On which scale would you rate Space Mountain, for a first-timer?

[BigHeroKen]

I think this is a hard one to accurately rate due to the relative "thrill" we all get from each thrill ride.

As far as thrill rides go I'd probably give it a 3 or 4. The only thing it really has going for it is the darkness which makes the ride seem scarier than it actually is. The lack of any significant drop or inversions is the reason I'd rate it so low.

Keep in mind, I am someone who loves rides like the Hulk coaster at Islands of Adventure and the Kraken at Sea World. As far as thrill rides go, I think Tower of Terror and the Rock-n-Rollercoaster give the greatest thrill experience at Disney and I'd rate those about a 5 or a 6.

 

[mjallemand]

If you're concerned, look up a "Lights On" ride video on youtube to check it out beforehand.

 

[sleepymouse]

I would not say "mild", but I would not say "quite the thrill ride" either.



Agree with everything tink said. Rock n Roller Coaster would be a 7 or 8. Space Mountain is definitely jerky, which is made worse by it being in the dark. On our last trip, on a day when BTMRR was being refurbed, we rode Space 4 times in various seats. We both agreed that the back car (there are two cars, three riders each) was more jerky than the front car, and the very first seat was more thrilling/scary because you've got nothing in front of you.

Do you find the front seats of either car to be less jerky than the back seats? I ask because the cars look similar to those on the Matterhorn in DL, and I find the front seats to be the most ideal there.

 

[Lucius Best]

Do you find the front seats of either car to be less jerky than the back seats? I ask because the cars look similar to those on the Matterhorn in DL, and I find the front seats to be the most ideal there.

No, we mostly just noticed the front car to be less jerky than the back car. The front seat of the front car was more intense because there's absolutely nothing in front of you.

 

[ElsasFan]

I've never been a big roller coaster person, but I have ridden Space Mountain several times, and loved it because I couldn't see what was coming, so I didn't get that sick stomach-drop feeling like with other roller coasters. Instead it was just the feeling of flying through space and being surprised when there was a turn. I rode it for the first time in a long time last November and didn't really love it. For some reason, I had the feeling that my head was going to be chopped off if we passed too close to something (weird because I am 5'7''--lots of taller people ride it!) and I found myself scrunching down in the seat. My husband and 8-year old son, neither of whom had never ridden a roller coaster prior to that trip LOVED it and rode multiple times. I pretended like I was sacrificing to stay with the younger ones so they could ride.

I voted "mild."

 

[MataHari22]

I would rate it as mild as far as coasters go. What makes it more thrilling, is the darkness and effects. I am not a coaster fan, and I liked Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain and used to ride them. The problem now, is that they are too darn rough on me. Too hard on my back and neck. Unfortunately, I won't be riding either of them anymore. Never rode EE or RnR or ToT. 7DMT was ok, I don't remember a problem, I would say that 7DMT was more to the piece of cake side of things.

 

[Lavitz]

This may sound crazy but I've never ridden Space Mountain, I know right! I'm heading back in July and plan to just walk on and never look back. But I was curious, on a scale of 1-10 where is Space Mountain. In terms of thrill. I've been on Thunder Mountain Railroad once before, really didn't like the feeling it had. It felt like I had been shaken all over, though I'll probably end up doing it again. Additionally, I've added a poll. Please tell me about your experiences on the ride, and how you would rate it. Rather than make the choices on the poll 1-10, I'll add descriptive responses just so its easier.

I picked "quite the thrill ride", not because I think it is, but because if what you said in the bold is true then you will hate Space. I will go on any roller coaster/thrill ride ever created, the bigger the drop the better. But I'm never going on Space again. That thing rattles your head around like I would not have believed if I didn't experience it myself. Part of the problem is you're in the dark so you can't see the turns coming and prepare, you just get your head whipped from side to side.

That being said, it's not a scary/trill ride at all. I found it very tame/boring ride, that plus the head shaking was enough to make me glad I went on before letting my DD try. Love BTMR much much more, but if you don't like it I'd say skip Space.

 

[allysetraskos]

It wasn't exciting to me it more or less just hurt, it was jerky and rough. I didn't enjoy it at all. On the other hand my husband loved it because you cant see whats next.

 

[Rosebud123]

Space is the only WDW coaster that I hate! My kids always force me to go on it, but I'll only do it once. I think it's way scarier than RNR Coaster and EE.

It's very jerky and uncomfortable. Honestly, if you didn't like BTMRR (which I adore!) I think you will hate Space.

 

[savannie]

Space Mountain is really fun, but it can also be really, really jerky. I road in the back of the front car one time, and I was actually concerned that I was going to be badly injured. I didn't enjoy that ride at all; I just kept praying that it would end without an E.R. visit. My head snapped backwards a couple of times, and my neck was really sore afterwards. Ever since then, I ask for a front seat, and I've had no problems. If you sit in the very front, the ride is a bit more thrilling, so I think the front of the rear car would be best for a timid first-time rider.

The ride itself is nothing special compared to other roller coasters. The effects and darkness are what make it so intense. If the same coaster was outdoors with no effects, it would probably be pretty boring. In the world of roller coasters, it's definitely pretty mild. But as far as Disney coasters go, it's one of the more intense. Disney coasters just aren't especially thrilling, in my opinion.

Also, I know everyone else has said that SM is less jerky than BTMRR, but I disagree. It's smoother in general, but the quick stops and sharp turns are much worse than BTMRR, in my opinion. You bounce around like popcorn on Thunder, but I've never been worried about injury. Space can be really jarring, though.

 

[Networth]

If you don't like BTMRR I can't imagine you enjoying Space.