Mission: SPACE at Epcot has had a tumultuous history. It opened to great fanfare in 2003 as the most realistic space simulation on the planet, a new-age thrill ride the likes of which the world had never seen before, but after being too intense for many (to put it politely), they were forced to introduce two different “teams”, or versions of the ride in 2006. While Orange Team Mission kept the original version intact, Green Team Mission used the same film with a much gentler ride profile that was minus any g-forces. It’s like watching Mission: Space from a rocking chair in my opinion.
Announced over the weekend at the D23 Expo, in just a few weeks, guests will be able to enjoy new adventures at Mission: SPACE – an updated Orange Mission and a brand-new Green Mission.
The updated Orange Mission will make an even more visually stunning trip to Mars thanks to a new film animated by the folks over at ILM, while the all-new Green adventure will allow guests to blast off for a completely different orbital adventure around planet Earth. A new film with the gentler motion of Green in mind seems like a good idea, as the gentler version of the original just never really seemed to click with guests.
From what we are hearing, not only will Green boast a completely new mission, but booster seats should be made available so that Disney can lower the height requirement for this version of the ride. Disney has continually said they are trying to make Epcot more family friendly in this overhaul, and this Mission: Space update certainly screams that.
Among other changes expected are a reworked queue and a completely new pre-show (at least for Green Mission). It is unclear if Gary Sinese has returned for the new pre-show, but both rides should have their own unique versions.
Disney is stating Mission: Space will re-open this August at Epcot, although internet sources are still claiming it will be this October. I guess we’ll have to wait and see which of those is correct…
I think that Mission: Space Green team is great I always uses green all of the time and I love it!
more “family friendly”? That’s all Epcot is already. There is only one “thrill ride” there, Test Track. Everything else in that park is completely family friendly. Not sure where they were coming from with that little comment
Actually it has been common knowledge for decades that Epcot is not very family friendly, especially when compared to the MK. Walking around the countries hasn’t been considered the favorite theme park activity for children.
The more intense version of Mission: Space wasn’t really family friendly! I love it! My day and my Bestie, not at all fsns!
I only hope that Disney replaces that Gary Sinise with the wonderful Alec Baldwin.
NBC owns Alec Baldwin…so not likely to happen.
No one owns Alec Baldwin!! What a repugnant statement.
Saying Alec Baldwin is “wonderful” is a more repugnant statement.
I really hope the pre-show is shorter… I enjoy the Orange Team version a lot, but often skip it because even when there’s “no wait” it takes so long standing around to get on the ride.
I believe they need to make a version that isn’t so claustrophobic. I’ve never ridden any version since it opened because of how small a space they shove you into.
They have a bigger version, it’s called Star Tours.
A rocking chair? Talking about exaggeration.
I’m surprised no one has made “booster” pun yet in a story about a ride that mimics riding in a spaceship. ;-)
Looking forward to it? I Always do orange however last year was with my nephew and decided to be safe and rode green. Wow Tom was right, like being in a rocking chair.