Question about Space Mountain

[atksn]

Ok, this may seem like a silly question (and i don't even know if I am posting it in the right place). My 5 year old LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Space Mountain. He has been saying since he was 2 that he wanted to ride it. Well, last year, we went to DLR and that was the first thing we did, and then about 100 more times.

He is quite bummed that he will NOT be able to ride it at WDW when we go in February. It seems that you have to be 44 inches (he is a little over 42; so I guess there is a slight hope for a growth spurt) for the ride at WDW, but only 40 inches at DLR. Anyone have any idea why this is?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

It's due to the different style of ride vehicles used.

Think of Space Mountain @ WDW as being very similar in vehicle body design as the Matterhorn at DL. It has two vehicles joined together that house 3 per vehicle. They sit one behind the other like Splash Mountain @ DL, with a rider dividers and individual seatbelts. He isn't "in your lap" in the same section, like the Matterhorn. The vehicles are somewhat low to the sides, like the Matterhorn, so that is why the higher height restriction applies. There is only one track at DL, so they can use the wider train where you sit side by side. At WDW, there are 2 tracks operating simultaneously, like the Matterhorn, so the vehicles are narrow.

On the other hand - he should be tall enough for Splash at WDW, since you ride side by side (4 rows of 2 seats) and they have specially designed "bracers" to let smaller kids ride.

 

[happymommy]

You never know - he may have a little growth spurt!

Just trying to be positive!

 

[KTME]

I heard a rumor that Spcae Mountain was going to close in January for a overhaul. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[imthatgirl]

I heard a rumor that Spcae Mountain was going to close in January for a overhaul. Has anyone else heard this?

thats what ive heard. i dont know that theres an exact date yet, but the rumor is it will be down for the better part of the year.

so its probably not going to be an issue anyway.

 

[LadyShea]

They completely overhauled SM at DLR a few years ago...it was closed the last time I was there in 2003. I have heard it is much, much better now, smoother and less jerky. I also heard they are going to do the same at WDW.

I just remembered I rode DLs SM the first time the year it opened on my 7th birthday (I grew up in SoCal). I even remember all the press hoopla around its opening. I can't believe I am that old.

 

[atksn]

"Think of Space Mountain @ WDW as being very similar in vehicle body design as the Matterhorn at DL. It has two vehicles joined together that house 3 per vehicle. They sit one behind the other like Splash Mountain @ DL, with a rider dividers and individual seatbelts. He isn't "in your lap" in the same section, like the Matterhorn. The vehicles are somewhat low to the sides, like the Matterhorn, so that is why the higher height restriction applies. There is only one track at DL, so they can use the wider train where you sit side by side. At WDW, there are 2 tracks operating simultaneously, like the Matterhorn, so the vehicles are narrow.

On the other hand - he should be tall enough for Splash at WDW, since you ride side by side (4 rows of 2 seats) and they have specially designed "bracers" to let smaller kids ride."

Thank you, everyone, for your input. I will be sad if SM is closed while we are there- DH and I enjoy it so much as well. But.... if that is the case it might avoid a temper tantrum on DS's part. LOL.

I knew that WDW had the front/back seating, and that it was similar to Matterhorn--- but he was able to ride Matterhorn AND Splash Mountain last year.

Oh well, it is what it is, and it may not be an issue anyway. I just thought I would ask.... since he knows the difference, and was looking forward to that ride.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I heard a rumor that Space Mountain was going to close in January for a overhaul.* Has anyone else heard this?

The only closure I found on Disney's "operational updates" web page for Magic Kingdom for January is the Hall of Presidents. - So maybe they are starting Space Mountain later than the rumor?* (The page only goes through February right now, so I can't tell.)* Good luck!!

 

[iheartdisney]

Sorry, my kids went through that in march! The bad thing was, DD was like 43.5, and no go! DS was still about 2 inches off, and they didn't understand! But it is so funny when they get to the of Main Street in WDW and look at you and say "Mommy, where is the Matterhorn?" Or after we get off ToT, say " I want to go to Bugs Land now!"
By the time we went last month, DD had caught up, DS wore his boots on the days that we had 44 inch rides!

 

[wahmtexas]

Where exactly did you view the operational updates??? Thanks and good to know about Space Mountain my 5 year old is 42 inches too

 

[DawnM]

And my kids are upset that the Haunted Mansion isn't decorated for the Nightmare Before Christmas. We loved that!

Dawn

Sorry, my kids went through that in march! The bad thing was, DD was like 43.5, and no go! DS was still about 2 inches off, and they didn't understand! But it is so funny when they get to the of Main Street in WDW and look at you and say "Mommy, where is the Matterhorn?" Or after we get off ToT, say " I want to go to Bugs Land now!"
By the time we went last month, DD had caught up, DS wore his boots on the days that we had 44 inch rides!

 

[Disney1976]

SM at DL is WAY better then the one at WDW. Your son wouldn't be missing much! (Hard to explain that to a 5 year old, I know). They need to shut down that jerky, bumpy ride (it has a tendency to break down a lot, just because it's been around for so long, I think) and refurbish it soon! I'm hopeful that the rumored refurbishment does happen early next year. Even if it's closed for a year or more, it will be worth it!