Someone Please explain Mission Space to me

[kim35]

I am very interested in trying this ride, but after hearing so many people talking how scary it is I may be chickening out...

Can you tell me what this ride does that scares so many people?

 

[kelmac284]

I would like more detail too. I would really love to ride but I get motion sickness so thought I would take some dramamine and try it. Don't want my trip ruined though from being sick. Also I have an almost 6 year old who I know is tall enough. Do I dare take her on it? She is pretty daring and has done Haunted mansion, space mountain, Indiana Jones, etc at DL Oh and Tower of Terror. She loves them all. Would she do ok on this ride?

 

[paladin]

I'm sure someone will fill in the details (I haven't been on it myself), but I don't think that people are scared by this ride; rather some feel ill after riding it (headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc.)

I know that though I normally do not have any type of motion sickness, RnR bothers me (it gives me a terrible headache) and I am afraid that MS might do the same

 

[JRawkSteady]

It's not a "scary" ride...it's just sickening. I don't know if you're looking for mechanics, but they use a real simulator (the ones they use in NASA) to take you on a mission to Mars. Nothing really loud or frightening...just this overall sinking feeling throughout the whole ride. As everyone always says, it's the only ride in WDW with barf bags....actually its the only ride I've EVER seen with barf bags. I found myself wishing it were over halfway through the ride because I felt sick...(I didn't want to ruin anyone else's time, however, so I stuck it out.) The ride spins and simulates anti-gravity by pulling and pushing you at the same time (if that makes any sense to you). Anyway, that's really what the ride is. It's a simulator, but NOTHING like Star Tours or Body Wars...

Oh, and I also would like to add that I don't ever get sick on rides....I love thrill rides, coasters, and simulators...

 

[disnut8]

I can give you the details. It's my favorite attraction and I'm afraid of heights and can get a little sick reading in the car.

You will be assigned (by the ever good looking Gary Sinise) to groups of four to take a test mission to Mars. You'll be assigned to positions and "expected" to complete pushing buttons for a successful mission. During all this, there will be repeated warning about motion sickness and if you want to leave, you can certainly do so after the preshow. Once you are done with the preshow, you will be lined up for your "ships". You can still bail out at any time.

The ships (or I like to call them pods) will be next. Four people in each, all lined up in one row. This is where people have the problems. It's a small space. Getting into the pod is not a problem. And you can still bail out if necessary. There will be barf bags in front of you. You store everything you have into the front containers. You will pull down the overhead constraints. Then, before take off (and you can still bail out), the front will close up and the controls will be right in front of you. You will now be launched to go to Mars.

The takeoff simulates some G forces. And it does it quite well. The first time I went on this, I felt a little weird after but I think it was just because I didn't know what to expect. You'll get a little feeling of weightlessness but that only last a few seconds.

Words to the wise and they tell you this in the preshow. Look straight ahead - do NOT look to the sides. Keep your arms down unless you are getting into your role and pushing the buttons when Mr. Sinise tells you do. Even if you don't, not a problem, you'll still get to Mars. And do NOT shut your eyes.

For kelmac284 - my 6-1/2 year old granddaughter was a concern for all of us. She got out of that pod with the biggest smile on her face and yelled "we gotta do that again!"

For paladin - Rock N Roller Coaster gives me a headache too. I think it's because it jerks around so much. Mission:Space doesn't do that.

For kim35 - I think what scares most people is that they will never experience anything like this. How many times do you get to say you know what it's like to take off in a space shuttle?

For everyone, I'd say, at least go through the preshow and see the pods. Then if you don't want to go on it, bail out. The Cast Members are great and it's very simple to do.

 

[jennyl772003]

I went on it last week. I was going to test it to see if it would be OK for my DH and DS.

I have NEVER wanted OFF a ride so bad. I honostly didn't know if I could make it through the whole thing. I was SOOO nauseous. I do not get motion sickness, I have a very strong stomach (never even had morning sickness), but this ride finished me.

When I came off, my DH asked me if it was OK for them. I said ABSOLUTELY NOT! He was very surprised, since I ride EVERYTHING!

I continued to feel nasueous and headachey for hours. I get sick to my tummy just thinking about it!

 

[Big Fat Disney MaMa]

I'm sure someone will fill in the details (I haven't been on it myself), but I don't think that people are scared by this ride; rather some feel ill after riding it (headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc.)

I know that though I normally do not have any type of motion sickness, RnR bothers me (it gives me a terrible headache) and I am afraid that MS might do the same

The ride itself is not scary, in fact, it is my 10 year old dd's favorite. I personally have extreme motion sickness and had a very hard time with it when it first opened, however, I rode it last October and had no problems so they have toned it down. A few cautions, this ride is not for anyone who is remotely claustrophobic as the space is very tight and small. Through the queing process, they advise you to look straight ahead, do not look side to side and to not close your eyes - this is for those of you with motion sickness. Also, ride produces some pretty extreme G-forces.

That aside, you should try it just to experience the effect because it is extremely amazing. When it starts out it feels like you are in a rocket ship that is just being launched and it really cool. I am mildly claustrophobic and extremely motion sick, but I know what to expect so I don't panic when they close the coors to the capsule and I make sure to just look straight ahead during the "launch" - after that it is cake! My dd on the other hand, is the kid that is flipping the switches and pushing the buttons and using the joystick and having a great time in the seat next to me!

