3. Perceiving a dimension that isn't there (Muppet*Vision 3-D)

The experience: Guests are taken on a chaotic tour of Muppet Studios by Kermit the Frog, witnessing a number of set-pieces that appear to take place in three dimensions. The trick:There are a number of 3-D attractions at Disney theme parks, and most of them work in the same way as Muppet*Vision 3-D. Two projectors are used to throw the images up on to the screen. Each shows the same scene, but from a slightly different angle. The two projectors are perfectly synchronized with each other, with a computer being used to count each frame. Humans, of course, are generally equipped with two eyes. Our binocular vision system enables us to tell which objects are farther away from us, and which are nearer (we can still perceive distance with one eye, but not as clearly). This system relies on the fact that our eyes are around two inches apart, which means that they see the world from a slightly different perspective. Our brains use the difference to calculate distance.The 3-D glasses that you wear while you're watching Muppet*Vision 3-D are polarized, and allow only one of the two projected images into each eye. Our brains then do the rest of the work to create the 3-D image.

2. Being blasted into space (Mission: Space)

The experience: Riders go through astronaut training for the first manned mission to Mars aboard the X-2 Deep Space Shuttle. They are given one of four roles (navigator, pilot, commander or engineer), before being exposed to the full force of a rocket launch into deep space. The trick:Assuming you're riding the "Orange Team" version of Mission: Space and not the less intense "Green Team" version, you are exposed to quite some extreme forces on your body, which should be enough to convince you that you're really being blasted into space.

Mission: Space is made up of four separate centrifuges, each containing 10 capsules that hold four riders each. When you "take off", the capsules are tilted and spun at high speeds. This exposes you to forces of more than 2.5G (effectively multiplying your weight by 2.5 times), and pushing you back into your seat. To combat motion sickness, fans blow air into your face and a display provides your brain with visual clues as to what is happening.

1. Travelling really fast through a prehistoric jungle (Dinosaur)

The experience: After boarding Time Rover vehicles, guests are sent back in time into a prehistoric jungle where they come face-to-face with enormous dinosaurs. The vehicle races along at high speed and bumps up and down over difficult terrain before finally emerging back in the present. The trick: Dinosaur reuses the Enhanced Motion Vehicle dark ride system that was developed for Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye at Disneyland (in fact, the two rides feature near-identical layouts). The Time Rovers run on real tires, but on an unusual road. The track through the attraction is slotted down the middle like a toy race track set. Secured into the slot, the Time Rovers can pilot themselves while also sending and receiving location information and power. The cars really travel along a smooth road, and it may be hard to believe that they never actually go above a speed of 14 miles per hour. Yet you'll feel as though you're going much faster, as well as being bumped and shaken all over the place. How is this achieved? Well, the chassis holding the 12 riders is connected to a six-degrees of freedom motion simulator that pitches, rolls, rotates and jumps to simulate rough terrain. The sharp turns are accentuated by tilting the car, while - just like the Star Tours simulator - the cars can lean backwards to make riders feel as though they are accelerating at high speed.