I found this picture (http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/data/505/747ms.jpg) in the Photo Albums section and was wondering what the "tragedy" was?
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Mission: SPACE "Tragedy" picture
- Thread starter wdwjmp239
- Start date
SirNim
Well-Known Member
I believe the tragedy being referred to is the polarization of Epcot guests. The young thrillseekers break up the group in order to ride M:S and TT, leaving the older Guests, and the really young guests, and those who have not a fondness for fast rides, to find a spot on the grassy knolls of Future World East while they wait for their other group members to finish their trip to Mars and/or Michigan (as in, cars). M:S and TT failed to offer an experience for all guests, instead offering a single attraction with quite minor diversions on the side (M:S and TT postshows) that claim to constitute a full experience for everybody.
That's what I think the tragedy is. And it is a tragedy.
That's what I think the tragedy is. And it is a tragedy.
figment1988
Member
i don't get it. where or what's the "tragedy"?
General Grizz
New Member
Hee. :lookaroun
Not a "tragedy" in the true sense of the word. But every day, you'll see families waiting outside of M:S, waiting for their loved ones to come back after riding. (There is no great family experience offered for those guests who do not wish to go through the stomach-churning attraction). Doesn't much help when Wonders of Life is closed, either.
(SirNim phrased it very well!)
Not a "tragedy" in the true sense of the word. But every day, you'll see families waiting outside of M:S, waiting for their loved ones to come back after riding. (There is no great family experience offered for those guests who do not wish to go through the stomach-churning attraction). Doesn't much help when Wonders of Life is closed, either.
(SirNim phrased it very well!)
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
figment1988 said:
The "Tragedy" is that there was once an attraction there that the entire family could enjoy...now you see an attraction that separates the "family" and the thrillseekers get to have fun and enjoy the attraction while the rest of the family waits outside.
I'm sorry, but I must disagree. Some of the classic Disney rides are ones where families separate.
Also, I should say some people LIKE to skip out on some rides. For example, my parents won't ride Mission Space, so I'll ride it with my cousins while the 'folks grab a coffee and pastry at the fountain (which I find dull).
Those people looked quite content napping, might I add. If you're a bit older and the younger ones have had you running around all day, a chance to let them run on their own while you take a break is welcome.
Also, I should say some people LIKE to skip out on some rides. For example, my parents won't ride Mission Space, so I'll ride it with my cousins while the 'folks grab a coffee and pastry at the fountain (which I find dull).
Those people looked quite content napping, might I add. If you're a bit older and the younger ones have had you running around all day, a chance to let them run on their own while you take a break is welcome.
Main Street USA
Well-Known Member
admats130 said:
That may be. But I'll venture to say that you're missing the point. The point is that the whole family used to have the option to visit any pavilion in Epcot as a family, and now, the option doesn't exist in the two places where great family attractions once stood.
Disneyland...and then Disney World....both initially had the concept of "family", and the concept has recently gone by the wayside.
That's the point, and that's the tragedy.
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
Main Street USA said:That may be. But I'll venture to say that you're missing the point. The point is that the whole family used to have the option to visit any pavilion in Epcot as a family, and now, the option doesn't exist in the two places where great family attractions once stood.
Disneyland...and then Disney World....both initially had the concept of "family", and the concept has recently gone by the wayside.
That's the point, and that's the tragedy.
Yes, you summed it up. "The option doesn't exist in the two places where great family attractions once stood."
By putting in Mission:Space and Test Track...you have taken two family attractions away...and replaced them with thrill rides. It would not have been as much of a "tragedy" if they were completely new attractions without sacrificing two family attractions. (Or if they replaced THRILL attractions for thrill attractions).
tirian
Well-Known Member
Nobody is saying that M:S itself is a tragedy, even though the ride does split families--the MK mountain range does this, too, though not nearly as dramatically as M:S (more people can stomach the mountains!). The point is that there is nothing worthwhile in the pavilion while others are on the ride. For example, my cousin recently sat on a bench as she waited for everyone else to get out of M:S. She didn't play the games (Disney Quest is more fun); she sat down. That's it. And she talked a little to a CM.
