Space Mountain Now Slower

[rajak73]

Your data clearly indicates that FP+ is to blame.

You're only partially right, you forgot MB and Universal are to blame.

 

[awilliams4]

Trim brakes were added in sep 2013 (closed at several periods during the month for a day to add the brakes). They are set to deploy only if the sled is moving above the preset speed - and you can def feel them!

I think they def take away from the surprise of that 'big' drop, whereas before you couldn't feel it coming - now the grab of the brakes lets you know its imminent. . . .

I am sure others will know more, but my guess is the trim brakes were added to reduce the wear and tear on the tracks and ride vehicles. This ride is really getting up there in age - and I think they are prolonging the track replacement by adding these trim brakes at several points in the track. Remember this is a gravity coaster, so as the weight of the occupants increases, so does the speed of the ride vehicle - at this point I suspect we are beyond the designed Vmax of the ride - let alone the Vmax of this aged and fatigued track.

Bottom line, until the track gets a full replacement, expect these to stay.

And I agree, it does take A LOT away from the ride.

Thanks for posting this. I was hoping it was just a tuning mistake. Sounds like I better get use to this. I did notice that the left side was a bit faster on the last drop and it may have been just due to less weight in the train that time.

 

[BrianL]

I prefer the MK Space over DL. For one thing, they are both slow, but the bobsled seating in MK makes it seem like you are going faster and it is more dangerous. like you are flying around on sled, not sitting in a car. I also feel like i'm going to get my head cut off in MK

I actually prefer MK Space as well. The actual ride, meaning the track and the speed, are better at DL, but the MK one is larger and has better theming. The queue, the "Star Tunnel" music, the large dome, and better/more space effects all make the MK Space my preferred one. I have only been to DL once, and it was the Ghost Galaxy overlay, but I remember not being impressed with the projections.

As for why the DL version is different, under the hood, MK Space is basically the Matterhorn (notice how similar the ride cars are). When it came time to build one in DL, they went with a smaller footprint (cheaper too) and a different ride system. This is the version that is replicated in Tokyo Disney as well.

DL Paris Space has inversions and a Jules Verne kind of style! Someday I wanna check that one out.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Trim Brakes---------------
That explains a lot. We were also there in late May and I still knew that something was "different" than it had been during earlier visits. It makes sense now.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

And Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris is light years beyond DLR version with incredible special effects, launch start, and inversions!

Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris is a classic head-banger and really, really painful to the side of your head and your neck. I'd hardly call that an improvement over either SM in the States.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I actually prefer MK Space as well. The actual ride, meaning the track and the speed, are better at DL, but the MK one is larger and has better theming. The queue, the "Star Tunnel" music, the large dome, and better/more space effects all make the MK Space my preferred one. I have only been to DL once, and it was the Ghost Galaxy overlay, but I remember not being impressed with the projections.

As for why the DL version is different, under the hood, MK Space is basically the Matterhorn (notice how similar the ride cars are). When it came time to build one in DL, they went with a smaller footprint (cheaper too) and a different ride system. This is the version that is replicated in Tokyo Disney as well.

DL Paris Space has inversions and a Jules Verne kind of style! Someday I wanna check that one out.

Part of the difference is that WDW's Space Mountain wasn't designed for its ride building. The mountain dome shape came later, so there's a lot of unused space inside. DL's Space Mountain and ride building were designed together and there's not a lot of extra space in there.

Another part is that DL didn't have room for a ride building the size of the first SM in MK, so they had to re-design the ride with a single track using all the available space in the building that they could. That's why it's side-by-side seating in DL--to make up for having only one track. And that's probably most of the reason the layouts are so different.

FWIW, MK's Space Mountain is *not* the same layout as Matterhorn (at all.) There are a few basic similarities, but they are definitely not the same ride, even partially. They just use a similar ride system (that is different completely from the cars and track used in DL's version.) MK's SM is definitely more painful than Matterhorn, though.

DL's SM is my favorite ride in the world, but I'm a big fan of MK's original, as well. Last May, the brakes were already there and painful before the final drop, and then afterwards right before the final helix. I can't imagine how much more painful tightening those brakes must have made the ride. I wish they'd stop playing with MK's version. I remember loving it when I was a kid.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Great. Now I have to go to WDW in less than a month with an inferior SM...oh well, at least I'm at WDW and not DL!

Don't get me wrong I still like DL just not, well, you all know what I mean.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Great. Now I have to go to WDW in less than a month with an inferior SM...oh well, at least I'm at WDW and not DL!

Don't get me wrong I still like DL just not, well, you all know what I mean.

...but you like humidity better

 

[kiwi0621]

I was wondering if anyone has recently been on Space Mountain and there were some lights on inside. Therefore, it was not in complete darkness, which is the best part of the ride!!

This happened on Monday, Oct. 27. We also ride it on 10/25 with no issues. Definitely interested to see if anyone else noticed this or had any idea why this would happen.

 

[wisblue]

I was wondering if anyone has recently been on Space Mountain and there were some lights on inside. Therefore, it was not in complete darkness, which is the best part of the ride!!

This happened on Monday, Oct. 27. We also ride it on 10/25 with no issues. Definitely interested to see if anyone else noticed this or had any idea why this would happen.

