Mission Space Claustrophobic

[TiggerBouncy]

If you really want to know if you can handle how small the ride feels, try this:

Empty your fridge and get in. Modern fridges you will need at least 2 or 3 in there to get the same level of space to person ratio. Make sure the lights turn off when the door closes.
Have your spouse / friend lock it from the outside. Make sure they are aware NOT to let you out no matter how much you scream, beg or threaten them.
Play star trek on your ipad inside the fridge. Or any space movie.
have them push the fridge down the stairs
Grab a carrot or something and try to steer the fridge as it falls down the stairs. Note this is about as effective as the steering is on the ride.

If you enjoyed the experience, you might just be able to handle mission space, but you won't need to as you more or less just rode it.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Are you trying to tell me that if we don't push the buttons, we WON'T crash? All this time I've been freaking my kids out to push the button at just the right time.

That was really a miss as far as I was concerned. The ride takes NO NOTICE at all to if you hit a button or not of what you do with the steering stick. If you don't push a button, the ride "engages auto mode" and handles it. The steering stick is just ignored.

Would it have been THAT DIFFICULT to give us some different things that happen based on what we do? I think the problem is that they are spinning 4 pods and they each have to have the same motion. But maybe change the video or something.

 

[ChattaAlley]

I am having a panic attack just reading these replies. I have ridden it once. I am a bit claustrophobic but this just did it for me. I didn't freak out and the air blowing on me helped. But I can't see me riding this one again.

 

[Eastern]

The same thing happened to me and I wasn't expecting it at all! Mission Space orange is one of my favorite theme park rides. Last year I rode it five times in a row and only stopped because I needed to hop back to MK. But after Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Simpsons, and Spiderman I felt so sick. It ruined the rest of my day at Universal.

I didn't mind Forbidden Journey, although I wouldn't do it again as the motion got to me. But Mission Space is all about the claustrophobia.

 

[nilla]

So what is the Orange side like, in comparison to the Green? We've done the green at least 15 times over the past 12 months. My 8 year old son wants to try Orange, but not sure he'd like it.

It's night and day different from the Green side. You get the exact same visuals, but it spins, so you get a ton of g-force on "liftoff" and landing. Since you're inside with no outside points of reference, you wouldn't really know you were spinning without being told you were, but it does feel like your face is getting pulled back against your skull. It's like those carnival rides where you all stand in a circle, then "stick" to the wall once it starts spinning, but much more intense, IMO.

Personally, I refuse to ride Green team since I tried Orange team. I want the full experience. To me, it feels like you're actually lifting off and flying through space, though (spoiler alert!) you don't actually go much of anywhere.

Our daughter rode Orange at 8. It's not her favorite ride, but she was ok with it.

 

[nilla]

If you really want to know if you can handle how small the ride feels, try this:

Empty your fridge and get in. Modern fridges you will need at least 2 or 3 in there to get the same level of space to person ratio. Make sure the lights turn off when the door closes.
Have your spouse / friend lock it from the outside. Make sure they are aware NOT to let you out no matter how much you scream, beg or threaten them.
Play star trek on your ipad inside the fridge. Or any space movie.
have them push the fridge down the stairs
Grab a carrot or something and try to steer the fridge as it falls down the stairs. Note this is about as effective as the steering is on the ride.

If you enjoyed the experience, you might just be able to handle mission space, but you won't need to as you more or less just rode it.

Motion to have this synopsis added to the official WDW website. Can I get a second?

 

[dreiwhit]

Wow, this sounds like an awful ride.

Its really a good ride and I really liked it. In fact, its one of my favorites. There just isn't a lot of room between you and the console in the "capsule" and you are strapped in by a bar that comes down across your shoulders. Its not one for folks that are claustrophobic.

 

[BrianL]

So what is the Orange side like, in comparison to the Green? We've done the green at least 15 times over the past 12 months. My 8 year old son wants to try Orange, but not sure he'd like it.

Orange Team spins to create G-Forces, similar to a carnival "Gravitron" ride (usually looks like a flying saucer). You don't really feel the spin, so much as the feeling of being pressed outward as the G-Forces increase. This only happens 3 times during the ride (Liftoff, Lunar slingshot, and entry to Mars atmosphere) and lasts about 10 seconds each time (unlike the several-minutes of sustained G-Forces on a Gravitron ride). Honestly, I feel like Green Team gives all the fun without the stress, so I stick with it anyway.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Motion to have this synopsis added to the official WDW website. Can I get a second?

Not sure I am allowed to second it as I wrote it.

 

[nilla]

Not sure I am allowed to second it as I wrote it.

Motion to allow TiggerBouncy to second his/her own suggestion. Can I get a second?

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I am not claustrophobic and yet I feel really closed in on that ride. Even the green side gives me that feeling. I can ride it and I don't get upset by it, but I do find it a bit too closed in for my taste.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Motion to allow TiggerBouncy to second his/her own suggestion. Can I get a second?

Can I second allowing myself to second?

I guess if the president of the united states can do it, I can to?

Seconded!

And seconded the first second! Or whatever!

 

[Landslide305]

My husband got sick and threw up right during the ride then he was sick the rest of the afternoon and night from this ride. Never again!

 

[Lavitz]

Orange Team spins to create G-Forces, similar to a carnival "Gravitron" ride (usually looks like a flying saucer). You don't really feel the spin, so much as the feeling of being pressed outward as the G-Forces increase. This only happens 3 times during the ride (Liftoff, Lunar slingshot, and entry to Mars atmosphere) and lasts about 10 seconds each time (unlike the several-minutes of sustained G-Forces on a Gravitron ride). Honestly, I feel like Green Team gives all the fun without the stress, so I stick with it anyway.

I love those Gravitron type rides!!! Last trip we tried MS on the green side since DD was about 8 and still hesitant on some rides and I had no idea what it was really like. She's been on some bigger coasters since then, finds them doable, think it's time we try the Orange side this time!

 

[thornton0511]

Thank you all again for sharing you advice, opinions, and experiences! I think since we are a party of 2 adults, 2 teens, and 1 kiddo this time around DH might just sit this one out and the rest of us give it a try, if the kids want to.

 

[lurkernj]

A minute feels like a lifetime if you're claustrophobic and having a panic attack (been there). No way would I advise someone to go on this if they are even a little claustrophobic.

 

[Belle5]

Awful. Thought I was having a heart attack (literally)...tears streaming down my face the entire ride. Never had that happen before and have always been one to ride wild rides. It was the first thing in my life that helped me to realize I'm claustrophobic.

 

[kam1011]

I am having a panic attack just reading these replies. I have ridden it once. I am a bit claustrophobic but this just did it for me. I didn't freak out and the air blowing on me helped. But I can't see me riding this one again.

This exactly. I had a panic attack last summer when I went on it for the first time in many years. I've never considered myself claustrophobic before then, but it was horrible. The only thing to distract you is this fuzzy little 5 inch screen. Never again.

 

[Crickey]

I love it and ride the Orange side.. never feels close or anything and cant wait to ride it this year

 

[Minnesota!]

I think that also may be a big help knowing that inside the cabin there are lots of fan who keep the air inside really fresh and cool during all the ride. Seem a minor things, but that really help a lot

I think the air blowing is the only thing that saves me some times.

I am very mildly claustrophobic. And, I was always fine on MS. One day, I just wasn't. I was already strapped in, in the middle, and my kids were with. So, I just closed my eyes and let the fresh air blow on my face. But, I freak myself out with the "what if a fire started and I am just stuck here in this space coffin". I think everyone should try something once, honestly. If you can't hang with it, then you at least know..