10 Surprising Facts About EPCOT’s Mission: Space You Didn’t Know

EPCOT's Mission: Space attraction allows guests to experience what it would feel like to blast off on a thrilling NASA-inspired mission to Mars or orbit the Earth through space. Each vehicle seats four guests, who are each given an important role in the mission including navigator, pilot, commander, and engineer. There are two different ride experiences guests can choose from which include the Orange Mission and the Green Mission. The Orange Mission is a more intense experience with spinning motions and over two g-forces, while the Green Mission is a more gentle orbit around Earth with no spinning.

Mission: Space debuted in the World Discovery area of EPCOT in October 2003. There were hundreds of thousands of hours spent developing and building this attraction to truly give guests a similar experience as astronauts. Although some skip this ride whenever they visit EPCOT to avoid motion sickness, I personally love this attraction! It is the closest feeling of going into space without actually becoming an astronaut.

In addition to riding Mission: Space, I am always so intrigued to learn about the attraction's history, special features, and little known facts. Below are 10 fun facts about Mission: Space that may surprise you!

1. Over 650 Imagineers Worked 350,000 Hours to Create Mission: Space

That's right! Disney tasked over 650 Imagineers to create the unique attraction that is Mission: Space. These Imagineers worked an aggregated total of 350,000 hours, which equates to 40 years of time spent in development. Imagineers invested a lot of new technology in order to bring Mission: Space to life and bring guests the feeling of being launched into space, which is likely why it took so long to create.

When Imagineer Eddie Soto had to pitch the idea for Mission: Space, he stated, “I had to lie on my back, suspended between two chairs, facing the ceiling, making all manner of communications chatter and engine noises, contorting my face to simulate the sustained G forces on my body. Think Cirque de Soleil meets Apollo 13.” Thankfully the pitch worked, and Soto fortunately did not have to recreate his pitch once Mission: Space was approved.

2. Ride Vehicles Spin to Create Over Two G-Forces of Accelerations

The hundreds of Imagineers that worked on Mission: Space truly had their work cut out for them. In order to simulate an actual rocket launch, the Mission: Space vehicles in the Orange Mission are attached on a central axis that spins the vehicles and gives the feeling of liftoff and eventual weightlessness. The entire ride comprises of four centrifuges that each contain ten vehicles that hold up to four riders each. In addition to the spinning, each ride vehicle tilts and moves up and down to create a realistic feeling of launching into space.

Before the attraction starts, a video will warn guests to keep their eyes open and look straight ahead during the entire experience. This is due to the constant spinning that tricks your brain into thinking you are launching forward instead of spinning. By looking left or right, the spinning could become very disorienting, so we highly recommend listening to this part of the video!

As seen in the photo above, each vehicle is tightly enclosed, so guests with claustrophobia may want to skip Mission: Space. However, the tightness of the ride vehicle really puts you inside the eyes of an astronaut who also have to endure extremely close quarters during their missions to space. Both the Orange Mission and Green Missions have the same ride vehicles, even though the Green Mission has less spinning and feels less intense than the Orange Mission.

3. Less Intense, Green Mission, Debuted in 2017

Due to the extreme nature of Mission: Space, Imagineers created a less intense version of the ride, known as the Green Mission. This allowed more guests to experience the attraction without the high intensity. The main difference between the Green Mission and Orange Mission is that the centrifuge ride vehicle does not spin like it does on the Orange Mission experience. The vehicles still pivot and move, however it does not feel as intense. With that said, the Green Mission side is still a fairly intense experience, so those prone to motion sickness should consider skipping this ride or preparing with Dramamine or other anti-sickness medications.

The Green Mission debuted on August 13, 2017, with the option for guests to join the Green Mission instead of the Orange, also known as Mars Mission. The Green Mission has a different storyline than the Orange Mission. While the Orange Mission is a trip to Mars, the Green Mission takes guests on an orbiting tour of Earth with an emergency landing onto Earth through a thunderstorm. Although the Green Mission doesn't give you the same sensation of an actual rocket launch, it's still a very cool ride.

READ MORE – These Are the Scariest Rides at Walt Disney World

4. Extra Precautions for Motion Sickness

Mission: Space is the only Disney attraction that actually provides bags, similar to those on airplanes, incase guests get sick. After you board your vehicle, you'll notice a small pocket in front of each seat containing a “motion discomfort” bag. Thankfully I've never had to use one of these, but I suppose it comes in handy especially for guests who aren't prepared for the g-forces!

