Mission: Space – Disney’s Most Ambitious Ride That Guests Don’t Want to Ride Twice (Ep. 532)

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Leisure, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 979 Ratings

🗓️ 19 May 2025

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Len Testa and Jim Hill break down the surprisingly intense history of Epcot’s Mission: Space—from launch-day astronauts and jetpack stunts to the guest experience that made this ride one of Disney’s most regretted one-and-dones. The Grand Opening – Jetpacks, Walter Cronkite, Buzz Aldrin, and a fireworks display that nearly gave journalists flashbacks. What Went Wrong – Mission: Space didn’t just thrill—it made people sick, killed plants, and gave Epcot’s custodial team nightmares. The Shrubbery Crisis – Yes, protein spills killed the landscaping. Fixing the Fail – How Disney added trash cans, benches, cold air, and a non-spinning version of the ride (that’s actually better). Ride Longevity – Why guests rarely re-ride, and how Mission: Space quietly became the least essential thrill ride at Walt Disney World. What Comes Next – With depreciation schedules catching up, is it finally time to replace it? And what’s the likelihood of a Figment/Inside Out combo attraction next door? A fascinating look at how cutting-edge ambition can spin a little too hard—and what happens when the recovery benches outnumber the ride’s fans. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Race the rudder, raise the sails, raise the sales!
0:05.0	Captain, an unidentified ship approaching. Over.
0:07.0	Roger that. Wait, is that an enterprise sales solution?
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0:21.4	To get £100 off your first campaign, go to LinkedIn.com slash lead to claim your credit.
0:26.6	That's LinkedIn.com slash lead. Terms and conditions apply.
0:30.2	Welcome back to another edition of the Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill.
0:34.4	It's me, Len Testa, and this is our show for the week of Shmer's Day, May 19th,
0:38.3	2025. Happy Epic Universe opening week on the show today. News in listener questions,
0:44.4	let's plan a trip and never combine glitter and industrial adhesives. Then in our main segment,
0:50.4	Jim gives us the history of Epcot's mission space attraction. Let's get started by
0:55.4	bringing in the man who says that most sports fall into two categories, those where you keep
1:00.5	the ball and those where you hit the ball far, far away. It's Mr. Jim Hill. Jim, how's it going?
1:05.5	It is going well, Len, and by the way, excellent point. This is why me personally, I find
1:09.9	golf to be very indecisive.
1:12.6	I mean, people who play golf clearly value those little white round things.
1:17.2	They have special pockets in their golf bags where they keep their title lists or whatever brand they use.
1:22.2	And all along the golf course, there are these little stations set up.
1:25.7	So you can wash your golf balls.
1:27.6	You can wash them and take care of them.
1:29.3	So they have a grooming station.
	...

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