Kennedy Space Center V.S Epcot's future world (Mission Space)

[jaredliu]

I know this was a old news but since nobody ever discusses it......

KSC visitor center is going to pour lots of money into it's entertainment bussiness to build lots of space-related attractions as a ten year project. With it's experty on "Space" or "Science", it would surly compare to Epcot and especially it's Mission: SPACE. I think the current condition of Epcot is sort of bad and if Epcot doesn't improve something quickly, it's domination among science-related theme park would be replaced by KSC visitor center.

here is the webpage:
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-070605a.html

The new Shuttle Launch Experience which will debut in 2007 will be a similar experience as Mission SPACE. But some other articles that I've read meantioned that one engineer states that the system of the attarction will not be the same as Mission space (centerfuge sysytem) but more like a improved and more advanced system. It would reduce the sickness caused by rotating and it will even more realistic to the real experience.

If this attraction proves to be more popular without the montion sickness that M:S suffers, it would affect Epcot's popularity as M:S is one of main attractions of it. M:S will faces severe chanllenge when there is a better and similar attracion one hour away from it.

Beware that this attraction is only one of the "next generation theme park project" that KSC visitor center is working on. Epcot is facing a situation that 21 century will be the century of SPACE Travel, and since it's science fair style attraction is no longer popular due it's outdated technology (such as WOL, Land, UOE, and even SSE is outdated). Yes, Epcot's future world is no longer represent future and recently even more tourists tend to prefer it's Worldshowcase than future world.

Disney Company has to come up with some longer plan to make Epcot future world better to compete with KSC's ambitious goal, or I have to say I am more interested in how "NASA's imagineers" could bring me.

 

[wdwmagic]

I dont think it will come anywhere close to being as realistic as Mission Space. I believe that the ride system for the KSC attraction is just a motion base, in the style of Star Tours. If that is the case, there wont be any G forces that are the cornerstone of the realism of Mission Space.

Lots of other companies are great at talking up their attarctions in press releases, but very few can deliver anything in reality like a WDI attraction.

I'll look forward to seeing the feedback once it opens.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I think the current condition of Epcot is sort of bad and if Epcot doesn't improve something quickly, it's domination among science-related theme park would be replaced by KSC visitor center.

EPCOT isn't a "science related park" - it is a theme park of which a few of its attractions are based upon science and technology - the majority of the park is made up of the World showcase.
Even so - KSC will never be a match or competitor for EPCOT, the content of EPCOT is too diverse compared to KSCs singular theme

 

[marni1971]

It`s no secret Mission Space hasn`t been as successful as TWDC had hoped for. Long term plans had called for the possibility of M:S Clones at the other 3 (maybe 4) resorts - this is now unlikely to happen. As bad a state as Futureworld may be in, Kennedy has one big thing against it - distance. Not every guest on a 2 week dream vacation wants to take a day out to travel to the east coast, especially since Orlando has more to offer each year. Busch Gardens is just holding it`s own, but only by the introduction of an E Ticket every 2 years or so. This is exactly what Disney want`s with its all in package - remove the need for a hire car, and guests stay on property - not even venturing to SeaWorld or USF, let alone KSC.

Having read the article, its sounds very good, but not groundbreaking. Whilst $160m is a huge ammount, for the entire project it`s not relative to say EE or M:S. Once sentance really says it all:

...as vibration generators engage, causing "crew members" to sink into their seats.

- didn`t Flight to the Moon do all this in 1971?
Don`t get me wrong - I`ve had a great time at KSC each time I`ve been, but with Orlando becomming more than a 14 day destination they will have to pull out all the stops to stay near the top of the tourist attractions outside of launch activity.

 

[durangojim]

I don't think they really compete against each other. KSC is a single destination in it's own and I think that most people that go there are there as part of a day trip. It is most definately not part of a resort destination, and even with the inclusion of some thrill rides it still only remains something that you would do for part of a day. EPCOT on the other hand is part of a greater resort system and as such includes not only some rides, but restaurants, entertainment (illuminations, concerts) and the ability to travel to other resort areas in an easy way. I guess to sum it up EPCOT allows for variety and convenience, KSC while being interesting has neither of those factors.

 

[crazydaveh]

I think the two rides will be similar, yet different.

Mission: Space is a one of a kind attraction that many companies will never even think about funding. The costs were in the hundreds of millions of dollars, not many CEO's want to sign off on something of that size.

The KSC attraction will probably be a "scaled down" version of M:S. I think that M:S paved the way for the attraction which many other parks across the world will probably start installing, but they will not be built to the level of M:S.

I'm sure KSC's attraction will be fun and a great addition to the space coast, I honestly am looking forward to it. KSC is a great place to visit, it's not a theme park, it's a different experience. Like their commercials state, "The countdowns here are real!" That's the honest truth! Yes, they're taking a stab at M:S but they do really send people into space there!

The more the better, technology will only get better and make us all happier riders in the future!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Just to toss my two cents in here.... I go to KSC for teh history and for the shuttle program... not silly simulators. I didnt ride their stuff when i went a few months back, i wont when teh new stuff opens.

I go because i want to see rockets, i want to see launch pads, i want to see REAL stuff, which is why i go to KSC. I like driving by the real live launch pads, i like looking up and down the beach by the Atlantic Ocean and just judging one's sense of scale in the cosmos....

Just my little rant...

 

[Lauriebar]

Just to toss my two cents in here.... I go to KSC for teh history and for the shuttle program... not silly simulators. I didnt ride their stuff when i went a few months back, i wont when teh new stuff opens.

I go because i want to see rockets, i want to see launch pads, i want to see REAL stuff, which is why i go to KSC. I like driving by the real live launch pads, i like looking up and down the beach by the Atlantic Ocean and just judging one's sense of scale in the cosmos....

