opening of mission to mars

[mjvans]

We are going to be in WDW the day of the opening of this new ride. Is it worth going to the first day or should we wait. We will be in WDW until the 19th. Does disney do a big grand opening with special promotions or special guests when a new ride opens?? If anyone knows of special events planned in regards to this ride opening, please share!
Thanks
Michelle

 

[donna in Oz]

I think what you are referring to is Mission: Space. My guess would be that it's going to be very crowded whenever you visit, so my suggestion would be to just grab that FastPass and have a good time, whatever day you visit!!

 

[mjvans]

I got the name wrong......yep that was the new attraction I was referrring too! Thanks

 

[pru]

Hello. My family and I (husband, 4 year old, 10 year old, 12 year old and myself) are going to WDW for the very first time on July 18th and I've read about the fast pass, but my question is once you have your fast pass and you come back at the set time do you just walk in front of everyone in the big long lines or do they have a separate entrance for fast pass holders or how does it work? Just curious before we get there. Thanks.

 

[disneyag]

There is a fast pass line that is separate from the standby line. Watch for the signs, they are pretty well marked.

 

[Safari Steve]

The big media event/grand opening will take place during the official opening in September. August 15 is the beginning of Soft Openings which is an extended testing phase.

Incidentally, there is a model and a set piece from the (fairly recent) film 'Mission to Mars' in the inside queue area, and the ride plot-line is similar to the old Disneyland/MK attraction of the same name.

 

[minniecarousel]

Any chance they'll open this attraction occasionally BEFORE the "soft opening"? I'm sure this is wishful thinking on my part - just wondering!

 

[Safari Steve]

Since the Cast and AP previews have been scheduled based on the August 15 soft opening date, there is an almost 0% chance of it opening to the public any earlier.

 

[PammyK]

Guest "previews" have been going on for the past few weeks, usually midweek after 4pm. The official line when you ask is still "the attraction is opening August 15th." They currently have 2 of the ride rooms up, however, according to one of the guys working in the queue yesterday a 3rd is scheduled to start running next week and the 4th will be running by the beginning of August. We had a delay yesterday after being queued for our vehicle - our guess was that someone had an episode of space sickness that had to be sanitized. LOL

So, for the time being it appears that guests might be lucky enough to enjoy a preview before August 15th. I know the AP preview is August 1-3.

Also, although the attraction is set up with FP and Single Rider lines, these are not operating during the previews. Right now when they are open they are using ONLY the standby line.

 

[michygoomy]

I'm going the same time you are, and my current plan is to avoid Epcot the first two days of the 'soft opening' then try to go to it on the third day. I don't know if it's a good plan or not!

 

[sunking]

just returned home about 1 hour ago...we were able to ride mission space twice during our two week trip...the first time we gathered in front of the pavillion and waited with about 200 other people for them to open up for riders for the day...
the second time, we happened upon it and the door was open and we walked in and rode with a wait of about 5 minutes...
it is an amazing ride...i'll post more in a trip report early next week....
have fun!!!
sunking