By Mike Branom
The Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The newest thrill ride at Walt Disney World's Epcot is a simulated rocket flight to Mars heavy on "gee whiz" and G-forces. It remains to be seen whether Mission: Space also will lift the theme park's flagging attendance skyward.

Mission: Space made its debut for the media last week as part of the park's "soft opening," in which selected VIPs and guests can ride as technicians work out the bugs. The attraction officially launches Aug. 15. The new ride, which is generating a buzz among industry insiders, can't open too soon for the theme park.

Epcot, second-oldest of the resort's four parks, has yet to fully recover from the 2001 terror attacks. Amusement Business magazine pegged Epcot's 2002 turnstile count at nearly 8.3 million, an 8 percent drop from the year before and greater than Disney World's overall decline for the year of 6 percent.

"Most of that has to do with the big drop in international tourists in 2002," said Tim O'Brien, Amusement Business' senior editor for parks and attractions. "And international tourists really like Epcot."