Space Mountain Entrance/Exit

[michellej47]

In February, my DD, age 9, and I are heading to DW for a dance performance. We are making it a girl's trip and leaving our boys home. While she loves EE and BTMRR and 7DMT, she is terrified at the thought of Space Mountain (she was 5 on our last trip and fell asleep in the stroller while her brother and I rode it). I think it is the darkness that freaks her out a bit.

She said she might try it, but in the chance that we get in line and she freaks out, is it one of those rides where she could wait at the exit while I ride? It's been 4 years since we've been and I cannot remember how the queue works. Would it be safe for her to wait while I ride? Would I be the world's worst mom if I left her to ride? Ok, overreacting a bit, but just trying to decide if we should scrap this from our plans or try to go for it.

 

[holden]

The exit of the ride drops you in the gift shop. I would be hesitant to leave a 9yo alone in the gift shop while I ride, but it's up to you.

 

[MinnieMSue]

They had a “space lounge” where non riders could wait for riders a year ago when we rode. You wait in line and the space lounge was somewhere in the back before you go up to the boarding area. I am not positive if it is still there now or not with the current remodel of exit but you could ask when getting in line.

 

[1GoldenSun]

We have often done this with my son before he got to an age where he wasn't scared to ride. You just go through the line together, then when you get on the ride, the child that doesn't want to ride is shown to where you exit the ride vehicles. Then when you get off the ride your child is waiting for you and you walk to the exit of the building together. It's the area where they have the photopass monitors, and I thought it seemed very safe. I think the child has to be at least 7 to do this.

 

[hes122]

The exit of the ride drops you in the gift shop. I would be hesitant to leave a 9yo alone in the gift shop while I ride, but it's up to you.

The gift shop exit was closed when I was there a few weeks ago. The exit takes you outdoors on the backside of SM and ends near the gift shop but it was all outdoors.

 

[Klayfish]

As noted, yes, she can wait. However, if she loves EE and BTMRR, I'd push her really hard to get on SM, I'd have to believe she'd like it.

 

[rteetz]

The gift shop exit was closed when I was there a few weeks ago. The exit takes you outdoors on the backside of SM and ends near the gift shop but it was all outdoors.

It is still this way as far as I know. The ramp exit of Space Mountain is being refurbished.

 

[ars0525]

double post

 

[ars0525]

Bring her thru the line with you. If she doesn't want to ride at loading time then she can bypass & wait. She will only be on her own 5-10 minutes then. Easy peasy. And there are games in the line to play along as you wait. If you leave her in the front area it could be awhile she's on her own waiting for you (line wait + ride time + exiting). I don't know how you feel about that. I'm all for independence, but even I would be a bit hesitant to do that. I was just there Sunday & the area is under construction still, but who knows in February.

 

[Marthasor]

We have often done this with my son before he got to an age where he wasn't scared to ride. You just go through the line together, then when you get on the ride, the child that doesn't want to ride is shown to where you exit the ride vehicles. Then when you get off the ride your child is waiting for you and you walk to the exit of the building together. It's the area where they have the photopass monitors, and I thought it seemed very safe. I think the child has to be at least 7 to do this.

Yes, this. I do this all the time with my DS11, though I'm the one that waits for him as I don't like Space Mountain. I go through the line with him. When the CM asks how many in our party, I tell them "one" and then he is assigned his ride vehicle spot. I then follow the exit sign down a ramp which leads you directly to where the ride vehicles end the ride (as PP noted, right by the PhotoPass monitors). I am then sitting right there, in direct sight of my DS11, when he exits the ride. The only caveat here is, your DD might have to find this spot herself as I'm not sure if there is a CM who could escort her down there. You could try asking the loading CM if you could show her the waiting spot and then come back up the ramp to be assigned a ride vehicle, but I'm not sure what the answer would be.

 

[J'aime Paris]

We just got home on Monday from WDW.
The normal exit is all under construction. You exit outside and walk along the exterior of the building.

 

[gatorlisa]

We just got home on Monday from WDW.
The normal exit is all under construction. You exit outside and walk along the exterior of the building.

Yes, the full exit route does require walking around the exterior of the building. But, the unload point, where the ride photo monitors are, that others have mentioned is still there and inside and should be available to wait for someone.

 

[michellej47]

As noted, yes, she can wait. However, if she loves EE and BTMRR, I'd push her really hard to get on SM, I'd have to believe she'd like it.

That is my plan. She said she wants to "try" it, so hopefully she will!

 

[dstdis]

The only caveat here is, your DD might have to find this spot herself as I'm not sure if there is a CM who could escort her down there. You could try asking the loading CM if you could show her the waiting spot and then come back up the ramp to be assigned a ride vehicle, but I'm not sure what the answer would be.

When I worked there, we would absolutely allow a parent to walk their kid down to the unload area and then walk back up to ride, but I also haven't worked there in like 7 years. But it happened all the time, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't still allow it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

When I worked there, we would absolutely allow a parent to walk their kid down to the unload area and then walk back up to ride, but I also haven't worked there in like 7 years. But it happened all the time, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't still allow it.

That's good to hear! I hope it's still the case.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, the full exit route does require walking around the exterior of the building. But, the unload point, where the ride photo monitors are, that others have mentioned is still there and inside and should be available to wait for someone.

I can confirm that you can still wait inside, by the unloading area, near the photo monitor, if you are a non-rider waiting for a rider. I just did this in August with DS11. I waited on the bench inside by the unloading area and, when he was done with the ride, we both walked out of the current, alternate exit together.

 

[DanielNYC]

I can confirm that you can still wait inside, by the unloading area, near the photo monitor, if you are a non-rider waiting for a rider. I just did this in August with DS11. I waited on the bench inside by the unloading area and, when he was done with the ride, we both walked out of the current, alternate exit together.

We also did thus in August when our 10 year old son chose not to ride. Very safe and easy.