Thanks very much, Sauron. And thanks for reading the Guide.
I did a television interview a couple of weeks ago (my first), and joked that every time I go to the parks, I picture some biology grad student sitting under fluorescent lighting in some basement somewhere, cutting up dead frogs, and think I ended up with a better deal. But I’ve not yet convinced my wife that what I do is actually “work.”
Last week I got to ask a NASA astronaut for breakfast tips for not throwing up on Mission:Space (his suggestions: try bananas. Avoid milk and tomatoes). That was cool.
That raises another question, one which you are uniquely qualified to answer. What’s the yark-factor on Mission:Space? We’re planning another trip to DW later this year, and I want to ride that. So does my seven-year-old stepson. How likely are we to chuck our Cheerios on that ride?
The ‘yark-factor’ is high enough that Disney has installed sickness bags next to each seat. But I think if you have a bite to eat an hour or two before riding, you should be fine. Our contact at NASA also mentioned that astronauts sometimes suck on hard candy or mints during centrifuge training to help avoid lightheadedness. He’s not sure whether the candy is boosting blood sugar levels, or it’s just a placebo effect, but claims that it’s a relatively common practice in the NASA ranks.
IANAD, but my guess would be on the low blood sugar hypothesis. When I’ve eaten beforehand, the ride on Mission:Space is downright pleasant. I’d be interested in hearing your experience when you return.
I have nowhere near the expertise of Len, Sauron, but I was at Disney last summer when Mission: Space first opened, so I can tell you that it’s just awesome, really. If you can stand it, it’s a must see.
However, the yak factor appears to be high, from the number of warnings they give you, and the fact that there are two times after you enter the building but before they strap you in where the cast members give you a chance to opt out. I’d say it’s probably not a good idea for anyone who has ever had motion sickness in any vehicle to do Mission: Space.
To put it in perspective - I have no history of motion sickness on any sort of vehicle. I was at the park with a friend who loves roller coasters and stuff, but has in past had problems with motion sickness a few times. The only thing we had done before Mission: Space that morning was the golf ball ride thing, the name of which escapes me. After Mission: Space, I felt a bit off-balance, but not yarky. My companion was very green and declared she was done with rides for the day - we spent the rest of the day in the Showcase of Nations, and around four she was feeling well enough to try the Norway ride.
The only type of ride I dislike are things like the Spinning Teacups, where you whirl around in a tight circle. That will make me queasy. Everything else is cool. I’ve never ridden in a centrifuge trainer, which appears to be at least part of the Mission: Space ride, but I’m almost certain it wouldn’t bother me.
I’ll keep some Gummi Bears in my pocket, just in case.
A good analogy to Mission: Space is those rides where the audience section is moved hydraulically while the movie screen in front of you shows you images that correspond to the movement (Body Wars, Star Tours, the Back to the Future ride at Universal, etc.) A lot of people get sick on those because the movement can’t be exactly matched to the screen - Mission: Space is like a more intense version of that. But the whole space vehicle is closed – with no outside frame of reference, you don’t really know that you’re spinning, and the part of the ride where they do that is not depicted as a spinny thing on screen –I think they only spin you for re-entry.
Thanks, Jenny! I love those types of rides, particularly Star Tours. However, my stepson was less than impressed with Star Tours when we rode it a couple of years ago. I’m guessing he won’t want to experience a more-intense version of it.
Maybe I’ll be able to wrangle a ride while my wife does something else with the kids. If not, I’ll do it some other time.
As the wife in question…YEP…you go right ahead and ride it. I’ll answer for Patrick…he isn’t doing it. I’ll take the boys somewhere else and let you ride it to your heart’s content.
len When he says he likes the Guide he is not really telling you the truth. He worships the Guide. He maps out each day for us down to when we are going where and what rides we will do in what order, etc. He is like an evil genius trying to maximize the DW experience for us all.
We are heading back to DW this December and he has already started with the notebook of our plans.
Um … dear? It’s not time for you to be in this thread yet. You’re supposed to be in MPSIMS until 1:30, then you’ve got a five-minute rest break. THEN you head to Cafe Society.
Sheesh. You’re messing up the whole SDMB touring schedule I made for you!
Wow, a husband/wife team! And they say that families don’t communicate these days. When are you folks headed to Orlando in December? I’ll be there from the 9th through the 12th at least, along with Bob and a host of other guidebook authors. If you’ve really started a notebook, drop me a line and I may be able to help you with some of it.
Funny you should mention Star Tours. I had a discussion about that with the NASA astronaut, too. (Yeah, I know this one phone call probably cost American taxpayers three grand. We can only hope to have a cost avoidance of more than that on motion sickness bags.)
The big deal, as Jenny H also notes, with simulators such as Star Tours is that your eyes and inner ear are sending conflicting information to your brain. So while your eyes are seeing film of you banking around some asteroid, your inner ear isn’t sending any signals corresponding to that banking back to your noggin. The result is not unlike viewing photos of the hairdo you wore to prom: lightheadedness, followed by nausea.
Jenny H, I’m pretty sure there’s more than that listed in your spoiler. The liftoff effect would be tough to do otherwise. But a good point about Star Tours.
Two of my heroes are gonna be at DisneyWorld, and I’m gonna miss 'em by FOUR FREAKIN’ DAYS?! There is no justice in this world.
We’re heading to DW on November 30, and staying through December 5. Man, I would seriously love to meet you and Bob at DisneyWorld, but unless I can convince you to head down earlier it ain’t gonna happen.
My e-mail is in my profile. I tried to send one to you a moment ago, but was unable to do so. I’d be honored to go over my tentative touring plan with you, and I’m certainly open to suggestions.
Based on your writing style, it seems to me you might be responsible for some of the more creative jabs in the Unofficial Guide. Again, I salute you.
Is there anything I can do while I’m at DW to prepare the parks for your arrival? I’ve noted that “It’s a Small World” will be closed while we’re there, but maybe I can get them to open it for you. Failing that, maybe I could have the ride’s music piped into your hotel room for the duration of your stay, so you won’t miss the experience.
Ok, you’ve stumbled across my ingenious plan for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Neither side there seems to be able to provide a solution for managing all these angry people. Nor do any other national governments, nor the U.N.
So who is the best in all the world at managing large groups of people? I’d say Disney is a strong contender. So we turn over control of the region to Disney and let them run it. Getting “It’s a Sacred World After All” stuck in your head after a pilgrimage is a small price to pay for peace, isn’t it?
Of course, maybe they’d find a way to make peace if they knew that if they didn’t, Disney would get control by a certain date.
I’ll take the boys somewhere else and let you ride it to your heart’s content.