Mission: SPACE testing a "no G-Force" version

[The Little Merman]

From WDW Magic:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/general_epcot_news.htm

"Over the past few months, there have been some interesting testing sessions taking place in bay 4 over at Mission: SPACE. During quiet times and after hours, WDI and WDW Engineering have been experimenting with running the ride without any G forces from the centrifuge. This is achieved by the centrifuge not rotating during the ride. All other functions of the capsule remain as they currently are, including the movement of the actual capsule on the centrifuge arm. The aim of this testing is to check for feasibility of having the option for guests to ride either the G-Force edition of M:S, or the much tamer no G-Force edition. In this scenario, there would be 2 routes through the queue, allowing guests to choose their experience. The flexibility of the ride system would also allow a ride bay to be switched to either mode quickly, depending on the demand from either queue.

It is important to note from this that the original ride experience is not being removed, nor is it being toned down. Disney are just considering the option of providing a "no G-Force" alternative for those guests who do not meet the current ride requirements, or are afraid to ride the full force Mission: SPACE. Guests would still be able to ride the full, original version of the attraction.

The results of the testing are not yet available, and currently there is no official confirmation about the possibility of this moving ahead."

I find the idea fabulous, for those who have doubts of trying the "original" experience, but some have argued against it on the boards.

*tlm

P.S.

1,000th Post!

[Loomis]

Given recent events with Mission: Space, I believe this is a great idea.

Like the Sun Wheel in DCA, there is an option to ride the "swinging" cars - which are INCREDIBLY disconcerting - and the non-swingers.

However, it still doesn't get to the underlying problem: somebody without knowledge of an underlying condition could still line-up for the G-force version of the ride, and still have an attack that leads to a fatality.

Now I'm not saying scrap the G-force, as I think that would be the equivalent of declawing a cat: sure, they are less dangerous, but you've taken away the essence of what it is to be a cat.

It does, however, make the attraction far more family friendly. It provides a version for those who don't think they can handle the "full version", meaning the small, frail and more timid don't feel as though they are missing out on the full EPCOT experience.

[castleinthesky]

A little off topic, but I will always remember I went on the ride the day after the poor women died on it.

[Just Myself]

When I went on Mission: SPACE on my last trip, I enjoyed the ride a lot, but the centrifuge was incredibly intense. I thought my hands were going to shatter and my heart was racing. I enjoyed the G-Force edition, but would probably like the non G-Force edition better.

[Karushifa]

Mission: Space may well be the most divisive ride Disney has ever built.

There's been a lot of vitriol on this and other boards (MUCH worse on some other boards I've lurked on) aimed at the "idiots who can't read signs", with the general message that "pandering" to them will ruin the entire thrill ride concept for everyone else who is more attentive about ride safety. On the other hand, even if you discount all of the serious (requiring hospitalization) health problems that people have experienced on the ride, there are some implications that only those with inner ears of steel are going to come out without having been made queasy, thus making Mission: Space a less satisfying ride overall than other "tentpole" Disney rides. Probably not what Disney would have hoped for considering the millions they spent in developing this ride.

I think this would be a good compromise though: people who want the "intense" experience can still get it, and others can go on the ride at a level that is appropriately comfortable/necessary. Personally, I love the idea of a mission to Mars ride as I am a huge astronomy geek, but I dare not go on Mission: Space as it is now because I know I'd feel like crap for the rest of the day. So by offering two levels of ride intensity, Disney could not only provide a safer alternative for delicate riders, but a more enjoyable one for those pre-disposed to motion sickness as well, and everyone comes out happy, hopefully.

[AwallaceUNC]

As others have said, this is a great idea and may just be the almost-perfect solution to what has been a pretty big problem. Guests who are pressured into M:S when they don't want to be will be more likely to line up for the less intense side, though in order for it to be popular Disney will need to market it in a way that doesn't scream "wimp."

-Aaron

[MichaeLeah]

I find myself questioning whether or not Disney should have created MissionSpace with the current G-Force. I have been on the ride and I rather enjoyed it--although my wife didn't like it because it made it hard for her to breath. I don't ever mind going on any rollercoaster or any other ride--so the ride isn't too intense for me.

When Disney created Disneyland the purpose of the rides was to entertain. He didn't really create thrill rides with much intensity. The joy of Disneyland is that essentially everyone can ride on all the rides. I think MissionSpace is sort of a violation of this principle. It is a ride that only a few people can handle.

