonsFan]

Which part of the above quote do you disagree with?
There are suggestions that part of the ride system was delivered to the Central Shops behind the Magic Kingdom a few days ago. Eye witnesses report seeing a large flat bed truck, with what looked like parts that match the "Space Simulator Pod" concept. The truck was being escorted by Disney security. (Thanks to Jason for the information)
This is the first post on this thread. If I take a picture of this "large flat bed truck, with what looked like parts that match the "Space Simulator Pod" concept" as it travels down the road, I think I can post them on the Internet or paper my bathroom if I choose...

[larworth]

This comment mentions SEVERAL rides for the same major entertainment leader (Disney). Does anyone know what else ETC has done for Disney?ETC has, thus far, been very successful in the design and manufacture of several unique rides for a major U.S. entertainment industry leader. The Ride Works development group works closely with ETC's Motion Science Institute to enhance the ride thrill features, while minimizing the potential for unwanted side effects, such as motion sickness. The use of sustained G-forces and sub- threshold motion, coupled with virtual visual cues, gives riders the most unique experience they will ever experience. Says Mitchell, "I really believe that the rides being produced by ETC do not exist anywhere else in the world -- not anywhere! It is exciting to be the first and only company to have the talent and facilities to produce these phenomenal entertainment experiences." Again there is the term RIDES. Looks like they have used the Disney project to launch a much bigger thrust into the entertainment sector. Entertainment Technology Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Environmental Tectonics Corporation (Amex: ETC) today announced the grand opening of The Ride Works(TM), a state-of-the-art entertainment ride development and test facility at its Southampton, PA, USA headquarters. William F. Mitchell, President and CEO, stated, "This facility promises to be a cutting edge, premier development and test center for the creation of innovative, next-generation entertainment and show rides worldwide." Can’t wait to give these babies a spin. I guess I should have phrased that the other way around.

[airlarry!]

Just some housecleaning. The Mission:Space website is:

http://www.disney.go.com/vacations/missionspace/index.html

Did you notice in the press release announcing The Ride Works from ETC this quote from the company president:

The Ride Works development group works closely with ETC's Motion Science Institute to enhance the ride thrill features, while minimizing the potential for unwanted side effects, such as motion sickness. The use of sustained G-forces and sub- threshold motion, coupled with virtual visual cues, gives riders the most unique experience they will ever experience. Says Mitchell, "I really believe that the rides being produced by ETC do not exist anywhere else in the world -- not anywhere! It is exciting to be the first and only company to have the talent and facilities to produce these phenomenal entertainment experiences."

Sounds like Star Tours on Steroids, without the sickness.

[JeffJewell]

larworth...Does anyone know what else ETC has done for Disney?...I know that the CyberSpace Mountain cabs are ETCs, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear the Star Tours and/or Body Wars mechs came through that pipeline, as well. They're certainly ride mechs that are in ETC's bailiwick, and we know Disney and ETC have an on-going relationship.

airlarry!...Sounds like Star Tours on Steroids...yeah, ETC's technology makes for a solid foundation. The part that has me concerned is how much the Imagineers have been allotted to add the Magic.

It's likely to be a "fun" ride even without much Pixie Dust, but I'll tell you up front that I'm going to be disappointed in Disney if that's what ends up happening. The scuttlebutt I've heard is that it's headed that direction, but there's really nothing for it but to wait and see, at the moment.

Jeff

[Another Voice]

What’s really funny is that several pictures have been floating around the Internet showing the circular foundations for the four spinning units in the pavilion and the exact ride mechanics have been known for a long time. I wonder how much these threats are really serious (and how much they are to cover up some embarrassment over the attraction itself).

The ‘Star Tours on steroids’ comment is probably pretty close in terms of the physical sensation of the attraction (although call it a Maytag on steroids is probably a little closer). In terms of storyline….

What gets me is that all the majesty and wonder of space is being reduced to nothing but a “spin, puke, buy a tee shirt” experience. Long gone are any attempts to have the attraction live up to its subject matter.

