Space Mountain Rehab

[RussellDisney]

it bears keeping in mind that Space at WDW has a lot more in common with the Matterhorn than it does Space at DLR. at least for now.

Excellent point! WDW may very well be keeping the original coaster due to the less-intense nature of this ride versus DLR SM and the one in Paris. Using the same name for the different attractions causes confusion and assumptions that all the rides are/should be the same. I personally would like to see a re-theming and some general repairs to the coaster. I can ride RnR if I want a wild ride.

This shorter refurb time very likely points to a retheming/updating with some TLC on the actual coaster. I posted before that it would be possible, yet unlikely, to completely replace the existing coaster in 8 months. The timeframe is just too short in my opinion to completely replace the coaster track and redo the theming.

 

[jlovesee]

I am very excited about this! For those that are worried that the classic ride will change to much, look at Haunted Mansion. I still remember how bad it had gotten before they finally took it down for rehab, and now its much improved. Still the classic ride, only better.

Same thing with Disneyland's Space Mountain, I cannot even begin to discuss the differences between the two, Disneyland's is FAR superior with its recent rehab. Its true that its rehab was longer then what is scheduled at WDW, however, keep in mind that Disneyland's wasn't planned. With WDW I guarantee they have been thinking about this for atleast the last few years. It is completely possible that they could completely replace the track. The new track might even be at WDW at this moment! (remember how big the place is lots of hiding places).

As a coaster junkie I have watched the construction of MANY steel coasters over the years, we had a coaster here in Kansas City were real construction didn't even start until mid-Oct and was done by early April. That was for a 200 foot hyper coasters mind you. So a small "wild mouse" sized coaster, is completely do-able, and from the rumors that I have heard it is very likely that atleast some of the track will be completely replaced.

I will be riding it though atleast once in January this year.

It is too bad that the TTA is going to be down for such a long time too.

Jennifer

 

[crzyeeyoreangel]

We arrive on the 21st! DH is gonna be mad...it is his all time favorite ride!

Karen

I get there on the 24th...

But the way I see it, this just means I need a 2010 trip

 

[lucky978]

Same with us. We arrive on 4/22....maybe....by some chance...they will keep it open a few extra days. Hey - a girl can hope, can't she???

 

[tofubeast]

Excellent point! WDW may very well be keeping the original coaster due to the less-intense nature of this ride versus DLR SM and the one in Paris.

I personally think that the WDW SM is far more intense in that it gives you a real beating with the jarring back and forth motions on the track. I rode the original DLR version and was most recently there in August to finally check out the new version. I rode it several time and found that it was so beyond smooth, that it did not feel intense at all to me. I just had a HUGE smile on my face with each ride.

Proof! That's me with DH in the front row! I so hope WDW does this refurb right! I want to smile like that on WDW's SM!

 

[rentayenta]

ReSearch! has informed me that the currently posted end date for the refurb is 11/21. I'd take that with a grain of salt however since 10 1/2 months is a long way to project.

It also says TTA will be closed 5/1 - 8/31

I'd really expect TTA's closure to be longer (maybe even equal to Space's), but that's what it's currently telling me (but the dates starting on the 1st of one month and ending on the 31st of another is suspicious).

I had to live through Disneyland's Space refurb and now WDW's? And TTA too? And I thought our May dates were so cool.

 

[brentalex]

ReSearch! has informed me that the currently posted end date for the refurb is 11/21. I'd take that with a grain of salt however since 10 1/2 months is a long way to project.

It also says TTA will be closed 5/1 - 8/31

I'd really expect TTA's closure to be longer (maybe even equal to Space's), but that's what it's currently telling me (but the dates starting on the 1st of one month and ending on the 31st of another is suspicious).

The calendar on the disney web site has TTA closing on 4-19, just like Space Mt.

 

[Texas Rob]

I couldn't tell if this had been asked and answered or not....

Do they shut down the shop part for Space Mountain also during rehab?

Thanks!

 

[bradk]

The calendar on the disney web site has TTA closing on 4-19, just like Space Mt.

yes, i later updated this. current dates are 4/19 - 8/19 (for TTA)

 

[MomtoGKC]

I haven't been able to read through the whole thread, but I'd be so happy if they'd put in seats like the picture from DL where you can sit side by side. My almost 8 year old wants to try SM, but she won't do it yet since she has to sit alone. I told her about my first time when I was about her age, but back then you kind of sat in the lap of the person behind you if I am remembering correctly. My big brother took me on and I think i sat sort of in his lap and he was able to hold on to me to make me feel better.

