Mission Space...Too Intense?

[Empress Room]

Just returned from WDW December 4-7. Went on MS twice this trip (had been on it during preview in July). My observations: the wait for Test Track was at least 20 minutes longer than at MS. I was surprised. Then I'm hearing a "buzz" among parkgoers about MS being too intense and making people sick. People were actually getting out of line as they overheard conversations. Most disturbing - on both rides on MS I saw two to three people getting violently ill in the wastebaskets at the exit of the ride and outside of the pavillion. Ouch. I'm a veteran of all rides, and I must say that it made me a tad dizzy for about 15 minutes afterward. My question: has anyone else witnessed this and, if so, do you think that these negative comments and reactions will make Disney rethink or tweak the experience at MS? I think it's definitely e-ticket, but I can't believe Disney will stand for negative reactions. Thoughts?

 

[wdwmagic]

It is an intense experience, and I think a lot of guests go into the attraction not realising that, and not being fully prepared. Despite many many warnings, guests still ride after just eating, and guests who have motion sickness problems still ride. The centrifuge ride system will always have this effect, due to the very nature that it creates the experience by spinning. The most severe motion sickness effect occurs at the acceleration, and decceleration phases. These phases would always be there, regardless of how reduced the overall GForces became, meaning that by reducing the overall G, there wouldnt be much of a saving.

Besides all of that, the GForces have been set in stone from years of testing, so wouldnt be changed due to a few people per day getting motion sickness.

 

[mkt]

It iiiiiiiis intense.... I mean, some guy on the intraweb said that it spinned SOOOOOOOOO fast, his head exploded and they had to shut it down. Then they put his head together with pretzels. I read it on the intraweb so it MUST be true!!!


:hammer:


No.. it's not bad at all. If you've ridden a plane or a REALLY fast car, you'll be fine.

 

[Mr D]

Well isn't the definition of an E-ticket ride as being "intense" proper?

personally I think its just reactions to people that are not in fair health, stressed out or just plain exhausted and prefer to blow off the warnings of keeping their heads forward, its just like being on the teacups ride and if anyone has ever spun one up really fast and then started looking all around of course nausea would set in.

Now if a lot of people keep on complaining perhaps the ride itself shouldn't spin at all? We can just sit in a capsule mockup and feel it bounce a bit and make noises but then they already have these rides at supermarkets.....

I havn't ridden it yet but I arrive in Orlando in a couple of weeks for 28 days vacation and I will definately check it out at least once.

 

[The Mom]

Sorry Rob, I have to differ with you. It's a very individual thing. I rode it twice; the first time I was just fine, and even told my husband he would be OK. My son did great.

The second time, I felt a bit queasy, and didn't want to ride again. My son still felt great. My husband didn't vomit, but felt extremely uncomfortable, and was unable to eat for the rest of the day/evening. He loves RnR, Space and Splash Mountains. However, he doesn't like the teacups, Body Wars, etc.

He's ridden in planes of all sizes and types, except fighter planes, including helicopters, and never had any problems. He's had two carrier deployments, and we used to sailboat race. He still sails and rows weekly in ALL types of weather.

If someone already has a history of motion sickness, DON'T ride M:S!!! If you've gotten queasy on spinning rides, you might want to skip it. As Rob stated, DON'T ride right after eating, and DO follow the directions!

 

[grandmath]

It IS intense, and that's what makes it realistic, so I'm glad it is. It is such a powerful and unique experience, I keep dreaming about it regularly. :hammer: Often I'm dreaming that they made it less intense, and I truly hope they'll never change it, or make 2 rooms intense, and 2 easier. That would be OK.

BTW, I rode it 6 times during my last trip, and never saw one people sick. I don't know what to think about all those reports of people lying on the grass for 15 minutes afterwards... For myself, I felt a little dizzy for about 5 minutes after each ride (the more I rode, the less I felt that) but it was not that bad, just the result of an intense but great experience The last day, I even rode it twice on queue without waiting and I didn't feel sick at all.

And Im sure the majority of the people that feel sick feel this way because they didn't follow one of the warnings. I'm sure people don't realize that they are spinining so they look all around in the shuttle and don't focus solely on the screen.

 

[MouseMadness]

Originally posted by Mr D
Now if a lot of people keep on complaining perhaps the ride itself shouldn't spin at all? We can just sit in a capsule mockup and feel it bounce a bit and make noises but then they already have these rides at supermarkets.....

True....

And I don't think rides should cater to EVERY person. Of course they should try to accomodate as much as possible, but this is supposed to simulate travel into SPACE! I'd hate for them to have half a**ed it on that one! By the way, I'm a pretty big weenie, and I did alright on it. I'll ride again... knowing that my legs won't work right for a half hour afterwards. :lol:

 

[Empress Room]

I guess my point is...

not to criticize MS, but rather to hypothesize regarding Disney's likely reaction if the experience proves to be illness-provoking in too many guests. I personally found it to be a great ride, very well done and, to Disney's credit, sufficient and multiple warnings are given before the experience. Those warnings and my positive review notwithstanding, I'm wondering what Disney would likely do if it faces a ride which turns out to be a multi-million dollar "white elephant" (apologies to Dumbo!) that a majority of guests avoid because of rumor, innuendo or their own bad experiences. I'm hoping that my observations last weekend may have been the exception and not the rule.

