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~*~Disney's mission: Space ride at Epcot~*~

Ride's mission is unchanged

By Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 29, 2002

Is Walt Disney World's much heralded "Mission: Space" ride still going to blast off next year as planned?

Epcot visitors began wondering after Disney World officials removed the large daily countdown sign at the Mission: Space construction site earlier this month.

"We did take down the countdown clock, but there isn't any delay with the construction of Mission: Space," said Bill Warren, a Disney World spokesman.

The problems began when visitors did the math on the countdown sign and figured out the clock ended on Memorial Day in May 2003. They began calling Disney to book rooms for that date, asking for assurances the $100 million-plus ride would be open.

But Warren said although the ride is still scheduled to open in 2003, the sign never meant to indicate a specific date.

Disney World officials have billed Mission: Space as a flight simulator that realistically replicates the challenges faced by astronauts, from a pulse-racing liftoff to weightlessness.

Mission: Space will add another E-ticket ride to Epcot, complementing Test Track, the high-speed car ride that opened in 1999. Industry observers say it will also be Disney's answer to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventures.

While delays in the openings of theme park rides are common, the countdown sign's disappearance fueled speculation that a major one looms at Mission: Space. One reason for that is that Disney's "sponsor" for the ride -- traditionally a corporate partner who picks up a major part of the tab in return for promotional rights such as signage -- is Compaq Computer Corp.

Houston-based Compaq has agreed to be acquired by Hewlett Packard Corp., another computer giant. Would Hewlett Packard continue to sponsor Mission: Space? A Compaq spokesman last week stopped short of assuring that: "There should be no change in the relationship with Disney relative to the ride," said Arch Currid, a Compaq spokesman.

At Hewlett Packard, spokesman Dave Berman said, "We can't comment on this type of issue until the merger [with Compaq] has been completed. We're still operating as two separate companies."

Warren said Disney World officials aren't worried. "We're feeling pretty good about our corporate relationships on this project."

But Warren acknowledged that the future of the sponsorship isn't guaranteed. Disney typically doesn't discuss details of its financial deals with sponsors.

And besides, Currid revealed last week that his company isn't a sponsor of Mission: Space in the traditional sense. "Compaq isn't funding it . . . they're buying our technology. It's a purchase deal," he said.

Robert Johnson can be reached at 407-420-5664 or rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com.

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