WDW Space Mountain to go under refurb for a year [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

Nascar48

10-22-2007, 03:03 PM

Before I go into detail, I just want everyone to know that this is only a rumor for now. Nothing has been confirmed about this refurbisment.

Quote:
2008/2009 - Space Mountain: Mission 2 - Rumor - (10/19/07) Screamscape sources tell us that currently the planned rehab of Space Mountain is now on schedule to begin in June 2008 and will last until April or May of 2009. So you may want to get your fix of Space Mountain goodness now, because Tomorrowland is going to be a fairly boring place to be this summer.

Source: Screamscape

My guess is that we can expect some big changes to Space Mountain if this refurb does happen because this is a pretty long time to close a ride for refurbishment.

mwehttam

10-23-2007, 12:00 PM

basas

10-24-2007, 05:11 PM

Actually not that long if compared to the length of time that DL Space Mountain was closed. I think that one was close to 2 years if not more. But what they did with that one was amazing. If the plans are similar for the WDW version, one year is okay in my book.

-Matt

Exactly. I wish it was more than one year because 1 year probably means they won't be replacing the track and we definitely won’t be getting a new single track (using the entire building which was what I was hoping for…). Oh well…hopefully they’ll do a good job with what they have.

mwehttam

10-24-2007, 08:37 PM

Exactly. I wish it was more than one year because 1 year probably means they won't be replacing the track and we definitely won’t be getting a new single track (using the entire building which was what I was hoping for…). Oh well…hopefully they’ll do a good job with what they have.

Agree, though we can always hope they learned from the DL one and this will be more efficiently done.

-Matt

EUROPACL

10-24-2007, 09:02 PM

Agree, though we can always hope they learned from the DL one and this will be more efficiently done.

-Matt

Efficiency had little to do with the DL rebuild...not really a rehab. You see they had kept cutting budgets so much at the parks that the DL version was falling apart. In fact they went in one day to do an inspection and found it so bad they closed the ride right then. Thats why DL got a new track the old was falling apart.

LoveMyLAP-BAND

10-25-2007, 03:39 PM

The "new" Space Mountain at DL is fabulous. I was blown away with it. I hope WDW is planning a similar rehab.:goodvibes

A_NY_Outlaw

10-26-2007, 11:46 AM

Well speaking as an Architect, I suspect the construction schedule to be less at WDW, especially if the specs for the "shell" are the same as at DL. Even with a interior gut and reconstruction, usually things go much quicker the second time around. You always learn the hard lessons the first time.

If rumor is true, we will all be disappointed to not ride it on our next trip during that time period (as will I, since we are planning our next trip in October of 2008). However I am all for a rehab- give WDW a truley "new attraction".

DC7800

10-26-2007, 09:28 PM

One reason Disneyland's rehab took so long was that work didn't begin for some time after the attraction had been shut down. As Europacl noted, Space Mountain had to be closed prematurely due to the deteriorated condition of the ride.

I'mNoPrince

10-26-2007, 09:57 PM

We will miss it if the timeline it true but if they do the DL conversion or even close to it that would be great.We caught the DL one in 05 before the official opening.

I also know that the DL took longer due to the stageing of equipment and parts . Things could't be moved around during when the park was open like they could in WDW with it's much larger space.

quiltymom

10-28-2007, 07:21 PM

This will be good news if it's true. I was amazed at just how rough the WDW ride was compared to it's counterpart in DL. I rode it once two weeks ago, and that was enough for me. But if they do fix it AND it's up to par with DL's, then I'll be on that ride multiple times!

KYMickey

10-28-2007, 10:36 PM

Given the fact that all the design and procurement can be done prior to shutting the ride down, a year is more than enough time to completely rebuild the entire Space Mountain attraction. Weather also won't be a factor since all the work will be inside. Actually for the length of time involved I'd be surprised if it didn't include a complete replacement of the track!

Given all the hype and anticipation for this project the last thing Disney wants to do is to not meet the public's expectations. They'd be better off delaying the work than not doing it right.

EUROPACL

10-29-2007, 03:02 PM

Given all the hype and anticipation for this project the last thing Disney wants to do is to not meet the public's expectations. They'd be better off delaying the work than not doing it right.

:rotfl2:

fan of the TTA

10-29-2007, 05:14 PM

i think to be honest, space mountain is fine as it is. and anyway, tomorrow land will never be boring, not as long as the speed way, the buz ride, and the TTA have anything to do with it

Horizons1

10-29-2007, 10:41 PM

I'm always torn when I hear these rumors. There's a nostalgic side of me that wishes we could just leave it alone. But in reality, it is in desperate need of an upgrade. And if Walt was still around, I'm pretty sure he'd say it needs some plussing...big time!

I would personally be down for an entirely new track, maybe some upgraded rockets, and posibbly a resolution to the end of the ride (always kind of bugged me how one second your in space, next second your in a blue room with wall to wall carpeting....kind of killed the whole space travel illusion) Some new effects would be cool along the tracks, maybe some asteroids like in the Paris version, etc. etc. And some onboard audio please! for the love of God!

Can't wait to see what happens (when/if it does)

mchllevns

11-02-2007, 04:04 PM

I do remember that as a child, I was facinated by the exiting of Space Mountain...all the future items (remember the "music video" of The Archies?) Wonder what they'll come up with this time.:cool1:

mitros

11-02-2007, 08:21 PM

Just curious, having never been to DL, is there a WEDWAY people mover, oops, sorry, TTA going through that one as well? :confused3

pouncingpluto

11-02-2007, 09:49 PM

Nope, no TTA/whatever.

ameraumi

11-03-2007, 08:17 PM

*If* that rumor is true, I hope it is after our visit in June '08. It won;t be the end of the world if we do not get to ride it, but it will be depressing.

