Mission: Space gets airsick bags
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Todd Pack
Sentinel Staff Writer
December 16, 2003, 5:44 PM EST
Disney says its $100 million rocket-ship ride may be missing something: space-sickness bags. Mission: Space, which opened at Epcot this summer, has become one of the most popular rides at any of Walt Disney World's four parks.
Signs warn people prone to motion sickness not to climb aboard. But with its spinning space capsules - meant to give guests the feeling they're blasting off on a mission to Mars - the ride leaves some would-be astronauts feeling ill.
So earlier this month, park workers began putting motion-sickness bags in some capsules as a test. It will be several weeks before Disney decides whether to make the bags standard equipment on the ride. The bags are plain - no logo for Disney World or the ride's sponsor, Hewlett-Packard - and will be put in different places inside the capsule during the test period.
"Very few people ever need those motion-sickness bags, but it's very nice to know those things are there," spokeswoman Rena Langley said.
Disney also may have a practical reason for offering guests motion-sickness bags: keeping Epcot's signature ride up and running.
When it's their turn to ride, guests are directed to one of four bays, each with 10 ride capsules attached to a centrifuge.
If a passenger becomes sick in one capsule, the entire bay must be closed until workers can clean up.
It will be several weeks before Disney decides whether to make the bags standard equipment on the ride, Langley said.
One industry expert said the ride's popularity would surely grow as word spreads that it's the first ride in Disney history with motion-sickness bags.
"The people who really love rides, who think Disney is a little short on thrills, are going to see that and say, 'I'd better get down there and ride that puppy," said Tim O'Brien, a senior editor at the trade publication Amusement Business.
--------------------
Todd Pack
Sentinel Staff Writer
December 16, 2003, 5:44 PM EST
Disney says its $100 million rocket-ship ride may be missing something: space-sickness bags. Mission: Space, which opened at Epcot this summer, has become one of the most popular rides at any of Walt Disney World's four parks.
Signs warn people prone to motion sickness not to climb aboard. But with its spinning space capsules - meant to give guests the feeling they're blasting off on a mission to Mars - the ride leaves some would-be astronauts feeling ill.
So earlier this month, park workers began putting motion-sickness bags in some capsules as a test. It will be several weeks before Disney decides whether to make the bags standard equipment on the ride. The bags are plain - no logo for Disney World or the ride's sponsor, Hewlett-Packard - and will be put in different places inside the capsule during the test period.
"Very few people ever need those motion-sickness bags, but it's very nice to know those things are there," spokeswoman Rena Langley said.
Disney also may have a practical reason for offering guests motion-sickness bags: keeping Epcot's signature ride up and running.
When it's their turn to ride, guests are directed to one of four bays, each with 10 ride capsules attached to a centrifuge.
If a passenger becomes sick in one capsule, the entire bay must be closed until workers can clean up.
It will be several weeks before Disney decides whether to make the bags standard equipment on the ride, Langley said.
One industry expert said the ride's popularity would surely grow as word spreads that it's the first ride in Disney history with motion-sickness bags.
"The people who really love rides, who think Disney is a little short on thrills, are going to see that and say, 'I'd better get down there and ride that puppy," said Tim O'Brien, a senior editor at the trade publication Amusement Business.
