Epcot is unique among the Disney Parks in many ways, not the least of which is its resemblance to World's Fairs. The pavilions at Epcot serve primarily as presentations on specific subjects, rather than completely immersive environments like the lands and attractions in other parks. There are a few exceptions, though - pavilions where we get to go "behind closed doors" at fictional, albeit highly realistic, facilities. Among these are the GM Test Track, Imagination Institute, and the International Space Training Center.
Stepping through the portal of Mission: Space, we find ourselves in the year 2036, a time when civilian space travel is becoming more common. As recruits at the ISTC, we're signed up for astronaut training and headed for the centrifuge bays where we'll experience the first in a series of simulated space flights, all with the goal of preparing us for an eventual trip to Mars.
Yes, you read that right. We don't actually go to Mars on Mission: Space. Pay close attention to the story being told throughout the pavilion, and you'll see that the Imagineering designers who developed the attraction make no bones about the fact that this is a simulator. But they're not punching holes in their own story. The simulator is the story. Mission: Space is about what it takes to prepare people to go into space. Real astronauts spend hours in simulators, being trained for every conceivable contingency.
So the next time you disembark and an ISTC Crew Member bids you, "Welcome back," be sure to reply with "Haven't we been here at the ISTC all along?"
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