Disney not happy with Mission Space

[DC7800]

Originally posted by eileenfk
I have always thought they should have a "slow" version of many of the faster rides.
This probably would not work for those that really free-fall.

They should indeed have "slow" (or "mild") versions of faster attractions in Walt Disney World, especially if Disney insists (as the pattern since the early 1990's) on making almost all of its major new "E" ticket attractions thrill rides. Really, everything with a height limit needs an alternate version, to avoid excluding anyone when it isn't necessary.

A lot of kids are really disappointed when they discover they can't ride Space Mountain (or whatever) until they're older, a lot of Grandparents get tired of sitting on a bench waiting for the rest of the family to have fun (hmm...didn't Walt himself have something to say about that? Something about the idea for Disneyland...), and a lot of chickens (that would be me) get extremly tired of every major new addition to a park being yet another attraction they can't ride.

None of that is necessary. While there is nothing wrong with a few attractions in a park which appeal primarily to the thrill element, it need not be done to the exclusion of everyone else. I don't know, but I suspect Tower of Terror just might be the easiest attraction to modify in this manner. All you have to do is slow the rate of descent (in the time it takes for the current version to do its multiple drops, you could probably complete one slower, steady trip down the shaft) so the elevator descends but doesn't "drop". My suspicion is that might require little more than a programming change (anyone know?), and that's something performed on ToT several times already. How about a Tower of Terror, version 4.5, for us chickens?

Just thinking out loud, almost all WDW "thrill" attractions could (fairly easily) be modified to permit basically anyone to ride (no height requirements), while still retaining the faster "thrill" version for anyone who prefers it. For a long time, the only two attractions I couldn't figure out how to do this with were Splash Mountain and RnR. You might be able to use some type of gantlet tracks in RnR, but the only thing I could come up with for Splash would be to disembark the passengers at the top of the big drop (chicken exit) and send the logs down empty (reboard at the bottom). Fortunately for all of us, Disney's imagineers could do so much better, if given free reign to do so.

 

[WED63]

I love the ride- it is intense but a lot of fun. My 8 yr old liked it as was.

I felt it was safe- I hope I am right. EPCOT needs it to be all right

 

[PirateGirl]

Now I'm really confused! 80year-olds who think its no big deal & people who love RRC bu get sick on this!

I can't open my eyes on RRC & fall flat on my face at the exit, but love things like Test track, Star Wars etc so should I risk it?

I'll send my kids on first as scouts then they can tell me if its ok. Trouble is they'll say it is even if it isn't just so they can laugh at me falling over when I get off!! Can't win.

 

[Jaybrad]

I was a bit skiddish about riding Mission Space as I am subject to motion sickness. I did fine, was a little woozie for a couple of minutes after exiting.

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by PirateGirl
Now I'm really confused! 80year-olds who think its no big deal & people who love RRC bu get sick on this!

I can't open my eyes on RRC & fall flat on my face at the exit, but love things like Test track, Star Wars etc so should I risk it?

Most people ride MS with no problems, but there are those who suffer for their decision. If everyone was a carbon copy of everyone else, this question might be easier to answer. Unfortunately, everyone is different. If it's worth it to you for the sake of a 4-minute ride to gamble on feeling "weird" or "downright sick" for the rest of the day, then go for it. If the downside outweighs the benefit then skip it. Good luck!

 

[PirateGirl]

Thanks for the advice Jarestel! I'll watch the exit line & take a view based on what I see. Sounds too good to miss tho!

 

[Beachangel]

I've ridden MS several times with no ill effects, but I did follow the instrutions each time.

 

[Pats Dragon]

I didn't expect to get sick and took the directions seriously and followed them to the letter. I got sooooo sick it took me an hour to recover. I have never been so sick in my life. Its a shame because the ride is incredible. I never get motion sick either.

 

[PKS44]

I do get motion sice..I rode it 3 times and loved it! A little woozy, sure...but just for a bit afterwards...follow the instructions and remember to BREATHE! you should be fine...

Paul

 

[TiggerFreak]

First time, I followed directions and had no ill effects. The next day I decided to experiment, did not always watch and looked from side to side. This did cause me very minor and short lived (5 minutes) equilibrium disturbance. Our DS was uncomfortable (no nausea) the remainder of the day after MS. He rode the next day and was not affected for as long of a period.

Must be the Astronaut Gene

 

[searlproudbottom]

I am the type of person who can't ride in the backseat of a car, can't read while riding in a car, can't ride in a boat, can't ride the teacups. But I can ride Mission Space (-;
Searl

 

[mattmommy]

Listen the rules and you'll be fine. I think you also need to not have a totally empty stomach, but definitely not full. I had one of those little bags of carrots at the Land, walked to Mission Space and did fine. I was really thirsty afterwards. My DH (who can't even WATCH the teacups) made it through without chucking, but he wouldn't talk for 15 minutes afterwards. He was glad he did it, but he wouldn't do it again. I was worried about him, but there was no way I wasy looking left to look at him. It blows really cold air at you, but at liftoff I think I needed it.

