Mission: SPACE testing a "no G Force" version of the experience

[Epcot82Guy]

That's why I'm thinking they would have to add some sort of movement to it. If that's the case, then it's probably worth trying out by any M:S fan. But if it's the current profile minus the spinning, ouch.

Actually, they should have a much greater range of motion without the spinning. When you are spinning, any change in pitch or direction can greatly impact the ride experience. However, stationary can allow you to do a lot of aerial maneuvers without having to deal with the spinning factor. I would almost say 100% this will be a different program. Reasoning:
1. If it were just the ride program without the spinning, it would take about a week to test. It sounds like this has been in programming quite a bit longer than that.
2. There needs to be some draw to ride this thing. The basic program seems like it woul dnot be enough (as you have said).
3. If they create an independent, CyberSM type ride with this, it actually might get people to ride both (I know I will) just to see the difference. One seems more a MK-like "fun" ride; one is a "thrill" ride. Since the centrifuges have really high capacity (as current wait times show), this could really allow it to suck in more guests. Would just be smart to make this thing work by itself.

Having said that, I do think there needs to be a story tweaking of sorts. However, that could easily be done. Use one as the actual training center and one as a "guest" experience (and poke fun a bit at them not being ready). Easy fix, and if you have a combined queue that talks about the "Full Mission:Space," it drums up excitement even more and pushes people to realize the difference.

 

[PlaneJane]

Anyone who has seen futurama knows that Mission:Space ride system doesn't spin, the galaxy moves around it... duh.

 

[phillipsa9]

im not a huge mission space fan personally but i dont think its that great of an idea to do this... it seems as though it would only increase wait time for the people who want to ride it with the g-s because that number certainly wont decrease, at least not significantly, and how many people want to ride on mission space without it being MISSION SPACE... i think if they want to introduce something tamer they should build a new ride or at least expand whats there now... but who knows? theyre just testing... it could go in any direction and maybe not even change at all

 

[napnet]

I'd ride it in this version... the spinning is what makes me sick

 

[Epcot82Guy]

im not a huge mission space fan personally but i dont think its that great of an idea to do this... it seems as though it would only increase wait time for the people who want to ride it with the g-s because that number certainly wont decrease, at least not significantly, and how many people want to ride on mission space without it being MISSION SPACE... i think if they want to introduce something tamer they should build a new ride or at least expand whats there now... but who knows? theyre just testing... it could go in any direction and maybe not even change at all

While I understand your sentiments, I guess I would have two responses. First, M:S is a limited audience attraction. Anything that can open up an attraction to more people without really doing anything to the experience for those that want the full throttle experience is good by me. Second, although it would (in theory, at least) increase wait times, I would argue people have been enjoying much shorter wait times that what this attraction was meant to have. This was meant to be Epcot's signature attraction if not WDW's entirely. It certainly hasn't lived up to that. So, while people may not like that they have to wait longer since only 3 bays will be open instead of 4, it is part of waiting for a major attraction. People jump to ride Soarin' and TT with those waits. M:S shouldn't be any different.

Also, I really wouldn't want to see the money going into expanding or building a new version of this. That could be spent MUCH better elsewhere especially when, at least on the expansion argument, it accomplishes the same task as taking a bay down this way.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Remember, it is only 1 bay, not all 4.. you all who love M:S so much will still have 3 bays with the full experience.... The 1 bay is for the people who cannot tolerate the intesity or are to nervous to try the intense version... Nothing wrong with what Disney is doing.. And what, now the wait times may be 15 minutes instead of 5???

 

[GothMickey]

My hat is off to Disney. Great decision. I am impressed.

 

[jmvd20]

I think that this is a very good idea and it would allow a greater number of people to enjoy the attraction. It would give guests with health problems the ability to experience the attraction while still allowing others to experience the full and intense version of the ride. I hope they do follow through wit this plan, good idea WDW.

 

[Pongo]

Hmm...

I think this is a really weird decision on the part of Disney. I mean, I understand the good intentions, but I don't think the idea will be good in practice.

I think that the people who wait in line to ride the toned-down version will get off wondering why they waited for a chance to sit in a box that tilts a little bit.

The intenstity is what makes this ride. Without the G-forces, asll it is is what it looks like - a box. We might as well just have them all sit in a small room with four televisions. That's no fun.

I don't know. I guess we'll have to wait and see. But I think this version of the ride will turn out to be disliked. With Mission: Space, you either ride it to experience the G-Forces, or you just don't ride it. It wasn't made for everyone.

Let's make a version of Space Mountain where you sit in a pitch black room with some fans blowing on you. No one's going to want to do that.

 

[SirNim]

Anyone who has seen futurama knows that Mission:Space ride system doesn't spin, the galaxy moves around it... duh.

ROFL! :lol:

 

[jmvd20]

Hmm...

I think this is a really weird decision on the part of Disney. I mean, I understand the good intentions, but I don't think the idea will be good in practice.

I think that the people who wait in line to ride the toned-down version will get off wondering why they waited for a chance to sit in a box that tilts a little bit.

The intenstity is what makes this ride. Without the G-forces, asll it is is what it looks like - a box. We might as well just have them all sit in a small room with four televisions. That's no fun.

I don't know. I guess we'll have to wait and see. But I think this version of the ride will turn out to be disliked. With Mission: Space, you either ride it to experience the G-Forces, or you just don't ride it. It wasn't made for everyone.

