| Mission: SPACE | |
No Walt Disney ride
is complete with out a story line, and EPCOT's new Mission: SPACE is no
exception. The story starts with the actual history of the space program
then projects a futuristic idea of what could happen. The effort is to
base it on Science Fact as opposed to Science Fiction.
As we enter the courtyard, we are projected into the future year of 2036, seventy-five years after Yuri Gargarin became the first man in space. Approaching the Planetary Plaza, bold spheres that symbolize Earth, Jupiter and the moon become visible. The walls of the attraction feature plaques with quotes from notable figures who exemplify the questing spirit that has led mankind into space.
The International Space Training Center (ISTC) is your first stop as you enter the massive 45,000 square foot building. A 35 foot tall gravity wheel turns slowly on the main wall. Overhead hangs a model of the ISTC's X-1 spacecraft (a precursor to the X-2) and a graphic of the X-2 with details explaining the shuttle functionality. An authentic Apollo-era Lunar Rover display unit on loan from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, a symbol of mankind's first exploration of another planetary body is also suspended overhead.
The attraction queue moves from the ISTC through a hallway displaying both historic and fictional plaques. This is where the Mission: SPACE story builds on the actual space events starting in 1961 and projecting into the future 75 years. To the right, the Training Operations Room, which is the hub of activity for training sessions in progress is visible through glass windows.
Next come the series of readiness steps to prepare the astronauts (guests) for their mission into deep space. Team Dispatch meets and distributes the guests into groups of four. The Ready Room assigns each member their duties as commander, pilot, navigator or engineer. The Pre-Flight Corridor, which was inspired by the "White Room" at Kennedy Space Center is where the astronauts wait for the countdown to begin. After a brief video is shown giving final instructions, a uniformed flight crewmember escorts the teams into an X-2 trainer.
Seats are tilted back as you view the launch
pad from the bottom. On takeoff guests experience sensations
similar to what astronauts feel during liftoff. The roar of the
engines is heard. They view computer-generated photo-realistic imagery based on actual
data taken from Mars-orbiting satellites appears on the individual monitors.
During the mission, the team encounters challenges like those of an astronaut
trying to successfully complete the mission. Team members must perform the
task associated with the roles they accepted. Team work is stressed during
the mission.
Once the adventure into space is complete,
guests are moved into the Advanced Training Lab
to recuperate and get ready for a little playtime.
Mission: SPACE Race brings in 2 teams of 30 to compete in the task of
returning their rockets from Mars back to Earth.
Expedition: Mars a simulated astronaut obstacle course which offers a
joystick and jet-pack button, preps explorers for contidions on other planets.
Space Base is an interactive play area made for
climbing, exploring and having fun. At Postcards
from Space, guests can make a video of themselves with an entertaining
space backdrop and e-mail it to family and friends.
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