Imagineer_Tech

11-04-2007, 01:03 PM

KYMickey

11-04-2007, 01:26 PM

I have recently heard that WDW signed a deal with Vekoma a roller coaster manufactuer they built DLP's Space Mountain I half hope it is something different then theirs something more WOW!!! to make us WDWers say we have the best space mountain.

Where did you hear that Disney had signed this contract? If it is true and not just a rumor it certainly adds more credence to the idea that Space Mountain is going to getting an entire new ride system instead of just a refurb!:cool1:

dpic

11-07-2007, 07:37 PM

I hope they at least replace the track. The ride is bone jarring.

irenep

11-11-2007, 01:45 PM

Space Mountain is amazing! Why would anyone want to change it? It's my favourite ride in WDW, and in my opinion alot better than the DL version. Everyone who complains of the 'turbulence' is clearly too old to be riding rollercoasters, and anyway its all part of the ride experience. Look what happened to the Alien ride when they refurbished that. No amount of publicity will make me go on that 'ride', it doesn't have anything on the old version. It would be a shame if they changed Space Mountain, because I think it's perfect just the way it is.

mwehttam

11-11-2007, 02:40 PM

GreyStr0ke

11-27-2007, 01:27 PM

From Screamscape today:

Space Mountain: Mission 2 - Rumor - (11/27/07) The latest buzz about the upcoming Space Mountain rehab claims that “Mission 2” has been given the green light and that it looks like they will likely be gutting the entire inside of the mountain and rebuilding the ride from scratch. A possible plan to speed up the process may be to remove the “top” of the mountain itself to allow for the removal of the old ride more quickly and in much larger pieces than what would normally be able to fit through the 22 ft tall back door. The funny part of the this story however is that in much the same fashion that they put up covered scaffolding around the buildings in Epcot when they go under rehab, painted to look like how the exterior should look, they are considering a similar tactic for the top of Space Mountain to help hide the bald spot if they remove it.

daber

11-27-2007, 03:11 PM

Have you even been on the one at Disneyland since it reopened in 2005?

-Matt

And the one in Paris blows them both away with being shot out of a cannon up the side of the mountain and going in the top and then the loops.

MyGoofy26

11-27-2007, 03:11 PM

I hope they at least replace the track. The ride is bone jarring.

That track was clearly designed by a man with an agenda. No matter how supportive I think the bra I'm wearing is, it ceases to be functional halfway through because of all the bumps. :lmao:

Disney1976

11-27-2007, 03:42 PM

The "new" Space Mountain at DL is fabulous. I was blown away with it. I hope WDW is planning a similar rehab.:goodvibes

I totally agree! Space Mountain at DL blows away Space Mountain at WDW! I'd gladly wait a year for a new ride along those lines!

Mecha Figment

11-27-2007, 04:46 PM

To be honest I found space mountain in Disneyland fun at first with the installed music. but it soon became boring, because all it does is go around in circles. no drops or no real fast or slower parts. just a constant turn here turn there.

And last i heard any refurb to space has been canceled until at least 2010.

Condorman

11-28-2007, 08:16 PM

The SM in Paris is the best of all. The whole Jules Verne futro-retro theme and being shot out of the cannon with music is second-to-none. The version in DL is a little half-assed; about the best they could do without re-theming everything around it. But playing Red Hot Chili Pepper music or whatever they do now is obnoxious to say the least. The SM in WDW is old-school to be sure. It's been around forever and some people just don't get it. It should not be changed, however. It is the last original version and the bone-jarring twists and turns are precisely the point of the ride. It's meant to be like that. The version in DL is smooth and pleasant and not Space Mountain at all.

BTW, the version in Paris is the Rock 'n Rollercoaster to a "t". There is no difference. That ride exists in WDW so I don't see why they'd re-create it.

Disneychix

11-29-2007, 11:01 AM

I loved loved loved the 'new' Space Mt in DL. How'd they get it so dark in there anyway? Even if it means closing WDW's for 2 years I'd be all for it. Something to look forward to!

And I'd love to fly over the building and see a big hole in it! That's be so cool!

quiltymom

11-29-2007, 01:53 PM

But playing Red Hot Chili Pepper music or whatever they do now is obnoxious to say the least.

I've seen many people comment on the music at the DL SM, but I've never noticed it when I've been on the ride. It's funny what people remember about a ride, or not.

raidermatt

11-30-2007, 11:34 PM

DL's version is now smoother and darker, and there's an added effect or two at the beginning.

But Mecha Figment is right... it doesn't have the drops and ups and downs that MK's version does now. More turns and straight sections.

Which layout you like better is probably just a matter of personal preference. I like MK's better, but I do like the music and darkness better at DL.

But playing Red Hot Chili Pepper music or whatever they do now is obnoxious to say the least.

The Chili Peppers music was only for a few months and is gone now. Considering how the band quickly decided being associated with Disney was bad for their image, I don't think we'll be hearing them on the ride anytime soon.

But DL's version does have music. Sort of a futuristic rock soundtrack, no vocals. The soundtrack was changed during the rebuild, but there was music before that. It was a different version, a Dick Dale kind of thing, but not THAT different from what is there now. Not sure when the music was originally added. Early 90's maybe?

Of course, it didn't always work, so you could have rode it and not realized it was supposed to have music.