DL SM vs. MK SM

[DizBelle]

How is the DL SM (refurbished) different from the MK SM (un-refurbished - I know it's being refurbished now but I'm wondering about the differences from the pre-refurb ride)?

I hear it is "way better" but in what way?

 

[Mike_M]

The two locations' versions are way different from each other now.

First off, the loading area at DL is outside where you have a really nice (and very big) facade on the ride that gives it a much more grand feel than the MK one IMHO.

As for the changes, everything was essentially re-arranged, cleaned up, repainted and the end result is the scenes are laid out differently, there is a new American scene and the end of the ride is different as well. Then there is the addition of Disney characters to the ride. Most are the same IASW dolls, just dressed up as the characters.

It's a different experience than the MK one.

 

[DizBelle]

Ok, I'm confused. I am talking about Space Mountain. The last time I rode it (November 2008 at WDW) it was dark. No scenes to see.

 

[Mike_M]

Whoops. Don't know how I got small world out of that. I saw 'refurb' in the OP and my mind automatically went there since IASW is the most recent refurb at DL.

OK, Space Mtn.

Single track at DL. Loading area is setup differently and as for the ride, it's darker, faster and the ride cars have speakers in them like RnRC which play 'Lost in Space'ish music for the ride. It's way smoother than the MK one also. Make sure to get a fast pass. Line is usually around an hour wait.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Ok, I'm confused. I am talking about Space Mountain. The last time I rode it (November 2008 at WDW) it was dark. No scenes to see.

LOL ... that's because Mike_M answered the question, "DL SW vs. MK SW?" not your question, "DL SM vs. MK SM?"

The Space Mountains are different in several ways.

- At DL you can sit side by side (2 people/row), at WDW you sit single file. Both have 3 rows in each car.
- At DL there is music which goes with the experience. This does not exist at all at WDW.
- DL's Space Mountain is a ride that is very dark. You have no idea what is coming next, turn-wise. There are parts of WDW's where there is light.
- WDW's has 2 different tracks, DL's has one.
- Lastly, WDW's is much rougher of a ride.

Dreams

ETA: When I started writing this, Mike_M had not replied yet. :

 

[maynrive]

Sounds like Mike_M was talking about Small World...

DL Space Mountain has had synchronized music on the ride vehicles for about 10 years now. Dick Dale anyone? The vehicles are 2 seats wide, with 6 rows. The loading/unloading area is in the same room and you can't see the ride from there. This last refurb was a simple rebuild where they took the ride down and built the exact same ride with new parts.

You have to realize that this Mountain is located within the berm, so you don't have the long walk out to the loading area or the long walk back.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Actually WDW's is in the Berm, too - the queue is just laid out long for maximum indoor containment.

One bit thing that happened in our DL refurb - which I think is also happening at WDW - is that the completely redid the interior of the building dome to seal off any light leaks that started due to building age and settling. That why it used to be so much brighter before, and why WDW suffers the same problem.

They did replace all of our track with tubular steel, too, which increases the force and smoothness of the curves. Also, they made the track capable of handling the extra weight of the speaker systems. Those did a number on the track over the last few years before rehab, as each car had such an increased weight load.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The actual ride at Disneyland is basically the same as it was before the refurbishment with the same track layout. The differences, as stated by Nancy were the aesthetics and the new tracks for a better ride.

 

[Mike_M]

The actual ride at Disneyland is basically the same as it was before the refurbishment with the same track layout. The differences, as stated by Nancy were the aesthetics and the new tracks for a better ride.

The most obvious (and welcome) difference for me was the removal of the giant glowing orange ball in the middle of the mountain. Don't know what it was about that, but it kinda gave me the creeps back then.

 

[Eeee-va]

When I visited WDW in 2008, I hadn't rode DL's Space Mountain for about 3 years. I obviously saw that there were 2 tracks for WDW's, noticed that the seating was single-file (but not uncomfortable at all), and realized there would be no music. Other than that, all I could tell was that the tracks were different and it was still a great ride. I'm not saying WDW's is better or anything, but I found it as enjoyable as DL's, regardless of which is technically the better ride.

(You can also see inside Space Mountain while you're on the TTA at WDW, while the Peoplemover is gone from DL so you can't see inside the ride that way.)

Doubt it's helpful but here's a shot of the inside of WDW's...I thought I was so special seeing SM's tracks my very first time on the TTA.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disneyland's SM is an entirely different experience than WDWs. The music, the darkness of the track (MUCH darker in DL)...your first ride, especially, you have absolutely no idea what is coming next. The ride is incredibly smooth, also, even with very sharp turns. We rode it at least 4-5 times while we were there, while at WDW we could only take the roughness for maybe 2 times.

 

[mechurchlady]

The best thing is the disabled loading area. Not perfect but at least now the disabled can load at their speed. They still need to work on the transfer benches though as Bill had nothing to hoist himself up with. They need more disabled loading area and teh Space Mountain one is like what I have been askng for. It uses the nearly 50 year old technology of the bobsleds where cars can be taking offline with a simple siding where the vehicle slides south and a new track appears where the car was located.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The best thing is the disabled loading area. Not perfect but at least now the disabled can load at their speed. They still need to work on the transfer benches though as Bill had nothing to hoist himself up with. They need more disabled loading area and teh Space Mountain one is like what I have been askng for. It uses the nearly 50 year old technology of the bobsleds where cars can be taking offline with a simple siding where the vehicle slides south and a new track appears where the car was located.

I forgot about that - I think that is another one of the important changes on Space Mountain

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I also think the disabled loading area is cool. They have the same system on the Matterhorn, too, don't they? I've seen them load a car onto the track that way on the Nemo side.

 

[mechurchlady]

I also think the disabled loading area is cool. They have the same system on the Matterhorn, too, don't they? I've seen them load a car onto the track that way on the Nemo side.

One of my park top moments has to be setting on that siding. I was on Fantasyland side. The CM said they needed to put us on a siding as they were backed up and that we would get to ride again. We slid over and waited for a bunch of sleds to go by. We were slid back into place and stopped at drop off then at loading then at the waiting point as you go into the mountain. That was about 3 to 5 years ago when GAC used the Fantasyland exit to enter.

 

[Huff]

DL Space Mountain has had synchronized music on the ride vehicles for about 10 years now.

Maybe even longer. Before the major refurb SM had sound...sometimes. For several years it was very sporadic. Every 2 or 3 rides would have sound. But I do remember riding it many times long before the refurb and there was sound sometimes.