Mission Space: My Rant

[WedWay72]

Ok, I've not ridden on this ride but will be at Epcot Sunday....and frankly, I will not ride it. Why?

Disney has created a ride that missed the mark. It's engineering is flawed if the area between it and the restroom has turned into a "vomit run." Sorry to be so gross. Anyone who has been keeping track of the reports know that a large number of visitors are getting sick, ruining half their day or more at Epcot, making a mess of the sidewalk, garbage cans and restoom. This is NOT a Disney experience and I for one will not take any chance to ruin a day at the park.

For my wife and I, Epcot is where we pick the nice restaurants. We relax, we eat and enjoy the World Showcase. There is no way, on a short trip to Florida that we would ever chance wrecking that time. But we're fortunate...we read the DISboards and know what's coming at MS.....think of all those that have no idea what's coming.

Think about all the families that left the ride, their only trip in 5 or 10 years and one or two members are SICK. ugh.

Nope, this one will not be for me unless I'm there on a longer trip and can afford the "recovery time."

For those of you that love this ride, that's great.....and for me, who is a space travel nut since the 1960's, I guess I'll pass.

Now: who was the imagineer that didn't antcipate this multi-million dollar attraction would become such a sickening experience?

I wonder if there have been meetings in board rooms already where the management is saying, "Ok, Houston, we've got a problem."

 

[ShaneV]

I have to disagree, from most of what I have been reading, not too many people have gotten sick. I have seen ALOT of reports that if you follow the directions that even people who cant hanbdle the teacups did good in this.

IMO, I think engineering is right on the mark if they simulated the feelings of taking off. I havent ridden it yet so I can only go by what other have stated.

This is NOT a Disney experience and I for one will not take any chance to ruin a day at the park.

While I somewhat agree, the Teacups have this effect on me, but I know plenty who enjoy them.

 

[bibbidiboo]

I haven't ridden it yet either, but Disney has launched many attractions that were tweaked or re-worked after being open a little while. For example, Countdown to Extinction / Dinosaur (still prefer the old name) was tamed down a lot after it had been open a while.

If people are getting sick all over Epcot, certainly Disney will take notice. I wouldn't write it off yet...

 

[Goofyish]

We rode Mission Space 4 times over the past 2 weeks and never saw anybody being sick or saw any evidence that the ride exit is a 'vomit run'.

It's think it's a great ride (if a little too short), and you shouldn't pre-judge the ride and its engineering without giving it a go

 

[toefungus]

Everyone is different, I can ride ToT, RnRc, Space Mountain over and over again and not feel sick at all. If I take one ride on the teacups I'm at the toilet. Everyone is different, some people are going to get sick but it's not like everyone is running to the bathrooms after taking a ride. If you don't want to ride, good that'll leave more space in line for other people to ride it. If Disney watned to keep everyone' stomach's happy every attraction would be like The Land or It's a Small World.

 

[KFISCHER]

If they haven't been on it yet????!!!!!!!????

These attractions are like movie reviews.
You can't just read about them.
You have to try them for yourself.
THEN JUDGE.

 

[KittieKat]

Ive ridden it twice and have been fine. I also did nto see anyone get sick. If you know that you have a week stomach dont go on it..but for everyone who doesnt go on it!! I didnt think it was that bad..plus its a really fun ride.

 

[WedWay72]

Hey gang,

I wanted to get a good reaction and I did.

I'll be there Sunday and will post what the situation appeared to be like for everyone.

I've read too many reviews from Disney book-authors, website authors and just plan Disney fans.......and feel that something going on here. The official line from a Disney cast member was 1 in 17 are getting sick and/or woozy.....I'll check with my CM friend to confirm or debunk that legend.

Mission Space "has" been a problem but you know what: I gotta go there to see it in person and then judge.