In addition to the bags provided inside the ride vehicle, there is also a dedicated closet, or room, for guests who start to feel sick as they exit the attraction. Guests who may need this room can find it immediately exiting the attraction. It is a decently long walk from the ride vehicles back into the main area of EPCOT, so we highly recommend stopping at this closet if you are feeling unwell.

5. New Neighbor – One of Our Favorite Fine Dining Restaurants

In the fall of 2021, Space 220 restaurant opened it's doors to EPCOT guests. Space 220 is a one of a kind fine dining restaurant. This restaurant has more than just great food, it's a truly immersive experience that transports guests to outer space! Guests board a “space elevator” that transports them to 220 miles above the Earth in the Centauri Space Station. As you look out the windows of this dining experience, you will see spectacular views from space and the Earth below.

We absolutely love dining at Space 220, and it has easily become one of our favorite fine dining experiences in all of Disney World. Read our full review of Space 220 here! From the amazing food, drinks, and theming, it's definitely a restaurant to add to your list, and we highly recommend reservations for this popular restaurant.

READ MORE – Our ultimate guide to dining at EPCOT

6. Tributes to the EPCOT Attraction It Replaced

Before construction on Mission: Space began, an older attraction once stood in it's place. Many EPCOT fans were very disappointed when Disney announced the closure of Horizons, which was a dark ride attraction showing scenes from the future. Horizons was widely considered a “Carousel of Progress 2.0” attraction which had a similar theme. Horizons operated at EPCOT between 1983 and 1999 and had a popular “New Horizons” theme song that many still remember today.

Although Mission: Space ultimately replaced Horizons, there are a few tributes to the defunct attraction throughout it's new building. For example, the Horizons logo can be seen in Mission: Space's queue on a rotating wheel as well as on a cash register in the gift shop. Additionally, guests can see the same planter sitting at the front of the attraction that used to display the Horizons marquee. Although the marquee has been removed, the planter is seemingly untouched with the addition of Mission: Space.

7. A Real-Life Astronaut Consulted on the Ride's Design

Since Imagineers were determined to create a real-life simulation of a rocket launch, they consulted the best individuals to help with the job. Disney hired a real-life astronaut, Story Musgrave, as a consultant throughout the development process. Musgrave had an extensive resume with NASA, including being on the crew of six different flights and working with their space program for over 30 years. Musgrave's flight records including the Challenger's maiden voyage in 1983 as well the flying on the Columbia, Endeavour, Discovery, and Atlantis.

In addition to Musgrave's hands-on consulting for Mission: Space, the attraction also pays tribute to other amazing astronauts. There are various quotes from different space explorers seen on the Planetary Plaza which serves as the entrance area to the attraction.

8. Home to Amazing NASA Replicas and Displays

One of my favorite fun facts about Mission: Space is the Lunar Rover you can see in the Simulation Lab located inside the queue of the attraction. This Lunar Rover, or LRV, is the only replica of this artifact constructed by NASA that is not on the moon. The LRV was loaned to Disney by the Smithsonian Institute and is a truly amazing display to have for an attraction.

In addition to the LRV replica, guests can see an outdoor display of the NASA Perseverance rover that went to Mars, similar to the attraction's storyline. These displays were created in collaboration with both Disney Imagineers as well as NASA engineers. The Planetary Plaza includes a prototype rover wheel from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), plaque, 3D printed replicas of the rover's sample collection tubes, as well as images taken by Perseverance. The Planetary Plaza and queue for Mission: Space feels as if you are visiting both a mini space museum as well as a very cool attraction.

9. Hidden Mickeys

We love finding hidden Mickeys throughout Disney World, and there a few to look out for as you ride Mission: Space. Two that may be more difficult to spot can be seen right at the start of the attraction during the initial launch sequence. If you look closely, you can see two gray Mickeys on both sides of the screen. As previously mentioned, you will become much less disoriented if you keep your head straight and focused on the screen at all times. Therefore, trying to spot these and other hidden Mickeys can definitely help the temptation to look around your ride vehicle!

READ MORE- Hidden Mickeys at Disney World – Find Them All!

10. Advanced Training Lab is Fun for All Ages

For those guests unable to ride Mission: Space due to height restrictions or motion sickness, there is a cool play area called the Advanced Training Lab near the exit of the attraction. This area includes space-themed games, activities, and a high-tech play area for smaller children. Games include virtually flying over Mars in a jet pack as well as racing against other players to launch a rocket into space. Guests can also send video postcards from space!

Although Mission: Space isn't an attraction for everyone, the Advanced Training Lab is a nice area for kids to play or guests of any age to wait for other members of their party to ride. We definitely recommend walking around this area during your next visit to EPCOT!

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