Mission Space

Florida Guide > Disney General

Epcot’s newest attraction is, of course, Mission Space, an amazing simulatorride that really makes you feel as if you are taking off into space. I am not a‘natural’ where scary rides are concerned, but this one is absolutely unmissable.You will experience some quite intense G-forces, and it can make you nauseous.but I can thoroughly recommend it, having been on it 4 times in one day! We werea little put-off at the entrance, as they do a good job of putting the ‘fear ofgod’ into you. Admittedly, they do get 30 people a day taken ill on this ride,and some even have to go to hospital, but it really wasn’t as scary as Iexpected. You DO experience G-forces, and the first time I was a little unsteadywhen I got off – and NO that wasn’t due to any medicinal shots of brandybeforehand!

The building itself is impressive, as is the Planetary Plaza at theattraction’s entrance. Here you will see large spheres symbolising Earth, themoon, Jupiter and Mars. On the plaza’s walls there are quotes from famousfigures who epitomise the spirit of space travel. It looks particularlyspectacular with the setting sun.

As with all the attractions you take part in an ‘experience’. You become oneof a 4 man crew launching themselves into space on a journey to Mars. You areput into a space capsule with 4 people, and each of you is assigned a job –Pilot, Engineer, Navigator, Captain. You will have to perform a task, and steerthe craft when, inevitably, things go wrong. As you settle yourself into the‘capsule’ you know its going to be quite a bumpy ride as restraints comes downover your shoulders. A good tip is to make sure you look out of the porthole infront of you all the time, as this will stop you getting disorientated. As forthe ride, well sensational is just one adjective to describe it.

As far as the mechanics of the ride are concerned, it is a simulator, and thecapsules are spun at very high speed to generate the G-forces, but you are notaware of the spinning, you just feel its effects. As you sit back in your seatyou see the gantry in front of you, then suddenly you experience the launch,shooting up the gantry into blue skies, through clouds and into space. You arepushed back into your seat and then you experience G-forces. I won’t spoil therest of the fun, but needless to say, something goes wrong, and you must try tocontrol the rocket through Martian canyons, which is thrilling.

Our only criticism is that it’s much too short – we were ready to do thereturn trip, but that’s when they show you to the door! Strangely enough it wasnot anything like as busy as Test-Track – which ran out of ‘fast-passes’ atlunchtime, and had queues of over an hour. This did mean that after our firstride we were able to get another fast-pass, and squeeze in 3 more trips to Mars.

DO remember to keep looking out of the window ALL the time, or you could feelvery disorientated, and sick. Andrew and I went on it 4 times and enjoyed everyminute, despite feeling very nervous the first time.  If you do suffer frommotion sickness and still want to do the ride, then take a travel sicknesstablet before you get on it. Strangely enough it was not as busy as Test Track.We think they do such a good job of scaring people that many give it a miss. Ifyou are brave enough then don’t miss it. It’s like nothing you’ve everexperienced, and it is truly a spectacular experience.

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Page added on: 21 July 2004
Viewed 1350 times since 1 September 2008.

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