My Experience with Mission Space

Attractions We Avoid

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Black. Enjoy the ride as we share which attractions we avoid or haven't experienced.

There are several rides and attractions at Walt Disney World that I don’t care for:  Magic Carpets of Aladdin, TriceraTop Spin, O Canada, Wonders of China to name a few.  Definitely not a fan of Stitch's Great Escape.  But, I’ll go on these if someone in my group wants to do it.  However, there is one attraction that I will not ride…ever again.  “Again” implies that I have done it.  That attraction is Mission: SPACE.  You’re probably thinking “why”; it seems odd to ban such a popular attraction permanently especially now that there is a tamer version.  My dislike of the attraction has nothing to do with the attraction so much as it as to do with my memory associated with that experience.  

In early 2006, my husband and I took our son, then 3, on his first trip to Walt Disney World.  It was a milestone and one marked equally special when we found out two weeks before the trip that we were pregnant.  I estimate I was probably no more than 6 weeks along.  Nothing too significant to change my stamina or energy level.  Didn’t really think too much about it, to tell the truth.  So when we arrived at Epcot, we knew we wanted to go on the newly opened, much hyped Mission: SPACE.  You see, both my husband and I work at NASA and given the attraction’s collaboration with NASA, we wanted to see what it was all about.  

Despite the caution warnings and spiels prior to the ride, I decided to go on it.  The conversion in my head went something like this:  “you work at NASA, you can do this…no problem”.  What I really should have heard was “you work at NASA as an analyst, you dummy, you’ve never been on a motion based simulator, you don’t touch flight hardware…and oh, besides, you’re pregnant and you’re equilibrium is probably really messed up right now”.  I didn’t listen and went on the full-up motion based ride.  I am proud to say that I didn’t lose my lunch, but it was very touch and go for a while.  I couldn’t get out of the capsule fast enough, and when I did, the ground was not so stable.  Once I found my bearings, I met back up with my son and husband (we had done child swap) in the game area (Advanced Training Lab) to rest my head.  That didn’t help.  Ate lunch.  That didn’t help.  I felt like I had just woken up from a night of excessive drinking.  It was like a really bad hangover and I could not shake.  Awful is really the only way to describe the feeling.  Finally, I went back to the room to sleep it off.  Didn’t help too much, and I remained messed up the rest of the day.  

I should have read Wikipedia’s definition of the ride mechanics:  “The attraction is a multiple-arm centrifuge that achieves the illusion of acceleration by spinning and tilting sealed capsules during the four-minute "mission." Fans blow air gently at riders to help avoid motion sickness, and a magnified display in front of each rider simulates a window to space with high-resolution computer-generated imagery. The attraction exposes riders to forces up to 2.5G, more than twice the force of gravity at the Earth's surface (effectively multiplying a rider's weight by 2.5).”  Yep, that explains it all!

I don’t know if my reaction to the experience had anything to do with the pregnancy, or if I am overly prone to motion sickness (didn’t think I was); but in either case the memory of that experience is so bad that I won’t go on the attraction again; even the Green team version which opened a few months after our visit.  As anyone who has ever experienced it, you don’t want to be sick on a Disney vacation.  Even for a day.  It stinks.  

I am disappointed that my experience was so negative, because from what I recall and can review on YouTube, the attraction is amazingly realistic.  I have been very fortunate to have worked in the mission control center complex during many shuttle flights in the last few years of the Shuttle program.  I’ve been even more fortunate to sit on console with one of the most amazing female astronauts in the astronaut corp.  How she described the launch sequence experience from the crew compartment is very similar to what a guest would experience on Mission: SPACE.  I especially like the detail of the birds soaring over the launch platform just prior to launch.  They do that all the time and are recognized as a hazard to launch vehicles.  Big turkey vultures soar over the launch complex, catching the updrafts of wind.  (Did you know a Space Shuttle has impacted with one during a launch before?  Let’s just say, that’s not a good thing for the bird or the vehicle).  Also, the chatter you hear prior to, and during the launch sequence, is similar to the voice loop chatter that is heard in the control centers.  Everyone in the control centers, whether you are in front room or back room, has a headset and can monitor many voice loops at one time which is why you hear multiple conversions just before main engine start and lift off.  At launch, on the screen, a plume of white smoke billows up from below you.  Your ship is mounted on tons of highly explosive solid rocket fuel, after all!  The whole sequence is amazingly detailed and quite accurate.

