Opinion on New Space Mountain?

[BerrysGirl]

I've been to WDW this year in December and March and both times rode the revamped Space Mountain. Maybe it's just me, but I HATED IT! In my opinion, the ride is now too dark and since you can't remotely see the twists and turns ahead I just end up getting whiplash. And the little bunny hills I use to love so much? They're now just unpleasant because I can't see them coming.

The other change to the ride, the stand-by line, I have not yet experienced, both times I've ridden it I had a FastPass. But as far as I can tell that should have been the ONLY change to the ride.

What do you think, do you like the changes they've made to Space Mountain?

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It had been 13 years between riding the previous version and the most recent, so my memories were vague enough that I couldn't compare and contrast the two experiences, but I had a blast on it when I went last October. In fact, I enjoyed it even more than I remembered.

 

[kakiegirl]

My whole family agrees the new Space Mountain is too dark, it was nice to be able to see a little bit. We don't have any desire to ride it again. It actually made my DD 11 sick to her stomach.

 

[stargazertechie]

I wish they would have made the ride a bit smoother. It really HURTS.

 

[psac]

I wish they would have made the ride a bit smoother. It really HURTS.

I kind of agree with this. I feel the ride is much faster now, much more intense, much more of a real serious coaster. But I do feel a little shaken up afterwards!

 

[2010_Bride]

I wish they would have made the ride a bit smoother. It really HURTS.

Agreed! I haven't been on it in a few years, but I do remember it being a bit more lit up. Both my husband and I commented on how sore our necks and shoulders were after riding it - and it isn't even that good of a ride anymore

 

[beckysmith]

I thought the first one was a little bit boring! I love the new one! It's fun that you don't know exactly where you're going and I love the new drops- they're not too big, but they're so much fun! The only problem I have is the difficulty of getting in and out of those seats! They're so low and slightly awkward to get your legs into! xD

 

[Carmen NC]

Rode it last July for the first time in many years - back seat, back car. Definately not recommended - way too rough. Crested a peak I couldn't see and the car lurched and I actually went slightly airborne from my seat and slammed my head back on the headrest. When I got off the ride I couldn't move my neck and it stayed that way for about 3 days. Don't know if I will attempt that again.

 

[The 6 J's]

Like it. Although I cringe the entire time in anticipation of a girder or support of some kind whacking me in the forehead the entire time. This is either a function of the fact that I am so much taller than one of my kids in front of me in the car or the excessively large size of my forehead. Or both. Also, this is the only ride that my daughter screams the entire time (happy fun scream that changes with every twist and turn) and it makes me laugh for the entire ride. So I am cringing, laughing, getting tossed around the entire time with no idea what is about to happen and apparently I like that. Who knew?

 

[Ramsfan28]

Do not like the newer version - wish they stuck with the classic.

 

[Costino1]

I agree with all you guys. It is a darker ride now and you can't see what's coming. However after riding it a bunch in the past I remembered where the drops and curves are.

If it's your first time, I can see being somewhat almost injured on the ride.

I miss the loading area where you can see the cookie/asteroid floating in the air, but there wasn't any HUGE changes for the downtime for the refurbishment

 

[wcpamotm]

That's really the point of Space Mountain - you're really NOT supposed to be able to see where you're going next. I understand how some may not like that, but there are other coasters for them. Big Thunder Mountain (which I also immensely enjoy) comes to mind...

Nobody's mentioned the new sound effects. Most who have mentioned them elsewhere don't care for them it seems, they prefer the in-car speakers at DL Space Mountain. I don't necessarily see them as better or worse, just different, and when it comes to attractions on both coasts, I can embrace difference! To me, they are like the audio equivalent of the sights to be seen during Rock'n'Roller Coaster (if you don't blink).

I will concur with above comments about the roughness of the ride.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't have a good enough memory to be able to compare. I thought it was fun.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I wouldn't mind the new darkness if they had done something to smooth out the ride. I've had an ok ride or two and then a couple (in the back) that left me wondering why I still got on this ride.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I rode Space Mountain last September & March 2010 and in 2008 (and many, many times prior). Here's my take:

- Didn't notice any change in the actual track or ride - same bumps, same amount (or lack there of) of roughness, same speed.
- I did not think it was darker BUT I did not like sitting in the absolute front - freaked me out. But I'm just fine in the back 5 seats.
- I like the addition of the music.
- I absolutely do not like that my meteor is gone
- The new interactive queue games for the the standby line are awesome!!! Although I would always prefer to get through the line quicker (or not at all). The games occupied me, but only for a few minutes.

Overall I don't really think the ride itself changed too much, I noticed more of the queue changes and while I like the interactive games, I am really bummed the meteor is gone. But I'll ride it - it reminds me of when I went there as a child and as long as my kids want to ride it, I'll be there with them

 

[BerrysGirl]

I agree that the track itself doesn't seem to have changed but it just seems MUCH more jerky because it's so dark you can't see where you're going and can't anticipate any of the turns or drops. Maybe if they made the cars glow in the dark the way they use to it might solve the problem? I see no issue with that. It would also make that portion of the People Mover much more interesting because now when you ride it that part is just sitting in the dark! Boring!

 

[skier_pete]

I do find it amusing that people HATE the new version when all they've changed is the lighting....but i do get it. Myself, I like the newer, darker version. I always thought the old version was "ruined" a little bit by the fact you could look down and see the people standing in the queue. You can't see people from space! The fact that it's now all stars and darkness I think is really, really cool.

If it's too dark for you...get a video camera with a night vision setting, sit in the front, and watch the screen!

 

[grafxgirl]

My DD7 said it hurt her stomach, and I ended up with a sore back after riding it. Seemed like it was a rough ride. I didn't think they changed anything as far as the actual ride goes though.

 

[Sinclare]

I love it, You can't tell where the beams are and it really gives a sense of fear. I used to hold my arms up through the whole ride, now I'm scared to even hold them up a little because you just can't see what's going to cut them off. Especially the last bit where you suddenly curve into the "red tunnel". I mean it's just all of the sudden and boom, you don't know when it's coming. Dark is the way it should be, although I really do miss the flying asteroids, and glow in the dark RV's you could see from the queue line. I also wish you could still see inside SM from the WED Way People Mover.

 

[Brian Noble]

Darker: better.