Mission Space: What does it do?

[Max Rebo]

I know that Mission Space simulates the experience of being launched into space, but, in general terms, what does the ride really do? I know it's classified as a "motion simulator," but it's my understanding that it's not in the same genre as other motion simulators, such as Star Tours and Body Wars.

So what is really happening to me if I ride Mission Space?

 

[GarrettJD]

The orange, or "intense" version of Mission: Space simulates the liftoff by means of a centrifuge. The ride basically works like the Gravitron ride at the fair, where it spins in a circle and you stick to the wall. You sit in a capsule, 4 across, facing the center of the wheel, and when liftoff occurs, you begin spinning to the side. The visual cues on the screen in front of you trick your mind into thinking you're going up instead, although some people can feel the spinning anyway. The capsule also moves around, similar to a simulator ride like Star Tours.

The green version, or "less intense" version does not spin at all, so you don't get the same "G-force" sensation. It does, however, still move around.

 

[Keebles]

It uses a centrifuge to spin you really fast to simulate weightlessness (quite effectively I might add). I think there is also some movement of the cab similar to Star Tours and Body Wars, but not near as jarring. It is one of, if not my favorite, ride at WDW. The other members of my family who have ridden it were more fearful of the claustrophobic issues more than the centrifical issues. I do plan on trying the non-spinning version just to compare, but I can't imagine it's even close.

There are some really good ride videos online (try mousetimes.com...you have to register now, but it's free and worth it) that have the preshow film that actually shows the cabs in motion and how they spin. I made my sister watch them numerous times before we went to see if she could handle it. She did fine on the ride, but we have no high blood pressure or heart problems in our family.

Hope that helps!

 

[Keebles]

Wow...just noticed...we're all from the same area! I'm in Jonesboro!

 

[GarrettJD]

Yay for Midsouth DISers!

 

[Dan Murphy]

........I do plan on trying the non-spinning version just to compare, but I can't imagine it's even close......

I did the original version (now the orange) a few times the year it opened. It left me with what Irefer to as a 'strange' feeling for a few minutes afterward. Not nauseous, not dizzy, just strange. I had not ridden it again last several visits. With the green version now there, I tried it a few times on my May trip. I liked it, thought it was pretty darn good, more of a 'G' feeling than I thought would be possible. I liked it and will enjoy it again.

Give this a look, follow the steps to make the ride work........

http://lukegalloway.googlepages.com/missionspace.html

 

[Keebles]

I did the original version (now the orange) a few times the year it opened. It left me with what Irefer to as a 'strange' feeling for a few minutes afterward. Not nauseous, not dizzy, just strange. I had not ridden it again last several visits. With the green version now there, I tried it a few times on my May trip. I liked it, thought it was pretty darn good, more of a 'G' feeling than I thought would be possible. I liked it and will enjoy it again.

Give this a look, follow the steps to make the ride work........

http://lukegalloway.googlepages.com/missionspace.html

Thanks Dan! I'm sure gonna try it! I just have to decide which side to do first!!

 

[freefaller]

My DH, DS6 and I rode the green side on our trip this week. It was fun, but not anything exciting. I then rode the orange side by myself, and I enjoyed it much more than the green side. However, I didn't think that it deserved the hard-core reputation that it has. I wasn't left with any aftereffects at all. But then, I am a skydiver and roller coaster enthusiast, so maybe its just me . Whichever side you ride, I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[ChrisFL]

My DH, DS6 and I rode the green side on our trip this week. It was fun, but not anything exciting. I then rode the orange side by myself, and I enjoyed it much more than the green side. However, I didn't think that it deserved the hard-core reputation that it has. I wasn't left with any aftereffects at all. But then, I am a skydiver and roller coaster enthusiast, so maybe its just me . Whichever side you ride, I hope you enjoy your trip.

It affects everyone differently, I love huge, fast rollercoasters and never had a problem, but Mission:Space gave me some strange feelings after I went on it, never been back on it since.

 

[Keebles]

The very first time I rode it (I think in Jan 04), I was extremely disappointed with the ride part of it..I didn't understand what all the fuss was about. I did all the things they told you NOT to do just trying to cause some kind of reaction. But after a few more times, I grew to appreciate it more and I do thoroughly enjoy the queue as well as Gary Sinese saying "don't move a muscle!" (which is, IMO, the best part of the whole experience).