Mission Space Opening?

[smt218]

Hi,
This is my first post here, I have been reading for a couple of months. Sorry, if this question has been asked before. My question is, does anyone know when Mission Space will open? I went in May and saw it being built. I'm thinking of going for Christmas this year, but want to go when the new attraction is open. Thanks in Advance for any help.

[MadMadamMim]

Welcome to the boards :)

It should be open late spring/early summer (which means, it'll probably open in August ;) ) So for a Christmas trip it should be open :)

[rangebob]

The question should be what year will it be opening. They are having multiple problems with it.

[cleo]

Hi smt218, and Welcome to the DIS! :)

The latest reports I've read project a potential opening in Fall of this year. But as Robert Walker said, it sounds like we may not want to hold our collective breaths just yet.

[Safari Steve]

They are printing "Spring 2003" in cast promotional materials. So far, the main problem is eliminating as much nausea as possible. The floor is made of rubber and can be hosed down, but the rest of the pod interior has lots of electronic gizmos that don't like water.
No specific date (or even month) and it's very likely/entirely possible that it will be pushed back until it's as close to perfect as they can get it. I don't think it will be too much later than June, but DO NOT plan a trip around it.

[KFISCHER]

when Mission Space will actually open, I have two words for you:


TEST TRACK

[antnee]

Uh...Steve, is getting sick on this ride a sure thing? ;)

[Ms. WDW]

Sorry to hear they are having problems. I was hoping that it would be ready for my trip early August.

[stinkerbelle]

seriously - what's the throw-up factor on this ride and how do they go about "reducing" it?

[Safari Steve]

The ride system is basically a centrifuge, which simulates increased g-forces, and causes motion sicknes for many, many people. If you experience motion sickness at all, this ride is not for you, and if you are not prone to motion sickness, you may want to wait at least an hour after eating. Increased g-forces can also cause problems for people with high blood pressure. This experience will be very similar to a test performed on actual astronauts during their training (a test that sometimes eliminates people from the program).

As far as opening delays, the plan from the get-go has been to avoid a Test Track-like delay (2 years when all was said and done), so I don't expect anything that extreme. The official info given in cast promo materials was initially spring '03, then fall '03, and now it's back to spring '03.
BTW, Test Track was not the longest delayed attraction opening in Disney history. The winner of that contest is the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. The building sat empty for nearly 9 years before the ride finally opened to guests.


---Ooooh, I nearly forgot to answer the other question. The cabins each have a motion-base, so in addition to the lateral g-forces, you get some pitch and yaw as well (no, the cabins DO NOT turn upside down, forget what you may have read about that). Slight adjustments to angle, acceleration, and top-speed can have an affect (apparently) on how stable tummies will remain during the ride.
Mrs. WDW, it very well may be open by the time you visit in August, just don't hinge your enjoyment on that experience, and if it's open it'll be gravy (as long as you're not a quesy type)

[goofy4tink]

Has anyone else seen that American Express commercial where they have the credit card on the end of the centrifical force thingie?? Every time I see it, I think, "Oh, dear God. Please don't make Mission Space like that!!!" I don't get motion sickness, but that could do it.

[Safari Steve]

The cabin is enclosed, and you watch a simulator movie on an lcd screen, so you're visually unaware of the actual motion.

[MELSMICE]

I wouldn't plan a trip around an attraction opening. Think of it this way - if it's not open when you are there you can plan another trip back to the world!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[DVCajun]

Thanks for the interesting info, Steve. I'm prone to motion sickness, but I'll make sure I pack my medicine. That stuff works and I certainly don't want to miss out on Mission Space!

I mean, motion sickness medicine WOULD work, right? :( ;)

[Feelin' Goofy]

Haven't Heard from ya for a while. Thanks for the info and please keep us updated on this. :bounce: :smooth:

[arizonacolbys]

We were looking forward to going on Mission Space once it opens, too. :D If this ride is simulated with a screen you watch, is it similar to Star Tours?

