These are my expectations...
Odyssey is a seperate game entirely, ala CQC...
To play Odyssey you will need to fly to a 'HUB'
Assemble Your Crew
Social hubs spread throughout the galaxy give Commanders the ideal place to plan their next move. Form alliances, procure services, and even find expert support in highly coveted Engineers. These public outposts also help you acquire and upgrade weapons and gear to perfect your playing style.
At the hub you choose a game mode
One Giant Leap
See the galaxy like never before. Touch down on breathtaking planets powered by stunning new tech, soak in suns rising over unforgettable vistas, discover outposts and settlements, and explore with unrestricted freedom.
OR
Forge Your Own Path
Take on a wide variety of contracts and play your way, from diplomacy and commerce to lethal stealth and all-out combat. Diverse settings, objectives, and NPCs offer endless mission variety and a near infinite amount of content to enjoy.
Once you have chosen the game mode you can invite friends
When you click 'go' you are transported via cut scene to a planet, once you've disembarked, you're standing for the first time on an unexplored planet. What can you do next? Here's an overview of what you can look forward to in Elite Dangerous: Odyssey.
The Sphere of Combat
Experience intense first-person combat, kit out your character with an array of weapons and gear, and coordinate with teammates to master a multi-layered, deep, tactical environment where Commanders, SRVs and Starships converge.
You cannot fly yourself to a Odyssey instance / planet, you will get there Via the Hub + Cutscene
I mean, why else would you need a 'Taxi' service at the hub?
Once you have finished your Odyssey game / round you are transported back to the hub where you can board your own ship and leave the Odyssey game mode.
END...
So what are your expectations? Similar? Different? - I think some expectations out there are way over the top.
o7