How intense is Space Mountain?

[Cynister]

I've never been on Space Mountain in FL, only in CA. I think I've caught a few pictures of each that hint that the ride is different? In FL is it a single-seater vs. sitting next to someone? Are there large drops? I'm trying to gauge if DS 9 will be ok if it is a single seater. We did BTM when we were there last & he was nervous (white knuckled the whole time), but he did well. I want to see if it is worse than that. Thanks!

 

[ap5992]

It is single seated instead of side by side, I'm having trouble adding a picture but if you just google space mountain disney world you can see a picture of the cars and how you're seated. I've been on both, they may vary a little but nothing crazy. It's basically the same ride with the track switched around a bit. If your child could handle the Disney Land one they should have no problem in Disney World.

 

[CMDTA]

FL is rougher. If you suffer from back problems, I cannot recommend it. They built it before computers were used and it shows. Other than being rough, it's not that intense.

 

[ap5992]

I think it may be a little more intense just because it's inside and in the dark. Same feel as BTM though.

 

[Redarrow5150]

Yeah it's intense because of the darkness but believe it's more about anxiety. I think Space Mountain is the most uncomfortable ride at WDW as the seats make you feel like you're cramped.

 

[GlennN]

Yeah, I think the cramped seats and the dark make it more intense, but my daughter (13) and I love it. My wife, who enjoys BTM, Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Everest, hates it. I guess it is a personal taste.

 

[ExBellhop]

At :24 in this lights-on video of the WDW Space Mountain, you will see the largest drop in the ride. My guess is it's around 20ft - less than half the size of the main drop on Splash Mountain. There are, if memory serves, 5 "drops" on WDW Space Mountain, all progressively bigger. Most are shown in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2VpVj5mpsM

 

[Collin WK]

The best description i've ever been told is that it feels like you would expect thunder mountain would feel like if you rode it in complete darkness and made it about 15mph faster on average and added a few drops. I get motion sickness and i've rode it multiple times with no problems. Its a little jerky though. If you want it to seem less intense ride at night when your eyes are already adjusted to the darkness so while riding you can see more of the ride making turns and drops less unexpected. Its a good ride but could be intimidating for some.

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

I love coasters but HATE Space Mountain. I don't even go on it anymore. I think my problem with it is I am six feet tall and I find the sides really low on the car so I always feel like I am going to tumble out. It's a total anxiety thing. Lol

 

[Stitch850]

I agree with Canadian Mom. I hate it & don't ride it anymore. I might if they gutted the inside & re-did the whole thing.

 

[2Tiggies]

The only really intense thing about Space Mountain is the anticipation with it being in the darkness and I feel it in my neck. That however must be because I'm a bit older. Somehow kids don't seem to experience the discomfort us adults talk about. The T-Bar style lap bar makes you feel a lot more secure than the standard lap bars you get on rides like BTMR and Splash and being able to individually adjust it to secure you according to your size also helps, when compared to having two people of unequal size sharing a lapbar.

 

[bball15fan]

Its more of the wind blowing in your face that makes it feel intense.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I love coasters but I don't like hurting when I get off the rides. Space at WDW kinda makes me hurt, but I'll still ride it when I'm there. Space at DL is less rough in my opinion. I don't really know if intense is the right word but it tends to jerk me around. I'm only 5'5 tall and it kinda hurts me getting in and out of the trains. I can't imagine how the tall folks do it.

 

[Alesia]

The best description i've ever been told is that it feels like you would expect thunder mountain would feel like if you rode it in complete darkness and made it about 15mph faster on average and added a few drops. I get motion sickness and i've rode it multiple times with no problems. Its a little jerky though. If you want it to seem less intense ride at night when your eyes are already adjusted to the darkness so while riding you can see more of the ride making turns and drops less unexpected. Its a good ride but could be intimidating for some.

The top speed on Space Mountain is only 28 miles per hour, which actually makes it slower than BTMRR.

 

[ktlm]

If ridden them both multiple times. I think at WDW, you can see the track a little here and there, and a DL it is darker and you don't see the track at all. Also, the WDW one is a rougher ride- the track just is not as smooth. DD (8) prefers the DL version because it is smoother, but she will still ride the WDW version. As far as the front to back seating at WDW instead of side by side, DD doesn't mind that. Her Dad puts at least one hand on her shoulder from behind her and she is fine. For Splash mountain, DD actually prefers DL's splash mountain because it is front to back seating and she feels more secure with that than with WDW's bench seating. As far as BTM, I think it might be a little odd, but DD likes SM, and is scared of an absolutely hates BTM at both parks.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Space Mountain is slower than Big Thunder. The main difference is that it's in darkness. It makes it feel as though you are moving faster than what you are.

We really enjoy this ride. I actually have to ride it with my eyes closed. Not because I'm scared but the movements of the lights make me feel sick.

 

[Bete]

Don't ask me how I know this but Space Mountain goes about 28 miles per hour. This is half the speed of most other roller coasters.

The darkness gives it a feel of a rougher roller coaster.

Think about it; this roller coaster is in MK. How bad can it be?

 

[katt789]

Having not been on DLR's version I can't compare, but I'm sure if they can handle one they can handle the other.

I do find wdw's to be rough, bumpy and jerky, I definitely find my neck super sore after a couple of rides on it

 

[bjscheel]

DD15 and I have been on the WDW one once and all of us have been on the DL one once. DD12's hip hurt briefly after riding at DL. Next month, our very first FP+ is for Space Mountain. I have had the thought, what if that first ride makes somebody's back hurt for the rest of the trip! I remember bracing my elbows against the sides of the car and that seemed to help.

 

[LoKiHB]

It's under 30 mph, but because you are going around in a circle, it feels like you're going faster. For me it was very jerky and rough. My lower back was not happy for the rest of the day after we rode it. I also remember my butt coming up off the seat a few times during the ride...