Venture into Space with Disney World's New Galactic Adventure

by Rachel L. Miller

Epcot guests become a four-person team of astronauts working together to fulfill a mission when they step into a capsule and prepare for takeoff at Mission: SPACE. photo: © Walt Disney World.

"It's go time."

The single sentence sends my heart into overdrive, shifting suddenly from flutter mode into a not-so-subtle bone-jarring thump.

Gary Sinise is a fine actor - and right now he's got me completely convinced that I'm about to board a state-of-the-art spacecraft en route to Mars. This mission, or so I was just told by mission commander Sinise on the wide screen in front of me, is extremely important. And of course, that's why I'm here - after all, I am a trained astronaut. Well, at least Gary Sinise tells me that, and we all know that whatever Sinise says is law.

Alright. So I try to throw on my game face - what I pray resembles a serene smile brimming with confidence. I hope against hope that I look prepared and excited for this mission, but I know better. Especially once I'm seated, all buckled in, and staring straight ahead into a freakishly life-like monitor.

Sinise rattles off instructions with a sense of urgency…and just like that, my content façade falls away to reveal an expression of pure fear. Biting my lip and tapping my shoe anxiously against the spacecraft's floor, I admit to myself that I am more than afraid.

I am absolutely petrified.

A quiet whimper from the seat next to me is barely audible, but I know I'm not alone. My fellow passengers are just as afraid.

Good - at least I'm not alone.

Although I'm scared senseless, I'm still extremely curious. This ride - Mission: Space - is Walt Disney World's newest and most technologically impressive ride to date. A thrill ride without rival, Mission: Space is reportedly the most realistic representation of space travel that civilians can experience. Using NASA astronaut training techniques, HP technology, and centrifuge principles, the ride even simulates the G-force felt by astronauts during lift-off.

And by assigning each of the four crew members a distinct role - engineer, navigator, commander and pilot - Mission: Space gives us a sense of control over our ride experience.

I scan the controls in front of me as I gaze out the "window" - a flat screen that looks so real I'm easily tricked into believing I'm actually staring up into the cerulean sky, awaiting launch. And just when my heart is lulled back into its normal rhythm by the peacefully beautiful view, the engines roar to life - a thunderous cascade of sound so realistic that adrenaline is immediately shooting through my body.

This is it.

We blast off, the spacecraft shuddering as it rockets up through the sky. G-force pushes me back into my seat and rips a half-scream/half-giggle from my lips.

Up, up, up - we're zipping through the Earth's atmosphere until we reach the black stillness of space. My trusty voice of reason - Sinise - prompts me to reach for my controls. I gasp - my hands feel as if they could just float away. So this is weightlessness.

And this is just the very beginning of the ride. Much more excitement follows - a sling-shot maneuver around the Moon, a flight path laden with asteroids, and an unpredictable landing - but I won't give all the details away.

Suffice it to say that by the time Sinise signs off a few congratulatory words, I'm smiling and nudging my fellow crew members (not to mention harboring a bit of a newfound crush on virtual mission commander Sinise - can you blame me?).

"We survived," I say to the guy next to me. I meant it as a joke, but the note of relief in my voice didn't go unnoticed.

We both exhale loudly and exit our spacecraft. Sure, we're relieved. But we simply can't wait to ride again - to have that telltale bite of fear before exhilaration takes over and we're gazing down at Earth in all of its glory. It's an amazing adventure; the kind that only Disney can deliver to the masses.

Mission: Space is only one of the exciting new events happening at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. During a recent three-day visit, I had the opportunity to experience new attractions, get a sneak peek at Disney's newest resort, and best of all, relive some of the best moments of my childhood.

The breathtaking exterior of Mission: Space. photo: © Walt Disney World.

No one can deny the power contained in that first initial glimpse of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom. It elicits gasps and shrieks of joy from the youngsters, smiles and perhaps even a teary eye or two from the adults. And in one case that I witnessed firsthand on a shuttle ride to the park, it quickly set to rest a heated quarrel between a pair of siblings. Both children - now jubilant and cheering - squished to one side of the shuttle bus in order to get a closer look at the towering castle. And the cause of their argument, a juice box, was completely forgotten. I also caught the look of relief exchanged by the children's parents.

Thank God for Disney World, the mother's look plainly read as we made eye contact. The children held hands and skipped all the way to the park entrance.

Who doesn't love the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride? photo: © Walt Disney World.

Now that's what really makes the visit to Disney World so worthwhile for me. Not only do I get to witness the expressions of pure joy and wonderment on the faces of children, I also remember what it was like for me the first time I set foot in the Magic Kingdom twenty years ago. Then, it was my utopia, where I dined in Cinderella's Castle like royalty and my favorite Disney characters greeted me with warm hugs and waves.

Now, it's still that - but it's also something more. It's an escape, a place where everyone is kind and happy, all there with one common purpose: to have fun. It's a place so completely different from the hectic pace of city life. I strolled through the Magic Kingdom, enjoying the atmosphere and getting my picture taken with a few Disney characters, feeling like a kid again. I rode the Dumbo ride, squealing with delight the entire time. I gaped at the wide array of merchandise in the shops and just barely managed to resist the temptation to get add another pair of embroidered mouse ears to my collection at home.

I made certain to go on my favorite rides - Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion, both of which are now big-budget movies - and to chat with some ecstatic families (mostly about Mission: Space at nearby Epcot) before heading back to my hotel - Disney World's Port Orleans Riverside.

Visiting Disney World is typically thought of as a family thing, a must-do while the kids are still young. But, more and more often, Disney World is becoming a place where people - friends, family, couples - re-connect, regardless of age. Any type of group you can imagine will have more than enough to keep them busy and entertained at Disney World - so much, really, that it might be difficult to decide on what to do.

For example, imagine your closest group of girlfriends. One loves to shop, another loves to dance it up at clubs, another is known for her ability to put any man to shame on the golf course…and yet another can't wait to veg out in the spa for a few hours. All of this can be accomplished (and oh-so-easily) at Disney World.

And now, Disney has offered a great tool to help groups of friends and family re-connect - it's called Magical Gatherings.

Magical Gatherings is designed to help extended travel groups - whether they're families or friends - organize and enjoy their time together at Walt Disney World Resort. With easy-to-use online planning tools and even a planning specialist (assisting Grand Gathering groups of eight people or more), designing a Disney vacation has never been so easy. And if you've got a Grand Gathering, there are even special events you can book, such as "Safari Celebration Dinner" at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Created to go hand-in-hand with Magical Gatherings is "Wishes", the Magic Kingdom's new fireworks show. Blending every aspect of Disney World - storytelling, classic Disney songs and characters like Ariel and Jiminy Cricket - "Wishes" is several times the size of the 1975 "Fantasy in the Sky" show.

"Wishes" fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. photo: © Walt Disney World.

"Wishes" was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Stunning and perfectly designed to pluck at guests' heartstrings, it really made me feel as if I accomplish anything if only I wished diligently enough.

So with that in mind, when's the last time you wished upon a star? Whether you're zooming by them on your way to Mars with the thrilling Mission: Space or taking in the spectacular new fireworks show "Wishes" at the Magic Kingdom, you'll definitely have more than a few ample opportunities. After all, this is Disney World, where wishes - made by children and adults alike - come true!

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