The Disney Imagineers collaborated well with NASA to get the experience correct and they did hit the mark on many aspects.  It’s a good attraction and one that shouldn’t be missed if you like thrill or motion based rides.  By all accounts, the tamer version appears to appease those less inclined for a thrill, but who still want to experience it.  For me, for now, I’m going to have to pass on it and hang out in the Advanced Training Lab.   

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is The Disney Point.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad  <-- you are here
2nd Stop ~ The Disney Point 
3rd Stop ~ The Disney Chick
4th Stop ~ Manda’s Disney Blog

The Living Seas

What did we do before we found Nemo?  I guess we explored the Living Seas.

The Living Seas presented by United Technologies. 

The Living Seas opened in 1986.  At the time, it housed the largest saltwater tank in the world.  The attraction took guests under the ocean to "Sea Base Alpha", where they viewed a short movie about the formation of the oceans, followed by an elevator ride (on a Hydrolator) to the ocean floor.  Guests then boarded "Seacabs" and traveled along an underwater tunnel through the aquarium.  From there, guests rode around Sea Base Alpha and got an up-close view of the aquarium.   After the ride, guests disembarked into an exhibit area where they could interact with various displays.

In 2007, Disney opened a re-themed The Living Seas pavilion based on the film Finding Nemo.  

In the photo above you can see the original attraction sign.  At the time, I thought the waves crashing behind the sign was such a cool effect.  I must have been an easily impressed teenager!  My brother and I waited and waited for the right time to get that picture.  

Do you remember The Living Seas without Nemo?  

(Shhh....don't tell anyone...even though I'm a die-hard old school EPCOT fan, I have to admit, I love "The Seas with Nemo & Friends" attraction that took over The Living Seas.)

Keeping Cool at Disney

Keeping Cool at Disney

Welcome to those of you joining me from A World View and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail.  Enjoy the ride as we share with you our favorite ways to keep cool during the hot summer months in Disney.


"It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"  Truer words have never been said for Disney World in the summer months.  Sweltering heating dominates the southern states from June through August, and the heat index becomes all too important.  I grew up in the southern states and am used to the heat and humidity, although, as I get older my tolerance for it has increased.  And tolerance is the issue -- we all can handle heat and humidity to a point; but I don't think people realize how much they are out in it during vacations at Disney World.  Factors such age and health also decrease a person's tolerance.  Babies and seniors are more so affected by the heat than healthy adults.  But, there are ways to mitigate some of heat risk involved in a summer vacation at The World.  Here are a few suggestions I have to keep cool during those hot summer months.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Can't stress this enough.  Nothing zaps your energy faster than dehydration, and, despite the humidity, you can get dehydrated quicker than you think.  This is one reason I adore Disney's policy of allowing outside food and drinks (no alcohol or glass containers please) into the park.  You shouldn't have to pay to keep yourself hydrated.  Bring a refillable water bottle.  Refill at the fountains, or better yet, ask for a cup of ice water (free at all counter service locations).  If you don't like Florida tap water (it is a little funky), bring instant water flavoring packets available everywhere now days.  
• Take a break mid-day.  Go back to your resort, go to a shady spot, or get inside.  Anything to cool down.  If your hotel or resort has pool, take advantage of it!  The pool is a welcome respite from the hot summer sun.

Take a break to enjoy the pool!

• Wait for a passing shower.  It's Florida and it's summer, there will inevitably be a passing shower.  These storms are typically quick moving, although sometime severe, and bring lower temperatures for a little while.  Don't forget a rain poncho.  If the storms aren't violent, touring the parks in the rain is great.  That is, if you don't mind being a little wet.  Less crowds and cool temperatures.  I've ridden Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the rain.  SO MUCH FUN!
• Take a lesson in evaporative cooling - a process in which the heat is removed from an object by the evaporation of a liquid coolant.  I found a product many years ago called an Aqua Towel (it's labeled many things -- Frogg Toggs, Aqua Towel, Cool Towel, etc.) that is a lifesaver in the heat.  It's basically a reusable chamois that when wet is cool due to evaporative cooling.  Dip in water, ring out and lay on the back of the neck, on the face, on the shoulders, or behind the knees (my favorite spot).  It's welcome relief from the heat.  Plus, it's made with extremely absorbent material so it doesn't drip and cause a big mess.

My scarf is not a fashion statement.  It's
my Aqua Towel!

