Disney's latest brainstorm

[TennVolTony]

Disney Thrill Ride Providing 'Motion Sickness' Bags
Ride Induces Feeling Of Weightlessness

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Disney's new Mission: Space thrill ride has reportedly become the first theme park attraction to offer "motion sickness" bags -- similar to those found on airplanes -- to its passengers, according to Local 6 News.

Local 6 News reported that the $100 million ride induces a feeling of weightlessness so realistic that "many guests experience severe motion sickness."

The ride does not move like a traditional roller coaster but it makes you feel as though you are truly moving and allows riders to undergo what NASA astronauts undergo in training.

A video screen gives the illusion you're tilting toward the sky, and then centrifuge technology makes it feel as if the rocket is blasting off. You orbit the moon once, to get a slingshot effect from its gravity, then head to Mars.

Astronaut Jim Lovell said the ride feels a lot like an actual space flight.

"It's the best, closest simulation you can get to the real thing," Lovell said.


Several theme park consultants told Local 6 News that it is the first time "motion sickness" bags have been made available on a theme park ride.

The report featured Jim Hill, who runs a Web site devoted to Disney theme parks.

Hill claims Disney's imagineers struggled with the motion sickness problem even before the ride opened and some believe the threat of sickness could hamper the ride's success.

"Well it certainly isn't going to be the success that Disney hoped for," Hill said. "And what's sad is that Disney has tied so much of its promotional campaign for the coming year to Mission: Space."

Mission: Space was designed to bring thrill seekers back to Epcot. Now, some industry insiders say the ride could have the opposite effect -- actually turning people away, Local 6 News reporter Mike DeForest said.

"With custodians scrambling to clean up after riders, some say the attraction has become a maintenance nightmare," DeForest reported.

Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley said, "the majority of guests have no problems on the attraction. "And we don't expect a lot of people to use the motion sickness bags."

Mission: Space opened in October and cost Disney a reported $100 million, which is the most expensive amusement park ride ever built.

 

[always quiet]

Oh geez....I just convinced my DH that this ride would be FUN to go on!! Nothing like someone offering you a barf bag to encourage you to try something new!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I sure had my trepidations from all the reading on the Theme Park board prior to my trip, my biggest thoughts regarding claustrophobic feelings. I rode it and thought it great and fun. Will do again. A real neat ride.

 

[4greatboys]

Ewww I dont want to be riding with anyone who needs the barf bag. I think if a ride is going to make someone that sick maybe they should just pass it up.

 

[Carl]

I didn't get quite that sick, but it was pretty bad.

 

[smileybrat]

If someone was feeling sick I'd rather have them barf in a bag instead of on the ground or me. Do they have signs that warn you may get sick on the ride?

 

[TerriP]

I read several threads on the Theme Park board before my last trip that were about MS making people sick. I heard of long lines of trash cans lined up at the exit for those who got sick, I heard of people sick for days after riding, etc... Personally, I was very nervous waiting in line to ride MS. I probably would have chickened out if it weren't for my husband.

Needless to say, I was VERY disappointed in the ride. Didn't make me sick, didn't even make me excited. All the hype over how realistic it was, how "extreme" it was...all overdone in my opinion. I saw not ONE person even slightly sick. No one was dizzy. Lots of smiles, but that was it.

MS, I can take it or leave it. But a "motion sickness bag" is WAY overkill in my opinion.

 

[Kimberle]

*LOL*

I guess they're tired of "cleaning up"!!!

Personally, I did not get sick at all. I didn't notice anyone else getting sick or even walking "wobbly". I do tend to get MS, too.

 

[helenabear]

I was very wary of riding this one as well, finally on my last day, 1st thing in the morning I walked on it with my friend. It was cool, it really wasn't all that "exciting" though, but the feeling of the Gs pushing on my face was kind of neat. The pressure did make my ears hurt but that went away within minutes after the ride. Truthfully I was expecting a lot more... especially with all the warnings they had. Funny thing is, I did look to my right side (to the left of me was a door) and didn't feel anything bad at all because of that either. And in my true opinion, it is far easier on my body than Body Wars or Star Tours is! I didn't see anyone after looking the least bit green afterwards either. I would go on it again if there wasn't a long line, but I get more of a "thrill" out of a few other rides at WDW that I'd sooner go on.

But yes, I would rather someone have a barf bag if they need it, than to get sick in the ride itself. Then again I think if they do it for MS, then BW & ST should have them as well

 

[perdidobay]

smilybrat.......there are signs ALL OVER this ride...plus a video that reminds you at your last place to chicken exit.

This is just my humble opinion, please..........but, I have to say I think all the pre-hype about this ride causing motion sickness and the warnings on the way to the actual ride vehicle itself are self-fullfilling prophesies.
I hurl at the THOUGHT of going round and round, can't ride the spinning tea cups or dumbo, but I had no problem riding mission space, even 4 times in a row. All the hype builds up so much in certain people, I have no doubt it gets their stomachs upset even before they get on the ride. I used to be that way on Tower of Terror.... I rode it once and swore I would never ride it again. My legs shook so much I had to sit down and I thought I would throw up before I got outside.Then on the next trip one year later I tried again. I shook so bad and felt ill even before I got on.. from pure fear.

I now have no problem on TOT, but it took riding it several times.

Of course, if people are scared off from riding M:S, it keeps the lines short

 

[grinningghost]

I have MS (no not motion sickness or Mission Space - multiple sclerosis) and one of my biggest problems is poor equilibrium and dizziness. I rode MS and after the first 5-10 seconds (the blast off part), I found it to be rather ho hum. Just like any simulator ride. I think if a person chooses to ride after the NUMEROUS warnings, then getting sick is their own fault.

By the way, DH loved MS and would have rode a million times in a row if I allowed him to.

 

[catsrule]

I rode it and didn't feel sick at all, I would ride it again. I actually felt more dizzy at Mickey's Philharmagic!

 

[elgerber]

My dh just rode this for the first time last week. He was laughing at the air sickness bags. He said he has never seen a ride with so many warnings. He said they are warning right up until the very last second. He said he thinks the warnings are worse than the ride, but it does seem to scare people off as the lines were always short when we were there. He was a little dissapointed in the ride, he said it was cool, but with all the hype and warnings he expected more.

Erika

 

[Micca]

I'm going to try it, but it will be first thing in the morning with NO breakfast

 

[helenabear]

Originally posted by Micca
I'm going to try it, but it will be first thing in the morning with NO breakfast

Probably a good idea... that's exactly what I thought and did... turned out I would have been okay no matter what I am sure you'll do just fine, Ron

 

[TennVolTony]

Guess it all depends on the individual. I never felt "sick" but a couple times I didn't feel good after riding it. Kind of like a "beat with a hose" feeling.... It is a fun ride, just not for everybody.

 

[torismom]

I get motion sickness and simulators bother me bad. I made the choice to ride Mission Space and was glad to have the experience. However, I will not ride again. It did make me sick and I threw up. I had enough self control to get out of the ride and the building first though.

My dh rode in Oct and again in Dec and he said he didnt seem the same like it was toned down but who knows.

The bags are a great idea. They should have them at Body Wars. that ride made me throw up, too.