[larworth]

A look at ETC’s books shows they’re getting this tidy sum from Disney for the ride mechanism.

2000-----3.7
2001-----8.4
2002----23.6 (list as backlog)

Total--- 35.7 million

I can't recall what the official/unofficial? total spend was going to be, but wasn't it well over $100 million? Would think that even after installation and infrastructure expenses this ought to leave a few million for some pretty good added show effects!

[Distriv]

I remember a rumor from a while back about Mission: SPACE having some weight lessness. An experiance like ToT excpt longer. Has anyone heard about this?

[airlarry!]

Mr. Voice:

A long while back, Jim had an article on what Mission:Space was supposed to be--a simulation of a trip to a space station, with some weightlessness somewhere in there, and a trip back.

Do you remember that one? Was there some truth in that series of articles?

[Another Voice]

On weightlessness: it’s not real weightlessness at all. Any more than you’re really “falling” off the launch bay in ‘Star Tours’. It’s an effect done by tricking your body. Essential (oops, according to rumors), they’ll just throw the centrifuge into neutral for a few brief moments and that produces a very realistic sensation. Since very, very few people going to Disney World have been in space or been tossed across the sky in a jet fighter, most people will “think” it feels like being weightless. But it’s just really the combination of what your eyes are telling your brain, what your brain is expecting to feel, and a natural muscle reaction to being squished by centripetal forces for a few minutes.

You can get the same response at home. Stand in the middle of a doorway and press with your arms against both sides of the door frame as hard as you can for two minutes. Really press hard to tire out your muscles. When you finally stop, your arms will “magical” float in the air and they’ll feel weightless. Anyone who has had a cast removed knows the same sensation. The ‘Mission: Space’ ride system is just a flight simulator and the military’s had thirty years to refine all the tricks.

The Space Pavilion had always been planned as one of the premier attractions for EPCOT Center. Being that space is the center point for the future and since WDW is so close to the Kennedy Space Center, it all kind of made sense. The original pavilion had always been a pre-mission “pre-show” leading to a ride simulation journey into space. You would arrive at a space colony (the bulk of the pavilion) filled with other attractions (think ‘Wonders of Life’). The goal was to offer several hours of exploring the complex.

Cut to Space: The Shrinking Frontier. Eisner refused to spend any of his money on the attraction and General Motors’ experience with ‘Test Track’ sacred away anyone willing to drop major bucks on a new attraction at WDW. The pavilion was hacked down into nothing but the ride element to save money (and to make sure the guests are out buying plush). One rumor claims the average guest will spend less than fifteen minutes inside the ‘M:S’ building (that’s line, pre-show, spin cycle, and exit through the shop).

There will be a minor exhibit of movie props and NASA material at the attraction’s exit, very similar to the exhibit in Disneyland. In fact, it might actually BE the Disneyland exhibit to save even more money. Of course, one of showcase elements here in Disneyland is an area that lets you listen to a microphone catching the winds blowing on the surface of Mars. Well, it would have. The probe that the exhibit talks about actually crashed on the planet over four years ago and Disney hasn’t bothered to change or remove its exhibit.

You get the feeling that the Disney suits just don’t care anymore...


(P.S. Before the “small is good business sense” crowd starts in – according to rumor Disney spent more on making and marketing the disastrous ‘Mission to Mars’ movie than they spent on ‘Mission: Space’. Which is a better use of those funds – a movie that tanked in the theaters in two weeks or a full-fledged pavilion that will attract guests for twenty years? Even in weightlessness it’s still possible to be penny wise and pound foolish.

[OnWithTheShow]

Way to ruin my day...AGAIN

[raidermatt]

If Space really is the 15 minute experience described (including queue effects), we'll know soon enough.

Maybe I can get a plush asteroid belt?

[JeffJewell]

Still eagerly awaiting the Atlantis plush line ...ah, but you forget that Atlantis was an attempt to go after the 'tweener market that Disney has trouble attracting. Hence all that neat death in the flick, and the alledged Mignola-esque artwork to go after the early teen comic fanboys (and honestly, I didn't see the resemblance, even though I was looking for it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are subtleties of Mignola's gift for capturing movement on a static page that go far beyond drawing fingers and jaws with a t-square... and were never likely to translate well to animation. Who needs a gift to capture movement with moving images? But I digress...).