 

[pax_65]

Perception vs Reality

Well, I think I understand your point. I was in Disney last week. In our group of 6 adults and 3 kids, only 1 other adult besides myself was willing to ride, and she only rode after I told her it wasn't too bad. The kids (ages 8 & 6) were fearless and loved the ride.

It is an individual thing, but I believe the perception is much worse than the reality (as it is with most things). If you can handle the teacups, BodyWars, Rock n' Roller coaster, etc. you are unlikely to have any problem with Mission Space.

Also, I have to believe much of the problem is caused by people who close their eyes, move their heads, or look somewhere other than the view screen. You are instructed to keep your eyes open and focused on the screen in front of you. If you do this, you won't feel dizzy or uncomfortable except perhaps for a few seconds during initial take off (but this passes quickly).

By the way, it is a GREAT ride and I was happy to see so many people afraid to ride it... it made the wait much shorter!

Jon

 

[CTXRover]

It really depends from a person to person basis. Some I have talked to thought it was the most intense ride ever created, some wanted to be pushed more and thought it could have been more intense and then there are those who think it is just right.

I constantly hear about people getting violently ill on MS and Empress Room brings up a valid point, how to stop such "rumors". As with everything, only the bad is ever noticed and it spreads like a wild fire. I have only ever once seen a person get ill from MS and it was my own Dad . I convinced him to get on it after doing it several times myself and it just didn't agree with him. He closed his eyes during the ride to help, this was before the "keep your eyes open" warnings now implemented, and this obviously contributed to his symptoms and possibly a reason for the new warnings since they asked what made him sick and what did he do to try and cope with it (closing eyes). Most every other time I have seen people, mostly teens and younger adults though, come off talking up a storm in an excited way about how neat it was.

I think the problem is Disney and their excessive warnings elsewhere. For example, Space Mountain has warnings that could make one think it could kill you and as a result I think a lot of people think, its Disney and it can't be that bad. Despite a plethora of warning signs, videos, pre-shows, and CM's telling you to seriously consider riding, I don't know what they could do. Space travel is an intense experience and if you want a realistic experince they shouldn't touch a darn thing. Some will unfortunately not agree with the ride due to the ride system used, but it seems a majority are fine. I feel sad that MS isn't a whole family experience, but this ride is meant to simulate space travel and launch and it does it amazingly.

 

[WDWspider]

Re: I guess my point is...

Originally posted by Empress Room
not to criticize MS, but rather to hypothesize regarding Disney's likely reaction if the experience proves to be illness-provoking in too many guests. I personally found it to be a great ride, very well done and, to Disney's credit, sufficient and multiple warnings are given before the experience. Those warnings and my positive review notwithstanding, I'm wondering what Disney would likely do if it faces a ride which turns out to be a multi-million dollar "white elephant" (apologies to Dumbo!) that a majority of guests avoid because of rumor, innuendo or their own bad experiences. I'm hoping that my observations last weekend may have been the exception and not the rule.

I think the talk is what Disney wants to get out. This is a different breed of Disney ride Animal (Especially for EPCOT). If more do get sick and it is more intense, their may be an initial lack of guests, but a new type of guests will begin to gravitate to M:S (and more specifically EPCOT) simply because of the heresay, the horror storys, the excitement stories, and the pure realization that this is a ride unlike any other at Disney or anywhere else. In older days, the more dangerous a coaster was the more popular it became. I think this will be a new generation equivilant of the same line of thought (of course no one should be dying). The more talk (positive or negative) the faster and more widespread news will travel to others, perhaps even those who have yet to visit Disney.

When Spider-man opened at IoA, it was a saving grace. Sure they had some other rides that were good, but if you had no intentions of going to Orlando (or at least not IoA) it was the Spider-man ride buzz that made everyone interested. It was so immersive and exciting that everyone talked and spread the word much faster than if the park did not have Spider-man. Spider-man was an overall positive buzz that got lots of talk. Granted, EPCOT does not have to pull in more guests, but M:S will surely draw crowds regardless of bad experiences or intensity.

If you build it, they will come.

 

[Empress Room]

Good Point

Originally posted by WDWspider
The more talk (positive or negative) the faster and more widespread news will travel to others, perhaps even those who have yet to visit Disney.

Certainly, the aura or mystery surrounding the experience will help attract attention, and negative publicity is just about as good as positive (unless you're Michael Jackson, of course). So you make a valid point.

I was most troubled that the wait time was not all that long (about 25 minutes) on a day at Epcot when Test Track had 45 minute waits and the stand-by wait for the Norway water ride was 25 minutes. Let's hope that the negative publicity (such as it is) doesn't scare people away from a truly unique and exhilarating experience.