From someone who lived through the entire space program, has met Alan Shephard and would kill to enter a real Space Shuttle, I want to go on this ride SOOO bad.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

I have to admit I have a few qualms about this ride, or, more specifically, my ability to "handle" it. But I'm planning to give it a whirl, so to speak, during my December trip.

One thing that sort of caught my eye was the remark in these posts that this was not a "Disney" experience. There was a time, I would have to imagine, when people might have said the same thing about Rock & Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, etc. And it certainly has been said about Alien Experience, one of my favorite Disney attractions!

I think the argument about what is and isn't a Disney experience could become very, very important in the years to come. I was reading another thread on these boards which were responses to the question "should I sacrifice a day at Disney to take my kids over to IOA/US?" The response was an almost scary number of people saying not only that the poster should sacrifice a day, but also suggesting that they make IOA/US their home base and - in essence - blow-off Disney! This bothered me quite a bit, but I also understand it. Personally, I'm a big fan of everything that is the essence of Disney - the charm, the innocence, the whole package. But I can see that in this day and age, the sleek thrills and chills offered by US/IOA is very, very appealing to families with teens or even younger kids who love the thrill rides.

Personally, I think it would be kinda cool to see Disney open up an IOA-type park, featuring a lot of thrill rides aimed at those seeking that kind of thing. Otherwise, the alternative is to continue adding MS-type attractions and try to capture the "all things to all people" market. Just as Peter Pan’s Flight won't appeal to everyone, neither will MS-type attractions.

Thoughts?

Richard

 

[Dreamfinder2]

This is one of those "eye of the beholder" issues (or, perhaps "pit of the stomach.") I rode it last week for the first time, three times the day I was in Epcot. I didn't personally see ANYONE get sick, although I did hear a couple of comments of "woozy."

I'll ride anything EXCEPT stuff that spins me in a tight little circle, i.e., the teacups, which can take the edge off an otherwise good day.

I was not expecting the g forces on M:S, but after the initial alarm at "launch" did just fine. I will admit that when the ride first kicked in I experienced a VERY brief moment of vertigo, but it passed. I would recommend heeding the warnings - my third trip, I peeked at the person on my right, and my head began spinning immediately. So when they say keep your head flat against the headrest and your eyes straight ahead, they mean it.

There's some amazing technology at work here, and it's worth a low level of risk to try it just once. But, it's not for everyone - nor is "It's a Small World," which would be great if it were retrofitted to be like Buzz Lightyear.

 

[jdonat]

I rode MS atlleast 10 times -usually more
than once/day -couple times, it wasn't busy,
and I went right back in. At NO time during
those rides did I see anyone getting sick
off the ride. This includes in the building,
the pavillion area, and the Innnoventions
East outside area up to the splash fountain
and the eastside outside restrooms.
The most extreme reactions were
the usual ones that you see when you get off
of a good coaster -a bit weak in the knees,
etc. I had no sensation of spinning, but
could feel the G-forces, especially during
the Mars landing.

My stomach was a bit queasy during/after
the first time -but I think that some or most
of that was exitetment about getting on the
ride during the AP preview. My DD's both
rode with me just about as many times, and
neither one of them had problems... Oh,
and BTW, all three of us do get carsick if
we're not careful... so's we're not the typical
cast iron stomach folks....
I think that we're seeing a bit of
overreaction here... Remember at full run,
MS will cycle about 1600 guests/hour
through. If a couple of guests get
sick, I wouldn't be surprised -how many
guests get sick on "energetic" coasters per
day?

And as for not being a "Disney experience"
nononono... This sucker is themed
through and through... I got the feeling
of "The Right Stuff" walking into the last
queueing area This is definately an
E-ticket ride!

If you can do a coaster, you should be
able to do MS, IF, you follow the instructions. A centrifuge fools the body
into G-forces if you don't confuse the
inner ear, which is why moving your head
side to side is discouraged...

it was a blast!

