Just How Rough *Is* Space Mountain, Anyway?

[mikedoyleblogger]

I know this has been discussed before in various threads. But I'm really curious for flat-out, super-geeky, this is how it feels to me answers. DBF and I will be at WDW later this week for my first trip since MK's Space Mountain was *two years old*. Since then, I've gotten very familiar with DL's version of the ride. You'll be happy to know this is not another "which one is better" question.

What I want to know instead is just how rough is MK's Space anyway? Almost everyone calls it a "rough" and sometimes a painful ride. So...how rough is it? Feel free to compare. Are we talking Disneyland Matterhorn butt-breaking rough? DLP SM neck-breaking rough? Coney Island Cyclone back-breaking rough? SFGAm American Eagle shake-you-like-a-ragdoll-til-you-die rough? I just want to know what I'm in for!

 

[marybogue]

I just rode Space Mountain yesterday before driving back home. And while I have not been on any of the other rides you listed in your OP, I can say that my sensitive back hurt much more after BTMRR than SP, fwiw. Have a great trip!

 

[tangled23]

Honestly, I have never had any problems on space mountain. It's a little bumpy but to me, nothing that is going to cause any aches and pains. I have been on way rougher rides. I could just be weird though. It is one of my favorite rides

 

[AquaDame]

I have been on all of those except for Coney Island - I would put it on par with matterhorn level of ouch, but at least on matterhorn you can kinda tell where you are going/which way to lean! Its an OUCH for me for sure! FWIW, I don't remember Paris' SM being terrible in 2006 & remember being far too concerned about the huge drop on the American Eagle to care about the bumpiness (plus I was 12 or something so doubt I had the mass to make it matter much).

I LOVE riding matterhorn, and dread what SM does to my back/knees, but they are both pretty bad (I just LOVE matterhorn - it was my first coaster!). YMMV.

 

[parkhopping]

In my estimation, it's not as rough as any wooden coasters I've been on. I refuse to ride wooden coasters anymore because they always give me a headache. I can handle Space. However, it does tend to jerk you around on those bunny hops, turns, and drops. I find it more rough than BTMRR. Keep in mind I am a relatively healthy 24-year-old.

If you're in good health but are still wary of its effect on you, I'd suggest doing it at the very end of the night if possible. That way, if you don't enjoy it, it won't ruin the rest of your day.

 

[leeliani]

I've ridden Space Mountain at Disneyland and Matterhorn many times. Space Mountain at Disneyland is much smoother. The Space Mountain at Disney World feels similar to the Matterhorn, but I think its much worse because you can't see where you're going and the drops are bigger. I love Space Mountain at Disneyland, but can't do the one at Disney World because it hurts my back. I have had a back injury though, so that may have a lot to do with it. I say give it a go and try to sit up front. The back whips you around much more.

 

[dizzwizz]

I know this has been discussed before in various threads. But I'm really curious for flat-out, super-geeky, this is how it feels to me answers. DBF and I will be at WDW later this week for my first trip since MK's Space Mountain was *two years old*. Since then, I've gotten very familiar with DL's version of the ride. You'll be happy to know this is not another "which one is better" question.

What I want to know instead is just how rough is MK's Space anyway? Almost everyone calls it a "rough" and sometimes a painful ride. So...how rough is it? Feel free to compare. Are we talking Disneyland Matterhorn butt-breaking rough? DLP SM neck-breaking rough? Coney Island Cyclone back-breaking rough? SFGAm American Eagle shake-you-like-a-ragdoll-til-you-die rough? I just want to know what I'm in for!

You sound like a true coaster enthusiast! I am too! Anyway, I've marathoned on WDW's Space Mountain for Extra Magic Hours and have had no trouble whatsoever on it. I'm not tall or short, if that information helps you or not.

The only other coaster I've ridden that you mention is the awesome, but rough Coney Island Cyclone. In no way is Space Mountain at WDW as rough as the CI Cyclone (and I've ridden that many times as well.) The roughest coaster I've ever ridden BY FAR, is the now defunct Hercules coaster at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. Space Mountain is tame by comparison. You should be fine with Space Mountain (if you handled those other coasters OK.) Sit in the front for a smoother ride your first time around. Then go for the last seat late at night! Awesome experience!

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

I've ridden Space Mountain at Disneyland and Matterhorn many times. Space Mountain at Disneyland is much smoother. The Space Mountain at Disney World feels similar to the Matterhorn, but I think its much worse because you can't see where you're going and the drops are bigger. I love Space Mountain at Disneyland, but can't do the one at Disney World because it hurts my back. I have had a back injury though, so that may have a lot to do with it. I say give it a go and try to sit up front. The back whips you around much more.

I agree with this!

 

[figment_jii]

I would put SM at MK on par with the Matterhorn prior to the refurb (and introduction of the new cars). Since the refurb, I think Matterhorn is much harder on the rump. I like both rides and do both whenever I'm in WDW or DLR.

 

[polyfor4]

Unless you have a bad back, I wouldn't worry about it! It is pretty rough but better when sitting towards the front. I rode it 2 months after a car accident and was definitely sore after. Obviously that was not a wise idea but its one of my favorites. Try to brace your back and be aware of the twists and turns and it's fun!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I would put SM at MK on par with the Matterhorn prior to the refurb (and introduction of the new cars). Since the refurb, I think Matterhorn is much harder on the rump. I like both rides and do both whenever I'm in WDW or DLR.

