Disney not happy with Mission Space

[Uncleromulus]

I wish that too!!
But we are in the distinct minority, and Disney is simply following the crowd when they remove attractions like Horizons and World of Motion, and add Test Track and Mission Space.
It's what Disney believes the "people" want.

 

[RealDisneyFan]

A couple of posts back I praised Mission Space. And I meant it. It's a stellar attraction, worthy of the name Disney.

Having said that, I also agree with sentiments in recent posts. One of the things which distinguished Walt Disney World and EPCOT in particular was attractions which are/were engaging for the mind as much as the senses.

I have seen some tendancies to move away from that. And it worries me. I don't want Disney to be Six Flags. I hold Disney to a higher standard.

So yes, I like a good thrill ride. But the reason I go to disney is to have my mind stimulated.

 

[JDH]

rates behind ToT, Test Track, Rock n' Roller and Space mountain on my list in that order. After all the hype it really isn't all that impressive. Wouldn't waste time worrying about. Just ride it and have fun!

 

[TaraBelle1069]

I took a motion sickness tablet before I rode. The line was very slow (I think they stopped at least once to clean up after someone being sick as the floor just outside the ride vehicle was wet ...with a caution sign...when we finally did get in). After 20 minutes of recorded warnings, I was contemplating leaving. It's almost like they talk you out of the ride!

Then it went so quick and I got off feeling a little wobbly but I think the motion sickness medication prevented me from feeling the effects. I don't do simulator rides well so was prepared for this but I think it might have removed too much of the sensation. That combined with the short ride length made it one of those "did the ride, won't do it again" rides.

 

[JOCELYNM]

WOW, I rode Mission Space on July 19th during my wonderful Disneymoon and I was disappointed...I hate to even say it out loud, but I really was! i don't get any type of motion sickness at all and maybe it's not fair to say, but I felt absolutely nothing! I did follow the instructions by looking forward and keeping my head back, but when it was over I said too, "Thats' it!!!"

Oh well, I love new rides and would definitely ride it again!

 

[WDWDennis]

My wife and I rode it last year when it had just opened. Well, it wasnt officially opened yet, just a soft opening. Anyway, It made me feel sick to my stomach! I can usually ride anything without a problem. Then I went back later that year and rode it again. This time, the G forces were much less than the first time. A CM said that they slowed it down a bit. I don't have any problems now, but I could see where it bothers people. It is still pretty strong. Probably the same as R&RC, just sustained a little longer

 

[MitchK]

Like it was said a few posts up, Disney is loosing its magic. I think the best rides in Disney have to be Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Dinosaur...ect rides that have a lot of animatroincs, and great scenery. Rides that you could tell took alot of time to develope. I hope Mt. Everest over at AK will help restore some much needed magic.

 

[Mystic7070]

both my dh and I are 59/60 (damn) and thoroughly enjoyed Mission Space and can only echo past posts, "What is the fuss?" We left the ride for the first time thinking we missed something so went back again, ......same thing What is the fuss?

 

[King Triton]

It's ashame that Disney is losing some of its magic. I was a huge fan of Horizons and World of Motion. Epcot has lost its charm without those great rides. Now Disney is thinking about removing Spaceship Earth. Michael Eisner just doesn't get it. Building Test Track and Mission Space to chase after teenagers is a big mistake. Walt wanted every ride to be fun for the entire family. Michael Eisner lost the vision. The damage is done but I hope someone soon will replace Eisner who will recapture the magic.

Solution: Pull out Test Track and Mission Space. Build Journey to the Center of the Earth and a Horizons II ride instead. Trust me on this...it will make Epcot a super hit in the long run.

All of us TRUE Disney fans need to speak up!



SaveDisney.com

 

[Coach Rick]

I know I won't ride Mission Space because of neck problems from an auto accident 7 years ago, I do look very forward to my kids enjoying MS. As far as the magic being lost because of a couple of thrill rides being built, I am not sure I want to jump on that bus just yet. Some of the rides are just plain boring, especially for kids. EPCOT still has much to teach, and if adding a couple of thrill rides makes my kids want to go to EPCOT then I think it's a good thing. They are bound to get some educational value from the World Showcase, Living Seas, Spaceship Earth, etc...