 

[dxwwf3]

Am I the only one that thinks M:S is absolutely not intense in any sense of the word? Now take into account I am a 19 year old male but I still was hoping for a little more g-forces. Don't get me wrong I love the ride alot and it is one of my favorites but when I describe M:S to others I never mention the word intense. I actually tried to get dizzy on some of my multiple rides. I leaned forward, looked to the side, closed my eyes (which is a definate no-no for 1st timers), and I did this for the WHOLE ride. And I got nothing. I felt exactly the same as I did when I walked out the first time when I actually followed directions :lol:

I honestly think that if you go in without a full stomach, hold your head back, look forward, and keep your eyes open you should be fine.

 

[WDWspider]

M:S has a higher ride capacity than Test Track also, so keep that into account. M:S may be riding more guests per day than Test Track (not sure) and still have smaller lines.

 

[Pippa]

I was very apprehensive before I rode M:S as I had read most of the reviews on this site and I have an intense phobia of vomiting. However I was determined to ride at least once, so I went first thing in the morning before eating breakfast and followed the pre-show instructions about looking front, eyes open etc and I loved it! I smiled through the whole thing and did it twice more during the trip. I am sure a lot of people think the warnings "don't apply to them".

 

[Firewolfe51]

ms is like a toy

Ihave rode M S three times and yes its a wild ride. the first trip I was very nervous. after that its childs play! If any of you are ever passing through or around Huntsville Alabama stop by the US Space and Rocket Center at Marshall space flight center. There they have a centrifuge called (of coarse) the G-force. The mean machine last about 4 to 5 min and up to 3 plus g's and holds you there for more than 60 seconds. This little monter gets so bad you can't lift your hands! I have ridden it several times and think every time its over and im having chest pain that this can't be healthy! This centrifuge is at least 20 years old...when it was built it was mocked after real astronaut trainers. anyway if anyone is ever close give it a try after that you can laugh at M S as I did...but please don't get me wrong I love M S it is truly a great E-ticket ride..(I would rather have a refurbed HORIZONS though)

 

[figmentmom]

I was at EPCOT not too long ago with my daughter and her boyfriend. We lined up for Mission:Space because I knew Sara and Jason REALLY wanted to give it a try - and I knew full well that I would be bailing out at the last minute because I am very prone to motion sickness, and I didn't want that to prevent their experiencing the ride. Anyway, I had ample opportunity to observe people as they got off the ride, and they fell into three groups:

1. "Woohoo! that was great! Let's go again!"

2. "Uh, I'll be OK in a few minutes - just let me sit down..."

3. (too ill to speak, this group headed immediately for the restrooms, hands clapped over their mouths)

Sara, my daughter, was in group 2. She recovered an hour or two later. Jason, a licensed, experienced pilot, was in group 1, and LOVED the ride. I should add that the three groups seemed fairly equally distributed amoong the exiting riders.

Too intense? Well, they DO warn you beforehand, and I took that warning seriously! But Sara has never been motion-sick in her life, and has ridden all types of rollercoasters without turning a hair. I suspect M:S is just a lot more intense than the average WDW visitor expects.

 

[pax_65]

Originally posted by dxwwf3
Am I the only one that thinks M:S is absolutely not intense in any sense of the word?

I agree with you that the physical forces, nausea, etc that you experience on this ride are not that intense. I feel sick on carnival rides like the Tilt-t-whirl, rotor, pirate ship as well as Disney's own teacups, and I feel a little "off" after riding roller coasters like Hulk, Dueling Dragons, or Rock n' Roller Coaster, but I can ride Mission Space with no problems whatsoever.

However, I would say that Mission Space is "intense" in the overall experience, which is a good thing! It builds up a lot of excitement and then pays it off, much like Tower of Terror and (to a lesser extent) Test Track.

Jon

PS. By the way, I loved Horizons and miss it dearly, but given the choice between Mission Space and an updated Horizons, there is NO comparison. I feel the same way about Test Track and World of Motion. Both these attractions are good improvements to the Disneyworld experience!

 

[dxwwf3]

Originally posted by pax_65
However, I would say that Mission Space is "intense" in the overall experience, which is a good thing! It builds up a lot of excitement and then pays it off, much like Tower of Terror and (to a lesser extent) Test Track.


PS. By the way, I loved Horizons and miss it dearly, but given the choice between Mission Space and an updated Horizons, there is NO comparison. I feel the same way about Test Track and World of Motion. Both these attractions are good improvements to the Disneyworld experience!

Well I guess I'll give you the first part. It is a fun ride and it does (somewhat) deliver. But I still think that for overall experience Tower of Terror hasn't been beat.

But I do slightly disagree with you there at the end. While I think that M:S and TT are wonderful updates and I love them dearly, I'd STILL rather have Horizons and World of Motion. But Disney HAD to make the changes for attendence so I fully understand. But to me Horizons and World of Motion are my 2 favorite slow moving rides ever.

No matter what though Disney is really trying to pump Epcot up and they are doing a darn good job. When Soarin' Opens up I'm sure Epcot will be right beside MGM on my favorite parks list.

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by dxwwf3

No matter what though Disney is really trying to pump Epcot up and they are doing a darn good job. When Soarin' Opens up I'm sure Epcot will be right beside MGM on my favorite parks list.

I have to agree. No quick fixes... each new addition to EPCOT has been quality as of late. I look forward to the Living Seas update.