 

[Chellymouse]

I'm excited and bummed at the same time! DH let me ride until my heart was content in Dec. because we had been talking with a CM and the CM stated that it was going down, but they did not know when. (taken with a grain of course because we all know better....but...) Our friends are going with us in August and it will be their first trip and I was hoping it would be closing and re-opening earlier so I'm bummed about that, but I'm not bummed about the refurb. It's overdue!

 

[Chellymouse]

I am very excited about this! For those that are worried that the classic ride will change to much, look at Haunted Mansion. I still remember how bad it had gotten before they finally took it down for rehab, and now its much improved. Still the classic ride, only better.

Same thing with Disneyland's Space Mountain, I cannot even begin to discuss the differences between the two, Disneyland's is FAR superior with its recent rehab. Its true that its rehab was longer then what is scheduled at WDW, however, keep in mind that Disneyland's wasn't planned. With WDW I guarantee they have been thinking about this for atleast the last few years. It is completely possible that they could completely replace the track. The new track might even be at WDW at this moment! (remember how big the place is lots of hiding places).

As a coaster junkie I have watched the construction of MANY steel coasters over the years, we had a coaster here in Kansas City were real construction didn't even start until mid-Oct and was done by early April. That was for a 200 foot hyper coasters mind you. So a small "wild mouse" sized coaster, is completely do-able, and from the rumors that I have heard it is very likely that atleast some of the track will be completely replaced.

I will be riding it though atleast once in January this year.

It is too bad that the TTA is going to be down for such a long time too.

Jennifer

I can't agree more! I live an hour away from the roller coaster capital of the world (Cedar Point) and I have seen 300 and 400 foot coasters go up in less than a year and in nasty weather conditions as well. They could very easily completely tear out the old ride and put in a new ride in 8 months. I'm certain they learned plenty when the DL project happened which should alleviate the "bugs" in the project. Hmmm....wonder if I can talk DH into a short trip when it re-opens????

 

[savvy?71]

well, all the buzz certainly proves the point of any change is productive!

Whether or not the change will meet Disney aficionados approval remains to be seen. I can't imagine going down the Stitch road; and although I have nostalgia (barely remembered nostalgia) for 20,000K, I cannot imagine Disney not doing justice to Space Mountain.

Since I don't care about roller coaster-type rides so much, nor are my toddlers ready (though judging by the way they loved Goofy's Barnstormer, the future looks riddled with rollercoaster rides), we wont' be missing out this year.

I do look forward to what comes!

 

[thumperjr9]

Closes 3 days before I get there....waahhhh. Any chance it will be late getting started?

We get there 3 days after it closes as well. MyDS9 is so disappointed. It is his favorite ride. I'm guessing the closing won't be delayed. I told him we will just have to plan a trip for 1010 to ride the new improved SM and check out the new Harry Potter attractions at Universal.

 

[tofubeast]

I'm guessing the closing won't be delayed. I told him we will just have to plan a trip for 1010

Taking a time machine trip? I don't think Space Mountain was around back in 1010.

 

[sandym718]

Oh no, TTA too!! Now I'm bummed! That's one of my favorites (I know, I know, but I really like it!) Bummer!! Won't be spending too much time in Tomorrowland, I guess! We don't do Stitch, so what does that leave? Buzz, AstroOrbiter, Speedway. Is that it?

 

[teach22180]

While I will miss Space Mtn and the TTA and the Hall of Presidents this trip, last trip Spaceship Earth and the Haunted Mansion were being fixed up. I guess there's always something out of service. I'm trying not to be too sad; there's too much else to see and do!

 

[DarkwingDuck1979]

Oh no, TTA too!! Now I'm bummed! That's one of my favorites (I know, I know, but I really like it!) Bummer!! Won't be spending too much time in Tomorrowland, I guess! We don't do Stitch, so what does that leave? Buzz, AstroOrbiter, Speedway. Is that it?

Don't forget Monster's Inc Laugh Floor and the Carousel of Progress.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I'm hoping TTA will NOT be down for refurb that long. Maybe it will start the same time as Space Mountain and they'll do their little fixes and put up some sort wall so as not to see the inside of SM from the TTA. I HOPE! I can do without SM, I can't do without TTA!

 

[Puccaw]

We get there 3 days after it closes as well. MyDS9 is so disappointed. It is his favorite ride. I'm guessing the closing won't be delayed. I told him we will just have to plan a trip for 1010 to ride the new improved SM and check out the new Harry Potter attractions at Universal.

What a good idea!!! We didn't plan on hitting Universal but it may be a fun time!
My dd's don't know yet, I am cheaping out and giving them that as their birthday present!
I will have to start saving now for our next trip!!