Does anyone remember Space Mountain in 1978?

[savage1]

I definitely remember those! I always got stuck with one of my brothers. I remember when they changed them and no one else noticed!

 

[RJD]

Interesting! I rode SM around this time, but honestly don't remember the seats. What I do remember is that SM was the first roller coaster I ever rode on and I was VERY nervous when I was in line. But I loved it and have loved roller coasters ever since. Several years ago, I took my DS on it for the first time (he was 7 at the time). He also was very nervous, but then he loved SM! So that was neat, brought back alot of memories. Part of what makes Disney special.

 

[RJD]

Interesting! I rode SM around this time, but honestly don't remember the seats. What I do remember is that SM was the first roller coaster I ever rode on and I was VERY nervous when I was in line. But I loved it and have loved roller coasters ever since. Several years ago, I took my DS on it for the first time (he was 7 at the time). He also was very nervous, but then he loved SM! So that was neat, brought back alot of memories. Part of what makes Disney special.

 

[Disney71]

Your DM is right! I remember those seats very well.... brings back childhood memories

 

[disneyfan55]

Yes, I remember well those seats. I really can't remember when they changed, but it's been a while. The ride was fun with the older seats.

 

[carlamouse]

I couldn't find a picture of the old Space Mountain seats, but I did find some of the old Matterhorn at Disneyland, which is what the old seat design was based on...

 

[carlamouse]

 

[MartDM]

DH & his father remember it in traumatic detail. Apparently they rode it when DH was a kid and his lap belt wouldn't fasten right (no electronic checking of security back then). The ride started before they got it sorted out so FIL had to hold DH tight the whole ride, fearing he'd fly out of the seat!

DH still has flashbacks every time we go on SM...makes it extra-special scary for him!

 

[kcrew]

DM says it was a whole different sensation with that seat as you were not "secured" the way you are now, plus of course back then it was a state of the art ride so it was extra exciting! She remembers it so clearly because her head collided with the face of her friend in back of her. Not good!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I thought I was dreaming - my very first trip was in March 1980, when I was 5 years old, and I remember sitting between my mother's legs and having a seat belt buckle digging into my hip for the entire ride. My mother claims she doesn't remember it at all.

 

[steph73]

I too can confirm that I remember the seats being like that in the late 70's and the early 80's. In fact, I didn't know they had changed them until we went in 2001 and I was riding with my 6 year old... I panicked a bit when I saw he'd be in his own seat because I had told him that he'd be sitting between my legs!

 

[disneyfan55]

I thought I was dreaming - my very first trip was in March 1980, when I was 5 years old, and I remember sitting between my mother's legs and having a seat belt buckle digging into my hip for the entire ride. My mother claims she doesn't remember it at all.

You weren't dreaming. You Mom just probably forgot!!

 

[DisneyChristmas]

The old toboggan style seating made Space Mountain such a rough ride! The person in front would either slip down into the car and/or get crushed by the person behind. My DBIL described it as getting beat up in a dark closet. Today's ride is much more enjoyable. It also seems that there is more ambient light in today's SM than what I remember from the early days of MK.