Space Mountain Question

[mommykds]

Does it matter if you enter the ride cars from the left side or the right side? Does either side go faster or have more drops or are the tracks identical?

 

[SnackyStacky]

Both sides aren't identical. They're two slightly different tracks.

Does it matter which way you go? Naw. They're both fun.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I find that the right side is more intense than the left side. But both are lots of fun.

 

[Ghost]

but you'll have to do each side at least once

 

[Aurora63]

I've ridden both sides. I never noticed a huge difference in intensity between the two. But as Julie said, they're both fun!!!

 

[CinRell]

I honestly didn't even know there were 2 sides till DIS>. lol. Do you have a choice tho? I don't remember ever making a choice on this ride.. I just went where they said to go LOL

 

[SnackyStacky]

I honestly didn't even know there were 2 sides till DIS>. lol. Do you have a choice tho? I don't remember ever making a choice on this ride.. I just went where they said to go LOL

When you get to that little booth right at the last part of the waiting area, you can go to the right or left of the booth. Sometimes (depending on crowd levels) only one side is open.

Re: the intensity - I've found that where you're sitting in the car has more to do with the intensity of the ride. Each train consists of two cars of three seats. I find that of the two cars, the back car provides a more intense experience. And of the three seats, the back, again, provides the more intense experience. So if you want a mild experience, get yourself into the front seat of the back car, or the back seat of the front car. For a gentler experience, first seat, first car. And for the ride that may result in a neck brace, back seat, back car.

 

[Hobbes]

I think I read somewhere that one track is yards longer than the other (But can't remember which, sorry!)

 

[madthemouse]

Just a little Tip: As stated in other post, there is a difference between the right and left sides. But, one thing that you can experience on both sides...Ride in the last seat. That is, if you like to get a little more air time. Ever since I pointed this out to my daughter, I'm finding it more difficult to sit in the last seat myself.

 

[ploto]

I have ridden Space Mountain many times and I have never noticed a differance on either side.

 

[wdwdavem]

The tracks are mirror images of each other. One track is slightly longer(not sure which side) only to cross over the other track. Other than that they are exactly the same.

 

[denecarter]

I wish WDW Space Mountain would get the same make-over as DL Space Mountain. There is only one track (so it is twice as long). It still carries the same number of people, because their cars hold 12 total instead of 6 total (rows of two instead of single). The building is also much darker and the music is AWESOME (written by the same person that did The Incredibles). The whole experience is just WAY cool!

 

[allisonswonderland]

Does one side have a big drop? I honestly think they are somewhat different but never remember which side- last time rode (Aug) the right side (as you are facing just before the booth) is the fastpass side-

 

[Stitch65]

I saw SM years ago with all the lights on (took the magic away) on the TTA and it appered they were just mirror images of each other. You'd be surprised at how much empty space is in that room! I suppose it lends to the whole "space" thing.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Does one side have a big drop? I honestly think they are somewhat different but never remember which side- last time rode (Aug) the right side (as you are facing just before the booth) is the fastpass side-

I wouldn't really classify either as having a "big" drop....but in the dark (and in the back, where you can't see!!) it sure seems like it!

I didn't like SM at DL. Felt like you were just going around and around and around in a big circle to the bottom.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Here is something I stumbled across:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mountain

Possibly TMI

Space Mountain is a popular enclosed roller coaster ride at five Disney theme parks. The enclosed design allows controlled lighting to selectively hide portions of the track. This greatly increases the element of surprise experienced by riders, which can compensate for the absence of some of the track elements typically required to make outdoor coasters exciting. At the time it opened, it was the most expensive roller coaster ever created. Even after inflation adjustment, the attraction surpasses the original Disneyland attractions.

Space Mountain premiered at Magic Kingdom in 1975, Disneyland in 1977, Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, Disneyland Paris in 1995, and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. When the Paris installation opened, it became the first completely enclosed, themed roller coaster with a synchronized sound track. The Disneyland installation was upgraded in 1996, making it the first completely enclosed, themed roller coaster with a synchronized sound track in America. The layouts and soundtracks vary from installation to installation. For example, the Magic Kingdom version has two intertwined tracks. The Paris version features a launch and three inversions.

Walt Disney World's Space Mountain was the first Space Mountain built at any of the Disney parks. It was the world's first rollercoaster ride that was completely controlled and operated by a computer system. It was originally conceived to be partially outdoors, but it was changed after research proved that the Florida weather would not work well with the coaster. The attraction is different than the later version built at Disneyland, in that there are actually two separate tracks (not unlike Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds) instead of just the one, although both tracks are almost identical. In fact, the overall track design and original rockets that were used up until the early 1980's were very similar to the new bobsleds that were added to the Matterhorn in 1978 at Disneyland. Also, the rockets used are single-file instead of Disneyland's side-by-side seating. The queue area inside the Magic Kingdom's mountain is also much larger and more open than the Disneyland version. The loading area is actually located directly below the actual ride itself, where as at Disneyland the loading area is in a separate area from the rest of the ride. The special effects in the Florida version are also much different, including the lift hills, the main ride itself and the exit tunnels. The original rockets also had seat belt restraints, but by 1980 they were replaced by newer rockets with upgraded lap bars restraints. The rockets' safety restraints were again upgraded sometime in 1998 to a more improved T-bar design. Also, since the attraction was designed before Disneyland's, it is slightly slower, not nearly as dark and is also not quite as smooth. These differences are even more apparent after Disneyland upgraded their Space Mountain in mid-2005.

In the post-ride area, riders will hear clips from two Esquivel songs: "Music Makers" and "Sentimental Journey".

For many years, the ride featured extensive theming to highlight sponsors, which included at one time, RCA and later for a time, Federal Express. During the RCA years, the exit showcased the Home of Future Living featuring video baby monitors, large screen projection televisions, video disc players, and other comtemporary electronics that RCA was selling at the time. Later when FedEx was the sponsor, the ride featured two astronauts with a package floating in space, a robot figure and robot dog with a package, "SMTV" queue video with comedy bits and futuristic FedEx ads. As of 2004, this theming had been removed, leaving some conspicuous gaps.

Grand opening: January 15, 1975
Maunfacturer: WED Enterprises
Building height: 183 ft (56 m)
Building diameter: 300 ft
Track height: 90 ft
Steepest drop: 39 degrees
Length:
A) 3,186 ft (971 m)
B) 3,196 ft (974 m)
Top speed: 28.7 mph (46 km/h)
Height requirement: 44 in (1.12 m)
Ride duration: 2:30
Ride system: Roller Coaster
Sponsor: None
Former Sponsors:
RCA (1975-1985)
RCA/GE (1983-1985)
FedEx (1996-2004)

 

[denecarter]

I didn't like SM at DL. Felt like you were just going around and around and around in a big circle to the bottom.

Since the update or before?