 

[thptrek]

The motion of the ride is a centrifuge and it is the high speed spinning that causes folks problems. You are in the pod and you don't see the world spinning around you as you are spun but your inner ear does know it. With your inner ear sensing the spinning and your eyes not "seeing" it that causes a lot of folks to get so nauseated.

 

[kim35]

WOW!!!!!

Now, I'm excited and worried at the same time. I think I'll send my DH on it 1st to try out. I am having mixed feelings about letting my ds 8 on it. He likes fast rides, but I'm not so sure about this one.


Thanks for the input. What a great explanation!!!

 

[jennyl772003]

I would recommend that anyone who tries it, do it at the end of their park day. Like I said above, I was naseous for hours. I nearly threw up 15 minutes later. We went straight back to our resort. I would not have been able to continue touring.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I have NEVER wanted OFF a ride so bad. I honostly didn't know if I could make it through the whole thing. I was SOOO nauseous. I do not get motion sickness, I have a very strong stomach (never even had morning sickness), but this ride finished me.

Cheers Jenny, we're in the same boat.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I love MS! However, the first two times I rode it everything was find- 3rd time-different day I did feel a little woosy. Still love it.

17 days and counting!!!

 

[MouseJunkie]

This would definately be the effect on me. No explanation necessary.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Mission Space is in essence a centrifuge! You spin. Many other parks have rides like this without all the extras, maybe you have seen them. These rides have various names but you basically go stand (most of these others you stand) against the wall in a large cylinder with other guests. The cylinder then spins at such a rate that you are pinned against the wall and at this point they even drop the floor out from under you and yet because of the centrifical forces you do not drop.

Mission Space is essentially one of these rides with the big exception of course being that they have built a theme around the ride, that being that you are blasting off to Mars. You are seated in the Disney ride with three other guests in your cockpit, complete with steering controls, monitor and switches you will be asked to use during your trip. The feeling of "blasting off" comes from the force exerted when the capsule you are in starts to spin. The difference is that you do not realize you are spinning because of the capsule screen you are monitoring. Your only clue that you are spinning is that you will feel pressure forcing you back into your seat and again with the screen in front of you, you are tricked into feeling like you are "taking off".

So the problem with most on this ride is dealing with motion sickness issues. You are spinning but being fooled into believing that you are blasting off.

 

[wdwr]

Scream your head off!

It might help release any tension you are feeling. I probably will never ride it again because I felt a little claustrophobic and had that heavy chest feeling.

I think part of that would have been okay if I could have been talking to the person beside me and screaming like a little fool. But I was a single rider, didn't know anyone else and they weren't screaming. I refuse to look like an idiot unless I have to.

I'll just stick to Test Track my fun and the Rock N Roller Coaster for my thrills.

I've tried it once and that is good enough for me.

wdwr

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Our family (me & DH30somethings, DS11, DS8almost) loves this ride!!!! We got to try it out while it was still in previews last year, making our 4th trip this year & go on it at least 3-4 times each trip.

DH doesn't like simulator rides at all! (I have to take kids on Star Tours, etc) No TOT or RnR for us either (the mountains yes but...) But he wanted to try it for himself when it first opened. Thinks it is the most amazing ride he has ever been on.

Totally agree with disnut 8 - these are BIG WORDS OF ADVICE - when they tell you in the pre-show area NOT to try to look around, NOT to close your eyes & keep your eyes focused on your monitor they are telling you this for a reason. Trying to move around & turn your head while the car is in motion is/can be very bad for your equilibrium and/or stomach. If you are really concerned but still really want to try it for yourself maybe go late at night this way you can go back to the hotel & sleep it off if you feel icky but I'm sure you'll be fine!

Good luck!

 

[allaboutmm]

I went on it last week. I was going to test it to see if it would be OK for my DH and DS.

I have NEVER wanted OFF a ride so bad. I honostly didn't know if I could make it through the whole thing. I was SOOO nauseous. I do not get motion sickness, I have a very strong stomach (never even had morning sickness), but this ride finished me.

When I came off, my DH asked me if it was OK for them. I said ABSOLUTELY NOT! He was very surprised, since I ride EVERYTHING!

I continued to feel nasueous and headachey for hours. I get sick to my tummy just thinking about it!

I second that! Just reading this thread, brings back all those feelings !!!! I will NEVER go on that ride again!!

 

[kim35]

k5thbeatle

Thanks for your reply. That being said, I probably will NOT ride this. We have a ride here in STL exactly as you explained called the Tom's Twister and I rode this 1 time when I was like 13 and have not been able to ride it since.

Thanks

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Imagine how you would feel if you are sitting on the bottom of a launch pad looking up...and then they launch you! All the while, you are being spun (to make you feel "weightless"). I was sick for hours after this ride...and I don't typically get sick on rides. Guess working for NASA is not in my future!

 

[StewartG]

I'm sorta prone to motion sickness, so I had my DW get on the ride first to check it out. She came off (with my happy bouncing 4 year old) and said, "no big deal, you'll be fine."

About 3 seconds after the spinning started I felt like Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein when they locked him in the room with the monster (letmeoutletmeoutFORGODSSAKELETMEOUTNOW!!!)

I was sick for hours, including: 1) skin the color of an underripe banana or an overripe key lime (either/or) and; 2) a headache which had me looking for, not Advil, but rather, a guillotine. And we had lunch reservations at the Biergarden for lunch in an hour... (Ummmm... Bratwurst! )

Stewart