Mission:Space Thread

[Joe Matt]

Ok, I admit that I am addicted to Disney, fine, but I love the romance, the mystery, and the uber-coolness of space.

So, when guess where my mind was the past 3 years?

It was tuned into the construction and testing process of the new Epcot attraction Mission:Space. Forget school. Mission:Space is the new uber-hyper attraction.

Luckily I have gotten to ride it 31 times over my 12-day WDW vacation so I'll tell all of you on CD how much I loved it.

Lucky you.

The first thing you notice about M:S is the size. It's pretty small compared to Test Track next to it, actually, the building is about 1/2 the size. But it's the architecture that makes it interesting. 4 large planets are in the main plaza with the largest one the entry way to the attraction. Also, if you have seen pictures of it, you know about the huge arches and swooshes. Amazing.

The music is also really cool throughout the attraction. It's very much like a movie soundtrack.

You walk up the left hand side of a ramp to get into the entry-way to the attraction, you see a replica of the moon, sized down of course, but on it is all the manned and un-manned missions to the moon.

Once you enter the largest planet after you go up the ramp, you see a replica of the capsule you will be in along with a video of the ride in action with warnings. Straight ahead is the stand-by line, and to the right is the FastPass distribution points. And to your left is the singles line and FastPass return.

Nuff about the outside, lets get to the ride.

Once you enter the building, there is a line inside with some artifacts from Horizions (the ride there before), the lunar rover, and a huge 30 foot Gravity Wheel that when installed in the ISS will create artificial gravity.

You will then be split into 10 groups of 4 in one of 4 ready-rooms. Then Gary Sienes will come up and give you some info and your off to your mission briefing. There they say you are going to the moon and then tell you to not turn your head around or pull it forward or, well, you won't feel to good afterward.

Then you enter the capsule. Each person is in their own seat and then a Cast Member locks you in and an instrument panel comes down for you to play with and video screen on it.

Then the ride starts.

Oh my sweet lord.

You go from horizontal to the vertical position for lift-off then the main thrusters hit and you start to leave the pad, pulling sustained Gs of 2 all the way up. While 2gs dosn't sound big, it is, trust me. Then you separate from your thrusters and you hit zero G, more of an effect than, say, Tower of Terror, but it is still cool.

You float a little, but since you are still in earth's orbit, another member of your team hits the 2nd thrusters and you get out of earth's orbit, then you get sling-shot around the moon and flung to Mars, but since the trip is 3 months, you will be put into hibernation, or HYPER SLEEP.

When you wake up, you are near Mars, and in a meteor storm, you must navigate through them and then you come in for landing, which I won't surprise it, is really cool.

I love this ride, it is truly the best in the world. I'm disappointed we won't be going back to Disney for Nats since tons of people here will love this ride.

So, any one else get to ride it yet?

[RogerR]

i'm leaving for disney tommorow, maybe i'll give this ride a spin...

[Matt Krass]

Wow...


*runs to pack for trip*