• If you have young ones, utilize the Baby Care Centers.  Every park has one and it's marked on the park guide map.  These are traditionally design as a place to feed, change and nurse little ones in privacy, but are also a great place to get the little ones out of the heat for a while.  
• Put a lid on it.  Caps are a great way to provide shade to head and face.  
• Take advantage of indoor attractions, gift shops, and rides.  There's no shortage of air-condition at Disney World.  Sometimes it's cool enough inside the attractions that I light jacket is needed.  I always pack one, just in case.
• Don't forget the sunscreen even in the non-summer months.  Although sunscreen isn't going to keep you cool, it definitely goes hand-in-hand with the heat.  Sunburns are no joke and sneak up on you quicker than you think.  Bring your sunscreen with you else be forced to pay $15 for a bottle that would cost $8 at Walgreens.  Live and learn!  

Watch out for over-exposure
in the sun.

• And finally, know you and your family's tolerances.  This is a huge suggestion.  No one wants to experience heat stress, much less heat stress on a vacation.  If you need to leave the park before your Fast Pass time because one member of your party is feeling light-headed from the heat, then do it.  Better that than have someone fall out in the middle of a queue.  Disney World medical personnel are great, but they would rather not have to come and peel you off the floor.

When little ones get red in
the face, it's time to take a
break.  

These are just a few of my personnel suggestions.  Do you have any?  I'd love to hear them.  I will be heading to the World in July this year.  I've done June and August several times, but never July.  I plan to be prepared!

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Red this month. We will be back Friday, June 21st with an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories.  If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ My Dreams Of Disney
2nd Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay
3rd Stop ~ Colorado Mountain Mom
4th Stop ~ A World View
Final Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad

What to do Outside the Parks

What To Do Outside the Parks?

Welcome to those of you joining me from Manda’s Disney Blog and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail.  Enjoy the ride as we share our favorite things to do outside of the parks.

While I'm at Disney World, one of my favorite activities is resort hopping.  There is a wealth of surprises waiting to be found at the various resorts around the Walt Disney World complex.  If you ever have a chance to venture away from your resort to visit some of the other resorts, you’ll see what I mean.  The décor and ambiance of each resort is unique.  Imagine you are in the South Pacific at the Polynesian or deep in the heart of the savannah of Africa at Animal Kingdom Lodge.  

Take a look at a highlight from each destination!  Most of these activities are free; check with your resort concierge for times, locations, and directions.

Contemporary Resort – View the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach on the Bay Lake side of the resort.


Polynesian Resort – Experience the torch lighting ceremony featuring a Polynesian dancer who does a traditional fire-knife dance and lights the torches leading to the Great Ceremonial House.  


Wilderness Lodge – View the Geyser.  Located between the pool and the beach, this 120' Geyser spouts every hour on the hour from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.  While the geyser does look real, surrounded by hot springs that create “steam”, the water is not hot.  On occasion you can find ducks swimming in the “hot springs”.  


Animal Kingdom Lodge – Nightly African storytelling next to Ogun's Firepit outside the Lodge.

Grand Floridian – Listen to the soothing sounds of the piano player in the lobby from around 3 p.m.; alternating with the orchestra until 9:45 p.m.


Fort Wilderness – Chip and Dale sing-a-long, campfire, and movie.  This campfire program is free open to all WDW resort guests. It is held near the Meadow Trading Post in the campfire area. The program begins with a sing-along and a marshmallow roast around two campfire rings. You may bring your own marshmallows or buy them at the Chuck Wagon.  While this is going on, Chip and Dale make an appearance to visit with guests and sign autographs. Afterwards a Disney animated feature is shown on a large outdoor screen. 


Yacht & Beach Club – These two resorts also offer a campfire program and Disney movie on the beach.  Stay around long enough and you can view the high fireworks from Epcot’s  Illuminations.

Boardwalk – Reminiscent of the early 20th century East Coast beachside resorts, the Boardwalk itself is a big draw, but I really enjoy the ambiance of the hotel's lobby.  Look around for the carousel chandelier, roller coaster model, and antique novelty machines.  Step outside and you are taken to a bygone era on the Boardwalk.  Relax "beachside" with a drink and sit in the comfy rocking chairs.




The following resorts are listed in the Moderate and Value categories and, as such, are slightly more difficult to get to if you don’t have a car.  Never-the-less, they are filled with theming and hidden gems equal to those at the other resorts.  I wouldn’t necessarily recommend making a special trip to see them, but if you happen to be dining in the vicinity or have an afternoon the kill, these are great places to check out. 


Port Orleans Riverside – Take a leisurely and scenic boat ride to Downtown Disney along the Sassagoula River.


Port Orleans French Quarter – Enjoy live entertainment at the Scat Cat Lounge in the evenings.


Caribbean Beach - The centerpiece of this resort is its 45-acre lake, Barefoot Bay, surrounded by a 1.4-mile promenade which connects to winding paths leading to guest rooms and common areas.  In the center of the lake is Caribbean Cay, an island with a picnic area and beautiful foliage. Caribbean Cay is connected to each side by a footbridge. 


