The SATURDAY SIX experiences SPACE at the Florida Theme Parks

Like everyone reading this, we at SAT SIX HQ have been living through a rather tumultuous year, but one of the true brightspots has been following the astronauts aboard the Artemis II on their journey in space traveling almost 700,000 miles to slingshot around the Moon and return safely home. During those wondrous 9 days, we were gifted photos sent by the crew (and the ship) that are truly awe inspiring.

This picture of a Moon eclipse is just mesmerizing.

Regular readers of this fine blog series know that I often talk about two things that never go out of style for kids of any generation; dragons and dinosaurs. Well, there’s one more thing that speaks to the hearts and minds of every man, woman, and child on this Earth and has done so since the beginning of time…space.

Today we are going to look at how outer space has been used at our favorite Florida theme parks, starting with…

# 6 – EPCOT

Because of my personal fascination with astronauts and space, I don’t think there is an attraction in theme park history that I was looking forward to more than when Disney announced Mission: Space would be coming to EPCOT in the early 2000s. Sure, it would be replacing my beloved Horizons, but the concept of replicating being an astronaut and going into space, that was something I’ve always wanted to experience.

Turns out the adage “be careful what you wish for” can be applied to the theme park world, because – for me – Mission: Space was a huge disappointment. However, there is much about the attraction that is absolutely fantastic, including its entrance facade.

There’s no denying that the attraction is a love letter to space travel.

Guests are loaded into the ride vehicles and get a simulation of a flight to space.

In 2021, Space 220 Restaurant opened and instantly became one of the hardest to get reservations at Walt Disney World because – like Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, ’50s Prime Time Cafe, and T-Rex Restaurant – it offers a themed dining experience unlike anything you’ve seen before. Your “story” begins with a trip from Earth 220 miles up using a space elevator.

The space elevator isn’t using any ground breaking effects, but everything works perfectly in establishing the environment you are about to dine in.

It’s the “little things” that generally take something from a good experience to a memorable one, and Space 220 Restaurant is filled with great details.

Walking into the Space 220 dining room is one of the true “wow” moments at Disney.

Have to love that this souvenir cup is themed to a rocket.

Space 220 also offers collectible trading cards with its kids meals. I know when I was growing up, getting these would have made my entire vacation.

In 2022, EPCOT added Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, an indoor coaster that has guests traveling through space.

The queue and pre-shows for Cosmic Rewind are loaded with references to things in outer space (both real and the fantastical.)

Did you know that actress Glenn Close has been nominated 8 times for an Academy Award? Here she is in a Cosmic Rewind pre-show (possibly trying to win an elusive and prestigious “Burgy” to go with her Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony Awards.)

Cosmic Rewind is one of those rare attractions where the story actually gets in the way of a wonderful ride experience.

Once loaded onto the ride vehicle, Cosmic Rewind is one of the most fun coasters in Florida as you travel across the cosmos.

# 5 – Magic Kingdom

Is there any Disney ride more iconic than Space Mountain?

Despite being over 50 years old, the Space Mountain building itself is a thing of beauty.

 

If there was a Mt. Rushmore of theme park attraction facade designs, Space Mountain is on it.

The queue is filled with space references.

Also in Tomorrowland is the Astro Orbiter, allowing kids of all ages to pilot their own starship among the planets.

 

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is home to one of our all time favorite aliens from space, the celestial crooner Sonny Eclipse from the planet Zork.

# 4 – Disney Hollywood Studios

Back in 1989, the original version of Star Tours had guests in space on a Starspeeder, pretty much recreating the trench run from the finale of Star Wars: A New Hope. The updated version we have today has guests flying to vistas from across the wide library of Star Wars films, including Tatooine, Hoth, and Coruscant.

The introduction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 took it to the next level, as fans didn’t just get a Star Wars ride, NAY NAY, they got an entire land. The land itself was the planet Batuu, and both attractions send guests into outer space. The most memorable is Rise of the Resistance, which has another one of those patented “wow” moments when guests get this reveal on the hanger of a First Order ship…

Throughout the Rise experience, you get some really great space effects through the use of screens, audio-animatronics, lighting effects and physical props.

Batuu’s other attraction, Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run, has guests board one of the most iconic spaceships in movie history.

Your mission involves collecting “coaxium,” but many guests are caught in the pure wonder and awesomeness of actually flying in “space” onboard the Falcon, filming vertical videos that no human is ever going to actually watch.

# 3 – Pandora: the World of Avatar

Batuu in Disney Hollywood Studios is a very good attempt at trying to get across the concept of guests stepping onto a different planet, but Pandora: The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom is perfection. Everything you see and experience is part of the story, including this plant that provides the necessary oxygen we humans would need on another planet.

The sheer beauty of Pandora is unmatched in the theme park world.

Day or night, Pandora is The Place To Be as the land is almost two different experiences depending on what time of the day you go.

The Disney Imagineers did an amazing job of mixing exotic plant life from Earth with alien plant life to truly get across the idea you are off planet.

