Space Mountain Refurb...

[agame2323]

Its looking more and more like the rumor of the 2009 SM refurb is true. The down date is scheduled to be January 9th, and last from 12-14 months.

If that's the case, will this effect your 2009 trip? We were planning on returning to WDW in May of 09, but if there is no SM (which is by far our favorite attraction) we may hold off. I don't know if we are going to be able to afford to do Disney back to back. Also, I don't think I want to. I HAVE to ride to the new version of SM. Its a MUST! So waiting until its complete maybe the way to go.

[Dawn68PA]

It won't affect our trip. I hope it's up by Dec '09 but if not there's so much to do at WDW we'll survive. ;)

[PDJPrinceCharming]

I'll be down as always for September 2009 & although it won't be the same not getting to ride Space Mountain, it's not going to ruin my trip. Last year when RNRC was closed(which is my favorite), I didn't let that ruin anything. I just simply spent more time on the big 3 at Epcot & on Everest. The only thing SM being down will do for me is limit my options for rides at the MNSSHP.

[kdkbrebel]

Is this confirmed? We are hopefully going in July 09 and that is Dh's absolute favorite. I will have a harder time trying to talk him into it if that is the case.

[inkkognito]

While I hate to see it down for so long, I sure hope they add the CA soundtrack. DL's Space Mountain blows ours away!

[WDWMeg311]

It will be missed for the 12-14 months, but IMO it will be SO WORTH IT! I love SM, but an upgraded SM is something to look forward to! :banana:

[nanceliz]

At least we know in advance. That way, I can break the news to my boys before they start really thinking about the trip. They will miss it!

[RachaelA]

Fiance barely fits (he's 6'5) so I hope they make the seats bigger if they are refurbing it. We ride it once a trip and that's it because he's so sore afterwards.

[ExBellhop]

I would love to see it done with the exact same layout, 2 sides, etc. - but use the wonderfully smooth track from Everest. I love the layout, but hate the bumps... And a soundtrack? Pure gravy :)

-ExBellhop

[ransom]

Sure, it'll affect our touring in 2009. Space Mountain is one of our ol' reliable faves. But we'll do without it for one trip if it means we get an even better version for the next trip!

[ChloroFiend]

Well, since we'll be there for the marathon weekend, it'll suck that it closes on the day we're planning on hitting the park.

Our next trip is our honeymoon in May, so it'll be disappointing to not get to ride one of our favorite rides anywhere in the world.

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'll get DS12 to ride it this Sept. 08 then so he can have fun on the before ride.

[BostonRob]

Doesn't 14 months seem like a long time? Are they rebuilding it from the bottom up? I plan on being there in Aug of 09 and I love space mountain, but since I'll be there with two young kids, I'll be missing out on a lot of adult rides, so I don't mind missing that one.

[Puccaw]

We will be sad of course but there is sooo much to do that we will manage!

[DJ Disney Kid]

Doesn't 14 months seem like a long time? Are they rebuilding it from the bottom up? I plan on being there in Aug of 09 and I love space mountain, but since I'll be there with two young kids, I'll be missing out on a lot of adult rides, so I don't mind missing that one.

This is from a reliable source on another message board:

Closure Jan 9th 2008 for 14 months

New preshow theme (extent unknown)

New load cosmetics

New track, same layouts

Mostly new track supports

New cars with onboard audio similar to DLC but unique to WDW

New visual effects

New unload cosmetics

Possible brand new post show, at least a retheme

Exterior enhancements

[BostonRob]

If they're doing outside work, I'm interested to see how they'll camoflauge it for the MK view rooms from the Contemporary. I bet they'll come up with something good.
So the track layout will be the same? I guess that surprises me because you'd think if they were doing all that work, they'd enhance the actual ride, but then again, the ride is pretty good how it is, so, OK.

[SteamboatStevie]

This is one of my favorites, too, but i wouldn't let it ruin my trip. As awesome as it still is, it does need it. Does anybody else bump into the person in front of them EVERY DARN TIME because the queue area is so flippin dark?

[Brian_WDW74]

Since the refurb still hasn't been officially announced by Disney, it still should be considered a rumor. As such, I've moved this thread to the Rumors board. :)

[Condorman]

This is from a reliable source on another message board:

Closure Jan 9th 2008 for 14 months

New preshow theme (extent unknown)

New load cosmetics

New track, same layouts

Mostly new track supports

New cars with onboard audio similar to DLC but unique to WDW

New visual effects

New unload cosmetics

Possible brand new post show, at least a retheme

Exterior enhancements

If there is any truth or reliability to this, then I just became the happiest person in the world. Same layout, new preshow, new track, enhanced aesthetics -- that's all they needed to do. Now just don't make it like DL's SM (i.e. double-seats, pleasantly smooth ride, and Red Hot Chili Pepper's music) and Tomorrowland will have a brand new baby girl.

[KYMickey]

If they're doing outside work, I'm interested to see how they'll camoflauge it for the MK view rooms from the Contemporary. I bet they'll come up with something good.
I'll bet they don't, that would cost money! :scared1:

[DisneyFanatic1072]

[QUOTE=BostonRob;26569133]Doesn't 14 months seem like a long time? Are they rebuilding it from the bottom up? QUOTE]


Well seeing that it is a completely enclosed ride, with most of the queue lines inside the building, Yes it would take about this long for a complete overhaul. they are basically tearing this ride down to the pavement, they will have to pour new posts for the newer/added supports. reconfigure i imagine the entire queue area to the modern theme, weld all new track together, take down all existing ride pieces. etc.... then let alone all the testing by WDW and county and state government. 14 months is not that long for getting almost a entirely new coaster.

It is much quicker to build a brand new coaster from a hole in the ground, than to tear down and rebuild a existing one.

[BostonRob]

[QUOTE=BostonRob;26569133]Doesn't 14 months seem like a long time? Are they rebuilding it from the bottom up? QUOTE]


reconfigure i imagine the entire queue area to the modern theme,

Am I the only one who will miss the old, dated queue area? I guess I just like it so much because, like so many things in Disney World, it was the first time I saw anything like it. We'd all stood in lines before, but until you got to that maze area right before the ride, this was a whole new kind of line. I'll miss it.

[Condorman]

I'll definitely miss the queue. Corny as it sounds, even the music: that late-night, PBS Star Hustler with Jack HorkHeimer / Debussy electronica is all part of the thrill. I'm sure that will be the first thing to go. The portals looking out into the carnival convex windows of outer space; maybe the control tower; will they even keep dual loading mechanisms or just forge one long line? I'll miss the mock-ups as you leave with those otherworldly images and space stations as you ride the moving sidewalk back to Tomorrowland. Yes, I don't have many thrills to cling to anymore if I lose these things but the kitschy quality of the 70s and 80s are the few remnants I have left.

So long as they don't touch the Peoplemover, er, the TTA, I'll be fine.

[SurfinTX]

Awww, going in Aug '09. It won't effect my trip but I only really like 4 rides in MK. Well, maybe next time I'll get to see what they did.