Mission: SPACE
Behind this gorgeously swirling planetary facade is a ride that approximates, with intensity if you so desire, the experience of a rocket launch. Although technically a whirl aboard a cockpit on a giant centrifuge, the skillful design successfully tricks the mind. At the outside, you choose between Orange (an intense trip to Mars that’ll have you pressed backward against your seat) or Green (an easy glide around Earth that is milder and more family-friendly, with no vomit-inducing effects).
The posted wait time will be whichever of the two versions is longer. Each passenger in the extremely tight four-person cockpits (claustrophobics be warned) is assigned two buttons to press at given cues—it doesn’t matter if you don’t, but at least hold onto your steering joystick, because it gives force feedback as you travel. The Advanced Training Lab post-show area (through the gift shop) is worthwhile even if you don’t ride. There, you can play interactive group games and send free postcards home via computer. Strategy: Whereas Mad Tea Party makes me want to hurl, I do fine on this ride—the personal fans blowing air on your face must help. Perhaps this is why Disney felt confident that it was safe to add a table-service restaurant adjacent to the ride, called Space 220, where diners can gaze out windows overlooking their simulated orbit. It's nearly impossible to get a reservation, but you can try for a walk-up spot.
Behind this gorgeously swirling planetary facade is a ride that approximates, with intensity if you so desire, the experience of a rocket launch. Although technically a whirl aboard a cockpit on a giant centrifuge, the skillful design successfully tricks the mind. At the outside, you choose between Orange (an intense trip to Mars that’ll have you pressed backward against your seat) or Green (an easy glide around Earth that is milder and more family-friendly, with no vomit-inducing effects).
The posted wait time will be whichever of the two versions is longer. Each passenger in the extremely tight four-person cockpits (claustrophobics be warned) is assigned two buttons to press at given cues—it doesn’t matter if you don’t, but at least hold onto your steering joystick, because it gives force feedback as you travel. The Advanced Training Lab post-show area (through the gift shop) is worthwhile even if you don’t ride. There, you can play interactive group games and send free postcards home via computer. Strategy: Whereas Mad Tea Party makes me want to hurl, I do fine on this ride—the personal fans blowing air on your face must help. Perhaps this is why Disney felt confident that it was safe to add a table-service restaurant adjacent to the ride, called Space 220, where diners can gaze out windows overlooking their simulated orbit. It's nearly impossible to get a reservation, but you can try for a walk-up spot.
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