The Atlantis "plush" was all those action figures that were available at half price at the Disney Stores about a week after the movie opened... and for less than that at Wal-Mart one more week later.

Jeff

PS: A lot of folks don't realize that "PLUSH" in "PLUSH shops" is actually a Presslerian acronym for "Push Lotsa Useless $#!+, Hard."

[OnWithTheShow]

Oh no not another contributor to our litigious society...
Scoop are you also one of the ones that wants to do anything possible to prevent the economy from improving?

[raidermatt]

JeffJ- I know many disagree, but I'm one who thought Atlantis was a decent film. As you said, it is more of an adventure story, and therefore more for tweeners and action-seeking adults. But I think Disney did a poor job getting their point across. The use of a Styx song in the trailers helped, but that just wasn't enough. If they are going to make such a departure from their traditional faire under the Disney Animation banner, they need to hit us over the head with the fact that it is different before the film ever hits the screen. I just don't think they did enough here. ENG also had marketing issues.

L&S has me somewhat confused at this point. I'm hearing PG rating, and they are using AC/DC in the trailers, which makes me think they are again aiming for an audience a little off from their traditional target. However, the theme is the importance of family, and it does have a cute (?) "plushable" character, so I'm not sure. Still, I'm definitely looking forward to it.

But back to the point... I've just been making a plush comment after some of AV's posts because:

1- He makes a plush comment in every post longer than 2 paragraphs. ;)

2- He's said that nothing gets done (movies, attraction re-do's, etc) without a plush tie in. I just like pointing out that there was no such plush tie-in with Atlantis. Using your definition of plush, however, it would qualify. But I just think its hard to use the blanket "plush" criticism. Disney took a chance with Atlantis. It didn't work out as well as they had hoped, but I don't see how one could accuse them of making Atlantis because they thought they could sell a lot of plush. They could have taken a more traditional route if that was their motivation.

They tried something different, which is at least part of what many criticize them for.

As for Space, I think your approach makes the most sense:

...there's really nothing for it but to wait and see, at the moment.

If it is just a fun ride with a merchandise store at the end, I too will be disappointed.

[Another Voice]

Mr. Scoop, your skepticism is naturally warranted. After all the nay saying was swept aside by the stunning announcements at the 100th Birthday press event, seeing the graceful spires of the dragon’s keep rise so dramatically over the massive Beastly Kingdom expansion or that special project now under construction on the shores near the Magic Kingdom – it’s only naturally not to believe that corporate plans could never change, that contingencies may not be needed, and that “WDI’s #1 priority” means the same thing as “Mike says build it”. Why even the stunning success of the Pop Century Resort shows that you can’t judge any project by its plans. You have to BUILD it before you decide if it’s good or not; all those drawings and blueprints are just so much marketing material.

As for the size and scope of ‘Mission: Space’, check with the good folks over on WDWMagic.com at http://www.wdwmagic.com/space_pavilion.htm. About half way down the page there is a very good overhead shot of the ‘M:S’ construction zone. The site is roughly the same area as the dome portion of ‘Wonders of Life’ and you can clearly see the concrete pads for the four centrifuge units. Keep in mind that all the ride equipment, queues and backstage stuff (offices, maintenance, sponsor’s lounge, etc.) have to fit in the building too.

As for a “souped up Body Wars”, well I guess if it fits. It’s a little more complicated but it is “just” a simulator. And there’s nothing wrong with that…


P.S. – as for “file sharing”, I’m really beginning to think it’s a new fact of life that the entire entertainment industry is going to have to get used to. Much like publishing did with the Xerox machine.

[Testtrack321]

Do we dare grant Paul Plushler such broad powers?? :)


Lets just say that I wouldn't let him do my tax returns. There is plenty of room for other things in the show building. I'll copy the picture to my desktop and I'll play around with it.