Mission: Space - Fun?/ Soarin' ?

[cariann77]

This is a two-parter ride post.

Question #1: Is Mission: Space fun? We skipped this last time and I have zero intentions of allowing anyone in my family to ride the orange side and cry about nausea all day. Is it worth grabbing at FP+ for? I tried watching the youtube video of the ride, which I'm sure is not even close to experiencing the real thing. I personally did not find it very interesting. But, I'm wondering if it's something that my kids might really enjoy.

Question #2: I'm terrified of heights and flying! Terrified!! Should I ride Soarin'? I keep hearing about how great it is, but I'm not sure if I can do it or not. If I ask to be in the bottom row, are the CMs pretty accommodating? Approximately how far off of the ground would I be in the bottom row?

TIA!

 

[DisneyFive]

1: It's just o.k. in my opinion, and that's the orange side. Considering that green is very tame, it's even worse. Like anything at Disney, everything is done at least pretty well.

2: They are accomodating if you are willing to wiat a round or so, so that they can load you in the proper row. It is totally worth it. It is a simulated hang gliding ride. Very smooth. You get lifted up with a row of others, seated, in a very secure position. There are no reasons to fear your safety. You really can't see how high you are off the ground unless you were to lean WAY over and try. Soarin is the single ride that signifies WDW to me for some reason. I love it.

Dan

 

[shpooey]

1) I love Mission Space, but it's definitely not for everyone. Have you ever been on a Gravitron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitron) at a fair or carnival? When the orange side spins, it feels just like that. Personally, I really enjoy that kind of ride, but if you get motion sickness, probably not for you. I've never experienced the green side, so I'm not much help there, and some say it's boring on that side, but I'd think it's worth experiencing if you're not planning on doing orange.

2) Have you done Peter Pan? I think if you can do Pan, you can do Soarin. The ride does a pretty good job of simulating flight, so that can be scary if you're afraid of heights and flying - your feet are dangling, which adds to the feeling of flying. If you do decide to ride it, focus on the video and don't look down at the ground. If you start to feel anxious, try to remind yourself it's only a video and you're actually not very high off the ground (maybe 8 ft in the bottom row?)

 

[karpy111]

I've been to Disney about 5 times in the last 7 years. Every year I skipped Mission Space. The last time we went I tried it by myself as wife and kids did something else. I personally hated it. Going again in September and I would rather wait in Soarin line for 2 hours then do that ride again.

As far as Soarin I think you have to try it. I dont think your that far off the ground, others can give you an exact height. Last time my daughter was 3 and she absolutely loved it. All she talks about is smelling the oranges. You'll know what that means when you ride. Very interested to hear how you made out. PM when you get back.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Question #1: Is Mission: Space fun?

It's not a must do on my list, but I enjoy it.

Is it worth grabbing at FP+ for?

It depends, what would it cost? Meaning, what would you NOT be getting a FP+ for and riding standby in it's place?

I'm wondering if it's something that my kids might really enjoy.

I would think you know them best. The ride simulates the "g force" feeling of taking off on a rocketship then flying and maneuvering through space.

Question #2: I'm terrified of heights and flying! Terrified!! Should I ride Soarin'?

No. I would not suggest it.

 

[tlmadden73]

I would not recommend Mission Space .. even the tame side, my wife (girlfriend at the time) and I got ill on it .. and basically were out of commission for quite a while after that.

Soaring is much better and didn't experience any ill effects from it.

 

[rwdavis2]

The Green side of Mission Space is fine. More like an enclosed Star Tours. It just tilts, rocks, shakes. But if you are claustrophobic then don't do near it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I love the green side. I'm still at a loss to understand how people can get sick on it, as it just tilts a bit, and if the movie makes you dizzy, close your eyes. IMO the green side is totally worth doing.

Soarin'...if you get scared, close your eyes. Or look to the left or right. Or, if you're on the bottom, look up and see all the feet dangling. All those things will take you into the reality of the fact that you are sitting, looking at a movie, not actually flying. Even if you can't watch the screen, have fun with the bit of movement. Put your arms out like you're Superman and smile.

 

[tobikaye]

1. I did the Orange side of MS and I got a bit of nausea, but it did not last too long. I will probably try the Green side the next time, but I want to try Orange again. When I did Orange side, my cousin and I were placed in the same capsule as people that did not seem to really want to try to do the commands so I do not know if this made it worse or not.

2. It depends on what height you are comfortable with on if you might be okay with this attraction. I am okay, except for on ladders, up to about roof level of a second story building before I start to get real nervous. (On ladders, I am only good to about 12 feet and on a roller coast the first big hill is touchy if the climb is supper slow.) I did fine with being in the top row (highest) of Soarin. I did not enjoy the attraction because I started to get bored. Maybe that day I was have attention span issues.

