Space Mountain: A comparison?

[AndreAggie]

I’m not sure where I should post this, so if this needs to be moved, please do so.

Which version of Space Mountain is smoother...DW or DL? I’ve only ridden the one at DW. I’ve been to DL twice, but just recently somewhat overcame my fears of roller coasters. I still won’t do the big ones like Screamin’ but the smaller ones aren’t so bad now. I do know that the DL version is Space Mountain is double rows as opposed to the single rows at DW.

I noticed the DW version is very “jerky.” I recently had minor back surgery, but if the ride is a rough as its counterpart in Florida, I might sit it out.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Disneyland, absolutely, no question. It’s smoother and the seat is more secure. I wouldn’t hesitate to ride Space at Disneyland, while I refuse to ride it at WDW again!

But I would steer clear of Matterhorn, as it’s pretty jerky.

 

[22Tink]

I find the DLR version way smoother and we ride multiple times! WDW is so rough and jerky, comparable to the Matterhorn at DLR, which I wouldn’t recommend if you want to avoid jerky rides.

 

[Geemo]

Whoa .... The Matterhorn's new ride vehicles are the worst.
If you didn't have a back problem before riding the Matterhorn, you might afterwards.
It's that rough.

 

[disneylover102]

Space Mountain at DL has a much smoother track. There is only one drop and to make up for the lack of drops is the incredible music. (The soundtrack is SO much better at DL) There are still some turns that if you have back problems you might call sharp. Most of the turns are to the right but there is a sometimes unexpected left turn in the middle of the ride so be aware of that.

 

[AndreAggie]

Thanks all! I’ll stay off the Matterhorn, but we’ll give Space Mountain a try! The one at DW was fine, meaning it didn’t hurt, but I just didn’t really enjoy the ride.

 

[LilyJC]

In addition to Matterhorn, avoid Goofy’s Sky School if you don’t like jerky rides. Not one of my favorites!

 

[Linkura]

Space at DL is smooth as butter. It's an incredible ride- my favorite at DL by far (favorite at WDW is Splash). WDW Space is super jerky and rough. Night and day difference.

 

[Captainkidd76]

Sounds like WDW is more thrilling than DL. Is that true? I've never minded the ride at WDW. Just the opposite in fact. Compared with HRRR or The Mummy at Universal, Space is like getting a massage.

 

[Linkura]

Sounds like WDW is more thrilling than DL. Is that true? I've never minded the ride at WDW. Just the opposite in fact. Compared with HRRR or The Mummy at Universal, Space is like getting a massage.

It's not more thrilling IMO. But it is a lot rougher. DL's was plenty thrilling, but it didn't feel like you might throw out your back or neck.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Disneyland is so much smoother, you can't even compare! I live near WDW and absolutely HATE Space Mountain here, but it's a must do for me at Disneyland!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Sounds like WDW is more thrilling than DL. Is that true? I've never minded the ride at WDW. Just the opposite in fact. Compared with HRRR or The Mummy at Universal, Space is like getting a massage.

If you consider more thrilling to be terrified it was going to fly off the track, then sure. Literally I was hoping my photo pass pictures turned out well because that’s what they’d use on the news story...

 

[Captainkidd76]

If you consider more thrilling to be terrified it was going to fly off the track, then sure. Literally I was hoping my photo pass pictures turned out well because that’s what they’d use on the news story...

Lol. Not sure if it was meant to be, but that was funny.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Lol. Not sure if it was meant to be, but that was funny.

No, it was!
(Though also true!)

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I love riding Space at DL. I will not ride the Matterhorn anymore. It leaves me feeling like I've been beaten up by a Yeti. I will also probably pass on Space the next time we go to DW.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I really enjoy the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, but Space Mountain is definitely not one of my favorites there. I much prefer the one at Disneyland.

 

[siskaren]

I've always heard that the DL one is smoother than the WDW one, but after riding it in December, I thought if that's smooth, I'd hate to know what rough is - that was the last time I'm riding SM.

 

[Sith]

I am a Disneyland AP holder from the Bay Area, along with my wife and 13 year old son. We absolutely love Disneyland's Space Mountain and ride multiple times each trip. But...

We made our first trip to WDW last June, and all three of us prefer the Magic Kingdom version. I know that is not the popular opinion. In fact, the reasons we like it are some of the reasons others don't. We like that it's a rougher ride. We like the bobsled style seating. And, we like that there are two tracks. The WDW Space Mountain is actually very similar to the Matterhorn, which is one of our favorites at Disneyland. That may be why we prefer it. It's like Matterhorn in space.

The one thing that I definitely prefer in the Disneyland version is the sound. Having the speakers in your seat is so much better. You can hear the music clearly throughout the entire ride, which isn't the case at WDW.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If you consider more thrilling to be terrified it was going to fly off the track, then sure. Literally I was hoping my photo pass pictures turned out well because that’s what they’d use on the news story...

So true! (And I loved it because of that!) I was in front the first time I did it at WDW and it was like an entirely different ride than DL. I felt like I dropped off into nothing a dozen different times at WDW! It was awesome/terrifying!

OP, definitely agree about staying away from Matterhorn & Goofy's. Might want to consider Indy too. For reference it's the exact same ride system as Dinosaur.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...We made our first trip to WDW last June, and all three of us prefer the Magic Kingdom version. I know that is not the popular opinion. In fact, the reasons we like it are some of the reasons others don't. We like that it's a rougher ride. We like the bobsled style seating. And, we like that there are two tracks...

I KNEW there were 2 tracks!!! It was bugging the heck out me last trip but I never got around to looking it up to confirm I wasn't a crazy person.