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A Terrified Mum’s view of Mission Space
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a real wimp when it comes to the Big Rides at the theme parks. I am scared of heights, hate anything that will turn upside down and get car sick on long journeys when I am a passenger. So for the benefit of those others like me I thought I would write my experiences of Mission Space at Epcot.
I first experienced this ride back in the summer of 2004 not long after it opened. I was traveling with my husband and son’s (age 11 and 6 at the time) and they were determined to try this ride out as soon as possible as it was getting some great revues. I have to say I was not convinced but I was persuaded to give it a go! We waited in line for about an hour during which time the ride stopped twice due to technical difficulties. All the time we waited we were bombarded with warnings about the ride being unsuitable for those who suffered motion sickness, bad backs, did not like confined spaces. By the time we reached the first check point and were asked how many to ride I was a nervous wreck and declared that there was no way I was going on this. “You boy’s try it and let me know what you think” I said as I made a hasty retreat and waited for them to emerge from the exit. They came and found me a while later very excited and telling me it was the best ride ever and I would be fine.
Later that same trip we returned to Epcot and the boys were determined to ride MS one more time before we went home. Again I waited in line with them and this time, although still scared, I managed to be cajoled through the first check point to the area where you are told what your “mission” will be. All the riders where then told that if you wanted to opt out “Now was the Time!” You guessed it – I opted out much to my families disgust. My second attempt to ride had failed.
Attempt three came just 6 months later when we returned for the New Year. This time we had brought the Grandparents with us. Again I waited in line and this time the boys thought they had me – I made it all the way to the actual loading of the pods before the nerves got the better of me and I fled the building.
By now my family had decided that I was a lost case and did not mention Mission Space to me again. But at the end of the day they were in for a surprise. My 65 year old father had just returned from riding Mission Space with the boys. I asked him how it had gone and he assured me there was nothing to it. The park was near closing and there was NO Line for MS so I was able to race through to the pods with out any waiting, with my delighted son’s at my side. We went straight into the loading bay and before I had time to be afraid we were launched! The sight and experience of that launch is the nearest I can see me getting to a real flight in a rocket and it was breath taking. I took all the advice about not looking to either side and I had a fantastic trip to Mars. I performed my duties as Engineer beautifully and we had a smooth journey. Before I knew it we had landed. I just wish we had had to fly back to Earth.
Well I had done it! My Family could not believe it and for all those scared like me – it was one of The Best Rides Ever and I will be riding again when we return this year. Now they are trying to get me to ride Space Mountain but I think they may be waiting a long time for that to happen!!
Jan Grafton (slighly less Terrifed Mum)
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