Dorky Spaceship Earth Question

[floridagirrl2]

I'm a bit claustrophobic and can get pretty anxious with dark rides (for instance, the total darkness at certain points in the Stitch attraction had me taking deep breaths and reminding myself..."I-will-not-panic...I-will-not-panic...)

I have been on the Dinosaur ride at AK and was OK with just closing my eyes during the very dark parts. However, I really, REALLY do not want to spend an entire ride in the dark (DH kept trying to get me to go on Space Mountain with him--after he went by himself, he told me "It would be your worst nightmare--you would hate it").

I don't want to spend MOST of a ride in complete darkness. Honestly, I don't want to spend ANY time in complete darkness.

So, exactly how dark is Spaceship Earth? I can't believe I've spent days and days at Epcot and have never been on Spaceship Earth, but whenever I read the sign that warns about darkness and enclosed spaces, I decide not to ride it.

While we're at it, how enclosed are the "enclosed spaces" on Spaceship Earth?

I am fine on rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and other semi-dark rides.

 

[sapiendut]

If you're fine on HM, PoC, TTA, you won't have any problem with S:E. It's got a very "open-concept" feeling.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't want to spend MOST of a ride in complete darkness. Honestly, I don't want to spend ANY time in complete darkness.
While we're at it, how enclosed are the "enclosed spaces" on Spaceship Earth?

I am fine on rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and other semi-dark rides.

Spaceship Earth isn't any darker over all than Haunted Mansion.
The first few times I rode both Haunted Mansion (HM) and Spaceship Earth (SE), I did have some claustrophobia problems. My problem was the ride car, which sort of has high sides and back. The SE cars are less enclosed than the HM ones, so if you don't have a problem with those, I don't think you will have much problem with SE. The other thing that causes a bit of problem for me is the speakers right behind your head, espeicially at one point in the ride where your ride car turns around and you are going down an incline.

 

[BabkaGal]

Hi!

While Spaceship Earth has some low-ish ceilings at some points, there is pretty much always something to look at. So although the lights are dim, it never seems like a black void...more likely, you'll only notice the tons of animatronic figures in tableaus. At the end, there is a section where the ride lowers down backwards with a laser tunnel look, but it is not dark. It is not a scary ride at all, unlike HM's doonbuggies!

I feel like you might be more scared of the fact that you know the entire ride takes place in a giant ball...it stays in your mind a little when you're on the ride. When I keep climbing higher during the ride, I keep wondering when we'll get to the top of the ball. If you can handle that issue, you should be fine.

Hope that info helps!
--Babka Gal

 

[Micca]

I hope you can try it. It's quite an elaborate attraction.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Thanks folks! You've totally convinced me that I will be absolutely fine on this ride. I will definitely go the next time I'm at Epcot. I really appreciate the detail of the replies--I know that I will be OK as long as there is some light and I don't feel like I'm in can't-see-my-hand-in-front-of-my-eyes darkness.

 

[DMOMof3]

SE is such a relaxing ride. We actually almost fell asleep once when the ride paused. Great place to get out of the heat and off your feet.

 

[DVCconvert]

You should be fine, I think you owe to yourself to try it!

 

[bavaria]

I am claustrophobic, used to be super-claustrophobic. Have nightmares about clautrophobia. Will only use the washroom stall NEXT to the handicap one, as the door opens outwards on those ones in WDW in order to accomodate the handicap one next to it. Had to leave Living Seas in January because my loose turtleneck sweater gave me a panic attack. (SHH don't laugh at me please - the older CM took pity and walked me out the back way and insisted that I visit Crush before I left - found that a little nerve wracking as it's a small space)

Never did MS due to the warnings - have walked right up to the ride but it just looks too small.

Have ridden Spaceship Earth at least 150 times - used to do it first and last thing at each Epcot visit.

