Space Mountain Ride Seating

[YEKCIM]

Are the Space Mountain ride cars two riders to a seat, one to a seat, or are there both types of cars? The short trailer video on the WDW site appears to show both. My almost 8YO daughter is a little hesitant about riding without ol' YEKCIM in the seat beside her, and to be honest, I'd feel more comfortable knowing I had a good grip on her, as well.

Thanks.

~YEKCIM

 

[mamaminnie]

They are 1 to a seat, 3 in a row one behind the other. I'm sure someone has a picture or a link for you.

FWIW, my 8 yo daredevil (who rode The Hulk at US when he was 5) has just decided that SM is ok to ride. The seating/dark really spooked him.

 

[dizprincess717]

all space mountain vehicles are single seats. and each train sits six people, back-to-back. if your daughter is hesitant do NOT let her sit in the front seat. perhaps sit her in the middle so she doesn't necessarily see too much in front of her. that's what i did when i first took my sister on the attraction. overall it's really fun and now it is one of her favorite rides and one of mine too, but splash will always be my favorite, considering i worked there for 4 months!

 

[Robo]

all space mountain vehicles are single seats. and each train sits six people, back-to-back.

Well, "back-to-back" is probably not the best way to describe this (men fighting a "pistol duel" start by standing "back-to-back".)

On Space Mtn., you could say 3 people, grouped in a row...
each sits "One-after-the-other" or each sits "one-behind-the-other."

That might be more clear.

I found someone's pictures that include the WDW Space Mtn. CARS.

Look HERE:

http://www.mousepal.com/Walt_Disney_World_Picture.asp?Pic=631

http://www.mousepal.com/Walt_Disney_World_Picture.asp?Pic=632

 

[YEKCIM]

Well, that answers my question. How well are riders strapped in? I last rode SM back in '75 when I was young and had hair, so I've forgotten a lot of details.

Edit: Here is a very poor video capture from the WDW SM movie that illustrates what I was saying about it *appearing* that there were at least some ride vehicles with side by side seating:

~YEKCIM

 

[Robo]

Well, that answers my question. How well are riders strapped in? I last rode SM back in '75 when I was young and had hair, so I've forgotten a lot of details.

If you'll look very closely at the pic:

http://www.mousepal.com/Walt_Disney_World_Picture.asp?Pic=631

you'll see riders resting their arms/hands on a BAR in their laps.

That bar is UP as you sit down, then you pull it DOWN and it locks into your lap so you can't "float out" in the depths of SPACE.

 

[Robo]

Here is a very poor video capture from the WDW SM movie that illustrates what I was saying about it *appearing* that there were at least some ride vehicles with side by side seating:

~YEKCIM

Yes, that's some of the "special recreations" some "overly creative" video producers come up with.

The images they use to promote "Soarin'" are NOTHING like the ride vehicles at the attraction.
They used to promote "Tower of Terror" showing guests STANDING in an elevator.

What's even MORE confusing about "Space Mtn." is that at DISNEYLAND, guests DO sit in pairs, side-by-side.

Look HERE and see (upper right) a poster image showing an artist rendering of the DISNEYLAND "Space Mtn." cars:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mountain

They are similar to the ones in the video image you posted.

 

[kimberlym4]

I had forgotten about this seating arrangement and when I got to the front of the line I was really worried about my almost 7 year old riding alone. He, however, absolutely loved it and had his hands in the air most of time! I always sat behind him (some illusion of control, I guess). He kept saying, "mom stop putting your hands on my shoulders!" It was much scarier watching how daring he was than it was actually riding the thing!

 

[stevenpensacola]

Yes, that's some of the "special recreations" some "overly creative" video producers come up with.

The images they use to promote "Soarin'" are NOTHING like the ride vehicles at the attraction.
They used to promote "Tower of Terror" showing guests STANDING in an elevator.

What's even MORE confusing about "Space Mtn." is that at DISNEYLAND, guests DO sit in pairs, side-by-side.

Look HERE and see (upper right) a poster image showing an artist rendering of the DISNEYLAND "Space Mtn." cars:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mountain

They are similar to the ones in the video image you posted.

I never have liked the "stylized photos" they create advertising the attractions, especially the ones shown on the Planning videos. I'd much rather see the real thing.

 

[tekmnky]

Are the Space Mountain ride cars two riders to a seat, one to a seat, or are there both types of cars? The short trailer video on the WDW site appears to show both. My almost 8YO daughter is a little hesitant about riding without ol' YEKCIM in the seat beside her, and to be honest, I'd feel more comfortable knowing I had a good grip on her, as well.

Thanks.

~YEKCIM

YEKCIM,

The Space Mountain at Disneyland is as you've pictured, two riders side-by-side. But the ride at WDW is as the other posters have indicated, single-file.

 

[buckylarue]

The producers of Disney planning videos have a very bad habit of using footage from other parks' versions of attractions interchangeably with the correct version, not to mention the 'dramatic license' type of clip, such as the standing passengers in the Tower of Terror elevators...

 

[NotUrsula]

As others have pointed out, the 2 across seating is at DisneyLand, not WDW. The DL version also has a lower height limit; I can't remember what it is, but I know DS could ride at DL at least a year before he could ride at WDW.

The restraint at WDW is a geared lap bar, in an inverted u-shape. It is quite secure. Twenty years ago I'm pretty sure that WDW's ride didn't have restraints; you just held on to grip handles. I remember riding it that way on my HS senior trip.

 

[Disneyaunt4]

I went on with my 8 year old nephew in March. It was his first time on and I think I was more worried then he was. I sat behind him and kept my hand on his shoulder,making sure of course that no one saw it so he would not be embarressed by his over protective Aunt. He was fine and loved it.

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks to each of you; the "mystery" is solved. I'll just let the little YEKCIM-ette decide whether she wants to tackle SM or not.

~YEKCIM

 

[Glendamax]

CHICKEN ALERT ! I have been to WDW many times, and always avoid riding this because I HATE drops. How are they? Is it like riding Thunder Mountain Railroad, but in the dark?

 

[Robo]

CHICKEN ALERT ! I have been to WDW many times, and always avoid riding this because I HATE drops. How are they? Is it like riding Thunder Mountain Railroad, but in the dark?

If you hate drops (and SURPRISE drops) you're wise in staying away from Space Mtn.

It is one of (if not THE) ROUGHEST rides in WDW.

Its not so much the drops (there are MANY drops, they are brief, but they are all "surprises" in the dark) but the jerks from side-to-side than can be so jarring to the muscles.

But that's the whole IDEA of Space Mtn... and that's why its so popular.

BTMRR is "smooth" compared to Space.

That said, I still ride Space once or twice each trip to WDW.

 

[Glendamax]

Thanks Robo!

 

[WINTER]

I think I liked the older type space mountain cars where you were hunkered down more in the seat.

 

[pluto's fan]

I liked the older seats better as well. I think my DD would ride SM if they still had the old seats because she would be able to ride in the same car with me instead of riding alone.