That's kind of funny, since before the refurb Matterhorn was still using MK Space Mountain's rehabbed 1975 rockets as "bobsleds". I do think that ride is less comfortable now with the tighter, hard-plastic seats.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I have been on all of those except for Coney Island - I would put it on par with matterhorn level of ouch, but at least on matterhorn you can kinda tell where you are going/which way to lean! Its an OUCH for me for sure! FWIW, I don't remember Paris' SM being terrible in 2006 & remember being far too concerned about the huge drop on the American Eagle to care about the bumpiness (plus I was 12 or something so doubt I had the mass to make it matter much).

I LOVE riding matterhorn, and dread what SM does to my back/knees, but they are both pretty bad (I just LOVE matterhorn - it was my first coaster!). YMMV.

Matterhorn makes sense (it seems to be the consensus here!) Some parts of Matterhorn actually are in the dark, though, including some mid-mountain fast/jerky parts. Would you say those parts are on par with MK Space? (DLP SM was a head-banger for me--fun but my ears and neck always hurt afterwards.)

 

[Kristine316]

I think it matters a lot where you sit. The back is the worst but, its much better in the middle or front.

I got stuck in the back the first two times we rode it on our last trip and I felt like I had been thrown around like a rag doll. I had ridden it a few times before that on the trip previous and thought it was a blast and couldn't figure out why it was "different" that trip. It took my son to suggest that it was the fact I was in the back seat both times that was making it so miserable for me so we rode again and I was in the front seat and it was like a different ride... just as fun as I had remembered it.

If you are concerned about it I would definitely try to avoid the back.

 

[DisneyWisher]

The roughness depends which seat you sit it. Seats 1, 2, or 3 are less rough than 5 and 6. I would avoid seat 4 due to no leg room. Very uncomfortable. I'm 5'7.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm only 5'3" (barely at that) and 27 and I just can't ride it anymore unless I get the front seat. I don't know if I hold myself differently or just get that glimpse of what's in front of me that makes the difference from the back seat. I oddly have never gotten the middle seat...ever. I never have the back pain I get on this coaster from any of the others, but I do get a headache from bouncing off the shoulder harness on RNRC but that's another story.

 

[AquaDame]

Matterhorn makes sense (it seems to be the consensus here!) Some parts of Matterhorn actually are in the dark, though, including some mid-mountain fast/jerky parts. Would you say those parts are on par with MK Space? (DLP SM was a head-banger for me--fun but my ears and neck always hurt afterwards.)

Hmm... you made a good point about it being rougher since the refurb (I thought maybe it was mostly because I don't get to sit in someone's lap anymore when I ride it, ) I guess it would be pretty darn similar... even in the 'dark' parts of Matterhorn I can easily see where I am going/you already are leaning one way before you pop back out into sunlight. I have noticed some rides are easier on SM than others but didn't really put 1 & 2 together on the seats. I will have to check that when I go soon!

Since other people are mentioning it, I'm a 5'7 lightweight too.

 

[AngieMouse86]

Are we talking Disneyland Matterhorn butt-breaking rough?

Not quite as rough, but still fairly bad. Didn't ruin the ride or anything, but it was quite a ride and it hurt my legs the most of all, the kept knocking into the awkward lap bar.

I'm only 5'3" (barely at that) and 27 and I just can't ride it anymore unless I get the front seat. I don't know if I hold myself differently or just get that glimpse of what's in front of me that makes the difference from the back seat. I oddly have never gotten the middle seat...ever. I never have the back pain I get on this coaster from any of the others, but I do get a headache from bouncing off the shoulder harness on RNRC but that's another story.

I rode it front seat twice and it really knocked me about a bit and I'm just a hair taller than you. So everyone is different, lol.

I've ridden Space Mountain at Disneyland and Matterhorn many times. Space Mountain at Disneyland is much smoother. The Space Mountain at Disney World feels similar to the Matterhorn, but I think its much worse because you can't see where you're going and the drops are bigger.

I will agree with this completely. I'm a DLR vet, I know DL SM extremely well and WDW SM is nowhere near it in terms of smoothness.

 

[Carriemel]

Yeah, to me it's still bad. I'm still calling lost and found on a daily basis to try to recover my kidney, which I lost on one of the turns. I refuse to go back on this...and it used to be a favorite.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I rode it 2 years ago on my 30th birthday. I'm in pretty good shape, pretty healthy overall. And I felt like my neck was going to snap. My head was bouncing around to the point that I used my arms like a neck brace. I had a wicked headache after it, so did my husband. We both agree never again except for to that stage where the kids care big enough to ride but to young to go without us.

 

[Magpie]

I loved it the first time I tried it, back in 2007. But then when I tried it again last year, I found it horribly rough and it left me with a headache. I thought maybe it was just a fluke, since I usually like coasters (even wooden ones!), so I gave it another try on our next trip.

Conclusion: Nope, never again!

At least, not until they refurb it again and this time make it less rough instead of more. Right now, it feels like my neck is getting snapped up and down repeatedly when I ride. It's like being vibrated incredibly roughly. And FWIW, I'm in very good shape, 5'7'', 135lbs, quite fit, no particular weaknesses. I'll admit it wasn't quite as bad for bouncing as the wooden coaster Excalibur in Funtown USA (Maine), which felt like a spinal readjustment, but at least on Excalibur you could see where you were going, so you could look ahead and alleviate the jolting a little.