I guess this is a long way to say that I think the reduction in G-force might be a good idea for the sake of principle. Personally I really enjoyed MissionSpace as it now is.

[GhostHost]

This ride would not be much of nothing without G-forces, but it is a good idea for people like my Dad who cannot do the regular version.

[Escapay]

Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need:

Pages 58 and 59:

Which brings me to my idea for getting rich. No doubt you have noted that, in most amusement parks, the popularity of a ride is directy proportional to how horrible it is. There's hardly ever a line for nice, relaxing rides like the merry-go-round. But there will always be a huge crowd, mainly consisting of teenagers, waiting to go on a ride with a name like "The Dicer," where they strap people into what is essentially a giant food processor and turn it on and then phone the paramedics.

So my idea is to open a theme park called "Dave World," whcih will have a ride called "The Fall of Death." This will basically be a 250-foot tower. The way it will work is, you climb to the top, a trapdoor opens up, and you splat onto the asphalt below like a bushel of late-summer tomatoes.

Obviously, for legal reasons, I couldn't let anybody actually go on this ride. There would be a big sign that said:

WARNING!

NOBODY CAN GO ON THIS RIDE.
THIS RIDE IS INVARIABLY FATAL.

THANK YOU.

But this would only make The Fall of Death more popular. Every teenager in the immediate state would come to Dave World just to stand in line for it.

Thought it was appropriate. And if not appropriate, ridiculously funny.

Escapay

[JEANYLASER]

disney did the right way to mission:space changed and now it is tamed no more deaths in near future.

[Loomis]

As others have said, this is a great idea and may just be the almost-perfect solution to what has been a pretty big problem. Guests who are pressured into M:S when they don't want to be will be more likely to line up for the less intense side, though in order for it to be popular Disney will need to market it in a way that doesn't scream "wimp."

-Aaron

Is it an almost-perfect solution? As I said above, this woman who died recently had a problem she didn't know about. Now if the G-Force option is still available - even with the tame version in place - then someone with an unknown brain condition, or whatever, could still potentially ride it and we'd have another fatality.

The problem never was that people with heart conditions or who were a little scared were riding it. The problem was people with UNKNOWN conditions riding them and subsequently dropping off the perch.

I do think this is a better situation, even if just looking at it from a "family entertainment" point of view. However, the only REAL way to stop the unforseen deaths is to tame down all the rides to the equivalent of the Carousel. That wouldn't be ideal for anybody.

[Escapay]

However, the only REAL way to stop the unforseen deaths is to tame down all the rides to the equivalent of the Carousel. That wouldn't be ideal for anybody.

In a quasi-related note, I've known some people who'd get motion sickness from the Carousel...

Escapay

[The Little Merman]

So my idea is to open a theme park called "Dave World," whcih will have a ride called "The Fall of Death." This will basically be a 250-foot tower. The way it will work is, you climb to the top, a trapdoor opens up, and you splat onto the asphalt below like a bushel of late-summer tomatoes.

Obviously, for legal reasons, I couldn't let anybody actually go on this ride. There would be a big sign that said:

WARNING!

NOBODY CAN GO ON THIS RIDE.
THIS RIDE IS INVARIABLY FATAL.

THANK YOU.

But this would only make The Fall of Death more popular. Every teenager in the immediate state would come to Dave World just to stand in line for it.

*tlm

[Karushifa]

Is it an almost-perfect solution? As I said above, this woman who died recently had a problem she didn't know about. Now if the G-Force option is still available - even with the tame version in place - then someone with an unknown brain condition, or whatever, could still potentially ride it and we'd have another fatality.

Wouldn't a no-G-force version basically be akin to a regular simulator ride like Star Tours? I can understand someone who is extremely sensitive getting a tad queasy on that ride, but I've never heard of anyone having severe cardiopulmonary complications on it. It's basically just getting shaken around a bit while you watch a cool movie. Sort of like watching an in-flight movie while there's turbulence .

Escapay, that's a great Dave Barry quote. I also like the part in that same book where he laments going on Body Wars: "'Never go through the aorta after eating German food', that is our new travel motto."

[Loomis]

Is it an almost-perfect solution? As I said above, this woman who died recently had a problem she didn't know about. Now if the G-Force option is still available - even with the tame version in place - then someone with an unknown brain condition, or whatever, could still potentially ride it and we'd have another fatality.

