You’re going on vacation to Walt Disney World! The only problem? You’re not sure which attractions are right for you and your kiddos and you have questions. Which attractions are too intense for little ones? What rides do I really need a FastPass+ reservation for? What’s the disability access like for certain attractions? We’re answering all those questions and more in our Everything You Need to Know attraction series with today’s focus on Mission: SPACE at EPCOT!
What is Mission: SPACE?
Mission: SPACE is a space simulator with two different experiences. The thrilling Orange Mission offers a journey to Mars complete with the sensation of space flight while the tame, family friendly Green Mission allows guests to orbit around the Earth.
For both missions, guests are assigned one of the four roles to perform during the mission: navigator, pilot, commander, or engineer.
Where is Mission: SPACE?
Mission: SPACE can be found at EPCOT’s Future World and sits between Test Track and the former Wonders of Life pavilion (slated to become the Play Pavilion in the future).
What is the History of Mission: SPACE?
Mission: SPACE opened in 2003 and was built where former EPCOT attraction Horizons once stood until it was demolished in 1999. In 2017, the attraction closed for a refurbishment and reopened the same year with two missions: the 0riginal Orange Mission and the new, less intense Green Mission.
What You Need to Know About the Queue
Upon entering the ride building, guests immediately choose either the Orange Mission or the Green Mission. The queue is designed to look like guests are walking through a space training center filled with prop displays, spacecraft models and replicas, a massive gravity lab, and a peek at a control room.
Guests who are too small or perhaps a little wary of this ride experience can check out the Advanced Training Center that offers a play area for kids and interactive games and activities.
What You Need to Know About the Ride Vehicles
Each ride vehicle seats four guests in four individual padded chairs with armrests. Each seat has its own over-the-head padded shoulder restraints. Before the ride begins, the ride vehicle closes around guests and moves them closer to their screens. Motion sickness bags are available inside the vehicle.
During the experience, guests can perform their assigned roles through pushing buttons and operating individual joysticks. Note: Pushing the buttons and controlling the joystick doesn’t actually affect or influence the expereince. The on-ride video will continue to play regardless of a guest’s performance.
What You Need to Know About the Experience
Mission: SPACE is technically two rides: Orange Mission and Green Mission. Upon entering the show building, guests enter the future at the International Space Training Center (ISTC) and choose their mission.
Guests choosing to experience Orange Mission embark on a mission to Mars. Guests ride in a centrifuge-based space simulator that spins them around a central axis to simulate both g-forces and moments of weightlessness. On the screen, guests see their shuttle liftoff and slingshot around the moon. After a few seconds of hypersleep, they land on Mars and have to control their vehicle with things (as they naturally do in a Disney Park) go wrong.
Guests choosing to experience the Green Mission are aboard the same ride vehicles as the Orange Mission. However, they don’t spin. This means no g-forces or the sensation of weightless. The only movement is what you normally experience in a simulator attraction. During this mission, guests experience liftoff and then enjoy a beautiful orbit around the Earth. Of course, things go wrong and guests must manually navigate through a storm upon landing.
As mentioned in the section covering Mission: SPACE’s ride vehicles, guests embarking on both the Orange and Green Mission are assigned a role. During the ride, buttons light up for them to press and individual joysticks on the console are used to simulate pilot the vehicle. However, the ride continues without a hitch even if you or someone in your ride vehicle doesn’t perform these functions.
What You Need to Know About Accessibility
Boarding procedure consists of a small step up into the ride vehicle. Guests must transfer from a wheelchair/ECV to experience this attraction. Guests 40″ to 44″ experiencing the Green Mission can obtain booster seats from a cast member. Due to the nature of the experience, service animals are not permitted on this attraction.
What You Need to Know About Health and Safety Advisories
Orange Mission
Guests should not ride if they are uncomfortable with dark, close spaces or even slightly prone to motion sickness as this attraction is a spinning simulator which creates g-forces. Some guests experience nausea, headaches, dizziness, disorientation, and even motion sickness even if they have never experienced it before.
All guests should also be in good health and free from high blood pressure, hearing, back or neck problems, motion sickness, and other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure.
Also, guests of certain body shapes and sizes may not be able to ride due to the attraction’s seat and restraints. Expectant mothers should not ride.
Green Mission
Guests should not ride if they are uncomfortable with dark, close spaces or simulators. Also, guests of certain body shapes and sizes may not be able to ride due to the attraction’s seat and restraints. Expectant mothers should not ride.
What are the Height Requirements?
Guests must be 40 inches tall to experience the less intense Green Mission; and guests must be 44 inches tall to experience the more intense Orange Mission.
Does Mission: SPACE Offer FastPass+
Yes, Mission: SPACE offers FastPass+ but it’s not the best use of a FastPass+ reservation since both versions of the ride rarely post long waits.
Does Weather Affect Mission: SPACE?
Since Mission: SPACE is an indoor attraction; it isn’t affected by inclement weather.
Did I answer all of your questions about Mission: SPACE? Is this attraction at the top of your family’s vacation to-do list? Let us know in the comments.
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