Does anyone else think Space Mountain is LAME?

[mrsapalm]

SM is a family coaster in the ultimate family park. It's a benchmark for someone's DD or DS - they finally get to ride it because they are tall enough... and then they feel like a "big kid" because they get to do the Big Coasters. And I'm sure there are countless of parents of those "big kids" who remember the first time they were big enough to ride the Big Coaster.
I saw the greatest thing on my last trip - a CM with one of the measuring sticks, standing next to a little girl (measuring her), with the little girl giving the "thumbs-up" sign and her parents taking photos of the whole event. She was finally able to ride SM - it really was the sweetest thing! I wouldn't want to take that memory away from anyone, personally.
It is a rite of passage to ride SM - sure I won't ride if I can't get an FP or wait 10 mins, but I don't go without riding it numerous times on each trip. It's a great dark ride for the whole family to enjoy - that's sort of the point of why Walt Disney built Disneyland - so that the whole family could have fun together.
Yeah, it's slow compared to RnR, but MK isn't a thrill park - I don't expect those kinds of rides there. But you can bet that I'll still be lining up for SM whenever I can.
-MrsAPalm

 

[Ballybunion3]

Oh man, I can't even imagine WDW without SM. My DD6 is now tall enough, and I am so looking forward to riding it for the first time with her.

It isn't a thrill ride anymore, compared to what's new in other them parks, but for the 5, 6, 7 year old kid, it's a milestone.

I vote keep it!!

 

[eeyore0062]

Originally posted by mrsapalm
SM is a family coaster in the ultimate family park. It's a benchmark for someone's DD or DS - they finally get to ride it because they are tall enough... and then they feel like a "big kid" because they get to do the Big Coasters. And I'm sure there are countless of parents of those "big kids" who remember the first time they were big enough to ride the Big Coaster.
I saw the greatest thing on my last trip - a CM with one of the measuring sticks, standing next to a little girl (measuring her), with the little girl giving the "thumbs-up" sign and her parents taking photos of the whole event. She was finally able to ride SM - it really was the sweetest thing! I wouldn't want to take that memory away from anyone, personally.
It is a rite of passage to ride SM - sure I won't ride if I can't get an FP or wait 10 mins, but I don't go without riding it numerous times on each trip. It's a great dark ride for the whole family to enjoy - that's sort of the point of why Walt Disney built Disneyland - so that the whole family could have fun together.
Yeah, it's slow compared to RnR, but MK isn't a thrill park - I don't expect those kinds of rides there. But you can bet that I'll still be lining up for SM whenever I can.
-MrsAPalm

Nicely said, mrsapalm! MK is a family park, and SM is a family coaster. Except to make it a bit more smooth while riding (it is a bit jerky), I wouldn't change a thing. WDW has something for everyone, and not everytning has to please thrill seekers, even though I consider myself in this catagory, I can appreciate SM for what it is, and love the fact that my 8 year old loves it!

 

[grinningghost]

My only complaint (and I've said it at least a dozen times on these boards) is the lightness factor. I remember riding SM in 1976 and it was pitch black. You couldn't see a thing. It did a couple things - first, it made the ride scarier, you could see nothing (not even glimpses of the track like you see now). It also seemed to make the space objects glow more, creating a much eerier space-like effect. I'm a little disenchanted with SM now, only because it's been lightened up for some reason. I've heard various reasons - a safety issue, too make it less scary, etc. Whatever the reasons, it's definitely not as good now.

I say save a lot of money on rehabs and just make it dark again.

 

[jwill]

I agree with grinning ghost that it could be darker and that would add thrills with no dollars added to the current ride. Space Mountain is good now but could still use some updating to really make it a headliner attraction again.

 

[kylara]

I am one of those who do think it is a good ride...not a wild ride since it is very tame as coasters go, but one for the family. My niece loves SM and has since she was 6. It was a good "starter" coaster for her. I agree with those who say it is too rough. I don't remember it being so rough even 10 years ago. I also liked it better when it was darker. It was so much easier to she the lights flashing by on the other cars making it scarier.

I honestly don't go to disney for thrill rides....not even RRC is that thrilling. If I want thrilling coasters, I head over to IOA (or Sea World to ride Kraken)...if I want coasters that the family can do, even the young ones, Disney it is, 'specially MK.

 

[JulesMom]

I think it's a mild coaster, but I like it.

Every ride for me doesn't have to be, Hulk or RnR.

One of my fav rides at MK is TTA. My fav ride at IOA is Hulk.

