Why I Hate Mission Space

[OverplanninJess]

Just got back from Florida yesterday...spent 8 wonderful, magical, dining plan-filled days in DisneyWorld. However, there was one major blemish which did not even come close to ruining the whole trip, but did ruin a good hour and a half or so...When my DBF and I saw all the warnings about Mission Space we took them w/a grain of salt-both being 21 and in good shape (we are both runners) we didn't think we'd have any problem sticking ourselves into a centrifuge and going for a spin...we were wrong, VERY wrong-As soon as the ride started I felt uncomfortable, and when the take off sequence started I felt as if my esophagus was being squeezed-it was incredibly hard to breathe and I felt like I was going to pass out at any moment-it made me feel frantic and claustrophobic (which is something they warn you about, but I usually don't have a problem w/this)-Everytime it was my turn to hit a button I quickly did so in hopes that it would slow/stop what was happening-My DBF even had a blood vessel burst in his eye! Once the ride was over my DBF had to help me walk outside and steady me-we sat on the curb for at least 20 minutes afterward and then rode Ellen's Energy Ride where I sat w/my head between my legs to stop from hurling...Anyone else have a similar experience

 

[BlindTyldak]

I didn't, but my father did. He figured he'd be just fine because he is learning to be a pilot and also races cars. WRONG! He was incredibly sick all day. Odd thing though is all of the sudden my motion sickness switch kicked on oh, about my 25th birthday, so I almost didn't ride MS but decided to anyway. I normally can't ride anything that spins (I can't even twirl under my own power without feeling sick!) and was just fine on it.

 

[Marseeya]

That's odd. I am a good bit older than you, very overweight, and in pretty bad shape, but I was able to ride Mission Space again and again, several times in a row.

I guess it's just one of those things where you don't know how it'll affect you!

 

[wdwguide]

They now have a non-spinning version of the ride for you to experience if you are worried about the effects described by the OP.
I always recommend to Orange Team (i.e. original/spinning version) virgins to make this their last stop of the day - that way if they do get sick, their day won't be ruined and they can sleep it off overnight.

 

[MonkeyPants]

That's odd. I am a good bit older than you, very overweight, and in pretty bad shape, but I was able to ride Mission Space again and again, several times in a row.

I guess it's just one of those things where you don't know how it'll affect you!

had heard that some several 'pooh' sized people, perhaps the extra weight makes you feel it less.


as for the OP, sorry you and your BF had a less than thrilling experience, but all those warning signs aren't just for show, which I think more people need to take serious given the deaths that have occured on that ride.

I definitely symphathize though, even knowing the about the 'accidents' I didnt take it all that serious. I love most thrill rides, have yet to ride a rollercoaster I didnt like, but my first time on MS I came off feeling a bit odd. Not even sure how to describe how I felt, but when I was asked if I liked it or not, I couldnt honestly answer. I did know I had had enough of it for the time being. The next time I was at Epcot I said what the heck and tried it again. Ended up going on it 3 times in less than a half hour...no one else wanted to go and the single line moved FAST. After the 3rd tim, I decided, while the initial thrill of the lift off was indeed impressive the overall experience as a ride wasn't actually all that fun...other than the lift off.

After seeing the faces of many a person coming off that ride, I think many people will take Disney's warnings more seriously that is for sure.

 

[Evil Queen]

I loved the ride, the after effects stunk for me. I didn't feel right (and at times nauseated) rest of the day. DS23, just fine. His best friend, felt like I did.

So next trip only DS23 will be riding the "wilder" one, the rest of us will do the "tamer" one.

 

[jann1033]

I'm old, claustrophobic, decrepit and have some neurological issues and had no problems( which i thought i would for sure since i really can not turn fast and not get dizzy enough to have to steady myself & if i ride a cork screw coaster i walk like a drunk for a while , )

husband is old, not as decrepit, not claustrophobic and was sick as a dog ( i warned him but he refused to take anti barf pills)

just out of curiosity do you think any of it could have been due to starting to feel maybe claustrophbic and hyperventilating...ie anxiety? it just astonishes me how violently some react...you can't be much more prone to motion sickness than hubby but he never felt like it was the end for him like some seem to feel although he was affected( but not as bad as on a boat, MS didn't give him that"pea green" hue he gets on a boat )...i had warned him but he was sure he wouldn't get sick so i just wonder what causes such reactions in others. if you rode rnr did you have a problem with the take off since the g forces are i think double ms?.

 

[Mecha Figment]

I think most of the problems with healthy people is Psychology. The ride does a very very good job of instiling the fear of god in you, making you think oh my god what am i getting into. At this point your body is on high alarm and your mind and heart are racing. if you go into the ride calm and not really frightened and remain calm through out the ride it's a piece of cake. its when that fear kicks in that really gets you. I say this because i've learned from experience.

