Space Mountain Now Slower

[awilliams4]

Well, the brakes are on tighter at least.

We have been going to Disney annually for about 15 years. We mostly just FP (now FP+) Space Mountain so unless we ask to, we are always directed to go to the queue on the right.

Well the right side coaster on Space Mountain has its largest drop right toward the end, prior to the last couple of spin moves. This past trip, that last drop was no where near as fun as it use to be. The 1st time we road it this past June, my family was like, wait, where did that last drop go. I would compare the air time on this last drop to about what you get if you sit on the back of Thunder Mountain after the 2nd lift.

So the 2nd time we hit Space Mountain, we paid closer attention and what we noticed were brakes slowed us down significantly before the last drop.

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.

We discovered on the left side that the brakes are still applied pretty heavily but not as bad as the right side.

It was a big enough difference for us that we were a bit disappointed. I am hoping this was just a mistake and that during the next tune up of Space, those brakes will be lessened a bit.

Anyone else notice this?

 

[minnie mum]

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

 

[magicbob]

Your data clearly indicates that FP+ is to blame.

 

[Toadlover]

The last time we were there five years ago, space mountain was closed so I can't tell you if the drop was there then or not, but they may have been doing some refurbishing?? We even road the WEDway people mover - old school!- through and they had it all boarded up so you couldn't see! Aww.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We went on it for the first time this June and found it disappointing. It was bumpy and there was no music playing during the ride. Disneyland's Space is so much better. (But I have to say there were rides I thought were way better at WDW, this wasn't one of them) Maybe it used to be more fun, or maybe there was supposed to be music playing. We only went on it once.

 

[wilkeliza]

We went on it for the first time this June and found it disappointing. It was bumpy and there was no music playing during the ride. Disneyland's Space is so much better. (But I have to say there were rides I thought were way better at WDW, this wasn't one of them) Maybe it used to be more fun, or maybe there was supposed to be music playing. We only went on it once.

Disney World's version has never had music. It has a few minor side effect but no music.

I rode it during our late June trip and I can tell you it was just as fast as ever. It really depends on what capacity they are running it at. This wasn't the fastest we had ever rode it but it surely wasn't the slowest either. It was definitely more towards top capacity though.

 

[BrianL]

I didn't really notice anything different last time I rode it (in May), and I did both sides.

If the DL version of SM is your benchmark it will definitely seem slow. DL's SM is a completely different ride system, and as I recall much faster and smoother. SM compares to the Matterhorn, which uses very similar design and track, and I recall the Matterhorn is not very fast at all. WDW SM doesn't really have music either, just sound effects.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Can't tell you which side it was, but last March we actually notified a CM that the brakes really slowed things down a lot before the drop. It was a downright abrupt slowdown.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just to agree with previous posts, that the DL version of Space Mt. is much much better than the MK one. Another reason to visit DL! Better Space Mt., BTRR, and Pirates, among others.

Does MK Space have new brakes?

 

[DVCMomBLT]

Space Mountain is great if you need your spine re-aligned.

 

[wareagle57]

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

 

[wdw4rfam]

Space Mountain is great if you need your spine re-aligned.

 

[Skywise]

Why are they so radically different between WDW and DL?

I can understand why certain minor things are different between the parks (EG the differences between the Small Worlds because of how the queues are built out) but I was surprised that the ride experience is completely different.

 

[wilkeliza]

Why are they so radically different between WDW and DL?

I can understand why certain minor things are different between the parks (EG the differences between the Small Worlds because of how the queues are built out) but I was surprised that the ride experience is completely different.

The biggest difference comes from where you start. In WDW you start in the center and go around and down. In DL you start out and go in and around.

 

[bumbershoot]

Why are they so radically different between WDW and DL?

I can understand why certain minor things are different between the parks (EG the differences between the Small Worlds because of how the queues are built out) but I was surprised that the ride experience is completely different.

They are just totally different. Several years ago DL's version had "a complete replacement of the original track and ride vehicles from 2003 to 2005". That's April '03 to July '05. I bet very few people want WDW's to be closed for that long...

 

[jprieur]

Well, the brakes are on tighter at least.

Well the right side coaster on Space Mountain has its largest drop right toward the end, prior to the last couple of spin moves. This past trip, that last drop was no where near as fun as it use to be. The 1st time we road it this past June, my family was like, wait, where did that last drop go. I would compare the air time on this last drop to about what you get if you sit on the back of Thunder Mountain after the 2nd lift.

So the 2nd time we hit Space Mountain, we paid closer attention and what we noticed were brakes slowed us down significantly before the last drop.

Anyone else notice this?

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.

 

[magicbob]

Just to agree with previous posts, that the DL version of Space Mt. is much much better than the MK one. Another reason to visit DL! Better Space Mt., BTRR, and Pirates, among others.

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

 

[sonofanarchy]

OP is correct. I noticed the braking before the drop immediately earlier this week.

 

[kay1864]

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

Rafter snakes are, after all, a designated endangered species. And Disney is dedicated to protecting our exotic wildlife.

 

[Aurora0427]

car. I also feel like i'm going to get my head cut off in MK

So do I! I find myself ducking!