At least it has a threme, and a plot. As a kid I wondered what it would be like to experience a liftoff, now my kids can experience a small part of it, and imagine even more of what it would be like. I am not sure loosing the magic is what is taking place. It's more like a sign of the times IMO. All the nice slow rides in the world would do no good if attendance drops off, and the park can no longer support itself. They must keep up with the times.

I figure while the rest of the family enjoys MS my Dad and I will take in the Jaminators for some great entertainment.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

It was on the radio the other day that the best publicity a ride at a theme park can get is "people getting sick.... people going to the hospital... etc...... "This seems to get swarms of people to want to ride these rides.
They were talking about Mission Space and how WDW is loving the publicity they are getting due to this ride.
My husband and I will be going in November and due the problems I have on some rides I WILL NOT be trying this one. But I will say that when we tell people that we are going they are all asking about Mission Space. Interesting..... it makes sense that Disney would be happy about all of this.

 

[Peter Pirate]

King Triton, sir, your opinion is certainly valid (as your opinon) but just because you don't see the magic in these new attractions doesn't mean it isn't there for others. Test Track and M:S are both GREAT additions to Epcot and far outshine the aging pieces of crap they replaced. How many more times could we pick our lame *** destination in Horizons...Geez, it was laughable, it was so dated and hokey (bad hokey...not good hokey like Jungle Cruise)...But again...This is just my opinion...

M:S is not a disappointment to Disney. It is bringing in lots and lots of guests and this will be revealed in the year end attendance figures. Further, it must be remembered that M:S space affects everyone in different ways and oddly enough in different ways than some folks normally feel. I, for example, am very prone to motion sickness, yet aside from initial anxiety, I felt very little, while I've talked to a couple of people who LOVE big, fast coasters and were quite queasy after M:S...It just depends and this (I think) is why some people are lucky enough to get a big thrill from M:S while others, for no reason other than physiology perhaps, just don't get the rush and still others get terribly nauseated.

Anyway, Epcot will be great when Soarin' opens - if they would just add a new Country and bring back Tapestry of Nations!!!

 

[DC7800]

Originally posted by Peter Pirate
...just because you don't see the magic in these new attractions doesn't mean it isn't there for others. Test Track and M:S are both GREAT additions to Epcot and far outshine the aging pieces of crap they replaced. How many more times could we pick our lame *** destination in Horizons...Geez, it was laughable, it was so dated and hokey (bad hokey...not good hokey like Jungle Cruise)...But again...This is just my opinion...

Peter Pirate, this argument works both ways. Just because you can't see the magic and sense of wonder inherent in Horizons doesn't mean its not there. To consider the finale lame, hokey, or laughable is nothing more than your opinion, as you noted. Perhaps unfortunately for us, nether your nor my opinion dictates reality. Actually, I happen to think Test Track an "aging piece of crap" which should never been built in Epcot. But I try not to describe TT quite so harshly, remembering that it's probably someone's favorite attraction I'm making fun of (probably someone who never got to experience World of Motion...).

The difference, however, is that I can make quite a good case why Test Track was a mistake and a major disapointment, from the very beginning, using more objective facts which have little to do with my opinion. A lot of people apparently see "magic" in crimes against fiberglass architecture (Pop Century) or Dinorama, both valid opinions, but that in no way means Disney should have built either.

Mission Space is only a great addition to Epcot if you happen to like that sort of thing (extreme thrill rides). If you instead favor the immersive, inspired attractions that Epcot was once noted for (Horizons, etc.) then Mission Space is just a waste of space. Actually, the demise of Horizons and its brethren, with the introduction of thrill rides in their place, appears to have alienated something of Epcot's core audience.

Mission Space might be more of a great addition to Epcot if it was actually an addition - but it isn't. It's instead of an existing attraction. That was the key mistake. Indeed, Horizons and Mission Space would have complemented each other nicely - no matter how you or I personally feel about either of them.

 

[Peter Pirate]

The comment was intended to be 'tongue in cheek" as I fully realize these type of statements are opinion only...Thus my statement "again...This is just my opinion." Sorry that this wasn't clear.

But, Horizon's was antiquated and nothing short of a total revamp could have kept it relevent, IMO. Plus it must always be remembered that the building was crumbling so it indeed did have to go one way or another.

