Anything new on Space Mtn rehab?

[dlaushey]

I saw the Space Mtn rehab mentioned in Jim Hill's article (for what that is worth?) but I have not seen anything official. Does anyone have any new rumors on when the SM rehab will take place? I have heard Jan for up to 7 months. We are getting AP's this Christmas and were hoping we would get one more ride in before it goes down.

Anyone have more?


http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...y-world-postpones-fantasyland-s-facelift.aspx

"Which is why the only projects that are still going forward are the redo of "The Hall of Presidents" (Which is due to close for a lengthy rehab on the 31st of this month) as well as Space Mountain's long overdue overhaul (This seven-month-long project should get underway sometime after the 1st of the year)."

 

[Smile4Me]

I'm curious about this too, as we are looking at going at the end of August or in September,,,and want to know if Space Mtn. will be there for my boyfriend's nephew's first trip or not.

 

[Condorman]

I'd be surprised if Disney didn't keep any news about this pretty close to the vest, and not announce anything until it was within 60 days of closure. They would not want to risk anyone canceling their vacation or adjusting their plans; believe it or not, SM is that important to some people.

However, with the current economy, it is possible that a refurb was definitely on and is now definitely not. New rehab info just came out about the MK but only mentions Aladdin's Magic Carpets and Philharmagic, the latter of which is in January, 2009. No mention of SM. I think it's on the back-burner for now.

 

[dlaushey]

I'd be surprised if Disney didn't keep any news about this pretty close to the vest, and not announce anything until it was within 60 days of closure. They would not want to risk anyone canceling their vacation or adjusting their plans; believe it or not, SM is that important to some people.

I agree, they don't want that info out. However, my thoughts against this are:

1. If it is this big of a rehab ~7 months, the contractors have to be set up well in advance. Someone who knows would leak this information.

2. Although people may cancel due to this imagine the ill-will that would be caused by not letting people know in advance. Didn't they keep putting off the Hauted Mansion rehab because they knew it would be down for a long period and that too is a huge draw like SM. So much so they won't even give us the Nightmare before Christmas version of HM (like DL) because too many folks come to see the classic version?

However, with the current economy, it is possible that a refurb was definitely on and is now definitely not. New rehab info just came out about the MK but only mentions Aladdin's Magic Carpets and Philharmagic, the latter of which is in January, 2009. No mention of SM. I think it's on the back-burner for now.

I agree, I think this is on the back burner due to the economy and Disney not wanting anyone who has already booked to cancel due to SM being down for 7 months.

 

[DC7800]

So much so they won't even give us the Nightmare before Christmas version of HM (like DL) because too many folks come to see the classic version?

That's not the reason Walt Disney World doesn't have Haunted Mansion Holiday. Think $$$; It would cost money that could otherwise be spent to create gems like Beverly Hills Chihuahua or the Caveman TV series.

 

[ty&brenmom]

That's not the reason Walt Disney World doesn't have Haunted Mansion Holiday. Think $$$; It would cost money that could otherwise be spent to create gems like Beverly Hills Chihuahua or the Caveman TV series.

Really I hope that they don't close SM down in March - I have finally convinced my oldest son to ride it!!!!

 

[rutgers1]

When was the haunted mansion rehabbed? I was there in April and didn't notice anything different. Then again, I only ride it every few years so I probably don't know it well enough to know if something new appeared.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

At Disney World's Haunted Mansion they changed it a bit, and I think that was in the past two years or so.

 

[figment795]

DH and I just got back from WDW. I asked one of the cast members while in line for Space Mountain. He said current plan was April 09 closed for 7 months.

 

[KYMickey]

Based on past information from CM's we now know when it isn't going to happen!

 

[doconeill]

When was the haunted mansion rehabbed? I was there in April and didn't notice anything different. Then again, I only ride it every few years so I probably don't know it well enough to know if something new appeared.

It was closed most of Summer 2007. A lot of the work was in the ride mechanism, with the audio systems being updated as well, but there were extensive scene updates as well - the escher staircases near the beginning with the ghostly footsteps, the floating Madame Leota crystal ball (it used to just sit on a table), and the bride in the attic scenes I believe were the major ones.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Yep, and im glad they changed it. That bride freaks me out a good bit too...
Oh! Im pretty sure they changed that girl at the end, if you look up. Im not even sure if it used to be there, but its dress moves and it has facial expressions and stuff. It seemed new to me, I never noticed it before. "Be sure to bring your death certificate..." heh

 

[BRERALEX]

She's always been there. "hurry back hurry baaaaack."

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Oh! I never even noticed... how silly of me.

 

[acehorseytink]

Oh! I never even noticed... how silly of me.

Ah Hah, so this is where you're getting all those posts at.

 

[Padrepride]

I remember the Space Mountain in Disneyland CA was down for like 2 years because they replaced the entire tracks, all of the vehicles and re-did the loading area and queue. I don't think they're doing anything this drastic for Orlando Space Mountain. I think Disney is going to try to put off this rehab for a while because the current ride is fine to my knowledge. When they renovated the Disneyland CA Space Mountain, there were major problems with the ride breaking down.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Actually, the ride breaks down a good bit. Its sad to say, but it seems like everytime we are there it does. Maybe its our bad luck, because we dont visit too often. We visited in January and then a month ago and it was broken the afternoon we were there lol. Pretty weird... but they might need the rehab.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I just can't see them taking it down this time and not replacing the track to bring it back to a higher quality of ride level. They keep talking about bringing the parks in sync with each other, so why not bite the bullet and replace the track.

It gives better press for the better ride and that means long term increased ridership/attraction value, so why not? When they did it for us in DL, people whined at first, but came to terms with the closer. And, well, look at it now. Everyone says the better ride is out here!

 

[Padrepride]

I just can't see them taking it down this time and not replacing the track to bring it back to a higher quality of ride level. They keep talking about bringing the parks in sync with each other, so why not bite the bullet and replace the track.

It gives better press for the better ride and that means long term increased ridership/attraction value, so why not? When they did it for us in DL, people whined at first, but came to terms with the closer. And, well, look at it now. Everyone says the better ride is out here!

Yes, I too love the Space Mountain here in California better. I don't think they'll sync the DL and MK tracks. They would have to switch the type of track and train they use. The building in Florida is also way bigger than the show building in DL.

 

[acehorseytink]

I remember the Space Mountain in Disneyland CA was down for like 2 years because they replaced the entire tracks, all of the vehicles and re-did the loading area and queue. I don't think they're doing anything this drastic for Orlando Space Mountain. I think Disney is going to try to put off this rehab for a while because the current ride is fine to my knowledge. When they renovated the Disneyland CA Space Mountain, there were major problems with the ride breaking down.

I was just going to ask about this, I was thinking to myself wait a minute i thought i remember them closing it down for some reason a while back. Now i have my answer. I have been to disneyland so many times and only once to WDW that i automatically thought of disneyland and not WDW. Silly me!