Friday May 7th is International Space Day and what better way to celebrate than traveling to space! Well, maybe you can’t actually go to space but you can come pretty close by riding one of Disney’s attractions that replicate this journey. Space Mountain, Astro Orbiter, and Mission Space all offer unique expeditions while keeping consistency and accuracy between them.
It’s a beautiful sight to see stars and planets swirling around you. From such a distance, everything looks small and it can make you a little emotional. Luckily you just need to visit Magic Kingdom or Epcot to experience this. Between the two parks, Disney was able to create different attractions about space without compromising its integrity. The concept is vague enough allowing Disney to approach it however they choose. And they certainly did not disappoint.
What is it about space that fascinates people? It could be the possibility of the unknown and the desire to explore it. Which is exactly what the attractions offer to guests; you feel like a real astronaut. On all three rides, guests board a spaceship and hurdle through the galaxy. You may feel a little anxious and not know what to expect, as some trips are rougher than others. These emotions are normal but shouldn’t stop you from following your childhood dream. Who didn’t want to be an astronaut at some time or another?
A more amusing take on space can be seen on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin or Spaceship Earth. On the former, you see fanciful characters in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. This is a fun portrayal of aliens because we don’t know what they look like. It is also based off of a storyline in a movie so why not exaggerate and make it as over the top as possible? As for the latter, you’re only in space towards the end of ride when you are looking down on Earth. However, you then create your own future which includes a living in space option. This, too, is innovative and fun.
If rides aren’t your thing, you could also explore some space themed venues in Tomorrowland. Head over to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café or The Lunching Pad for a quick meal then visit Auntie Gravity’s for a sweet treat. After lunch, stop by Star Traders or Tomorrowland Light and Power Co. for merchandise that’s out of this world.
International Space Day is a great time to reflect on how far we’ve come as a civilization and how much is still left to explore. But until we get there, let us enjoy Disney’s multiple interpretations.
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