Disney Puts 'Motion Sickness' Bags On Mission: Space Ride
Ride Induces Feeling Of Weightlessness
POSTED: Monday, December 15, 2003
UPDATED: 5:28 pm EST December 16,
2003
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Disney's new Mission: Space thrill ride has reportedly become the first theme park attraction to offer "motion sickness" bags -- similar to those found on airplanes -- to its passengers, according to Local 6 News.
Local 6 News reported that the $100 million ride induces a feeling of weightlessness so realistic that "many guests experience severe motion sickness."The ride does not move like a traditional roller coaster but it makes you feel as though you are truly moving and allows riders to undergo what NASA astronauts undergo in training.A video screen gives the illusion you're tilting toward the sky, and then centrifuge technology makes it feel as if the rocket is blasting off. You orbit the moon once, to get a slingshot effect from its gravity, then head to Mars.Astronaut Jim Lovell said the ride feels a lot like an actual space flight."It's the best, closest simulation you can get to the real thing," Lovell said. 
Several theme park consultants told Local 6 News that it is the first time "motion sickness" bags have been made available on a theme park ride.The report featured Jim Hill, who runs a Web site devoted to Disney theme parks.Hill claims Disney's imagineers struggled with the motion sickness problem even before the ride opened and some believe the threat of sickness could hamper the ride's success."Well it certainly isn't going to be the success that Disney hoped for," Hill said. "And what's sad is that Disney has tied so much of its promotional campaign for the coming year to Mission: Space."Mission: Space was designed to bring thrill seekers back to Epcot. Now, some industry insiders say the ride could have the opposite effect -- actually turning people away, Local 6 News reporter Mike DeForest said."With custodians scrambling to clean up after riders, some say the attraction has become a maintenance nightmare," DeForest reported.Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley said, "the majority of guests have no problems on the attraction. "And we don't expect a lot of people to use the motion sickness bags."Mission: Space opened in October and cost Disney a reported $100 million, which is the most expensive amusement park ride ever built.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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See Disney's New Space RideLocal 6 News reported that the $100 million ride induces a feeling of weightlessness so realistic that "many guests experience severe motion sickness."The ride does not move like a traditional roller coaster but it makes you feel as though you are truly moving and allows riders to undergo what NASA astronauts undergo in training.A video screen gives the illusion you're tilting toward the sky, and then centrifuge technology makes it feel as if the rocket is blasting off. You orbit the moon once, to get a slingshot effect from its gravity, then head to Mars.Astronaut Jim Lovell said the ride feels a lot like an actual space flight."It's the best, closest simulation you can get to the real thing," Lovell said. Several theme park consultants told Local 6 News that it is the first time "motion sickness" bags have been made available on a theme park ride.The report featured Jim Hill, who runs a Web site devoted to Disney theme parks.Hill claims Disney's imagineers struggled with the motion sickness problem even before the ride opened and some believe the threat of sickness could hamper the ride's success."Well it certainly isn't going to be the success that Disney hoped for," Hill said. "And what's sad is that Disney has tied so much of its promotional campaign for the coming year to Mission: Space."Mission: Space was designed to bring thrill seekers back to Epcot. Now, some industry insiders say the ride could have the opposite effect -- actually turning people away, Local 6 News reporter Mike DeForest said."With custodians scrambling to clean up after riders, some say the attraction has become a maintenance nightmare," DeForest reported.Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley said, "the majority of guests have no problems on the attraction. "And we don't expect a lot of people to use the motion sickness bags."Mission: Space opened in October and cost Disney a reported $100 million, which is the most expensive amusement park ride ever built.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story. Copyright 2007 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com.
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