 

[Kaycee]

had heard that some several 'pooh' sized people, perhaps the extra weight makes you feel it less.

I don't think there's really a good way to predict who will be affected by the ride beforehand, other than possibly by past ride experiences. I definitely don't think size has anything to do with it though. Our whole family loved the ride and rode it multiple times, and we are all small-to-average size. For example, I'm 5'5" and weigh 112lb. I have friends of all shapes and sizes who have been on the ride, and there isn't any connection between their sizes and whether or not they enjoyed MS.

I'm happy to hear about the mild version for those who can't tolerate the regular ride but still want to experience the theming.

 

[Mecha Figment]

I would just like to point out that the mild version is still prety intence. more so than body wars or star tours.

 

[eblack0409]

That's odd....I have a heart condition, high blood pressure, and am overweight...I rode MS over and over and over again with no problems.

I am actually curious how MS caused a blood vessel to burst in your DBF's eye......the centrifuge pulls the blood out of your head to your feet, this is what causes some people to feel lightheaded.

In my opinion, TOT is much worse than MS.......

 

[Dina]

Surprisingly, I have no problem (and I do have a problem with motion sickness). I've ridden as many as 4 times in a row. I don't think I'm "pooh" sized either, so I don't think its that. It just seems to affect different people differently. Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[eblack0409]

all those warning signs aren't just for show, which I think more people need to take serious given the deaths that have occured on that ride.

Just to point out.....those deaths were caused by pre-existing conditions...not Mission: Space!

 

[black562]

There are several rides that are far more intense than Mission Space. Tower of Terror scares me to death and I'm a thrill seeker that has ridden over 125 different roller coasters. Spinning rides such as the Roter, Round-Up and even the Gravitron at the Myrtle Beach Pavillion spin at far greater G's than this. Everyone is so caught up in the psychology and stories that its making people's minds get to them.

Funny thing though, we rode MS several times on both of our trips and never saw one single person dizzy, faint or acting the least bit ill....what we did see was hundreds of cheering, laughing and smiling people. Yet when we come home, we always read these stories about how everyone gets sick on it.....how is that? I've closed my eyes, leaned forward, stared side to side and no matter what I do, I can't tell I'm spinning at all and have never been sick or disoriented, even after eating a full meal and going right on the ride. Now the Tower of Terror puts me into the shakes....

But now that they have a whimpy no spin version, how about cranking the intense one back up to full speed or even faster than it was at soft opening.

FYI, the Kennedy Space Center has a ride like this as well, only not so themed out as MS. They've had this ride for some time and I've yet to hear anyone complain about it...even though it pulls way more G's than MS has ever thought about pulling. The psychology factor has really got into people's heads about this ride, its really quite whimpy and tame and I can only imagine how boring the non-spinning version must be.

I only hope they keep some thrilling rides around for those of us who enjoy them....after all, if they took out my favorite ride Horizons, they best keep something there that's well worth the loss.

 

[black562]

Oh and by the way, for those keeping track.....on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, guests aboard each “limo” will encounter nearly five Gs as they transition from launch to loop at the ride’s first inversion. By comparison, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle experience three Gs at liftoff.

Now why are we complaining about only 2 Gs again????

 

[lillielil]

I LOVED it and could have stayed on it all day. It didn't make me feel sick at all! It made my fiancee feel hungover for about an hour, but nothing too awful.


For the record, I'm 5'6, overweight but in good shape (I work at a gym so I have no excuse not to workout), no major medical issues. My fiancee is about the same, but spends a little less time in the gym

 

[jann1033]

.FYI, the Kennedy Space Center has a ride like this as well, only not so themed out as MS. They've had this ride for some time and I've yet to hear anyone complain about it...even though it pulls way more G's than MS has ever thought about pulling.
QUOTE]

hmm very interesting...

 

[Feralpeg]

Some people have a lot more trouble with pressure than others. I've always found anything that instills pressure hard to handle. For instance, I can't go more than a foot or two deep in a pool. I have a hard time breathing in a hot-tub. I have no idea why this is true, but I'm sure not going to try a centrifuge to find out if it would bother me.

 

[jugglinfish]

I have to agree with the OP that MS just ruined a couple hours of our day. We had to sit down for a while and recover. I am NEVER affected by rides, but this one was just a killer. I'm glad so many people love the ride, and I am glad that I experienced it once.

 

[MonkeyPants]

Just to point out.....those deaths were caused by pre-existing conditions...not Mission: Space!

yes, however even knowing that I am sure when people hear someone died on a ride it gives them cause to pause a moment.