Space Mountain

[supergirl04]

My family and are WDW vets. I am not a rollercoaster rider. I have space mountain at MK a few times, but never Everest or rock and rollercoaster. I’ve done slinky dog once only, even though everyone says it’s just like 7 dwarfs which I can ride multiple times. I just do not like big drops.

My question is how different is Disneyland’s space mountain? I know the ride cars are different. Are there more drops? Is it faster? More intense?

 

[hardcorestitch]

My family and are WDW vets. I am not a rollercoaster rider. I have space mountain at MK a few times, but never Everest or rock and rollercoaster. I’ve done slinky dog once only, even though everyone says it’s just like 7 dwarfs which I can ride multiple times. I just do not like big drops.

My question is how different is Disneyland’s space mountain? I know the ride cars are different. Are there more drops? Is it faster? More intense?

It’s quite equal between both parks. However one notable difference is that you’ll be seated 2 to a row… so if you do have a guest with you that’s a bit scared and wants to hang on to someone, you sure can! Can’t do that on Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain!

 

[TexasJedi]

If you can deal with Disney World's Space Mountain, I think you'll be fine with Disneyland's. While Disneyland's version technically goes a few MPH faster, the ride is much smoother with far less jerkiness.

At Disney World, I feel like my joints are rattling inside of me throughout the ride, and I physically feel much better riding the Disneyland version.

 

[crystal1313]

MK space mountain is more like Disneylands Matterhorn. It’s bumpy and jerky. Disneylands space mountain is super smooth. There is one small drop, I think if you’ve been on MKs space mountain you could handle Disneylands. Have a fun trip!!

 

[xipotec]

My family and are WDW vets. I am not a rollercoaster rider. I have space mountain at MK a few times, but never Everest or rock and rollercoaster. I’ve done slinky dog once only, even though everyone says it’s just like 7 dwarfs which I can ride multiple times. I just do not like big drops.

My question is how different is Disneyland’s space mountain? I know the ride cars are different. Are there more drops? Is it faster? More intense?

It's way way way better, after 3 DL trips , then going back to MK....we were shocked how bad MK version is compared to DL.....

The two seater cars makes it much more fun, comfortable and smooth.

 

[disneylover102]

Like others have said there is only one drop and it’s much smoother. I think you’ll be fine if you can handle it at WDW

 

[elvispursley]

MK’s version is absolute garbage. Dl’s effects always seem to be working, track is so much smoother, and the ride vehicles are a lot more wiser to get in/out of.

 

[supergirl04]

Thank you all.

 

[nesboy43]

MK’s version is absolute garbage. Dl’s effects always seem to be working, track is so much smoother, and the ride vehicles are a lot more wiser to get in/out of.

Disneyland's is technically smoother and more updated but I find world's to be way more fun! The DL one is too polished and the track layout is just turning left in the dark while dropping.

 

[BrianL]

Yes, basically what everyone said. The WDW Space Mountain is more akin to The Matterhorn since they use the same ride system (though not the same track layout). You will recognize that the cars on the Matterhorn are very similar and why the Space Mountain "rocket ships" seat single-file like a bobsled. The DL Space Mountain is a somewhat newer and smoother ride system, but it is not particularly more intense from a ride perspective. It is still a fairly mild, highly-themed coaster akin to Big Thunder Mountain and the WDW Space Mountain too. If you can handle those, it should be no problem.

 

[supergirl04]

Yes, basically what everyone said. The WDW Space Mountain is more akin to The Matterhorn since they use the same ride system (though not the same track layout). You will recognize that the cars on the Matterhorn are very similar and why the Space Mountain "rocket ships" seat single-file like a bobsled. The DL Space Mountain is a somewhat newer and smoother ride system, but it is not particularly more intense from a ride perspective. It is still a fairly mild, highly-themed coaster akin to Big Thunder Mountain and the WDW Space Mountain too. If you can handle those, it should be no problem.

good to know as I am mostly concerned with the thrill level.

 

[BrianL]

good to know as I am mostly concerned with the thrill level.

Don't worry - it's tame.

Now, if you're ever in Disneyland Paris - be warned that their Space Mountain is much more intense with a launch and inversions. It is more akin to Rock'n Roller coaster or The Incredicoaster.

 

[pirate33]

Don't worry - it's tame.

Now, if you're ever in Disneyland Paris - be warned that their Space Mountain is much more intense with a launch and inversions. It is more akin to Rock'n Roller coaster or The Incredicoaster.

Yes! And the Paris track has become worn so it is very rough, not unlike WDW. Also, the seating in Paris is so tight as to be uncomfortable—I mean really snug. I’m not planing to go on that ride ever again. I wasn’t sure I could pry myself out of the seat at the end, and I’m not a large person at all.

As for DL v WDW, I completely vouch for the view that you will be fine at DL. The DL track was completely rebuilt 10-15 (?) years ago so it’s very smooth, and—as others have noted—the seats are more comfortable than WDW’s version. The WDW track is original from the 1970s, which is why it is a rough ride.

 

[BrianL]

Yes! And the Paris track has become worn so it is very rough, not unlike WDW. Also, the seating in Paris is so tight as to be uncomfortable—I mean really snug. I’m not planing to go on that ride ever again. I wasn’t sure I could pry myself out of the seat at the end, and I’m not a large person at all.

As for DL v WDW, I completely vouch for the view that you will be fine at DL. The DL track was completely rebuilt 10-15 (?) years ago so it’s very smooth, and—as others have noted—the seats are more comfortable than WDW’s version. The WDW track is original from the 1970s, which is why it is a rough ride.

Didn't WDW do a track replacement, like in 2009-ish? I thought so. It's also when they enclosed the ceiling above the queues.

 

[pirate33]

Didn't WDW doa track replacement, like in 2009-ish? I thought so. It's also when they enclosed the ceiling above the queues.

Not to my knowledge. I Googled this and found no discussion of a track replacement. However, there is a rumor that when Big Thunder Mountain reopens there will be an extensive refurbishment of WDW Space Mountain. I have no idea one way or another whether that is true.

Also I was surprised to find that the DL Space Mountain retracking was 20 years ago in 2005! Time flies.

 

[BrianL]

Not to my knowledge. I Googled this and found no discussion of a track replacement. However, there is a rumor that when Big Thunder Mountain reopens there will be an extensive refurbishment of WDW Space Mountain. I have no idea one way or another whether that is true.

Also I was surprised to find that the DL Space Mountain retracking was 20 years ago in 2005! Time flies.

It looks like they did replace "some" track, but that the extensive refurb that was planned never really happened, like new vehicles with onboard audio. That is when they changed the seats and added the T-bars though I think.