Body Wars

Description And Comments

This thrill ride through the human body was developed along the lines of Disney Hollywood Studios' Star Tours space-simulation ride. The story is that you're a passenger in a miniature capsule injected into a human body to pick up a scientist who has been inspecting a splinter in the patient's finger. The scientist, however, is sucked into the circulatory system, and you hurtle through the body to rescue her. The simulator creates a visually graphic experience as it seems to careen at fantastic speeds through human organs. The story is more than a little silly, but we nevertheless rate Body Wars as not to be missed.

Touring Tips

Once one of Epcot's premier attractions, Body Wars no longer draws large crowds on a regular basis. Be aware that Body Wars makes a lot of people motion sick; it isn't unusual for a simulator to be taken offline for attendants to clean up a previous rider's mess. If you're at all susceptible to motion sickness, reconsider riding. If you're on Body Wars and become nauseated, fix your gaze on something other than the screen and as far away as possible (the ceiling or side and back walls). Without the visual effects, the ride isn't rough enough to disturb most guests. If you get queasy, rest rooms are nearby as you get off the ride. Star Tours is just as wild but makes very few people sick. Successfully riding Star Tours doesn't necessarily mean you'll tolerate Body Wars. Conversely, if Body Wars makes you ill, you can't assume that Star Tours will, too.

Reader comments on Body Wars cover the spectrum. These are typical:

The only thing we won't do on this next trip is go on Body Wars in Epcot. The line is so deceptive. We waited almost two hours and then it was only to get motion sickness and feel awful!

and:

Body Wars did not measure up to all the hype and warnings. We expected Space Mountain with visual effects, and it wasn't even close. You weenies!

and:

The ride felt more like the involuntary movements of a hammock.

and finally:

Body Wars at Epcot was great fun. We rode it twice and loved it. A little scary, but exciting. Some of the other things seemed kind of boring after our ride here.

Motion sickness aside, Body Wars is intense - too intense for some, especially preschoolers and seniors. One elderly gentleman confided, "Feeling sick to my stomach took my mind off being terrified."

Special Comments

• This attraction has a minimum-height requirement of 40 inches.

Not recommended for pregnant women or people prone to motion sickness; 40" height minimum.

Disney Dish with Jim Hill

THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH; THE WAY TO A MAN'S STOMACH IS THROUGH HIS LUNGS

As you're riding "Body Wars," watch for the abrupt film cut that's made during the trip-through-the-lungs sequence. Why did "Body Wars" director Leonard Nimoy (Yes, THAT Leonard Nimoy) decide to shorten this particular scene? Because the back-and-forth movement of the ride vehicle as it went through the lungs was fomenting a major insurrection in riders' tummies. Once surgery was performed on this sequence, peace (or a semblance thereof) prevailed in the abdominal realm.