Space Mountain - Right or Left?

[CWIPPERMAN]

OK.... I'm going on memory here - so please be patient if this is a stupid question.

If I remember correctly, Space Mountain is actually two roller coasters in one building. I remember walking in, there seemed like an area where we were ushered to the left - but there was a way we could go right. I assume that was the line for the other coaster.

So.... are both coasters the exact same? Or is there a difference in speed/ride between the two. If so... which direction should we go?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am not sure about ride differences but I always go to the left... just a trick I read somewhere as it seems most people always go to the right..

 

[Goofyish]

We rode both left and right tracks recently and found the left track (on the left as you walk in) a lot more 'bumpy' than the right one.

 

[JamesD]

The two tracks, which used to be referred to as the Alpha and Omega tracks, are mirror images of each other. One track is 3186 ft long, and the other one is 10 ft longer, because of the extra track it takes to go over the other one. If there are differences in the ride, it is probably due more to the rocket vehicles and other conditions, like the weight of the passengers, than which track you are on. It is fun trying to determine the differences between tracks by riding both over and over and over...

 

[tar heel]

My family is totally convinced that the left side is better.

 

[jaysue]

Diversity is the spice of life - I prefer the right hand side

Thanks
jaysue

 

[DisneyFan79]

I agree with Goofyish. I think the left side is a lot more bumpy. After riding over and over again when we were there in May for E night, I thought the right side was a much better ride. Maybe it was the cars. Either way they both are FANTASTIC!!!

 

[Distriv]

I like the left side better, even though it is only 10 extra feet it makes for even more fun.

 

[sharktums]

Also I believe that one side handles all baby swaps and wheelchair bound guests so that side usually takes a bit longer as well.

elissa

 

[questdiver32]

Seems like the right side had more drops...
ED

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Left side has a more rough feel and the transitions in the hills produce a more "ejector" type sudden airtime. Around the end of the ride, before all the ground turns, that drop is so much fun and is pretty big for this type of coaster. I definetly have noticed though that both sides have gotten a lot of rougher than last year. I miss the OLD TRAINS with the OLD LAP BARS!! Oh well

Mike

 

[sunking]

we always go to the left when riding space mountain...thru years of scientific research, it has been determined that the left side is a much wilder ride....
have a great time!!!
sunking

 

[CHIPSTER]

As I remember the right seems to drop you more and the left seems to turn you more. If they are mirror images, then it must be my imagination.

 

[Dznefreek]

Isn't the left side now reserved for FASTPASS? I did not think you could choose anymore because of it? The CM at the top now directs you left or right.

 

[barnum42]

Most folk tend to think that the left side is a better ride. I have also read that the other thing that affects the ride is the time of day. First thing in the morning the grease on the rocket wheels is cold, as the day progresses it warms up and the rocket then speeds up. Not done any field work to test if this is true. Ususally too busy enjoying the ride.

 

[MaddieinWonderland]

The left side is a bit rougher.

They are not mirror images of one another, but they are close. They are slightly different so as to avoid collisions -- if they were exact mirror images of one another, they'd each be trying to occupy the same space. That's bad.

This is best exemplified by the head-on pass that's over the base of the lift hill. The trains from each side pass by one another heading in opposite directions. If they were exact mirrored copies, they'd, of course, collide.