Mission: SPACE
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Overview
Mission: SPACE is an enclosed space-flight simulator in EPCOT’s World Discovery area, putting four guests inside a small spacecraft cabin for a simulated mission.
There are two versions of the attraction.
The Green Mission is the gentler option. It uses a motion simulator with light movement but does not use the spinning centrifuge effect.
The Orange Mission is substantially more intense. The entire ride system spins to create sustained G-forces during launch and other parts of the mission, while the individual capsule also tilts and moves.
Each rider is assigned a crew role and given buttons to press during the flight, although the mission continues even if you do nothing.
Queue Details
The queue is mainly indoors and is generally flat.
Wheelchair users can remain in their wheelchair through much of the queue. Guests using an ECV or other powered mobility device may need to transfer to a standard wheelchair before the final boarding process.
Before boarding, guests go through two briefing stages.
The first pre-show lasts around two minutes and includes a video presentation with subtitles.
A second briefing takes place outside the ride capsule and lasts around another two minutes before your group boards.
Guests are then divided into crews of four for individual Mission: SPACE capsules.
The exit route is flat and carpeted.
Transfer Info
Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer completely into the Mission: SPACE capsule seat.
The ride vehicle is a compact four-person cabin with individual forward-facing seats.
Wheelchair users can have their chair positioned close to the capsule before transferring.
A transfer bench is available to help guests move across into the ride vehicle. Ask a Cast Member if this would make the transfer easier for you.
Boarding involves moving through a relatively narrow opening into the capsule, and there is limited room to manoeuvre once inside.
If physical lifting or bodily assistance is required, that assistance needs to come from someone in your own party.
Once seated, a padded over-the-shoulder restraint lowers into position.
Your wheelchair is moved clear while the attraction operates and is returned when you exit the capsule.
Sensory Experience
What do these sensory tags mean?
- Darkness
- Substantial parts of the experience take place in darkness or very low light.
- Enclosed Spaces
- Guests spend part of the experience in a confined or enclosed space that may feel restrictive.
- Flashing Lights
- Flashing, strobing or rapidly pulsing light effects are used.
- Loud Sounds
- Notably loud, startling or sustained sounds are part of the experience.
- Motion Simulator
- A moving seat or platform is synchronised with filmed or projected motion.
- Spinning
- The ride vehicle or seating rotates around its own axis or repeatedly circles.
- Sudden Movement
- The ride vehicle, seat or platform makes abrupt starts, stops, jolts or changes of direction.
- Vibration
- Noticeable shaking or vibration is deliberately transmitted through the seat, platform or vehicle.
Sensory experiences vary between people. These tags describe elements that may be present, not how strongly any individual guest will experience them.
Mission: SPACE is one of the most enclosed attractions at Walt Disney World.
Once all four guests are seated, the control console moves towards you and the capsule closes, leaving relatively little open space around your upper body and face.
There are large screens directly in front of each rider, along with flashing controls, warning lights, dialogue and sound effects throughout the mission.
Both missions include simulated movement, vibration, sudden changes in motion and periods of darkness.
The Green Mission uses a conventional motion-simulator system. You feel tilting, shaking and movement, but the ride does not spin to create sustained G-forces.
The Orange Mission is very different. The ride system spins rapidly while the capsule tilts, creating strong sustained pressure against your body during the simulated launch and other manoeuvres.
The spinning itself is largely hidden from view, so you may not feel as though you are physically rotating. Instead, the main sensation is the pressure of the G-forces pushing you back into the seat.
Looking straight ahead at the screen is generally the intended way to experience Orange. Turning your head during the spinning sections can make the sensation of dizziness or disorientation much stronger.
There are loud sound effects, flashing and changing lighting, simulated acceleration and sudden movements throughout both missions.
The main simulation lasts around six minutes, with roughly four minutes of pre-show and briefing beforehand.
Practical Tips
If you are unsure which version to choose, Green is the less intense option. It still tilts, shakes and moves, but does not use the spinning centrifuge effect that creates the sustained G-forces on Orange.
Do not assume Green is completely motion-free. The capsule still moves during the mission.
If enclosed spaces are difficult for you, the capsule itself may be more significant than the ride movement. Once seated, the control panel moves in close and there is very little sense of open space around you.
If transferring into the capsule is difficult, ask a Cast Member about the transfer bench before boarding.
The two pre-show stages add around four minutes before you actually enter the capsule, which may be useful to know if remaining in one position or enclosed waiting spaces are difficult.
The interactive crew buttons are optional in practice. If reaching or pressing them is difficult, the ride will still continue.
Choosing the more intense mission because “how bad can it be?” remains one of EPCOT’s most efficient ways of learning humility.
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