Not to thread drift, but perhaps the biggest problem with both M:S and TT is that their pavilions are one-hit attractions, which means that if the ride malfunctions ( ), the entire pavilion is disabled. Of course, Horizons and World of Motion were also one-hit attractions, but they were suitable for a larger audience (although TT is arguably more popular); and since WoL was open, another East pavilion could swallow crowds and provide diversions. That's not possible anymore.
Not to thread drift, but perhaps the biggest problem with both M:S and TT is that their pavilions are one-hit attractions, which means that if the ride malfunctions (
), the entire pavilion is disabled. Of course, Horizons and World of Motion were also one-hit attractions, but they were suitable for a larger audience (although TT is arguably more popular); and since WoL was open, another East pavilion could swallow crowds and provide diversions. That's not possible anymore.
the-reason14
Well-Known Member
And so if the original attractions still stood there, would the attendance for epcot be as strong as it is today. Wouldn't the thrill seekers and people lose interest in the old rides and find other parks to go to, making epcot "appeal" decrease.
Im not saying disney should throw away the "family" audience, because I think either way with or without thrill rides, disney will always attract "the family." But they really need to keep the audience more than just families, and I think that the attractions offered are just perfect for a wide variety of people. Honestly, TT isnt really a "thrill" ride for me, I just really enjoy it, so thats why I ride it. Families should still be able to ride TT, and MS without problem.
Im not saying disney should throw away the "family" audience, because I think either way with or without thrill rides, disney will always attract "the family." But they really need to keep the audience more than just families, and I think that the attractions offered are just perfect for a wide variety of people. Honestly, TT isnt really a "thrill" ride for me, I just really enjoy it, so thats why I ride it. Families should still be able to ride TT, and MS without problem.
Hurricane
New Member
The problem is that Family Attractions are not E Tickets. Etickets are necessary to ensure that greater number of people come to the parks, family attractions are necessary to MAKE THEM COME BACK. Unfortunatley the mouse's shortsighted vision is that E tickets are the only cost effective attraction, not realizing that E tickets are a vicious cycle and you have to be on the bleeding edge to continue to attract more and more visitors rather than attract them with etickets but have them stay (and return) for the classics/family attractions.... Sadly I see Soarin' headed this direction (though I think it will be an amazing attraction and I will be at passholder previews, I doubt that it will be granny's favorite ride).
coreyrolfes
New Member
Just offering a counterpoint. This ride was one of the few my whole family went on together last time we visited WDW. Our family doesn't have any real young children and it was a blast to do it as a family the first time as each person was doing their "part". I really like the teamwork theme and how you feel a little better after riding it. So certain families don't have to split up. Most of us thought the ride was a milder than we expected and that thought other rides like Space Mountain were harder on our bodies than M:S was. Again, just offering a different view on the topic.
ClemsonTigger
Naturally Grumpy
Hurricane said:
Hurricane, I think you (and Granny) will be pleasantly surprised by Soarin'. It is an E ticket that can be enjoyed by 6 year olds and 66 year olds.
While I understand the polarization caused by an intense ride like MS (my wife and I both enjoy it at lot). As Epcot is my favorite park (while I miss Horizons, WoL, Motion etc.), I think today's Epcot is more "family friendly" than ever. While I have always loved it, from the beginning I heard many say it was boring...there was nothing to do. People flocked to Maelstrom as the "only" thrill ride in the park. Today I can go with those type of people, enjoy World Showcase, The Land, SSE and my favorites while they can have a fun visit as well.
evanssc
Member
[QUOTE
While I understand the polarization caused by an intense ride like MS (my wife and I both enjoy it at lot). As Epcot is my favorite park (while I miss Horizons, WoL, Motion etc.), I think today's Epcot is more "family friendly" than ever. While I have always loved it, from the beginning I heard many say it was boring...there was nothing to do. People flocked to Maelstrom as the "only" thrill ride in the park. Today I can go with those type of people, enjoy World Showcase, The Land, SSE and my favorites while they can have a fun visit as well.[/QUOTE]
I think you have it 100%. My triplet nephews never wanted to go to EPCOT when they were 3-6, but as soon as MS and TT came along they started singing a different tune. I think that MS can be a family ride. Sure, some people can not or will not ride it but everyone in our family from age 7 to 65 loves it.
