Space Mountain questions

[DAISY DUCK FAN!]

Could someone please explain to me the reason there is a four inch difference in the height requirement between DL's Space Mountain and WDW's Space Mountain? Is it not the same ride or is there a mistake with the listing of the requirement?
As always...TIA!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I am pretty sure they have different vehicles for the ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

People have described the WDW ride itself as more similar to Matterhorn than DL's Space Mountain.

And the ride vehicle at WDW is similar to Matterhorn, except from pictures it's just ONE per seat (no holding on to your little 35 inch kid like you can on Matterhorn). But at DL it's side-by-side seating.

Totally different ride, according to those who know!

 

[ScooterL]

Here's pictures of the ride vehicles:

Disneyland:
http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/space4.jpg

Magic Kingdom:
http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_space14.jpg

I think the WDW ride is a lot more rough and jerky than DL's - it's not as rough as the Matterhorn, but it IS more like that than it is like DL's Space Mountain.

 

[KirklandTutu]

Yup, agreed. I've been on both in the last six months.

Do they still let children sit in front of parents though? I remember doing that at WDW when I was a kid (back when it wasn't a bar holding you in, but a belt), but I didn't see anyone doing that this time around.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

One person per seat.

 

[DAISY DUCK FAN!]

Thanks! My daredevil 5 year old wants to ride just about everything (he's only 42 1/2 inches so he had to missed SM in WDW last September). He's thrilled to know he can ride one this year.

 

[HoneyBee06]

Disneyland's Space Mountain is a million times more enjoyable than WDW's sad version of Space Mountain. Actually, I think the Matterhorn is also better than WDW's SM. But that's just me. Have fun!!

 

[DoomBugger]

Disneyland's Space Mountain is a million times more enjoyable than WDW's sad version of Space Mountain. Actually, I think the Matterhorn is also better than WDW's SM. But that's just me. Have fun!!

SM WDW is more like a kiddy-coaster than anything. I still enjoy riding it but I have trouble comparing it to DL SM, a real roller coaster.

 

[HoneyBee06]

SM WDW is more like a kiddy-coaster than anything. I still enjoy riding it but I have trouble comparing it to DL SM, a real roller coaster.

I can't ride it at WDW. Hurts my neck so much. Rides aren't fun if you're in pain. Besides, without the music, it's just sad.

 

[stopher1]

They are definitely very different...WDW's sheer size allowed for a large show building, and dual tracks with inline seating for 6 riders - a la the Matterhon. DL's smaller size and more intimate setting required the show building to be sized down, and the ground to be dug down @ 15 ft to accomodate it. The smaller size also forced the dual row seating. DL's is DEFINITELY much, much smoother than WDW's, too.