You’ll also see some alien species as well.

# 2 – Universal

Over at Universal Studios Florida, on E.T. Adventure we are able to travel through space to the Green Planet and have a shocking discovery… “can you imagine if Steven Spielberg would have made a bonkers sequel to E.T. with this stuff?!”

One of the my favorite movie posters for E.T. features the hands of E.T. and Elliot touching, but the hands are created out of constellations in the sky. The Universal nighttime spectacular CineSational creates this moment using drones.

We should note that a couple other attractions at USF feature aliens from space, but everything takes place on Earth. Men In Black: Alien Attack gives us brief glimpses of space in the Immigration room…

…while Transformers: The Ride – 3D has no direct references to space other than that many of the characters in the attraction come from the planet Cybertron.

In 2025, Universal went from minimal references to space to going “All In” with the creation of Epic Universe and the hotels next to the park, Stella Nova and Terra Luna.

The sister resorts are extremely similar, but have some differences. The overall theme of Stella Nova is based around the concept of space travel into the unexplored universe.

I’m a big fan of themed restroom signage, especially when it evokes space.

The dining venues at Stella Nova all have a space theme as well.

Meanwhile, the overall theme of Terra Luna is a planet where space travelers would get respite during their journey.

The “shooting stars” that fall across Terra Luna’s building is straight up E-Ticket.

Recently I wrote about my experience at the Helios Grand Hotel, the onsite resort that has a dedicated entrance straight into Epic Universe. The word “Helios” references the Sun, the center of our solar system.

The main hub of Epic Universe is Celestial Park, where just about EVERYTHING is themed to items in space, including my beloved Pizza Moon.

Orlando has the best collection of themed carousels in the world, and the Constellation Carousel in Celestial Park is right up there with the best.

The theming throughout the attraction is just “out of this world.”

The creatures that guests can ride are all based on constellations in the sky, which can also be seen on the room inside the carousel’s dome.

The Stardust Racers dueling coaster has guests riding “comets” as they streak across the cosmos.

From the sweet shops to the Super Nintendo Store, you’ll find incredible references to space in Celestial Park.

In fact, that actual design of Celestial Park itself seems to be based off a planetary map!

# 1 – Theme Park Photography

What I love most about space is that it fills you with hope and wonder. Thankfully, we have some of the most amazing photographers in the world taking pictures that combine two of our favorite things: theme parks and the celestial world.

For the most part, we see the moon every day of our lives, but there’s just something that slaps extra hard when the theme park photogs use various phases of the moon to great effect.

The parks themselves offer some unique opportunities to combine the moon with things from inside the park…

This Rip Ride Rockit photo from September 2019 will stay with me forever.

It’s not the just the moon though, as occasionally other planets can be seen in the sky as well…

On May 5, 2012 there was a “Super Moon,” which appeared about 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than normal full moons and was the brightest moon of 2012. The last Super Moon before that occurred March 19, 2011, when it was about 250 miles closer than 2012’s. While most people are familiar with the Super Moon, did you know that it brings out an even rarer form of moon, called the Super MICKEY Moon, only visible with Magical glasses? On May 5, 2012, when photographing the Super Moon, I equipped my camera with a pair of these magical optics so you could all see this almost supernatural moon!” – Tom Bricker

Honorable Mention – Kennedy Space Center

Located about an hour away from Orlando on the Space Coast of Florida, the Kennedy Space Center is worth going out of your way to check out on your next theme park vacation if anyone in your family is even remotely interested in space travel.

The Kennedy Space Center is a look at the past, present, and future of space travel and it is just incredible to experience.

Seeing what it takes to get a person into space is jaw dropping. A true tribute to every single engineer, scientist, and programmer who got us here. While astronauts get all of the glory, these are the real MVPs.

You may even be able to see a rocket launch!

So there you have it: The SATURDAY SIX Experiences SPACE at the Florida theme parks! See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out the THEME PARK ENJOYMENT INDEX, giving a monthly recap of all the theme park news you need to know (and a lot more you don’t need to know, but we’re gonna tell you anyway). You can also follow Your Humble Author on BlueSky (@derekburgan).

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following: 

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TPEI Tribute to Bret Taggart (AKA @Schmoofy)

Special Thanks to The Elite Brandon Glover, Digital Maestro Scott Walker, the bio-est of all reconstructs @bioreconstruct, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog, my personal protege Hunter “Elvey” Underwood, artist @SonderQuest, the mighty maven of merchandise Hedgehog’s Corner, the SAT SIX Fun Squad of Parkscope Joe and “the Dadalorian” Nick, hot shot Michael Carelli, charter member of the Universal Four @Nitro230, the permit princess Alicia Stella, master cartographer Tommy Hawkins, and Hermione Granger’s tutor Megan Thickey for their invaluable assistance with this article. Absolutely no help was added by SeaWorld Influencer @SuperWeenieHtJr. The SAT SIX is inspired each week by goofballs Aengus Mackenzie and LitemAndHide and you Potterheads will enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.