Mission Space: I've never ridden it!

[Jabba1]

But I'm about to for the first time next month. I keep hearing that it's not the easiest ride to handle. I also heard that a child supposedly died on it. Naturally I'm curious to know more about this ride that I've never been on.

Spill the beans, what am I in for?

 

[dawgfan]

I do not know exactly how this ride works but it is on a centrifuge or something. Anyway...it places you in a small cabin like environment much like a capsule in a space ship. There is a small screen in front of you. That screen activates with a scene of prep with mission control giving you some instruction and indication of the lift off you are about to recieve. You are given certain instructions regarding the position you have (assigned by seat position) as you will be the pilot, navigator etc. Each position has a role to perform in the launch and you will be instructed on what to do. The scene changes to the view of a spaceship facing directly toward the sky. The seat seems to tilt back and your weight is placed back in the seat. You will then experience lift off with g-forces and view the scene of an actual lift off through the screen in front of you. It is very realistic. You will break into outer space and feel as if you are weightless. Several bursts from the rocket pods seperating are experienced and you head toward a planet destination. Several effects are felt and they can be intense. Motion sickness is very possible. The ride is very neat and an experience that I am glad I did but the ride is not so great that I am iching to get back on.

 

[Jabba1]

It's a great ride, but no-one wants to get back on. Now I'm really confused. I still can't wait.

 

[WDWBetsy]

My husband and I really liked it. We were a little light-headed after, but thought it was fun. I didn't think it was scary at all. Just make sure you look straight ahead during the ride.

I'm looking forward to going on it again in November (that is, if I'm not expecting yet!).

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DS (6 at the time) and I rode it in Jan. We both really didn't think it was that bad. I got kind of nervous when we sat down and there was a barf bag in front of me. If you are prone to motion sickness, this is definetly not a ride for you. But we thought it was pretty good. Ds more than me. He wants to ride it again in Sept. I guess I'll be elected since simulators get DH sick.

 

[pershing]

We went on it Nov '03 around the time it opened. I'm a single mom with 3 boys and it totally screwed with my equilibrium. My eldest son somehow directed us out of the park and back on our resort bus. 45 minutes later, I was still laying on our hotel bed trying to find my balance.

When we went to WDW this past January, my eldest went back on it while I talked with the CM's in the shop area. They told me the ride was slowed way down since I last was on it.

 

[bubba73]

Mission Space is a very intense yet awesome ride. All the guys in my family enjoyed it greatly. Just as it has been mentioned, it is a centrifuge type ride. If you keep looking forward and keep your head back, you should be fine. Now, I will say that it is too intense for a lot of children so depending on the age (if any) for your children, I wouldn't put them on the ride. Otherwise, go, ride and enjoy.

 

[bubba's mom]

I do not know exactly how this ride works but it is on a centrifuge or something.

We were told it is set up like one of those old carnival rides....the huge circle that everyone puts their back to the outside and it spins really fast (forcing you to the outside of the centrifigual force) and the whole ride (circle) tilts up on it's one side....so, instead of spinning horizontally, it spins vertically. Not sure if it's true or not, but it WOULD be a good explanation of how they do it!!

 

[Cookie Princess]

Were the results of the child's autopsy ever released? I was just wondering if his death was truly due to the ride or something else. That was so very sad.

 

[OhioTony]

Mrs Ohio Tony here:

I never realized I was slightly claustrophobic until I rode this ! When that console moved in just inches form my face I nearly lost it!
I guess I didn't realize it was a spinning ride either because at lift off my breakfast was lifting off as well.

 

[bdink921]

I really liked the way MS is done--a very cool ride, HOWEVER I felt pretty nauseous at the end even having dramamine in my system. IMO you gotta try it once anyways.

 

[disnut8]

Everyone that I've ever traveled with loved the ride. Pay attention to the warnings about the confined area and about motion sickness. However, my claustrophobic daughter-in-law did fine with things. Make sure you sit back in your seat and keep your head straight towards the video screen. Do not look left or right. My six year old granddaughter loved this.

However, my 74 year old father-in-law opted out. Remember that you can always go through the entire queue and preshow and decide not to ride before you board your capsule. It's very easy to do and we've seen numerous people opt out. This is a repeater for us and I'm the person that can't ride a ferris wheel.

 

[cranbiz]

DS and I absolutly love MS. We ride it every time we go and sometimes back to back.

I had some problems the first time on it (a little queasy) but was OK after about 10 minutes and then went again.

I found that playing with all of the other switches helps me and gives me a greater satisfaction on the ride (i'm sure that it keeps my mind occupied also.)

 

[klofan]

I REALLY wanna go on it, I just don't wanna ruin my trip for one ride by getting nausia or a headache.

 

[spaceacewannabe]

We rode MS on its soft opening day---when it was, from what I understand, lots more intense. Everyone in my party (all adults) has mild motion sickness, but the opportunity to ride on the opening day was exciting!

I was a little dizzy but basically okay (thought the effects were pretty cool); my sister & my mom stumbled off the ride. We went into Universe of Energy, where my (very proper) mother plopped down on the floor because she "had to sit" (usually not allowed, but there were a number of people who appeared out of sorts on the floor, and the CMs were letting it go). I was seriously concerned about getting them back to the hotel as I was the only one with my wits about me, but after Universe of Energy, a pretzel (something else she "had to have" after the ride), and a little walking, everyone was better.
We all agree that we were glad we did it but don't ever really care to do it again.

 

[88Keys]

One of my favorite rides anywhere --- but remember that besides not looking away, do not close your eyes. Enjoy!

 

[Micca]

We've done it twice on two seperate trips. Irrespective of the intensity or side effects, I just don't "love" the attraction. I'm glad we did it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it again.