Mission Space Opening?

[smt218]

Hi,
This is my first post here, I have been reading for a couple of months. Sorry, if this question has been asked before. My question is, does anyone know when Mission Space will open? I went in May and saw it being built. I'm thinking of going for Christmas this year, but want to go when the new attraction is open. Thanks in Advance for any help.

 

[MadMadamMim]

Welcome to the boards

It should be open late spring/early summer (which means, it'll probably open in August ) So for a Christmas trip it should be open

 

[rangebob]

The question should be what year will it be opening. They are having multiple problems with it.

 

[cleo]

Hi smt218, and Welcome to the DIS!

The latest reports I've read project a potential opening in Fall of this year. But as Robert Walker said, it sounds like we may not want to hold our collective breaths just yet.

 

[Safari Steve]

They are printing "Spring 2003" in cast promotional materials. So far, the main problem is eliminating as much nausea as possible. The floor is made of rubber and can be hosed down, but the rest of the pod interior has lots of electronic gizmos that don't like water.
No specific date (or even month) and it's very likely/entirely possible that it will be pushed back until it's as close to perfect as they can get it. I don't think it will be too much later than June, but DO NOT plan a trip around it.

 

[KFISCHER]

when Mission Space will actually open, I have two words for you:


TEST TRACK

 

[antnee]

Uh...Steve, is getting sick on this ride a sure thing?

 

[Ms. WDW]

Sorry to hear they are having problems. I was hoping that it would be ready for my trip early August.

 

[stinkerbelle]

seriously - what's the throw-up factor on this ride and how do they go about "reducing" it?

 

[Safari Steve]

The ride system is basically a centrifuge, which simulates increased g-forces, and causes motion sicknes for many, many people. If you experience motion sickness at all, this ride is not for you, and if you are not prone to motion sickness, you may want to wait at least an hour after eating. Increased g-forces can also cause problems for people with high blood pressure. This experience will be very similar to a test performed on actual astronauts during their training (a test that sometimes eliminates people from the program).

As far as opening delays, the plan from the get-go has been to avoid a Test Track-like delay (2 years when all was said and done), so I don't expect anything that extreme. The official info given in cast promo materials was initially spring '03, then fall '03, and now it's back to spring '03.
BTW, Test Track was not the longest delayed attraction opening in Disney history. The winner of that contest is the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. The building sat empty for nearly 9 years before the ride finally opened to guests.


---Ooooh, I nearly forgot to answer the other question. The cabins each have a motion-base, so in addition to the lateral g-forces, you get some pitch and yaw as well (no, the cabins DO NOT turn upside down, forget what you may have read about that). Slight adjustments to angle, acceleration, and top-speed can have an affect (apparently) on how stable tummies will remain during the ride.
Mrs. WDW, it very well may be open by the time you visit in August, just don't hinge your enjoyment on that experience, and if it's open it'll be gravy (as long as you're not a quesy type)

 

[goofy4tink]

Has anyone else seen that American Express commercial where they have the credit card on the end of the centrifical force thingie?? Every time I see it, I think, "Oh, dear God. Please don't make Mission Space like that!!!" I don't get motion sickness, but that could do it.

 

[Safari Steve]

The cabin is enclosed, and you watch a simulator movie on an lcd screen, so you're visually unaware of the actual motion.

 

[MELSMICE]

I wouldn't plan a trip around an attraction opening. Think of it this way - if it's not open when you are there you can plan another trip back to the world!!

 

[DVCajun]

Thanks for the interesting info, Steve. I'm prone to motion sickness, but I'll make sure I pack my medicine. That stuff works and I certainly don't want to miss out on Mission Space!

I mean, motion sickness medicine WOULD work, right?

 

[Feelin' Goofy]

Haven't Heard from ya for a while. Thanks for the info and please keep us updated on this.

 

[arizonacolbys]

We were looking forward to going on Mission Space once it opens, too. If this ride is simulated with a screen you watch, is it similar to Star Tours?

We both get pretty ill on Star Tours & will unfortunately have to avoid Mission Space if the ride will be a similar type. Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[stinkerbelle]

thanks so much for your insight...

is it alot like "Cyber Space Mountain" at Disney Quest, however you are spinning around in a circle?!?!

yea, I'll have to pass on this one thank you very much...

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Will there be anything else in the "Mission Space" building to enjoy besides a ride that will be heavy into Motion Sickness ??

Or........Will it be just one ride ?

 

[Safari Steve]

Wow, lots of questions...

1)It's like Star Tours in that you are watching a screen and you are enclosed in a capsule that moves in relation to what is shown on the screen, but M:S actually simulates added gravity AND reduced gravity. Also, each passenger in the 4-person capsule (there will be 40 total in the building) has a task to perform during the mission. How well you perform your task will affect the outcome of the ride.

2)It's like "Cyberspace Mountain" in that you are watching a screen and you are enclosed in a capsule that moves in relation to what is shown on the screen... but M:S will not turn upside down. Also, M:S capsules carry four passengers rather than 2, and the visual presentation will be much more realistic. Also, like Star Tours, you will enter the cabin from one side and exit out the other side, which means a faster load/unload than C-SM.

3)The post show area will (as far as I know) include some interactive exhibits. I'm not sure how many things there will be to do, but I think it will be more interesting for non-riders than Test Track. The pavillion entrance/ride bypass is through the blue doors to the left of Planetary Plaza.

 

[Belle5]

Safari Steve,
Are there going to be restrictions on who can ride? (As in pregnant women?) I would never do RR or TT while pregnant but I have been known to ignore a few of the other warnings. If restricted for pregnant women would you say it's dangerous like TT dangerous or Splash Mountain dangerous? (I have done Splash while pregnant.)

How about a height requirement?