As for the "if you like that sort of thing" analogy, it still cuts both ways. When Epcot opened they had huge problems overcoming the "education park" stigma. Kids DID NOT want to go there and if I'm not mistaken their attendance numbers prove this. It's great to teach AND wow when possible but these two outdated rides and no more chance of reaching modern kids than the possibilityof them laching onto Barry Manilow as their music idols.

Test Track is the most popular attraction at WDW based on attraction wait times (and still manages to take a look at something 'real', if not educational). M:S is a thrill ride and this is what Epcot needed. This is what people want. It too is relevent although it certainly could have been more educational (something I wish would have happened).

 

[DaveO]

I never understand these comments about the new attractions not being for the whole family. Just beacuse the under 3 set can not ride ..... My son who is 4 can not wait to get on Test Track in October. That is all he talks about every night when he goes to bed. WoM would have never sparked that imagination and fire in my son. Isn't that is what new attractions are supposed to do?Most of the thrill rides being created can be shared by the whole family if they are over 4.

Dave O.

 

[Planogirl]

I loved Horizons! However, I've never disputed that the show needed to be updated. It was the Idea of Horizons that affected me. The idea that the future was out there with all sorts of possibilities. That idea has been bulldozed and trashed now even though I can often hear the Horizons music in the entrance pavilion. That only serves to make me angry unfortunately.

As for the building crumbling, it's a disgrace if a building was actually in such a state so quickly. Where was the expertise when the Horizons building was built? But then I have my doubts that it was really in such a bad way. The biggest problem it had was no sponsor IMO.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

I don't do any of the thrill rides myself but my husband always does them all with Mission Space being his favorite. He is 56 years old and rode it 7 times on our most recent trip in July. Never once did he have a problem. However, he always follows the instructions.

Michele

 

[GrimGhost]

Wow! I could not have said it better!

I loved Horizons! However, I've never disputed that the show needed to be updated. It was the Idea of Horizons that affected me. The idea that the future was out there with all sorts of possibilities. That idea has been bulldozed and trashed now even though I can often hear the Horizons music in the entrance pavilion. That only serves to make me angry unfortunately.

As for the building crumbling, it's a disgrace if a building was actually in such a state so quickly. Where was the expertise when the Horizons building was built? But then I have my doubts that it was really in such a bad way. The biggest problem it had was no sponsor IMO

I don't recall the Horizons building being in disrepair at all..

 

[wishuponastarforever]

DH (55) and I (53) rode MS in Februrary. I was concerned about all the hype so I anticipated getting sick. This interferred with my enjoyment. When we got off, DH said he thought the ride was too short. I on the other hand thought it was quite long.

We went back for seconds - this time I was relaxed and had to agree with DH - the ride was too short.

We went on for thirds, fourths and can't wait to return in October.
We loved MS. It's just not long enough.

 

[King Triton]

Horizons summed up the Epcot experience (World of Motion too). It had the Disney magic. What sets Disney apart from the other concrete and beam roller coaster rides like you see at Six Flags is the MAGIC. True Disney fans understand this. Horizons tapped into your imagination and wonderment...it made you look into the future. Horizons gave you the sights, sounds, and smells of the future. It was a work of art. It gave Epcot it's charm and wonderment. The first time I rode Horizons I was in "awe." I must have ridden the ride 10 times that day. The music sound track stays in your head. When you go home, you start dreaming about the imagines you saw in Horizons.

Test Track and Mission Space doesn't do that with me. That's more of a "let's go to Six Flags" type of ride. It's a no imagination ride. It doesn't stir up your imagination like Horizons did. That is my opinion. Remember, Walt wanted every member of the family to ride the ride together. The very young and old will not be able to ride Mission Space and Test Track. With Horizons and World of Motion, you can ride it all day with your kids. As for the teenagers who don't appreciate the Disney magic, let them go ride the concrete and beam roller coasters at Six Flags.

I am afraid Michael Eisner is losing the vision Walt had. Let's go for the whole family and the magic....not just aim for teenagers. I like rides like Journey Into The Center Of The Earth ride that combines dark and thrill ride experience. I do think the Mt. Everest ride will turn out to be a winner. I still wish Disney would build a Horizons II ride. True Disney fans understand what I'm talking about. It's all about the magic and tapping into your imagination.