Space Mtn. question

[imatoad]

My friend has always wondered if one side of Space Mtn. is a little more wild than the other? We were just there and it seemed like the two tracks were different, anyone know if this is true?

 

[debbiedoo]

yes they are different -- but if you ask anyone at Disney they will tell you that they are identical ---- (have been ridiing this since the late 70s)

I believe one has more vertical drops and the other has more horizontal moves --

can anyone clarify that?

 

[wdwdavem]

The tracks are mirror images of each other.

 

[cherokeemamma]

I just returned from WDW and rode SM 3x's each time seemed the same to me.

 

[ricktib]

From hiddenmickeys.org:

The track on the right has 9 extra feet of track according to the Parks SOP manual. Can someone confirm this for me? Its been a long time since I read the manual.
REPORTED: W. Todd Stephenson 11 JAN 96
I am confirming the fact that one of the tracks on Space Mountain is about 10 feet longer than the other. This is due to the fact that it has to move out of the way of the other track when they cross each other. I came across this information on the show "Walt Disney World Inside Out" on the Disney Channel.
CONFIRMED: Clay Duncan 13 FEB 96

Fact / Figure
Type: Steel, Enclosed
Designer: WED
Manufacturer: WDI & Arrow Development(now known as Arrow Dynamics )
Year: 1975
Building Height: 180 feet
Height: 90 feet
Length: 3,186 feet & 3,196 feet (Alpha & Omega tracks)
Ride Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds
Speed: 27 mph (avg), 40 mph (max)
Dispatch Rate: One train per 21 seconds
Trains: Fifteen 2-car trains, 13 typically active, 4-6 riders per car
Trains are numbered 1-31 because there is no number 13

 

[PandyPaws]

I have asked CM's that I know, who have worked that attraction, and they all have said that the tracks are mirror images of each other

 

[tink22]

I work at Space Mountain. Yay! The tracks are mirror images of one another. There is track A on your left as you face the tower, and track B is on the right. Track A does have about 10 more feet of track so it can cross over B. I worked there for 3 years and I still like riding A better (I swear it's faster...lol) but if you look at the ride with the lights on you can see that the two sides are identical.

 

[misslissa]

Ok... I'm going to do I guess what they call hijacking a thread now that we are on the topic of Space Mountain. I want to ask another question...

Space Mountain was pretty much the only roller coaster I have been on at Disney and I find it ok... I can handle it. I liked it a lot actually. However, I do have a hard time with big drops and stuff. How would you compare this ride to Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Rockin' Roller Coaster and any other rides??? Could I handle them too??? The look fun to me but I don't want to not enjoy myself.

 

[eblack0409]

Ok... I'm going to do I guess what they call hijacking a thread now that we are on the topic of Space Mountain. I want to ask another question...

Space Mountain was pretty much the only roller coaster I have been on at Disney and I find it ok... I can handle it. I liked it a lot actually. However, I do have a hard time with big drops and stuff. How would you compare this ride to Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Rockin' Roller Coaster and any other rides??? Could I handle them too??? The look fun to me but I don't want to not enjoy myself.

Big Thunder Mountain doesn't have any loops, it's a longer coaster...I liked it. Splash Mountain is a MUST....just the drop at the end. RRC is the only ride with a loop....you listen to Aerosmith while you ride....IT ROCKS!

My guess...you would be ok with Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, but if you don't like coasters with loops, don't ride RRC.

 

[misslissa]

Big Thunder Mountain doesn't have any loops, it's a longer coaster...I liked it. Splash Mountain is a MUST....just the drop at the end. RRC is the only ride with a loop....you listen to Aerosmith while you ride....IT ROCKS!

My guess would be you would be ok with Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, but if you don't like coasters with loops, don't ride RRC.

Loops are ok... I just can't stand BIG drops.

 

[ScoJo15]

There are no big drops on any of the coasters. RnRC launches you into a loop...very thrilling!

 

[Melissa M]

Loops are ok... I just can't stand BIG drops.

Same here. I hate big drops, therefore Splash Mountain is my least favorite. However, the ride is so charming and so much fun that I'll endure the drop. It's so worth it!

 

[Ride Junkie]

That's so funny, they always seemed different to me! We always go to the line on the right because it seems faster & more fun.

 

[JRawkSteady]

No big drops, just sharp turns - Alpha Track has always seemed more fun..maybe not different, but definitely a lot more fun

 

[stczt]

we were there last month and the first 6 times,yes as soon as we got off the kids wanted back on. it was the same and then the last time we rode it, it seemed faster and we notices we went on the right side the last time. I am so glad there were no lines and we walked on every time.

 

[daisax]

MissLissa, I'm the same way about drops. Rode Space Mountain for the first time this trip and still couldn't get up my courage for Thunder or Splash mountains!

I was fine with RNR (which I rode last trip) -- the difference for me was the restraint system -- I felt like it was holding me in. Plus it's dark, so you don't see/anticipate the drops. And it felt like more sideways loop action than straight drops anyway. RnR is MUCH smoother and more comfortable than Space Mountain, which I probably won't ride again, not from fear, but because it's full of jolts and bangs you around. RnR presses you hard into your seat and blasts you through it pretty fast.

That drop in Splash mountain horrifies me. And there's just a lap belt, or is that the one that only has the handles in front? I just can't put myself through that.

Tower of Terror, RnR, even Space Mountain I can handle -- but not those kiddie rides!

 

[Pixiedusttravel]

That drop in Splash mountain horrifies me. And there's just a lap belt, or is that the one that only has the handles in front? I just can't put myself through that.

The first time my DS rode this ride (he was about 7) the CM looked over at us before our log took off and says " make sure to buckle your lap belt...oh, you don't have one!" My DS about had a heart attack!! It took me a few minutes to convince him that the CM was only joking and that we were perfectly safe with only the handles in front!

 

[jenga1030]

Last time we were there I rode both sides of Space Mountain and I swear the left side (A?) is more fun. They may be the same, but the left feels faster and throws you around a little bit more. The drops just feel scarier on the left side. My DH rode both sides too and we discussed which side was better when he was done (we rode seperately) and he said he likes the right side better because he thought it was gentler than the left side.

 

[eeyore7567]

Compared to Space Mountain at Disneyland, I find the Florida version very uncomfortable on both tracks. I have very long legs and the ride is not very forgiving for that.

I really couldn't tell a difference between either of the tracks. It takes on a different feel when you sit by yourself vs. side by side.

 

[DOOM1001]

Both sides seem about identical except the left side's biggest drop seems longer and maybe steeper to me. I could be wrong but riding one side right after the other that's the way it felt.