First time I rode it I was nervous due to the warning, but other than leaving the loading area I didn't feel claustrophobic anywhere in the ride.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I feel compelled to warn you that 3 out of the 4 times I rode SE it broke down just as we were starting the initial incline. Nothing scary; you're just seated in a leaning back position. I just thought you might want to be prepared.

It is, however, an awsomely educational ride. You will enjoy knowing that you were in the "Epcot ball"!

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

It is, however, an awsomely educational ride. You will enjoy knowing that you were in the "Epcot ball"!


And henceforth, that ball shall always be referred to as "Spacechip Earth".

 

[goofyernmost]

I feel compelled to warn you that 3 out of the 4 times I rode SE it broke down just as we were starting the initial incline. Nothing scary; you're just seated in a leaning back position. I just thought you might want to be prepared.

It is, however, an awsomely educational ride. You will enjoy knowing that you were in the "Epcot ball"!

The chances are that it didn't "break down" but that it stopped to assist a handicapped person to board or disembark. I always had the feeling of wide open spaces when on SE. You should have no problem.

 

[bavaria]

Inspired by this post, I was curious for other claustrophobics if you have any tips or warnings:

calling all claustrophobics

 

[JediMinnie]

makes me feel severely claustrophobic

 

[goofyernmost]

makes me feel severely claustrophobic

I realize that I am fortunate that I don't have and claustrophobic leanings, but this one beats me. There is nothing closed in about it. It's wide open space, nothing close even. Your riding in an open car, and viewing the scenery around you. It just seem like a huge room. Anyway, I'm sorry if you have that particular problem, but, it does strike me as pretty rare to have a problem on SSE. I'll give you Mission: Space, but, I'm thinking you might be confusing the two.

 

[LilyWDW]

I am claustrophobic. I have had panic attacks before due to it including nearly having one on RnRC due to being stopped for a bit of time at the end and the restraints starting to feel WAY too tight for me. I LOVE Spaceship Earth and ride it multiple times each visit to Epcot. It doesn't close you in at all, there is plenty of light, and it is just a nice relaxing attraction.

 

[KathyNY76]

I feel compelled to warn you that 3 out of the 4 times I rode SE it broke down just as we were starting the initial incline. Nothing scary; you're just seated in a leaning back position. I just thought you might want to be prepared.

I agree.

I also had the pause just as we turned backwards and started the descent. I get motion sickness sometimes when I ride backwards and the way we were just leaning back staring at the ceiling (which is WAY high up and full of things to look at (don't want to give away the actual view, but it's a LOT of cool stuff), but I did have the slightest wave of 'oh gosh, I hope the whole way down doesn't feel like this!' and took a couple deep breaths. But as soon as it started back up I was fine. And if I hadn't had the kids in the cart with me, I probably could have closed my eyes and been 100% fine, but I didn't want to freak them out (and I had to keep an eye on my crazy 5 year old who might have tried to stand up).

 

[larryz]

I feel compelled to warn you that 3 out of the 4 times I rode SE it broke down just as we were starting the initial incline. Nothing scary; you're just seated in a leaning back position. I just thought you might want to be prepared.

It is, however, an awsomely educational ride. You will enjoy knowing that you were in the "Epcot ball"!

I would find that to be a definite plus, gazing up into the "star field" for 20 minutes or so...

 

[JediMinnie]

I realize that I am fortunate that I don't have and claustrophobic leanings, but this one beats me. There is nothing closed in about it. It's wide open space, nothing close even. Your riding in an open car, and viewing the scenery around you. It just seem like a huge room. Anyway, I'm sorry if you have that particular problem, but, it does strike me as pretty rare to have a problem on SSE. I'll give you Mission: Space, but, I'm thinking you might be confusing the two.

Yea i really can't explain it either weird I know! Lol but I'm for sure talking about the right one. Because I have never and will never get on mission space. But i have rode almost every ride in the parks besides mission space and spaceship earth is the only one that scares me lol

 

[tinkerbesh]

Not as scary as these zombie posts... Lol.