Space Mountain Turns 30 next year

[Ron737-900]

Next year Space Mountain will mark it's 30th year as WDW's futuristic icon in Tomorrowland. Since opening at WDW in 1975, Space Mountain has been a popular attraction at WDW. I first rode Space Mountain in 1981. I fell in love with this one-of-a-kind Coaster. During my last visit to WDW in 2000, I got to see what the interior of Space Mountain looked like with the lighs on. Too bad i did not have my camera with me at the time. But when i go in May, I will have it with me so i can capture the moment of seeing the interior of Space Mountain lit up. Happy 30th Birthday Space Mountain

Space Shuttle : This is Flight Safety, Please keep your Arms and Hands inside of the Vehicle at all times, Prepare for lift-off: From Space Mountain

 

[JimB.]

Not to date myself TOO badly, but somewhere buried in a box of photos in my attic is a photo I shot of SM while it was UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!

Ugh. Am I really that old??

Happy BD, SM!!

 

[mitros]

So, now, does it start falling apart?

 

[WDWHound]

I really miss the House of Future Living, the old post ride show that took place on the speed ramp out of Space Mountain. The show (if you can call it that) they have there now is incredibly dull.

Here's to the Future and you!

 

[JUDSON]

Originally posted by WDWHound
I really miss the House of Future Living, the old post ride show that took place on the speed ramp out of Space Mountain. The show (if you can call it that) they have there now is incredibly dull.

I agree! Probably had something to do with the change of sponsorship. I mean, what could be so exciting about FedEX in the future. Anybody remember the sponsor before that, I think it was RCA, or Radio Shack, or something with an 'R'.

BTW, I love how they have kept the entrance hallway the same after all these years, not just the trick star mirrors, but the music too!

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by JUDSON
I agree! Probably had something to do with the change of sponsorship. I mean, what could be so exciting about FedEX in the future. Anybody remember the sponsor before that, I think it was RCA, or Radio Shack, or something with an 'R'.

It was RCA. They used their House of Future Living to promote their TV and Laser Disk products. Every room in that house had at least one TV, sometimes several. God forbid you ever be more than five feet from a TV (LOL). It featured a really great theme song called "Here's to the Future and You" which played at the entrance to the mountain and again as you passed through the long tunnel just before the speed ramp (just beofre the section you appeared on the TV screens). This Tunnel section of the ride speed ramp is still there.

You may have noticed that the walls of the tunnel have a ton of small holes in them. This is because RCA originally used this section of the attaction to promote their new Quadraphonic sound (anybody remember Quadraphonic sound?). As you you moved up the tunnel, you were literally surrounded by speakers (hidden just behind the walls, thus the holes) playing the theme song in all its four channel quadraphonic glory. It was very impressive for its time. In the ceiling of the tunnel were little alcoves in which were displayed RCA's latest products. Those alcoves are still there, but I don't recall them being used for anything these days.

 

[cindyfan]

Space Mountain.....happy anniversary next year!!!!
One of our favorite.....

As we exit the ride.....my DD ALWAYS has to repeat.....

"In the future....packages will be sent to distant lands through BEAMS of light!!!"

Just another one of those little sayings that we all pick up and when we say them, it brings back such great memories......like......

"Please stand clear of the Door!"

 

[donald@home]

"RCA, and their famous dog Nipper, welcome you to SPACE MOUNTAIN"

 

[SpaceMounatin]

Happy B-Day Space Mountain. I hope you dont change.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Okayyyy, now I feel old! I went to WDW for the first time the year BEFORE Space Mountain opened.
Kim

 

[hyzdufan]

How did you get to see Space Mountain all lit up inside? I'd like to see that!

 

[mum4jenn]

I remember many years ago riding space mountain with the lights on!! It was ok but it kind of took alot of the mystery out of the ride.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by hyzdufan
How did you get to see Space Mountain all lit up inside? I'd like to see that!

I have seen it from the peoplemover when they are performing maintenance on The Mountain.