Just my little rant...

You took the words right out of my mouth.

We take our children to KSC or to the space center at Huntsville Al. about once every three years. We go to see the real life things associated with America's space program. I don't really see the need for the thrill ride aspect that is being added because (at least to us) the historical and cultural significance of KFC is more than exciting enough!!

 

[disneylands]

i highly doubt that an attraction at KSC would affect the popularity of epcot or mission space. KSC is just a day trip, if that...

EDIT: Sorry durangojim I didnt see that you wrote that before I did. I guess you beat me to it!

Also One more thing. KSC is now stooping so low to add attractions like disney? Yeah it is cool, but I think they should stick with what they know.

Another thing, If I were a small place like KSC I would not be taking stabs at disney or any of their attractions. Disney could absolutley crush any and all of the competition if they wanted too. However now that I think about it they wont because they want and need competition. So I guess I know why their competitors do it now.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/membership.htm

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I don't think that Epcot has anything to worry about. I don't think that what they build will come close to the experience that Mission:Space and epcot in total gives you.

 

[DoomBuggy05]

Just to toss my two cents in here.... I go to KSC for teh history and for the shuttle program... not silly simulators. I didnt ride their stuff when i went a few months back, i wont when teh new stuff opens.

I go because i want to see rockets, i want to see launch pads, i want to see REAL stuff, which is why i go to KSC. I like driving by the real live launch pads, i like looking up and down the beach by the Atlantic Ocean and just judging one's sense of scale in the cosmos....

Just my little rant...

Given NASA's recent success' or lack there of as it were, I personally wouldn't try to take on WDW. I'm sure that the lack of shuttle launches and returns (two less returns than launches) has really hurt attendance at KSC. KSC should stick to what they know and have. The history of US space flight. No one can touch that. Thrill rides won't help. They may even cheapen the experience. The men and women of NASA who have attempted to or have accomplished space flight deserve better.

Don't get me wrong, KSC holds a special place in my heart. I was at KSC on July 1st 1997 when Columbia was launched. It was the absolute coolest thing I have ever witnessed. WDW could never repeat that experience because it was real. KSC is real reality.

IMHO,

DB05

 

[forbidden donut]

Would not a little competition force Disney to improve Epcot?
Look what Universal Studios forced Disney to do - they took what was just going to be another pavilion at Epcot and expanded it into a whole new park (MGM Studios).
And we all benefited from that.

 

[dolbyman]

I could think of smth more realistic than M:S

combine a freefall tower motion system (like TOT)
and a motion simulatior (like star tours)

cover this thing into a hughe space shuttle contruction bay (those giant buildings) and you have your incredible thing spaceshot attraction .. :lookaroun

 

[wdwmagic]

I could think of smth more realistic than M:S

combine a freefall tower motion system (like TOT)
and a motion simulatior (like star tours)

cover this thing into a hughe space shuttle contruction bay (those giant buildings) and you have your incredible thing spaceshot attraction .. :lookaroun

That wouldnt give you sustained Gs though. That is why NASA and Disney use centrifuges for astronaut training. A spaceshot will give you just a burst of G for a few seconds. So I dont think such a system would be anywhere near as realistic as MS, which is able to deliver preceise Gs for as long as needed.

 

[col]

ive only visited kennedy space centre once but i loved it.

ive always been facinated by the whole space thing and what they have there is amazing.

IF KSC did do something like mission space, SO WHAT!

KSC is all about space and stuff where as in epcot you have a variety of rides and KSC is a long way away from WDW. mission:space does not sum up epcot when i think of epcot i think of test track, world showcase, soarin' and innovations, oh and spaceship earth.
going to KSC inspires people and opens there minds-in my opinion it is a truely awesome experience. i cant see people going on a bus ride for ?hours then returning about 4 hours later and doing that every day (unless you work there).

point being KSC will have a variety of stuff and if they did have a ride that was like mission:space. SO WHAT!!!

 

[dolbyman]

That wouldnt give you sustained Gs though. That is why NASA and Disney use centrifuges for astronaut training. A spaceshot will give you just a burst of G for a few seconds. So I dont think such a system would be anywhere near as realistic as MS, which is able to deliver preceise Gs for as long as needed.

if you build it tall enough ...and with perfect timing

4 sec full acc at mabye 4g .. (what hight would that be ?)

after that a freefall of 5-8 sec

then a slight accelleration again 2-3g(slighshot for the moon)

after that maybe a transition to a second chanber and the landing on mars with another forced freefall

(seatcabins are 360° turnable for the right g forces)



ahh well just an idea

 

[jaredliu]

Just to toss my two cents in here.... I go to KSC for teh history and for the shuttle program... not silly simulators. I didnt ride their stuff when i went a few months back, i wont when teh new stuff opens.

I go because i want to see rockets, i want to see launch pads, i want to see REAL stuff, which is why i go to KSC. I like driving by the real live launch pads, i like looking up and down the beach by the Atlantic Ocean and just judging one's sense of scale in the cosmos....

Just my little rant...

If you think their simulators are silly, then M:S is silly. They are all simulators.

 

[GrandFloridian1]

I agree with most of you. I don't think there is any competition between KSC and EPCOT. KSC just wants a little more piece of the action- and why not? I LOVE Disney and love KSC. Way to go Discovery!!

 

[Connor002]

Hmm... I don't mean to come down on NASA, but they have much more important things to worry about right now. I wouldn't mind if they built a little sideshow attraction for the tourists, but really, is this whats important right now. The space program has major problems right now, I think they should concentrate on what they were founded for: To reach new horizins and further man's understanding of the universe.

 

[GrandFloridian1]

A little tidbit that I found out when I visited KSC in May was that they are totally funded by the public who visits KSC. They are separate from NASA who is funded by the government.