Let's make a version of Space Mountain where you sit in a pitch black room with some fans blowing on you. No one's going to want to do that.

It may not be fun to me or others that like the full experience but it will give a much wider range of guests the ability to at least experience the attraction. M:S most likely would have the lowest % of people able to ride it than any other attraction/ride I can think of. In my opinion WDW is asking theselves the correct question - can we make M:S more appealing to more people.

 

[testtrack3]

setting the record straight on mission space

hi, i am a cast member at mission space. let me tell you what is going on. yes they are testing the ride not spinning. yes it is in bay 4 (green) yes attendance is down a LOT since that lady died. yes they have marked the queue with X's on the gound, probally to get ready to change it.

what they do is open up the center of the mac (multiple arm centerfuge) and install the program of the ride not spinning. they have been doing this now for the past 3 weeks.

Brad Rex was at space today with a lot of other big wig's checking it out.

how is it going to work...good question i have worked there since test and adjust and i wonder the same thing.

 

[Pongo]

It may not be fun to me or others that like the full experience but it will give a much wider range of guests the ability to at least experience the attraction. M:S most likely would have the lowest % of people able to ride it than any other attraction/ride I can think of. In my opinion WDW is asking theselves the correct question - can we make M:S more appealing to more people.

But that's the thing. Without the intensity, you aren't experiencing Mission: Space. You're experiencing a box with a television.

 

[Glasgow]

Hey, as long as the max amount of people get enjoyment out of the ride, it has to be the right thing to do. I enjoy the full ride experience, someone else may enjoy a milder version. That's fine with me - no prob

 

[Skellington88]

mission space = fiasco. Disney should just eat the loss and create a new attraction inside the building.

 

[alphapop]

It's Official

This was on the Dallas Morning News Website:

Disney World to offer tamer version of Mission: Space ride
07:52 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World said Tuesday that it will offer another, tamer version of its Mission: Space attraction, less than three weeks after a woman became ill on the ride and later died.
The $100 million ride spins tourists in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. The alternative ride will open this summer and will run next to the original. It will not have a centrifuge, said Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty.
The current version is so intense that some riders have been taken to hospitals with chest pain. Two of its 11.8 million riders have died since it opened in August 2003.
German tourist Hiltrud Bluemel, 49, died April 12, one day after she went on the ride. A preliminary medical examiner's report showed Bluemel died of brain bleeding.
She also suffered from severe high blood pressure, according to the medical examiner's office. Thirteen signs warn guests with high blood pressure or heart conditions against going on the ride.
Disney officials said the decision had nothing to do with Bluemel's death, but declined to specify how long the company had been planning the alternative version.
"Providing a choice between two ride options will help to further encourage all guests to carefully consider posted health advisories when making their decision," said Al Weiss, Walt Disney World Resort president.
A 4-year-old Pennsylvania boy also died last summer while on the ride. An autopsy determined he died of an irregular heartbeat

 

[XSTech]

This is exactly what we suggested on my podcast. It would be great if we helped influence Disney in making this decision. Mission: Space lines are not exactly long anymore (in fact, they're almost non-existant). Splitting the ride off into two experiences is a fantastic idea.

 

[dxwwf3]

Mission: Space lines are not exactly long anymore (in fact, they're almost non-existant). Splitting the ride off into two experiences is a fantastic idea.

Maybe so. I just hope that it won't backfire on them with EVERYONE being confused. You know how much common guests pay attention to things like this.

 

[jmvd20]

But that's the thing. Without the intensity, you aren't experiencing Mission: Space. You're experiencing a box with a television.

I understand that but they have to try and do something with the ride. I do agree with you that they need to add something to make up for the lack of the spinning but at least it is a start.

It seems as if attendance on the ride was declining even before the incidents occurred. Have the incidents hurt the ride more or less than the fact MOST guests to Epcot cannot ride it? I am still surprised that WDW built such a large ride and spent so much money on something they knew most people would not like, or not be able to ride.

I like M:S just the way it is and will go on it again when we are at WDW in 2 weeks. However my fiance who loves Top Thrill, Millenium, and Magnum will not go on M:S because she felt sick - for a short time but nonetheless she didn't like that. The percentage of people that can ride M:S is low, and out of that group that can ride it many do not like it. WDW realizes that there is a problem and is trying to find a happy solution for everyone.

 

[Pongo]

I understand that but they have to try and do something with the ride. I do agree with you that they need to add something to make up for the lack of the spinning but at least it is a start.

It seems as if attendance on the ride was declining even before the incidents occurred. Have the incidents hurt the ride more or less than the fact MOST guests to Epcot cannot ride it? I am still surprised that WDW built such a large ride and spent so much money on something they knew most people would not like, or not be able to ride.

I like M:S just the way it is and will go on it again when we are at WDW in 2 weeks. However my fiance who loves Top Thrill, Millenium, and Magnum will not go on M:S because she felt sick - for a short time but nonetheless she didn't like that. The percentage of people that can ride M:S is low, and out of that group that can ride it many do not like it. WDW realizes that there is a problem and is trying to find a happy solution for everyone.

I don't think Disney anticipated that people wouldn't like it. They wouldn't have built it if they knew a lot of people wouldn't like it.

When it opened, I remember everyone around here being excited about it. But it isn't for everyone, and when those people who can't handle it realize that fact, they'll stay away from it - making lines shorter.

I think this is just a quick fix to make people happy. Something else can be done. What is that thing? I don't know. But something else can be done.