That has happened to us once or twice. Both times that it happened to us I think it came from the Peoplemover. I think they turn those on if the ride has an extended stop so people aren't left sitting in the dark.

 

[wilkeliza]

That has happened to us once or twice. Both times that it happened to us I think it came from the Peoplemover. I think they turn those on if the ride has an extended stop so people aren't left sitting in the dark.

You are correct they are the Peoplemover work lights.

 

[silenttuba]

Count me among the people who prefer the DL version over MK version, especially the initial hill climb, with the rotating lights that give you the illusion of spinning. Very cool!

 

[Josh Hendy]

...

The 3rd time we went on Space, we FP+ and then asked to go on the left coaster (which the CM said why, they are all the same)...not really, after spinning the same way on Space after 4 or 5 rides, it is nice to spin the other way too.

...

That's a really odd statement ... you don't have to ride SM more than a couple of times to realize that the 2 sides are different, and not just in the direction they turn.

On the left side there are 3 drops near the end. The first two drops are scary but they end quickly before you fall far. This lulls your brain into thinking when the 3rd drop begins, "ok this is just another little dip". But it's like the bottom falls out and the coaster drops a lot farther and picks up a lot more speed. I think it was the thrill of that drop the first time I ever visited WDW which more than any other one thing made me a fan of WDW for life.

I couldn't describe to you the contours of the right side, but it doesn't have that "3 drop whoaaaa!" effect of the left side. I've never asked to go on one side or the other, but I've always *hoped* to get shunted to the left side and I'm a bit disappointed when it doesn't happen.

If the thrill is gone from the left side thanks to the new braking system, then there's always the backwards drop on Expedition Everest. It's a similar "lull" then "whoa!" effect ... at first the coaster is rolling gently backwards in the dark and you can feel the first-timers on the train start to relax thinking, "this ain't so bad" ... and then ...

 

[dizzwizz]

That's a really odd statement ... you don't have to ride SM more than a couple of times to realize that the 2 sides are different, and not just in the direction they turn.

On the left side there are 3 drops near the end. The first two drops are scary but they end quickly before you fall far. This lulls your brain into thinking when the 3rd drop begins, "ok this is just another little dip". But it's like the bottom falls out and the coaster drops a lot farther and picks up a lot more speed. I think it was the thrill of that drop the first time I ever visited WDW which more than any other one thing made me a fan of WDW for life.

I couldn't describe to you the contours of the right side, but it doesn't have that "3 drop whoaaaa!" effect of the left side. I've never asked to go on one side or the other, but I've always *hoped* to get shunted to the left side and I'm a bit disappointed when it doesn't happen.

If the thrill is gone from the left side thanks to the new braking system, then there's always the backwards drop on Expedition Everest. It's a similar "lull" then "whoa!" effect ... at first the coaster is rolling gently backwards in the dark and you can feel the first-timers on the train start to relax thinking, "this ain't so bad" ... and then ...

On Tuesday, the third "awesome" drop on the left side was still intact. Of course, it's felt even greater riding in the back seat! We've also encountered CM's who swear that both sides are identical. IMO, the right side is more disorienting and out of control, while the right side has a better and longer third drop. Winner = left side with almost never-ending third drop!

 

[hakepb]

Hmm. Wonder if the rafter snakes fell onto the tracks and that is what slowed you down.

 

[alvernon90]

I have only been to DL once, and it was the Ghost Galaxy overlay, but I remember not being impressed with the projections.

If you have only ridden with the Ghost Galaxy overlay, you haven't really ridden the DL version at all. That overlay absolutely destroys the ride.

Of course, I thought they ruined it when they got rid of the Dick Dale music...

 

[kiwi0621]

That has happened to us once or twice. Both times that it happened to us I think it came from the Peoplemover. I think they turn those on if the ride has an extended stop so people aren't left sitting in the dark.

Ohhhhh!!! That might explain it. Thanks!! We were just disappointed bc that was the last ride we rode before we had to leave for the airport home. Thanks for the info!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Can't really tell if it's slower but ever since the refurbishment a few years ago I have noticed I don't come out of the ride with a bad back ache any more.

 

[BrianL]

If you have only ridden with the Ghost Galaxy overlay, you haven't really ridden the DL version at all. That overlay absolutely destroys the ride.

Of course, I thought they ruined it when they got rid of the Dick Dale music...

This is interesting to hear. I have only ridden the Ghost Galaxy version at DL and was also not impressed. I felt that the projections were hard to see and that overall the ride was just dark. Granted, the coaster is faster and smoother, but for theming I give it to WDW version all day. I do love the idea of the Ghost Galaxy, but the implementation was lackluster.

I will be getting the chance to ride the DL version next month without the overlay. Maybe my opinion will change

 

[faneuil]

That has happened to us once or twice. Both times that it happened to us I think it came from the Peoplemover. I think they turn those on if the ride has an extended stop so people aren't left sitting in the dark.

Speaking of the PeopleMover and Space Mountain, I really miss the glow in the dark Space Mountain cars. It was cool to see them when on the PeopleMover. Now you go through SM and you're just in darkness.

I was on SM this weekend, and the ride seemed smoother to me. But, with that said, I prefer the left side and that's the side I was on. The right side seems to jostle me much more.