Disney not happy with Mission Space

[stemikger]

I read a story about Disney suing (ETC) the company that built the centerfuge for Mission Space. There is a lot of acqusations from both companies, but it seems that ETC has several issues on the safety of this ride and that Disney did not let them do all of their own safety tests.

I find there might be a ring of truth to this because I read another article that states people 55 and older have complained of chest pains and nausea after riding Mission Space. Some have gone to the hospital.

Hope the ride is safe, because I want to try it in August.

 

[Buzz2001]

After reading all the articles and reviews, I thought the ride was going to be terribly stressful on the body and after riding it, I don't know what all the fuss is about.

 

[DancingBear]

Any update from this September 2003 article?

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2003/09/08/story4.html

This lawsuit was initiated by ETC, and prior to the opening of the ride.

 

[seashoreCM]

While not nauseous to the point of vomiting, I felt quite giddy after riding Mission Space. At least I am glad I tried it, but probably never again.

There will always be a few people who cannot take the ride as it stands, and also a few people who can take a much more aggressive operation of the ride.

As far as I know the ride can be perked up or toned down to any degree. I wish they had a "chicken session" every now and then, those who want to participate step aside and when about 40 have gone into the "chicken line" they are all loaded at once (I think there are 10 ride capsules each holding 4 people) and the ride is run a little slower for that ride cycle.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

7/31, Did Tower of Terror for the first time (after having chickened out for the past 4 or 5 visits/years). No problems.

 

[TeenaS]

I'm 55 and had no trouble. Following the directions is a big factor. I kept my head all the way pushed back against the head rest, had my eyes open as far as they would go (I was afraid to even blink) and the biggest thing is not to look left or right - just stare straight ahead. When the ride was over I felt "off balance" for about 1-2 minutes but was then absolutely fine. If they hadn't told me it was spinning, I would have never known it. I hate spinning rides but was fine with this. I also know quite a few over 55 and over people who have gone on the ride and a few felt a tiny bit "off" but only for a few moments and then were fine. But again, they followed the directions.

I did hear one mother, I'd say about 28-30, bad mouthing the ride - saying how sick she was after it and in the next sentence she said "and when I looked over at my husband during the ride, he looked sick too". Obviously she didn't listen and did the big no-no: looked to the side and not straight ahead.

 

[Keebles]

After reading the boards I was expecting the best ride ever (I love thrill rides and never get sick on them). I was more than a little disappointed because it lasted like five seconds! The preshow took up more time than the actual ride! I kept saying to my BIL who rode with me "that was it?". He did get a little sick, but it was from clausterphobia instead of the ride. At no time did I not feel safe, however, and it did feel like the ride was well made.

Just one Disney-girl's opinion!

 

[Chuck S]

It really depends upon the general health of the individual, like for all "thrill" rides. My 80yo Mom won't do ToT or RnR, but rides Mission Space several times during each of our trips.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Both my DH and I are 55+ and we rode Mission Space and couldn't figure out what all the hoop-a-la was all about. Neither one of us was dizzy or felt sick or disorientated. We did what was suggested on all the signs and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

We would have gone on more than once but the lines were very long and there were no more FP available so we continued on our way.

It's like anything else at WDW or DL - everything isn't for everybody. There's so much to chose from that if you can't do one ride, there are others to take it's place.

 

[xAmarisx]

I dont know if its just me or something But after I rode MS I felt happy and hyper. Hyper enough to get on the ride 4 more times back to back...I have a strong stomach LOL the wait time was less then 5 mins which was great.

 

[whjoyjr]

The whole chest pains and so on. People work themselves up and blame the ride. I rode Mission: Space last month. It was good, but Rock-n-Roll Rollercoaster pulled more G's IMHO.

 

[TheWho]

I rode it and didn't get sick, but I also followed the directions.
BUT, who wants to go on a ride that requires all these directions or you'll get sick. For the money they paid for this ride, I was expecting something better than a "glorified simulator." Not sure this was money well spent.

 

[Galahad]

Originally posted by Chuck S
It really depends upon the general health of the individual, like for all "thrill" rides. My 80yo Mom won't do ToT or RnR, but rides Mission Space several times during each of our trips.

I hate roller coasters but Love Mission Space. It really depends on the individual.

 

[sgtdisney]

I was one of those people that, after reading the DIS and other forums, was a little bit nervous about riding Mission:Space for the first time. I don't like roller coasters, Space Mountain is almost too wild for me to consider and I HATE drops.

