Few Disney World attractions spark reactions quite like Mission: SPACE.
Some EPCOT guests still consider it one of Disney’s most underrated thrill rides. Others refuse to ride it ever again after feeling dizzy, nauseous, or claustrophobic inside the attraction’s tight training capsules. Now that Disney is replacing older park concepts with movie franchises, fans are wondering whether Mission: SPACE could eventually become another target for change.
And thanks to one major sci-fi movie, many fans already have a replacement idea ready.
Disney Has Already Reworked Several Classic Attractions
Disney’s recent park strategy has become impossible to ignore.
The company continues leaning heavily into recognizable movie franchises across Walt Disney World. EPCOT has arguably changed the most. Maelstrom closed and was eventually replaced by Frozen Ever After after Frozen (2013) became a worldwide phenomenon. Universe of Energy also disappeared as Disney built Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in its place.
Magic Kingdom followed a similar path when Splash Mountain transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, inspired by The Princess and the Frog (2009).
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Muppet*Vision 3D closed to make room for the upcoming Monstropolis expansion. Meanwhile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom continues preparing for its Tropical Americas overhaul after the closure of DinoLand U.S.A.
Because of all those changes, many fans believe Disney would eventually consider updating Mission: SPACE if the attraction no longer connects with enough guests.
Mission: SPACE Remains Extremely Polarizing
Mission: SPACE opened in 2003 as one of Disney’s most ambitious thrill attractions.
The ride simulates a mission to Mars using spinning centrifuges that recreate launch forces. Disney still warns guests about the attraction’s physical intensity before they even enter the queue.
The ride now operates with two experiences. Orange Mission provides the more aggressive spinning version, while Green Mission reduces the motion significantly. Even so, the attraction continues carrying a reputation many Disney guests simply cannot overlook.
For some visitors, Mission: SPACE feels thrilling and unique compared to Disney’s other attractions. Others say the experience feels uncomfortable from start to finish.
Complaints about headaches, nausea, dizziness, and claustrophobia continue appearing online regularly, especially when fans compare Mission: SPACE to newer Disney rides.
Low Wait Times Continue Fueling Conversation
Mission: SPACE also struggles with something many Disney attractions would never expect: almost no wait.
While guests routinely spend more than an hour waiting for rides like Flight of Passage, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Mission: SPACE often posts waits closer to ten minutes.
That low demand has only stoked conversations about the ride’s long-term future.
Many fans argue that the attraction simply feels outdated compared to Disney’s newer technology. Others believe the pavilion itself still has potential but needs an entirely different story and ride system.
That is where Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary (2026) entered the discussion.
Fans Think Project Hail Mary Could Fit EPCOT Perfectly
The sci-fi film became a major hit, earning nearly $680 million worldwide and receiving strong reviews, including a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score.
The movie follows Ryland Grace as he attempts to save humanity during a dangerous mission through space. Rocky, the alien engineer introduced during the story, quickly became one of the film’s breakout characters.
Fans online quickly started connecting the movie’s themes to Mission: SPACE.
Across Reddit and Disney forums, guests have suggested transforming the attraction into a Project Hail Mary experience featuring Ryland Grace and Rocky leading guests through updated missions. Some fans also suggested Disney could redesign the ride vehicles entirely to create a less physically punishing experience.
One fan even proposed a free-roaming Rocky animatronic in EPCOT, powered by Disney’s newer character technology.
Disney has not announced any plans involving Mission: SPACE. Still, many EPCOT fans clearly believe the attraction has become one of the park’s biggest candidates for a future overhaul.