Coronado Springs – Explore the grounds of this resort via a 0.9 mile Esplanade as it winds its way through the wooded areas of the grounds.  Check out the partially buried large Mayan head statue in the middle of the Explorer’s Playground. 


All-Star Music, Movies and Sports – Check out the larger-than-life icons in and around each of the All-Star Resorts.


POP Century – Nostalgia overload reins king at this resort!  In the lobby, you will find numerous wall-mounted shadow boxes full of fads, fashions, music, toys and other trinkets from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.  You can’t help not to smile when you these.

Art of Animation - Disney has really outdone themselves with their newest resort.  Art of Animation features four of Disney's popular character themes: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. The resort brings each of these movies to life with giant scale statues, unique landscaping and colorful decor throughout.  The feature pool a the resort, called The Big Blue, is the largest pool currently on property.

I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg for what you’ll find at the various resorts around the complex and did not even get into the Disney Vacation Club Resorts.  

What’s your favorite resort hopping activity? 

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Black this month. We will be back in June with an all new theme.  Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney news, photos and stories.  If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ The Disney Point
2nd stop ~ The Disney Chick
3rd Stop ~ Manda’s Disney Blog
Final Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad   <--you are here

Cigar Store Indian

Ever notice the Cigar Store Indian on Main Street?   Today, he can be found in front on the Crystal Arts shop, on the northeast corner of Main and Center Street.  But he wasn’t always located there.

When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the park featured a shop called “The Tobacconist”.  That shop was located on the west side of the street, between the House of Magic and the Refreshment Corner (now Casey’s corner).  It was approximately where the northern entrance to the Hall of Champions is today.  The shop sold tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, hand carved pipes, and loose leaf tobacco.  In the late 80’s the shop was closed, but tobacco products could still be purchased across the street at the Market House.  The Cigar Store Indian was moved to reflect the change.  Since 2000, tobacco products are no longer sold in the parks, but the Cigar Store Indian remains, providing an ever vigilant watch over Main Street, USA and providing a glimpse of Disney World’s past. 

While this statue helps tell the story of small town USA and fits in with the character and charm of the town in the early 20th century, the symbolism he represents seems to be lost on a younger generation.  Traditionally known as a “Cigar Store Indian” or “Wooden Indian”, statues such as these were used as an advertising figure made to represent tobacconists, much like barber poles advertise barber shops or three gold balls advertise pawn shops.  These figures were three-dimensional sculptures several feet tall, up to life-sized.  But, how did an Indian come to represent tobacco products?  Because of the general illiteracy of the population at the time, store owners would use descriptive emblems to advertise their wares.  American Indians were associated with tobacco since they had introduced the product to Europeans.  The Indian statue would also serve as a visual magnet, drawing the attention of passersby to the store.  

You can find the twin to the Main Street Cigar Store Indian in Frontierland.  That one can be found on the porch in front of Prairie Outpost & Supply.  At one time, this location also sold tobacco products.  

Bag Lady

I love bags...all sorts of bags.  Handbags, totes, backpacks, sachels, slings, gift bags, duffels, hipsters, coin purses, eye glass cases, cosmetic bags, even high quality plastic store bags.  And like a good girl, I've got my share of Dooney & Burke, Vera Bradley, and an assortment of knock-off styles from Target.  My husband claims it's an obsession.  <sigh...men never learn, do they?>  I say it's part of my world where there is "a place for everything and everything in its place".  I supposed taking advance from a flying nanny is as good as any!

So, when it comes to Disney and bags, you can imagine how heavenly that is for me.  Every trip, I come home with at least one bought bag, and an assortment of store bags from purchases I've made.  I'll use these bags as gift bags for people who've never been to Disney or kids who like the design.  I'll also use them for storage bags of Disney related items.  For example, my Disney rain ponchos are in a store bag from 2003.  The design on these bags change often and as I go through my bag-stash I'll run across one from various years.  Many, many years ago bags were specific to parks and resorts.  Those were the bags to collect and hoard!  Now, it's just the same design across Walt Disney World and Disneyland.   Still, the bags are quaint reminder of that trip and always makes me smile.  I recently ran across a really old bag.  It's a paper store bag.  No handles, or hand-holes...just a paper sack.  I'm not sure of the time period, but I think early 80's, definitely pre-EPCOT.  I hope you'll find it as "groovy" as I do.  It made me smile and that always makes a bag worth saving!

"Here you leave today - and visit the worlds of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy." - Walt Disney