JED

 

[disneydebi]

We rode MS 2x back in July (back to back). I do get a little queezy on spinning rides these days (must be getting old...), but I did not on MS. I had a "strange" sensation at the very beginning of the ride for about a second during the "lift-off", and i felt my head spin a bit (not a dizzy feeling just a brief moment of disorientation) and then a similar stomach sensation as I get in the launch of Rock n Roller Coaster. But I went back for more!

It's a great ride. I loved it.

 

[WDWAurora]

I admit it, I felt very ill at Mission: Space. Not during or after it, however, but before. Due to reading all the horror stories on here and other boards, I worked myself into being completely sick prior to getting on it. Once I rode it, I was fine and I think it is a great ride with some of the best theming in Disney World. It's definitely worth a try. OH and in all my time there, I did not see one person physically become sick (although I did in the line to get into MGM, but that's another story) and honestly saw maybe one person look a little queasy, and my grandmother said the same, and she sat at the exit while we rode. I think it's fine for most people. There are a few people who will have problems, as on most thrill rides, but that is to be expected.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I rode it last month and thought it was incredible. I felt mildly dizzy (not nearly as much as after Teacups, which I will probably never go on again after how I felt last time) for about 1/2 hour after--and I consider myself a motion sickness sufferer! I guess the experience is different for everyone.

I think the Mission: Space sickness issue is somewhat similar to the "Does WDW water make you sick?" question that we see on these boards from time to time. True, some people do get sick--but if you read these boards a lot you will think that the ratio of people getting sick is much higher than it actually is, just because those who do get sick speak up and report it much more often than those who don't!

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I rode mission space three times in a row and it was fantastic!!! Although I must admit the after my first time I was just slightly dizzy for about 10 seconds, but it really is a great ride. If your free if heart conditions and such go ahead and try it... There's no other ride like it (unless you’re in the space program )

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

We just got back on Aug. 22. My dd14 and gf14 almost made it on this ride, but then chickened out. My husband went on by himself. He said it took a few to get used to it but then it wasnt to bad for the rest of the ride. Now he likes ALL the rides and he can ride over and over ,BUT he said he was very queezy for about 1 hour after. He said he just didnt feel like drinking or eating. Then after a while he said he felt ok. I waited for him and i did not see anyone come out sick. I would prob. just not drink or snack before. Have a great time on your trip.

 

[eeyore0062]

What is riches for some is junk for others. Sorry that you have formed an opinion based on others instead of riding and finding out if it is truly a Disney experience for yourself.

I have ridden Mission: Space 3 times, and each time it is better. The whole preshow is great and the attraction itself is very Disney-esque. In fact, it is really more along the lines of a true Disney attraction than many attractions have been in quite awhile. I have experienced no nausea, vomiting, dizziness or loss of equilibrium during or after the ride.

If you do experience any of these problems, don't hesitate to let a ride operator know, as they can't keep track unless they are given that information. Also, if you love the ride, share that information, as well.

I hope that when and if you do ride Mission: Space, you find it as much fun as our family did!

 

[jgates]

Well, I'm still undecided if we will try it. Although by the time we go next year, any 'bugs' should be out.

I can handle RnR, ToT however the Teacups will nearly make me hurl - I nearly went straight to the ground!

But I can drink Disney water! All I could think of was why did I haul this water filter thing along? What's the big deal with this water? It was fine to me!

 

[palmtreegirl]

I have seen ALOT of reports that if you follow the directions that even people who cant hanbdle the teacups did good in this.

That's me! I can't ride the tea cups and I survived MS. I was fine until I took a peak sideways to check on my DD, then I got a little woozy but nothing major, I felt fine 20 minutes later. I think that if I were to ride again and looked straight forward the whole time I'd do much better.

Heck there isn't a ride built that's for everyone, ask my DH just the thought of having to ride to Small world over and over makes him feel sick.

 

[Baloo]

The actual numbers of people getting sick is 1 in 1,000.

If you follow the instructions...they give them for a reason...you should be fine!