We both get pretty ill on Star Tours & will unfortunately have to avoid Mission Space if the ride will be a similar type. Thanks in advance for any info!

[stinkerbelle]

thanks so much for your insight...

is it alot like "Cyber Space Mountain" at Disney Quest, however you are spinning around in a circle?!?!

yea, I'll have to pass on this one thank you very much...

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Will there be anything else in the "Mission Space" building to enjoy besides a ride that will be heavy into Motion Sickness ??

Or........Will it be just one ride ?

[Safari Steve]

Wow, lots of questions...

1)It's like Star Tours in that you are watching a screen and you are enclosed in a capsule that moves in relation to what is shown on the screen, but M:S actually simulates added gravity AND reduced gravity. Also, each passenger in the 4-person capsule (there will be 40 total in the building) has a task to perform during the mission. How well you perform your task will affect the outcome of the ride.

2)It's like "Cyberspace Mountain" in that you are watching a screen and you are enclosed in a capsule that moves in relation to what is shown on the screen... but M:S will not turn upside down. Also, M:S capsules carry four passengers rather than 2, and the visual presentation will be much more realistic. Also, like Star Tours, you will enter the cabin from one side and exit out the other side, which means a faster load/unload than C-SM.

3)The post show area will (as far as I know) include some interactive exhibits. I'm not sure how many things there will be to do, but I think it will be more interesting for non-riders than Test Track. The pavillion entrance/ride bypass is through the blue doors to the left of Planetary Plaza.

[Belle5]

Safari Steve,
Are there going to be restrictions on who can ride? (As in pregnant women?) I would never do RR or TT while pregnant but I have been known to ignore a few of the other warnings. If restricted for pregnant women would you say it's dangerous like TT dangerous or Splash Mountain dangerous? (I have done Splash while pregnant.)

How about a height requirement?

[Ted and Holly]

The two words to describe this should be "Vomit Comet".
I can't WAIT!!!

Ted

[Safari Steve]

YES, there will be NUMEROUS health/safety restrictions and number-one, Top-Of-The-List will be Expectant Mothers I wouldn't categorize it as dangerous if pregnant like Splash or Test Track, more like dangerous if you're pregnant in the same way flying a fighter jet or bungee jumping would be. DO NOT RISK IT. (and as far as I'm concerned, Splash is quite a risk too, that sucker can stop pretty abruptly. You dodged a bullet trying that one.)

[KristaTX]

Now I'm kind of sad. I can handle Rock N Roller Coaster, but I can't take motion simulators like Body Wars and Star Tours. I will do Mission Space at least once though. Unfortunately my spaceship's score or whatever won't be very high. I'll probably have to do my "task" with my eyes closed. At least thanks to Safari Steve I am forewarned and don't have high hopes that this will be my new favorite ride.

[Belle5]

Thanks for the heads up Safari Steve! Several expectant moms on these boards have said they've braved Splash and I never thought twice about the abrupt stops. But you are right. I have seen the logs do that. I won't do it again.:(

[tink2dw]

Sounds like I should buy stock in Motion sickness Medinces!LOL!
Or start a stand to sell Mmotion sickness meds!

Safari Steve what will the height/age requirements be??

[Safari Steve]

As always, under 7 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
I have no information on height requirements, although I have been told that it is intendede to accomodate various body types.

[plutospup]

Bring it on! I can't wait!!

[ksdave]

Hate to sound like an old poop (even though I am one), but I'm starting to wish they had just updated Horizons. Sounds like this ride will have a real restricted audience. No pregnent women, no small kids, no motion sickness, no heart problems......basically, how many people are in NASA astronaut shape? I can handle Hulk, DD, TOT, etc. on Bonine, but I don't think this one will work :( .

[joe]

Claustraphobia City!!!!!!!!!!

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the info.
We won't be excited for the opening since it's one more ride my family won't be able to do.