 

[Ecdubfan]

Space Mountain is a classic coaster. If placed outdoors at a 6 flags, it would be just another mildly amusing wild mouse type coaster. However, Disney masterfully combined its location and theming to provide a memorable experience that most people cherish. Sure, Space Mountain has begun to show its age. Most coasters do. Perhaps its time for an extensive renovation or a complete re-doing. However, the basic tenets that have made it such a classic should forever remain. The MK does not need a Hulk or a DD. Those coasters are great in their own way, but they do not fit the MK experience. Now, a fun coaster that mesmerizes an 8 year old while entertaining his father...that is what Space Mountain represents.

 

[Ona]

I LOVE SM!

I only got up the courage to ride it for the first time in 2000 and it is now my favourite ride in WDW. I'm not a huge coaster fan but I do enjoy some roller coasters. I can't handle great drops or going upside-down so SM is perfect for me.

I love the themeing too. I don't find the queing area boring at all. I love looking at al the hidden objects that fly past every once in a while and hearing people scream every now and again. I love the SMTV in the loading area too. There are loads of things that it takes you a while to notice. It gets me laughing evey time.

I just love all the stars! And the cooki...... emmmmm..... asteroids. I agree, it would be even better if it were a little darker in there though. It would make it more exciting if you couldn't see the next turn. But if you're like me, you know every little dip and turn anyway.

I can't imagine the MK without SM. I agree that it is a family ride. I don't think SM should be 'updated' and made more thrilling. I like to do EVERYTHING at WDW but I'm still too chicken to try R'n'R or ToT. I'd really miss Space if I couldn't ride it because it made me feel ill. Instead, how about a new thrill ride for the MK?

Don't lose the classics, but keep the innovation going.

Ona

 

[LSU Tigerfan]

I don't think that either Montessori or myself was arguing that SM needs to go faster or be any less of a "family" ride. What both of us said was that we think the attraction is boring compared to BTMRR and other attractions and that the ride is outdated. I would personally rather ride Goofy's coaster -- at least I won't have to check myself for bruises when I get off.

The other problem with the ride is that it is so low capacity, because it is single file. Newer attractions all load people in several across so that many more people can ride in a given period of time. Don't think that the fact that SM has longer wait time makes it more popular than BTMRR. What good is a ride if, in high season, the Fastpasses disappear by mid-morning and the standby time is well over an hour? Just one more reason why I think that WDW will eventually update this attraction.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by MadMadamMim
I think it could use some work... last time I rode it, it seemed rougher than 'normal' coasters (I'm not a coaster fan, but from the ones I've braved, it seemed rougher) DH kept complaining about his back and shoulders when he got off of it.

My wife and I thought we were crazy. This trip (our fifth, my sixth, in the last three years) we both came off saying we must be getting old, because that stinker was bumpier than it used to be.....maybe it wasn't age!

All that said, there are some of us out here who aren't fast, upside-down, twist and turn, 70mph roller coaster fans, as evidenced in other letters. I don't go to Universal because that's all they seem to have, while we sometimes travel with good friends who do head to Universal for that very reason. To each his own. But to me, SM is one of the symbols of Disney, and it's not about thrills and spills, it's about "Magic." And to me, this classic ride, like It's a Small World and others from way back, is Magic for its timelessness and history. It's the centerpiece of Tomorrowland's "Buck Rogers" theme.

As for what good a ride is where the fast passes disapear early in the morning and the line is an hour long, I think long lines and the disapearence of fastpasses speaks for itself. Someone like's the ride!

 

[Talinthor]

The first time I went to WDW, SM was not yet open (1974?). But as a kid, I was extremely excited with the anticipation of seeing what was inside the shell they had already constructed. When we came back a couple of years later, I finally got to ride and I thought it was great! Unlike any other coaster I had ever ridden before.

I guess it's experiences like the above that endear all of WDW to me. The great memories I have as a child really made a lasting impression. Hence, I always want to go back to recapture a piece of my childhood and forget about my boring job and long commute. It's also neat to be able to share it now with my own kids.

Anyway, even though it kills my back, I will continue to ride SM when I can. How could I miss a chance to launch into outer space one more time?

Tal

 

[raidermatt]

Its not "lame" at all, unless you are only looking for a great "pure coaster". Then, I could agree with the lame comment.

But it has great themeing and attention to detail, things that Disney is famous for. I like Big Thunder as well, but like Space Mt better, though I have no idea which one has the higher ridership.

I wouldn't have a problem with an update though. Not so much to make the coaster portion more "thrilling", but just to update the story, make it smoother, add some effects, whatever. I understand the Paris version launches you into the mountain, which sounds cool.