Mission Space Claustrophobic

[thornton0511]

Our family has never taken the time to ride Mission Space because of the fear of how closed in you are inside the simulator. Thinking about the possibility of trying it now but still a little apprehensive about the claustrophobia. I am wondering if anyone can tell me if they have this issue and rode anyways and how bad it was really (FYI we would not be doing the spinning side lol). Also if we did give it a go and had a change of mind once the ride takes off is there a way to stop or are you just stuck until the experience is over?

 

[MissErikaRae]

Hello!

I think it depends on how claustrophobic you get...

I was really nervous to go on this ride so we opted for the less intense version. I got really claustrophobic in it but to be honest I'm not sure if it was really that tight or if I had already psyched myself up. It's a really cool experience and doesn't last long which is great if you don't like it. I'm not sure if there is a way to stop it mid experience. There are pictures all over the internet and some POV videos which might help you determine if its too tight a space.

Personally, I'm all about trying something once and seeing how I feel after. We are going to WDW this Fall and I'll probably ride and try to relax more prior to boarding and see how I feel then.

 

[Micca]

If you're claustrophobic just skip it, it's not that great in the best of circumstances. And once it starts, you're committed to staying on until it's over.

 

[WillAustin]

I agree with skipping it if you are at all claustrophobic. Once you are strapped in and the control panel moves toward you, it gets pretty tight.

 

[thornton0511]

Thank you for your replies. I'm not sure what we will do yet. On the one hand we totally skipped Soarin for our first 2 trips completely because we were unsure of the height they take you to. Finally 3 years after our first few trips we finally just did it and loved it! And then we kicked ourselves for the trips that we missed out. On the other hand with this one my DH had to get a MRI done several years ago and after about 5 seconds of being pushed into the capsule he said nope and had to get out....it was too much for him.

 

[Micca]

Thank you for your replies. I'm not sure what we will do yet. On the one hand we totally skipped Soarin for our first 2 trips completely because we were unsure of the height they take you to. Finally 3 years after our first few trips we finally just did it and loved it! And then we kicked ourselves for the trips that we missed out. On the other hand with this one my DH had to get a MRI done several years ago and after about 5 seconds of being pushed into the capsule he said nope and had to get out....it was too much for him.

Oh yeah, Soarin' is a wonderful, relaxing experience for most folks. I'm only mildly claustrophobic, if the ride was really cool, I'd def. suck it up and do it. I've been on it twice--once was the spinning side, I'm not sure about the other time. Disney worked long and hard on this attraction, and it has all the bells & whistles of an E-ticket ride, but I think they missed the mark by quite a lot.

 

[Accident]

Skip it if your Claustrophobic... It's like sitting in a little you just fit in space ship. NYC closets are larger.

 

[thornton0511]

Skip it if your Claustrophobic... It's like sitting in a little you just fit in space ship. NYC closets are larger.

lol that's pretty bad then. Well I have a FP for it from 9:30-10:30 on a recommended day in June so should I keep the FP and just see how everyone feels when we get there, or say forget it and switch it out now for Nemo lol?!

 

[BrianL]

It doesn't bother me, but I have seen more than one person freak out when the thing starts to close and scream to be let out. This is before anything even starts. The claustrophobia is a real concern. I also say try it, because you may have a different idea of it than others. Just tell the guy as he's closing it that you might want to get off...then decide quickly.

 

[katmatry]

Based on your last reply I have to say don't go on it. I'm claustrophobic, went once...never again. I only went on because my husband really wanted my son to go and he wouldn't go on without me. It took everything I had to remain calm and not freak out. I know some people don't think it's so bad, those people don't feel claustrophobic in tight spaces.

 

[macadoo]

A couple of years ago my dd was really nervous about riding this and how claustrophic she would feel (must admit i was a bit also), the CM working the ride was great and said once we were in he would close the door for a few seconds and then open it again to check we were ok before starting the ride. It was fine and not as bad as DD imagined (only did the green version) although she never has gone back on it.

 

[tuliptwirls]

I entered the ride and sat down. At the last minute I squeezed myself out the my seat and out of the attraction. I was already so worked up about the tight space. If I am remembering right they have announcements and signs warning you not to ride if you are claustrophobic. It was such a small space. I did not like that fact that there was no getting out until the ride was over. Then I thought what if the ride malfunctioned and I couldn't get out even when the ride was over. My heart still races when I think of that ride. My husband stayed on and regretted it. Honestly I would not ride. I would choose the Nemo FP.

 

[preemiemama]

My dad went on it and as soon as the control panel moved in he was banging on the door to get out (which the CM did not respond to- he was stuck in it for the duration at that point). Once the ride started, he was OK. I don't think he will go on it again. Like PPs have said, it is a tight fit. And that panel moving towards you to close you in is definitely scary for people who are claustrophobic.

If it is mild, I would try it and see- it is not long and you can talk yourself through it for the one ride. If it is severe, I would skip it. It's not worth a full-fledged panic attack and making yourself upset for the rest of the day.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

It doesn't bother me, but I have seen more than one person freak out when the thing starts to close and scream to be let out. This is before anything even starts. The claustrophobia is a real concern. I also say try it, because you may have a different idea of it than others. Just tell the guy as he's closing it that you might want to get off...then decide quickly.

Yes, I rode with some strangers and one of them freaked out after the capsule closed and started banging on the door begging to be let out. A CM did open the door and let them out, but probably not as quickly as they would've liked. But from my non-claustrophobic perspective, I like the ride but I don't consider it a must-do and it's not fun for me when other people get on and start freaking out.

 

[Disneylover99]

Mission Space made me claustrophobic.
I didn't have any issues with claustrophobia until I rode it and had a full on panic attack.
Now I'm really claustrophobic. I don't recommend MS.

 

[HelloMimi]

MS really is a very tight squeeze. When you initially sit down, it doesn't seem quite so bad, but once the ride starts, the console and seat move closer together. I'm not claustrophobic, but I do remember feeling really...cozy. I enjoyed the ride (green version), but if being "trapped" in a small space for six minutes gives you any kind of anxiety, I'd say skip it.

 

[cvjpirate]

If you are claustrophobic I don't see how you can handle how tight this ride is. I am not and it bothered me till it started and I was able to take my mind off how close everything was.

 

[Micca]

Yes, I rode with some strangers and one of them freaked out after the capsule closed and started banging on the door begging to be let out.

Hell, that would freak ME out!

 

[Huff]

If you do ride then I highly suggest you use the Green side. This is the 'light' version where the vehicle you ride in does not spin, no G Forces that make some people rather woozy! It still pivots you upside down at times. If a person is claustrophobic then the spinning can make things much worse for them. If they do fine with the green side and love spinning rides then they can ride again on on the orange side. Keep in mind you really do not know you are spinning other than what your stomach and brain tell you!

 

[Ambear]

I'm always kind of surprised this ride still exists. I like it, cause I have like the opposite of claustrophobia and love small spaces, plus I like the spin feeling. But it has so many warnings and caveats for people. And besides Gary sinise doesn't really offer much in story or anything. Probably only still there cause they don't have enough rides in epcot.