Space Mountain Refurb??

[Fonzy13]

IT'S ABOUT TIME is all I can say!

When I went on it last year, after not being on it in apporx 9 years, I thought it was definitly time for a makeover! Don't get me wrong, this ride brings back happy memories of my childhood, however how can Disney compete with Universal if they do not keep updating some of their older rides to coincide with the latest technology. Space Mountain can be way cooler than it is now and still have that classic feel. I am all for the refurb and can't wait to see what they do with it

Yeah because Universal is certainly crushing Disney on the making money front. Good lord, the last thing I want is for Disney to become Universal, and I adore crazy, make you sick, coasters.

 

[Fonzy13]

I love space mountain but I just came back from Disneyland and their space mountain is incredible. It feels like your in space, I sat in the first row and you can't see the track or the other cars. The music is awesome and it seems so fast. They get 6 people per car instead of 3 so the line goes faster. It is worth waiting 2 yrs. to have a change like that.

If you want to feel like you are actually in space, give Mission Space a try.

 

[drogerstn]

If Disney changes Space Mountain at WDW, my guess is that it will still be designed to accomondate smaller riders like most other rides in the MK. This would mean, in all liklihood, that it will not be made into a roller coaster with spirals and loops... Just pure conjecture on my part..no research..no inside knowledge

 

[bobcat]

Hopefully with all they learned by refurbing DL SM this one won't take quite as long.

 

[grinningghost]

As much as I love Space Mountain, it's still my very favorite attraction and I go on it first every trip, I would like to see a rehab. I mean, keep the general theme the same, but updating the special effect could only help it.

I don't mind a 3 year refurb, as I won't be back for awhile after this trip.

 

[disgram]

Just don't add any up-side downs!!!!

 

[Randy K]

No major changes were made to Space Mountain in DL and this Refurb should be the same based on the way Disney seems to be matching so many other rides park to park. What happened at DL Space Mountain is similar to what happened with Pirates. Its still the same ride just smother, new special effects, new sound system, new lights etc. but who knows why this takes so long with Space Mountain. When it was closed at DL local people here all figured it must be a whole new ride also to be closed for 2 and 1/2 years to be exact but its still the same ride just updated and smoother. When I was at WDW 5 years ago Space Mountain was a lot rougher than DL's even before the refurb so the MK Space Mountain is way overdue.

 

[SandrainNC]

Space Mountain at DL was refurbished and has been open for a while already.

I did read that they were going to makes more changes to the one in DL that included music while you are riding it. (maybe this was already done). I can't remember where I saw this though. Maybe my Disney Visa newsletter but I can't rememember.

Sandra

 

[LibertyLover]

I saw a program a few months ago on Disney Paris and the Space Mountain there has a starting acceleration phase similar to Rockin Roller Coaster, plus a good sound system and visual effects. Perhaps they intend to do something similar at MK in WDW? The re-engineering and reconfiguring could definately take close to 3 years. If they start soon, DD4 will be just about old enough and tall enough to ride it for the first time when it's reopened.

 

[jjarman]

I hope they do refurbish it. I know some people don't want any rides to ever change but you have to keep upgrading or people will get tired of the rides. I am a big coaster fan, love RnR, BTMRR, Splash, all thrill rides. But really don't like Space Mountain that much. It is not that scary to me and it is soooo jerky. Last time I rode it I ended up scooting way down in my seat so that my head had something to rest on. I hope they either make it smoother or at least provide a head rest.

 

[mrp4352]

IMHO, I think DL's Space Mountain is what Walt would have loved to have been able to do with the original one! It's still a tame coaster (when compared to BTMRR, RnRC, etc.), but the theming and experience it gives is like no other! And the new soundtrack (from the gentleman that wrote the Incredibles music) is much better than the old soundtrack.

So, I hope the rumor's true! Update my beloved Space Mountain (and most importantly - give me a real seat to sit on when riding it!!)

 

[abline]

Hopefully I'll get one more ride in Jan before the rehab.

 

[ItGirl753]

The other day I hit a link that told which rides would be down for maintenance/refurb and when. Anyone know what link it was? I am looking -- will update if I find it.

This might be it: http://allearsnet.com/tp/rehabs.htm

 

[BillSears]

They tore down the entire inside and re-built the ride. The new SM at DL has much more realistic looking space images and the ride is much smoother, but the ride track and the queue are exactly the same.

They did change the queue slightly. They added an additional boarding area where wheelchair users could board easily now. So instead of going down into the car the car is level with a wheelchair. It's been over a decade since I've riden SM because of how hard it is to get on and off of it so I hope they add this feature when/if the refurbish the WDW SM.

 

[SueM in MN]

They did change the queue slightly. They added an additional boarding area where wheelchair users could board easily now. So instead of going down into the car the car is level with a wheelchair. It's been over a decade since I've riden SM because of how hard it is to get on and off of it so I hope they add this feature when/if the refurbish the WDW SM.

that would be great if they did that (and I think they probably will add that feature). I'm afraid my DD will still not be able to ride, but at least it would be better for those who can.

 

[MonkeyPants]

I just looked it up on another site, and it said that, according to a CM, in 2007 Space Mountain is going to go into a total reburishing. They are going to recreate the ride completely. They said they needed to update it since it is such an old ride.

Space mountain is one of the slowest roller coasters today, reaching a top speed of 30 mph, so maybe they are going to make it faster? With the Disney team doing the construction, I can only imagine how much better it will be after refurbishment.

even with its 'lack' of speed, its still a great ride, you dont need 80 MPH for it to be an incredible experience, hope they dont change it too much

 

[babynurse1]

I think SM is a great "starter" coaster, at least it was for me and now my kids. I understand the need to update, but I hope it doesn't change completely.

 

[sammons70]

As someone who rode the newly refurbished Space Mountain at DisneyLand on 12/28/05, and rode the old school Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom on 7/7/06, I can tell you that I prefer DisneyLand's refurbished version. It is a much smoother ride, yet still thrilling and intense. The Magic Kingdom Space Mountain literally gave me a pain in the neck. It is a very jerky ride.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I have been hoping to high heaven that they'll refurb this ride! I used to love Space Mt., but last time I rode it(March 06) it was so rough it made me sick and sore. I told Dh to remind me to never ride it again(I told him that last year too, but I decided to try it again). We just got back from another short trip last week, and this time I did refuse to ride it. This is a classic that's in terrible need of a refurbishment. I'd love to ride a smooth track with updated technology...and I'll gladly wait 3 years for it!

 

[mwehttam]

Ever since my DW and I went to DL last summer and rode SM there, we have been hoping that WDW will do the same to SM there. The one at DL was amazing

As for time, remember that the DL SM is only one track while there are 2 tracks at WDW. So the time could be more then the 2-2.5 years at DL. Also, at DL they dumped a ton of money as the 50th came close so that SM would be open for the Happiest Celebration. The WDW referb could take upwards of 3 plus years.

-Matthew