 

[ShadowWind]

People are different and no, no ride is going to please everyone. The trick is to maintain balance so that you have something to offer the entire spectrum. This is what Disney has always done best. Not everybody can go on or enjoy Space Mountain, but they had Pirates of the Caribbean. Not everyone can partake in Big Thunder Mountain, but they had Country Bear Jamboree. In other words, there was enough to warrant the price of admission to Disney for every palette. By tearing out rides that are not thrill rides, to install ones that are, upsets this balance greatly and alienates that core audience. I'm afraid that the Disney company, in trying to chase Universal, has forgotten this balance and thus the problems.

Islands of Adventure, a park that in design is close to the MK, may be a marvel of theming and detail. However, if you have health issues, there is very little you can actually ride there. Certainly not enough to warrant the $50 admission price.

I will admit that Disney has been at least throwing the non-thrill seekers a bone with attractions like Mickey's Philharmagic, the Stunt Show at MGM, Stitch's Great Escape, but I would love to see more of the audio-animatronic wonders that Disney was always known for. Rides that completely immerse you in the mental and not the physical. Also the Pavilion idea was completely dismantled, which is a shame. Wonders of Life was a great example of that. You had Body Wars for the thrill seekers and Cranium Command for the non-thrill seekers.

Horizons and World of Motion were both incredible displays of the artistry of Imagineering. They were detailed, humoristic and imaginative. It really amazed me that it was said that Ward Kimball's whimsical look at Transportation was a bad show. As opposed to a high speed run through a GM test facility? What kind of show or story is that? Most of their newest thrill rides seem to be off the shelf rides with crazy stuff on the walls in the guise of theming. Hardly the Disney of days gone past.

I guess the point is that it wouldn't kill Disney to put in a E-Ticket type attraction like Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean once in awhile to balance out the thrill rides and give us folk something to look forward to.

 

[stemikger]

I guess the point is that it wouldn't kill Disney to put in a E-Ticket type attraction like Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean once in awhile to balance out the thrill rides and give us folk something to look forward to.

Well said Shadowind.

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by ShadowWind
Most of their newest thrill rides seem to be off the shelf rides with crazy stuff on the walls in the guise of theming.

That may be true as to Rock 'N Roller Coaster, but certainly Mission:Space, Test Track, Tower of Terror and Everest (and Soarin', if you consider that a thrill ride) don't fit that profile.

 

[JimB.]

I guess the point is that it wouldn't kill Disney to put in a E-Ticket type attraction like Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean once in awhile to balance out the thrill rides and give us folk something to look forward to.

Agreed.

While I AM a fan of thrill rides, I am also a fan of what I refer to as SDMOR's (Slow Dark Make -out Rides)

Disnay has not built one of these in a long time.

Too Bad.

 

[Belle0101]

On our recent trip I rode M:S alone to scout it our for the rest of the family. I never felt sick at all.

After I told them what it was like -

DH, who can't ride anything similiar to the Tea Cups, opted not to ride all.

DS9 had to use the chicken exit, he got scared.

DS4 rode it with it me 3 times and even after that kept asking to go again. He got the biggest thrill at then end each time when it said "Don't move a muscle". He told me the next time he rides it he's going to move his muscles.

We were talking about M:S at MK with another CM and he told my DH he should try it at the end of the day if he's worried about being sick. His thought being that if you should feel ill then you are headed out anyhow and haven't ruined your day.

 

[SundancePass]

I've ridden Mission Space once and will never ride it again. Being highly inner-ear sensitive, I did not pay attention to the hundreds (or so it seemed) posting and verbal warnings. Of course, I felt sick as soon as it "blasted off". Although the signs said "do not close your eyes" or something to that effect, it was the only thing that saved me from being violently ill during the ride. I have never been so happy that 4 mintues were over. And I was ill for the rest of the day as we rode it right before lunch.

 

[rocketriter]

My son, my daughter and I love MS and go on it several times each visit. But my wife went on it once and came out a quite unusual shade of chartreuse.

She sat down on a bench and then my daughter, who was 7 at the time, started asking, "Are you sick? Mommy, are you nauseous? Are you going to barf? Hey, guys, do you think Mommy's nauseous? Is she going to puke? Mommy, are you going to puke? Does Mommy want to barf?"

I think at that moment my wife understood why some fish eat their young.

 

[dpic]

Two shots of Bonine, and I did it first thing in the morning. I LOVED it. The feeling when you lift off is incredible. I got off and rode it again. The next time I felt it a little (just a little), but I can't wait to ride it again. I thought it was one of the better rides I've ever done.