Update! August 15 opening for Mission Space!!

[sandar]

"The latest word from our insiders is that while they are hoping to Soft Open the ride sometime in August, the official grand opening event isn’t being planned until the first week of December."

Screamscape, April 10



Edited April 22 to add this from wdwmagic.com:

Disney have officially announced that the opening date for Mission Space is August 15 2003!

[AliciaG]

Thanks! Just another thing on the long list of reasons to attend Mousefest.:mrgreen:

[Pacha]

Not to sound too out of it, but when they soft open, does that mean it is open, just without the fanfare :?: My DW is a big coaster fan and is looking forward to this attraction and hoping it will be running by our Oct/Nov trip. otherwise she'll have to wait till 2004 probably.

Pacha

[Moley]

Hi Pacha! :)

Soft openings can mean anything from Cast Members only to allowing any guest to walk on the ride at random testing times.

It is really luck of the draw whether you will be one of the ones who get involved in a soft opening. It allows the park management to dry run the ride without being held to official hours. Usually CM's will be in the first group. Most rides have opening days just for CM's and their families. This brings in some of the longest lines the rides will ever have. It is packed, but strictly enforced to Cast Member participation only. I was there for the Test Track Cast Member opening day and could only drool from afar. After I heard about their 3 hour waits, my drool dried up. :shock:

Tower of Terror Four was in soft opening quite a bit before the 'official' opening date in late 2002 December. Anyone who came up to the ride got to go on and had the chance to experience one of the 'new' elevators.

My own guess is that if the 'official' time to open Mission Space is December 1, then the soft openings in August will be spotty or nil for guests. By September, you might find some insider connections could get you a ride. By October, they might have one or two days in which guests who happen to be there go on. And by November, soft opening would be more frequent and likely. That is only my guess based on years of experience and being the nosiest Disney maniac around. :mrgreen:

[Moley]

Ack, I'm such a forgetful old lady. :oops:

Here's a tip for your trip, Pacha. Call Guest Services at Epcot the day you arrive. Ask them if there are any soft opening times scheduled that week for guests. Tell them your wife is in rehab for thrill ride addiction and she needs Mission Space bad! :shock: Hope you get lucky! :D

[Brer]

Mousefest here I come too my dear Moley friend....hope they make that opening date;):):):) :lol:

[Rosebud]

This has been moved to open in August accordining to the posting in Park Talk. Soft openings in June.