I went on MS last month and I loved it! I went to look at my son next to me for a second and you can tell when you aren't looking straight ahead you can feel the circular motion. So I put my head back again and looked straight ahead per the instructions and I really liked it. Now, my father who was with (and likes rides like ToT and Space Mountain etc.) really didn't like Mission:Space. He felt very dizzy and complained of a headache for hours after it. He told me later that he turned away to watch my son enjoy the ride as well. (Gotta follow those instructions! ) His age may or may not have been a factor as well as he is just over 70.

I for one hope that they don't tame it down. The feeling at 'liftoff' was so fun.

 

[petula]

For all of you who turned to look at the person sitting next to you, how did you manage that? I went on the ride for the first time last week and tried to turn to look at my mom before it began. There was a shoulder harness and a separating wall sort of thing that made it impossible for me to see her, unless (and i didn't try this, because it seemed like way too much trouble) I really stretched myself over and around both of these.

I rode several times and never felt sick, but did notice sensations that were unlike anything any other ride causes, which made me wonder if a lot of people are thinking "I'm sick" when really just experiencing sensations that they're unused to.

 

[ChrisFL]

Originally posted by petula
For all of you who turned to look at the person sitting next to you, how did you manage that? I went on the ride for the first time last week and tried to turn to look at my mom before it began. There was a shoulder harness and a separating wall sort of thing that made it impossible for me to see her, unless (and i didn't try this, because it seemed like way too much trouble) I really stretched myself over and around both of these.

I rode several times and never felt sick, but did notice sensations that were unlike anything any other ride causes, which made me wonder if a lot of people are thinking "I'm sick" when really just experiencing sensations that they're unused to.

Well, the first time I rode, there was a group of about 8 people who were afraid to ride once they heard that it spins. The CM's kept saying don't look to the side, look straight ahead and you won't feel like you're spinning.

Apparently if you look to the side enough you could get sick?

Anyway, I'm a coaster freak and loved launched coasters like RNRC, but even the "launch" on M:S was almost too much for me.

 

[starboard]

I was a bit concerned about the 'SPINNING' on MS also... they kept telling you to not ride It if you were prone to sickness. So it kinda planted that fear. Once the ride began, I LOVED IT... it really has allot of nice G's and I never felt like it was SPINNING. I did follow the directions as well.

 

[gmalijnowski]

I'm 60 and loved every minute of Mission Space during the 6 times I rode it. Had no problems even though rides that go in circles (such as the Teacups or Dumbo) make me sick. All you need to do is follow the simple directions they have posted all over the place and watch the screen - NOT everything else around you and do not close your eyes. And even more impressive was that I was a walking time bomb - one month later I had a major heart attack that I was lucky to survive. I now have 4 stents and will be going back to the park in 2 weeks and I WILL be right back on Mission Space.

In my estimation this was the first time following one of those crazy warning signs really helped - like most other people I usually ignore them - maybe they should put up another sign that proclaims these signs are for real.

WDW over 365 days.
Greg

 

[RealDisneyFan]

Just throwing in my experience at Mission Space. I loved it. And my biggest fear is that they might dumb down the ride some way. They went back and changed the XtraTerrestrial ride not long after its debut. And that was sad. It was a scare the pants off you kind of attraction. But I guess that was too intense for someone. Because when they tinkered with it, they wound up making the experience less believable. making it harder to suspend disbelief.

I would really hate for them to take the same approach to Mission Space. The ride did have its intense moments. But that's part of its charm. And like the Aerosmith rollercoaster, not every ride is for every person.

As for me, I love Mission Space. And I'm headed back to Disney just to ride it again.

So guys.... keep it spinning!!

 

[King Triton]

I think building Mission Space and Test Track was a big mistake. They are big disappointments. That is getting away from the Disney magic. Disney should have built the Mt. Everest ride or Journey to the Center of the Earth ride instead.

 

[laceemouse]

I have extreme motion sickness so I would never try MS, however, as rides, coasters, etc. become faster, wilder, and more exteme more and more people will be bothered by them regardless of age. I personally wish Disney would focus on more rides and attractions that all ages can enjoy together, but I understand their desire to attract the thrill seekers and compete with US, SF, BG, and the like. Just please don't TAKE AWAY things like Spaceship Earth which my family loves!