[Park Hopper]

I finally rode Mission: Space yesterday. Actually, I rode it four times -- and came away with a mixed bag of impressions.

On the good side, Mission: Space is an exciting, cutting-edge ride, unlike any you've ever experienced (unless you're a jet pilot or an astronaut). On the bad side, there's a chance you will suffer some post-ride aftereffects. It's definitely not a ride for everyone.

A friend and I rode it twice in a row first thing in the morning. We both had empty stomachs, and I think that probably was a mistake. Although we both thought the ride experience was great, we were a little queasy after the first time and even more so after the second. We went to get something to eat and drink and the feeling of nausea passed fairly quickly.

My wife joined us late in the afternoon and the three of us rode Mission: Space together. We all had eaten a good lunch, although my wife had eaten several hours before us. My friend and I experienced none of the discomfort we had felt in the morning but my wife, while having enjoyed the ride, started having problems shortly after the ride ended. She felt increasingly nauseous for a good two hours afterward and didn't feel better until she had a light snack. Oddly, she felt better while walking and moving around and felt worse when sitting down. In the meantime, my friend and I rode again with no problems. It's worth noting that none of the three of us has ever had any trouble with motion sickness or delicate stomachs.

During our four trips through Mission: Space we observed other riders having difficulty after the conclusion of the trip. There are seats along the wall immediately after you exit your capsule, and some people used them to rest for a moment to let themselves recover. One man in particular was in enough distress that two cast members came over to tend to him. To Disney's credit, though, there are plenty of pre-ride warnings about motion sickness and fear of enclosed spaces.

As for the ride itself, it's tremendously realistic. Disney has outdone itself with attention to detail. The taped preflight briefing from International Space Training Center command (actor Gary Sinise) builds genuine excitement and anticipation as well as a little bit of apprehension. There are four "team members" to a capsule, each with a specific job, and when Sinise gives you your instructions it's so believable that I found myself worrying about messing them up.

I thought blastoff was the most exciting part of the ride. Just before liftoff, you're sitting in front of your viewscreen and the capsule tilts back and you're looking directly up at the sky with the launch gantry hovering overhead. It's just soooo realistic. The G-forces of takeoff are pretty intense, and then there's that momentary feeling of weightlessness when you leave the Earth's atmosphere.

The rest of the "mission" is equally impressive, from a slingshot around the moon to a white-knuckles landing on the Red Planet.


I can't stress enough that the sensations you experience during Mission: Space are completely unique. No other ride to my knowledge has used a centrifuge to create its effects, and therefore the stresses put on your body are completely unique to all but jet pilots and astronauts.

Although I think Mission: Space is a fabulous ride (I'll be doing it again but my wife says she won't), it wouldn't surprise me if Disney doesn't tweak it a little bit. I think far too many people are reporting post-ride nausea for Disney to ignore it. It's definitely not for people who are prone to motion sickness.

But if you want to get a glimmer of what it must be like to be a real astronaut, Mission: Space is a can't-miss attraction.

[Lumiere]

What a fantastic synopsis Park Hopper.

My mouth is watering with excitement over this ride but I just pray that they don't tweak it's performance before our vacation in late Jan! :nervous

It sounds magnifique !!

[rlander]

Great report!!!!! I saw a commercial on the Disney channel last night. It sorta shows the behind the scenes and interviews with the imagineers. The combination of your detailed report and the commercial having me begging my wife to go WDW NOW!!!

[mickaholic4077]

All I can say about MS is been there,done that,not going back!!

[Fantasy]

Thanks for the report.I have one question though,as I know my DH will want to ride ,and my 6 yearold is going to want to ride along w/ him. Did you observe any children after MS? He is already excited about the ride,because they were building it when we were there lastyear.I am just worried about the effect it may have on him.

[rlander]

Disney is posting a min. ht. of 44". The commercial shows a bunch of kids getting on the ride.

If your kids are anything like mine, they shouldn't have any trouble. My kids can ride the tea cups all day long without getting sick. I can't even watch the ride without turning green.
For some scientific reason, kids don't get as dizzy as adults. Remember being spun around by your arms as a kid? Not today for me!!!
I plan to ride Mission Space at least once to see if I get sick. If not, I'll be in line over and over.

[tinkerbell]

Park Hopper your report on M:S was so great !!! wish I could have described it so well !! ( clap clap clap)
I think I agree with rlander about kids .. the girls can ride teacups over and over and over .. I think kids are more adaptable normally.
I commented before on this that DH rode it .. and loved it, while it made him feel bad after, the bad didnt outweigh, how much he enjoyed it ..and I have to add that yes he takes prescription meds all the time for "motion sickness" which is something he feels anytime there is any movement.

[disneydana]

How long does the ride last from beginning to end? I've been wondering the same thing about the kids. My kids will probably want to ride it but I'm unsure if they should or not. They are 4 and 6. I 'm not sure that the 4yr old will be tall enough (although we do have "cheat" shoes). Maybe we can find something else for the kids to do while DH and I take turns through the single line.

[mmouse67l]

Sounds like Dramamine time. :dazed

Even though I am pretty sure this will make me sick, I have to ride it at least once.

Thanks for the warning Park Hopper.

[jmouse]

Wonderful description! Thanks!

[Park Hopper]

Originally posted by Fantasy
Thanks for the report.I have one question though,as I know my DH will want to ride ,and my 6 yearold is going to want to ride along w/ him. Did you observe any children after MS? He is already excited about the ride,because they were building it when we were there lastyear.I am just worried about the effect it may have on him.

Originally posted by rlander
For some scientific reason, kids don't get as dizzy as adults. Remember being spun around by your arms as a kid?

Originally posted by disneydana
How long does the ride last from beginning to end?

Fantasy, there were many children riding Mission: Space. All were very excited and I didn't see a single one experiencing any post-ride problems. I think your children will be fine.

rlander, your mention of spinning brings up an interesting point. You have absolutely no sensation of spinning while riding Mission: Space. There is plenty of perceived side-to-side and up-and-down movement and extreme acceleration and deceleration, but you never feel like you're spinning. I'm not sure how the Disney Imagineers trick your body into thinking it's going up and down instead of around and around but I suspect it has something to do with the visuals you're watching on the screen in front of you.

disneydana, the actual ride supposedly lasts four minutes. It seemed shorter than that to me but that could be because you get so immersed in it that time feels like it goes by very quickly. I never thought to time it. Of course the total experience is considerably longer when you add in the pre-flight instructions, warnings, etc.

[DougiesMommy]

What a fanatastic description! I can't wait to ride this in Dec!

[disneydana]

Hey Park Hopper! I have another question. I think I'll let my DC try it if they want to and I'm sure they will. My 4yr old will probablly be a little too short--I need to measure her. In the past I have put "cheat" shoes on her just before entering a ride she was not quite tall enough for ( they have a 2 inch heel on them). I only do it for rides like Splash Mountain not rollercoasters. Is this a type of ride I could use them for or would it be too dangerous? How are you harnessed in? Thanks for all the information. I'd like to set expectations before we get to the ride. How long is the pre-flight instructions,etc. before the ride?

BTW, you did an excellent job describing the ride. My DH read your post and he is so excited!!

[tigger]

Thanks, great review!

I'm look forward to getting "launched"!

[Franco54]

Nice job ParkHopper, I take your various reports serious. Even if I am getting to the point of giving up some of these rides, I will have to do it with wife and boys! Between the lips and the gums lookout stomach here it comes! :cry: :dazed