I too miss the rides that MS and TT replaced, but in the long run I think that the "thrill rides" will make EPCOT more popular for guest of all ages.
While I understand the polarization caused by an intense ride like MS (my wife and I both enjoy it at lot). As Epcot is my favorite park (while I miss Horizons, WoL, Motion etc.), I think today's Epcot is more "family friendly" than ever. While I have always loved it, from the beginning I heard many say it was boring...there was nothing to do. People flocked to Maelstrom as the "only" thrill ride in the park. Today I can go with those type of people, enjoy World Showcase, The Land, SSE and my favorites while they can have a fun visit as well.[/QUOTE]
I think you have it 100%. My triplet nephews never wanted to go to EPCOT when they were 3-6, but as soon as MS and TT came along they started singing a different tune. I think that MS can be a family ride. Sure, some people can not or will not ride it but everyone in our family from age 7 to 65 loves it.
I too miss the rides that MS and TT replaced, but in the long run I think that the "thrill rides" will make EPCOT more popular for guest of all ages.
Main Street USA
Well-Known Member
Your family may love it, but I'm not sure you realize quite how rare that is. Walk by Mission: Space any time there are people riding, and you'll no doubt see a crowd of at least 1/4 that size waiting outside.evanssc said:
Secondly, no one is arguing that these two attractions don't currently bring more overall guests into the park. I, for one, love both rides, but that's all they are....rides. Rides that a pretty good percentage of the public won't even enter.
As someone wrote above, Disney management is getting lost in the here and now, and whether or not they realize it, are setting themselves up to spend a LOT more money in the near future when they'll have to replace these attractions. People will grow tired of them, and it won't be long until they do.
World of Motion and Horizons were much more of an all inclusive experience. It's a shame they won't think on the scale of those pavilions anymore. Animatronics and dark rides are going away, and these are the very thing that brought WDW to the top.
Number_6
Well-Known Member
When I was about 6 or 7, on my second trip to WDW, I went with my grandmother. This was only about two or three years after EPCOT Center opened and so the choices for where to go were MK, EPCOT Center and (off Disney property)SeaWorld. We did go to all three, and I have to say, I wanted to spend most of my time at EPCOT Center. My three favorite things there at that time were JII, WoM and Horizons. Over the years, as I went back to the parks with my parents, and MGM opened and Universal opened, I couldn't help but be drawn back to EPCOT Center. Many years passed between my final visit with my parents and my first time back, this time as "Dad" instead of "Son." Mission:Space had just started having soft openings, Test Track had replaced WoM a few years prior and don't get me started on what happened to JII. Now, did I enjoy Test Track? Yes, but not the way I used to enjoy WoM. Do I go back and ride Test Track? Sure, mostly for my kids who love it, and partly because I do like the feeling of launching around the speed loop. Now, the thing is, one of the last times I rode it had been the first time that every effect was working, so it was actually better than it had been, but really I do miss WoM and would have liked my kids to see it. Mission:Space is a different story. That first trip, my son was not tall enough to go on it, but I felt it would be good for me to try it out so that when he was tall enough I could get an idea of how my kids might feel riding it. When I was done, I thought it was pretty cool and my face felt a bit numb. The next time we went back, my son was tall enough, we rode it, and I felt a little strange afterward, but still not bad. After the third time that I rode it, and the second time my kids rode it, my son felt that he had ridden it enough and didn't really feel like going on it ever again. My daughter is the only one that really absolutely wants to go on it when we go to Epcot, but my wife now takes her on. I found out that the reason I had felt strange was that my blood pressure had increased and was slightly higher than would be healthy for me to go on Mission:Space anymore. So even if my son wanted to go on, I would still be stuck waiting outside. If Horizons, or a comparable ride, were still there, then it would be a non-issue. Family members of all ages, sizes and health conditions could all ride it without problem. Heck, I was having a bit of trouble with my big ol' pot belly when I was on Mission:Space because of having to pull that thing down over me. I understand that the new additions have attracted alot of people to Epcot, just as Soarin' no doubt will, but it would be nice if the newer things were both thrilling and family friendly... I always felt that Horizons was...