 

[philschrek]

My 5 year old loved the tame version of Mission Space last time and so did his 10 year old cousin. I haven't ridden the other version so I can't comment on that.
Soarin' - Like someone mentioned, it is so smooth and it's dark so you're not fixated on how high up you are. It's hard to say how you might handle it as it depends on the magnitude of your height issues, it's worth giving a try though I love Soarin'!

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

Re: Soarin'
I, too, have a fear of heights. I must have gotten in line 4 or 5 times before I actually rode it. Now I look forward to riding it every time I go. Ask for row 3- you are at most 10 ft off the ground (but I don't think it is even that high). Do not make the mistake I did and sit forward. Sit all the way back in the seat and you'll feel more secure. When I got nervous, like others have suggested I looked at the people above me. I would see little kids with their arms straight out laughing! Then I would laugh at myself being so afraid. The first time was scary, but not overly so and I was anxious to share it with my family. Hated always riding things alone. Now it's hard to get them off it! As stated earlier, don't forget that Disney involves more than just motion and vision- take deep breaths and smell! It is worth the trip! Hope you enjoy it. Have a great vacation!
Sarah

 

[Flight]

Mission Space - If anyone has the smallest claustrophobic tendencies, my recommendation would be to stay away. There are so many other attractions at EPCOT that can be enjoyed. If the closed in spaces do not bother you, it is a fun ride on the green side. My kids liked the orange side.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Mission Space made me nauseated, even on the orange side. Our family did it once and haven't been back!

Love, love, love Soarin! None of the actual seats are very high at all. It's more the simulation from watching the movie. And the easy solution to that is to just close your eyes! I would at least give that one a shot!

 

[asbyrneva]

This is a two-parter ride post.

Question #1: Is Mission: Space fun? We skipped this last time and I have zero intentions of allowing anyone in my family to ride the orange side and cry about nausea all day. Is it worth grabbing at FP+ for? I tried watching the youtube video of the ride, which I'm sure is not even close to experiencing the real thing. I personally did not find it very interesting. But, I'm wondering if it's something that my kids might really enjoy.

Question #2: I'm terrified of heights and flying! Terrified!! Should I ride Soarin'? I keep hearing about how great it is, but I'm not sure if I can do it or not. If I ask to be in the bottom row, are the CMs pretty accommodating? Approximately how far off of the ground would I be in the bottom row?

TIA!

Hard to answer first question without a little more info. Ages of your group? Time of Day/ year visiting.
1. Mission space is tame but depending on ages of your family it may be less about being ill and more about intense story and it being different then other kinds of rides. You crash land so its a lot of pressure on a five year old commander .
We go the busiest time of year we have never used a fast pass for the green side, waits are very short so if you think your family can do it look at the times you would be riding and what kind of crowd you have. We only waited for cockpit not for the actual entrance even the day after thanksgiving so dont use a fast pass for green side

2. Soarin is fun but if you are scared of heights and flying and the movie gives you a sensation of flying and you are off the ground then maybe skip this one.

 

[Lovetherodent]

Well, I'm NOT a fan of either. Soarin? Not realistic at all because of the shoes hanging down from the row ahead of you. Was not at all sad to learn I couldn't get a FP+ for both Soarin and TT. Took TT and completely skipped Soarin.

Both are simulator rides with the potential to make one ill if motion sickness is a problem. Mission Space, both orange or green, is extremely claustrophobic. Lots of time Disney warns about small dark spaces, but this one is really an "I can't breathe" kind of close. However, if one does not have a problem with motion sickness or claustrophobia, have at 'em

 

[prudence64]

I thought the orange side was too boring and tame. The green would put me to sleep

 

[tinkerbesh]

M:S = barf for us. I never get motion sickness & I love thrill rides, so I was surprised how badly M:S hit me. Ruined the entire rest of the day.

Soarin is much much much tamer. And they keep a cool breeze blowing over you, which I think helps some. Yes request lowest row.

 

[siskaren]

Mission Space made me nauseated, even on the orange side. Our family did it once and haven't been back!

The orange side is the more intense side; green doesn't have the spinning, which is what made a lot of people sick (me included).

I thought the orange side was too boring and tame.

You thought it was boring and tame?! The only time I rode it (the first year it opened) it made me so sick I had to go to the First Aid center to lie down. And yes, I did follow the instructions to keep my eyes open and not look to the sides.

 

[minnie mum]

I can't do the orange side of MS because of motion sickness issues, but I really enjoy the green side. But I agree that if anyone has a problem with claustrophobia, this ride is not for them.

I'm not good with heights at all, and am afraid of flying, too. I always ask to sit on the lowest row. Buckle up securely, and even though Im a full grown woman, use the child safety strap too. Feel free to laugh away, but it makes me feel a bit more secure. There are a couple of scenes where the "ground" drops away in the film where I just close my eyes for a few seconds, but for the most part I',m OK. If you get too scared, just close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. It's not a long ride.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

My bad--I mixed up orange and green. But it was the green side--the easy side--that left us feeling queasy after!