[hygienejean]

I'll be there in May 2003. Don't they have an unadvertised test opening for a few weeks sometimes?? That would be cool. I don't get motion sickness but what a bummer if the person next to me did! ;)

[alexandra uk]

What is the theme of this attraction ?
I understand that it is a simulator type ride, but whats it about ?

[rangebob]

I believe the planet that you are launching to is Mars.

[barbeml]

I read all these posts and my heart is breaking!! I was looking forward to this sooooooooooooooo much--making it a nauseating thrill ride seems like a big mistake. I will gulp down some dramamine and hope for the best, but I was hoping there would be a lot more to this pavillion. Thanks for all the info.

[twinmomto3boys]

Thaks Steve for all of the information!

I'm bummed. This ride sounds too queasy. Oh well, maybe the Test Track lines will be shorter (?)

[Safari Steve]

The post-ride area will contain a game-show type contest themed to competing space missions. Details are available at wdwmagic.com

[donna in Oz]

SafariSteve . . .

Please reassure all of us that their is a chicken exit for this attraction !! More than once, I've used this at Space Mountain, since my stomach and I don't always agree on things, especially at the last minute!!

And if we wait in the que knowing that we intend to use the chicken exit, would it be worth our while (displays, etc.) ??

[Ted and Holly]

Seems to be a LOT of people worried about this ride. I did some looking and found some cool information on WDWMagic.

Mission: Space has been developed by Entertainment Technology Corporation and Disney. ETC has some information about their generic ride systems on www.therideworks.com. Interesting pages to note are their comments on motion sickness (http://www.therideworks.com/ride_sickness.htm) and a render of their centrifuge ride system (http://www.therideworks.com/images/gallery/gallery2.jpg).

The specs on the generic ride system are as follows. It has been theorized that Disney would put their own touch on them:

The ride system manufacturer ETC has released the following specs for the generic version of the ride system. The Disney system appears to be a customized version, but would have similar specifications.

- 3 DoF Electric Centrifuge Platform
- +40°/-55° Pitch
- ±25° Roll
- +360° Planetary
- Up to 2.5 G's - SUSTAINED
- 10 4-Seat Gondolas [40 Seats total per unit]



Also from WDWMagic:


Some more details are beginning to appear on what will take place inside the ride. Remember this is not officially confirmed information, and is therefore always subject to change.

The queuing area inside the International Space Training Center, contains a series of railed areas, similar to Test Track, with a huge Gravity Wheel suspended on one of the walls. There are a number of International flags hanging from the ceiling, representing the International feeling of the training centre.

The flight pods each contain 4 seats, with dividers running between each seat.

Each seat is equipped with an "over-the-shoulder" restraint, and its own sound system.

The pod's interior is very detailed, with a large number of controls and displays in front of the seats, each equipped with a joystick. The pods are far larger than the Cyber Space mountain pods. Standing is possible, similar to Star Tours in scale, but obviously only sized for 4 persons.

The ride is going to begin with the launch countdown, expect some psychological effects to build the tension here.

As launch approaches, the seats will roll back into the launch position (facing upwards, on your back), you will feel the engines roar, and blast off. Expect to be faced with large G Forces, and an immense feeling of speed as the craft escapes the Earth's pull.

During the flight there will be simulated weightlessness effects.

Each member of the 4 person team will have a mission to do during the flight. The outcome of the mission will depend on how well the team performed.


Sorry if this duplicates anything mentioned already in this post. I just figured the more we "know" about something, the less we worry.

Ted

[Safari Steve]

I am sure that there will be some type of pre-show, however I don't have any information on it.
Yes, of course, there is ALWAYS a chicken exit.
There will apparently also be a "panic button". Remember, though, that if one person decides halfway through the ride that they can't take anymore, 39 other people will have their show interrupted, which will slow down all 3 lines (FP, Standby, and Singles), which will in-turn reduce the number of FastPasses available for later in the day (FP will be integrated into the ride control system so that the number of FPs will not overwhelm ride capacity if there is a down-time).