Spaceship Earth?

[steffali]

I have never been on that ride, I am nervous about it being claustrophobic Can someone please tell me how it is and what is all about?
Thanks

 

[LadyZolt]

It's sort of like Haunted Mansion in that you ride in a buggy-type thing that's constantly moving. There's audio piped in and you basically ride through a history of the Earth with regard to communications. I really like this ride and always see something new in the detailed scenes that you pass. If you can do stuff like Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion, you can do Spaceship Earth.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[Miandrea]

I don't like small spaces but Spaceship Earth is fine. I don't feel closed in at all. Basically you take a voyage in blue moving vechicles (2 adults fit comfortably with bags in between and then you move up through the ball and then back down. I personally enjoy the ride!

 

[steffali]

Thanks I thought I read somewhere that it is not good for people with claustro. that's why I have stayed away from it. My DD has some disabilities will they be able to stop the ride like Haunted House to let us on?

 

[SueM in MN]

I am claustrophobic and have had some problems in the past with Spaceship Earth. The cars are not small, but they kind of come around you a bit (not as much as the Haunted Mansion Cars). The part that makes me uneasy is the speaker being right behind your head. When I get uncomfortable, I just move my head forward so that the sound is not quite so much in my head.

It is a very interesting ride and well worth going on.

 

[BlindTyldak]

Yes, they can stop the ride to let him on. Use the handicapped entrance in the back and they will let him up the exit ramp for the ride, where there is a rotating platform that matches the speed of the cars. he'll have a good amount of time to get on, but if he needs more, they will stop it.

 

[keypooh90]

I love Spaceship Earth...it is a must do for us every trip.

Carrielee

 

[MJMcBride]

To me, Spaceship Earth is one of the more open dark rides. Many of the scenes are large with the next scene visible. In terms of claustrophobia, I would thing Haunted Mansion, Snow White, etc would be worse.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks I thought I read somewhere that it is not good for people with claustro. that's why I have stayed away from it. My DD has some disabilities will they be able to stop the ride like Haunted House to let us on?

If your DD is using a wheelchair, then go to the exit of Spaceship Earth. If she doesn't have a wheelchair, crutches or something visible that tells the CM you need an accessible boarding area, then you will need a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to board at that area. There is a waiting area with a CM stationed there who will tell you how long the wait is and where to wait. When the CM tells you they are ready, you proceed up the exit. They usually slow the moving walkway, but can stop it if you let them know that you need it stopped.

 

[princess22]

Thanks I thought I read somewhere that it is not good for people with claustro. that's why I have stayed away from it. My DD has some disabilities will they be able to stop the ride like Haunted House to let us on?

Maybe you got it confused with Mission Space, I hear people do that all the time. Now Mission Space is probably not good for people who are claustrophobic!

 

[SueM in MN]

Maybe you got it confused with Mission Space, I hear people do that all the time. Now Mission Space is probably not good for people who are claustrophobic!

I do know other people with claustrophobia who have had problems with Spaceship Earth and did way before Mission Space existed (although I do agree that Mission Space would be a bad one for most people with claustrophobia). The Passporter Book for WDW with Special Needs does mention the speakers in the headrests and the narrow spaces in some areas as potential problems for people with claustrophobia.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Anybody know if there are any pictures of the ride vehicle I can look at? I want to see if there's any way my DH would be able to get in and out.

 

[BlindTyldak]

What type of problem does he have? My husband has MS, and has ballance issues and very stiff legs. The vehicles have a sliding door on the side and it is a straight walk in (if I remember right) off of the platform, no stepping up or down (or if you do, it's only like 3 inches). DH had no problems at all, if it helps.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

What type of problem does he have? My husband has MS, and has ballance issues and very stiff legs. The vehicles have a sliding door on the side and it is a straight walk in (if I remember right) off of the platform, no stepping up or down (or if you do, it's only like 3 inches). DH had no problems at all, if it helps.

My husband has MD. He is not able to step up or down but may be able to ride if they stop the ride. Can he pull his wheelchair up close?

 

[BlindTyldak]

My husband has MD. He is not able to step up or down but may be able to ride if they stop the ride. Can he pull his wheelchair up close?

Hmm, I honestly don't know if the wheelchair would be allowed on the platform or not. My DH was able to take the two steps from the wheelchair, onto the moving platform, and into the ride, but while we were on it the ride stopped twice for what I can only assume was loading people with greater mobility issues onto it. They'd probably have to stop the ride, but I know they definitely do so for some folks! Someone else had probably better field this one.

 

[MrToad]

Not sure about the claustrophobic thing, but I don't think it could be any worse than some other rides. This is my most favorite attrraction in all of Epcot.

 

[lrauers]

I am claustrophobic and I love Spaceship Earth. It's a bit out-of-date by today's technology but it's fairly quiet, cool respite from the crowd. I strongly
recommend that you avoid Mission Space if you're claustrophobic, you have to get into a very small "capsule" with 3 other riders, you're restained and then closed in until the end of the ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

My husband has MD. He is not able to step up or down but may be able to ride if they stop the ride. Can he pull his wheelchair up close?

Let the CM outside the exit know that you will need a complete stop and will need to bring the wheelchair onto the platform. You will probably need to tell the CM inside the ride too, but we usually tell the first person, so they have some advance notice. That is what we do for DD.

You can bring the wheelchair as close to the ride car as you want. My DH usually rides with DD so he can help her in and out. Keep in mind that when you get out, it will be at the same place you are getting in and the door will open on the same side. I usually get into a ride car that will unload before the one that DH and DD are in, so I'll be able to help them to get out.
The CM will take the wheelchair away after you are boarded. The CM tags the car the person with a wheelchair is in so they know when it returns. Usually, the CM will stop the moving walkway when you get out (and usually, they will also bring the wheelchair). If you need something more, need the wheelchair closer or they forget - just say something and they will try to do what you need.

 

[goofyernmost]

I do know other people with claustrophobia who have had problems with Spaceship Earth and did way before Mission Space existed (although I do agree that Mission Space would be a bad one for most people with claustrophobia). The Passporter Book for WDW with Special Needs does mention the speakers in the headrests and the narrow spaces in some areas as potential problems for people with claustrophobia.

Maybe I'm not reading this correctly but I cannot even begin to imagine how claustrophobia can even be used in the same sentence as Spaceship earth. The cars are not like Haunted Mansion, they are only shoulder high plus a small head rest. The shows are wide open, no closed in spaces. In fact, the top is like being in space, infinity and beyond. If SE can cause a claustrophobic reaction then I am unable to understand how these folks were able to even get to WDW.

If everyone is really thinking about Mission Space, and claustrophobia is a problem then I would not recommend doing that one.

 

[SueM in MN]

Maybe I'm not reading this correctly but I cannot even begin to imagine how claustrophobia can even be used in the same sentence as Spaceship earth. The cars are not like Haunted Mansion, they are only shoulder high plus a small head rest. The shows are wide open, no closed in spaces. In fact, the top is like being in space, infinity and beyond. If SE can cause a claustrophobic reaction then I am unable to understand how these folks were able to even get to WDW.

If everyone is really thinking about Mission Space, and claustrophobia is a problem then I would not recommend doing that one.

I can tell you for sure that it's Spaceship Earth. The cars are only shoulder high with a small headrest thing that the speaker is in. It's the speaker being right behind the head that bothers some people - maybe claustrophobia is not exacly the right term, but the first time I rode it, I really had a problem with that speaker being right behind my head. Some people also have a problem with the place in the ride where the ride car is going backwards down an incline.