Wouldn't a no-G-force version basically be akin to a regular simulator ride like Star Tours? I can understand someone who is extremely sensitive getting a tad queasy on that ride, but I've never heard of anyone having severe cardiopulmonary complications on it. It's basically just getting shaken around a bit while you watch a cool movie. Sort of like watching an in-flight movie while there's turbulence .

That's not what I mean. I meant that someone with a unknown condition could still ride the G-Force version unawares, and still have a fatality. I was saying that it doesn't matter if there is a tamer version or not - if you ride the hardcore version, and you don't know you have a condition (as was the case with the recent death) you still might die. So yes, it is unlikely the tame version would hurt someone, but it doesn't matter. If you are unaware, you will probably just go ahead and ride the hardcore version putting us back to square one and making the whole "dual version" concept redundant.

[Fidget1234]

they've already toned it down alot...
im surprised they're gonna tone it down even more.

[sames1]

I also thing it's a good idea. I'm sure Disney is testing it.

Frankly Mission Space was a big dissapointment for me. I waited and waited for it to open to experience zero g forces, but it wasn't all that exciting. Kind of a let down. Last time I went to EPCOT I didn't even want to spend my time in line for Mission Space. Sad really because I'm a sci-fi junkie and love that stuff mostly.

The old Mission to Mars, and Flight to the Moon were much more enjoyable.

[Karushifa]

That's not what I mean. I meant that someone with a unknown condition could still ride the G-Force version unawares, and still have a fatality. I was saying that it doesn't matter if there is a tamer version or not - if you ride the hardcore version, and you don't know you have a condition (as was the case with the recent death) you still might die. So yes, it is unlikely the tame version would hurt someone, but it doesn't matter. If you are unaware, you will probably just go ahead and ride the hardcore version putting us back to square one and making the whole "dual version" concept redundant.

Okay, I see what you mean. Good point, there will always be unknowns when it comes to people's ailments and conditions. But I don't think that Disney pursued the no-G-force version solely on the basis of the two deaths. A bigger problem in the long run is that Disney has a ride that has lower customer satisfaction than they expected, and a lot of this is due to the stomach-churning, barf bag-necessitating, chest-pain-inducing experiences that people are having that aren't even life-threatening. If Disney can cut down on these sort of complaints by having two versions of the ride, then I think they will have, if not more happy guests, then at least less green ones.

[The Little Merman]

From the WDWMagic Forums (http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=75778):

All 3 lines converged in the hallway over looking the control tower area and the "famous flights" walkway. The orange team was against the windows, the green team against the placards of the flights. the center path was unused and FP was merged into their desired line at this point. This area audibly warns that orange is intense and that folks can still transfer to green, and that all people can explore the post-show area for further training without a flight.

Overall, I waited just a few minutes, maybe 2 cycles max.

Pre-show is shorter and I was in the first bay on the left, I beleive it's yellow. There is no mention of spinning, but rather warnings against motion sickness and simulators. It sounded like the original actress, also in the new hallway announcements too.

Once on the ride, same film, and when we tilted back I was a little nervous. I was really more nervous when the acceleration started. I don' know what it does, since it doesn't spin, but it felt very realistic. Through the ride, all the movement was smooth and convincing. The smoothness reminded me of Soarin' as opposed to Body Wars or Star Tours. Even weightlessness felt neat as you seemed to tilt forward.

The slingshot was neat, I don't know what it does, but it works, and you go "fwing" to one side. Hypersleep, asteroids, and the rockey landing were all the same as I had seen in videos, but overcourse with matching movement. It never felt like a simulator like Body Wars or Star Tours does, but more like a gentle gliding motion. Best i could compare it to would be like saying you were haging on a pendulum that was swinging insynch with the movie.

This is definately a good move. Everyone seemed happy with it. Orange line was longer, but also moving 2x as fast as Green. More people were playing in post show then I've seen recently. I can see it being a favorite ride of a space junky and an enjoyable once-a-trip experience for everyone else. I wont avoid the pavilion like it's a buffer zone anymore.

*tlm

[Escapay]

Hmm, I'll check out the orange edition later this week. If it's as smooth as Soarin', maybe my mom will stop worrying that I'll die on it, since I told her I loved riding it, and she started getting paranoid that it was doing something to my body and would kill me one day.

Escapay