~ The Man Report ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Imminent Shutdown ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[Disneyolic]

Gimmie a sec... I'll whip one up.

I'll just dance around until then ... be back later!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

~The Man Report ~ ~ SM Maintenance & Body Parts Disposal Crew ~


Who remembers the SMS?

The SMS was the acronym used for the “Space Mountain Sprint”. For those used to a little tamer “action” in the world, it could also stand for the “Splash Mountain Sprint”.

Back in the old days (grandpa in the rockin’ chair smoking a pipe), when the rope dropped back near the turnstiles, it was a free-for-all run to Space Mountain. There were no surly CM’s to keep you in line and “walk” you to the ride entrance. It was mayhem, and Buzz liked it.

I remember LtP’s first trip, running behind me all jiggly & out of breath, trying to keep up without blackening both eyes. We arrived at Space Mountain after taking the shortcut through the restaurant (now the Noodle Terrace) as the very first riders of the morning.

She had absolutely no time to enjoy the gorgeous views of that morning’s main street or take in the breathtaking sight one enjoys after their very first glimpse of Cinderella’s castle.

She was intent on keeping up with Buzz for some roller coaster she’d only heard of. Needless to say, she loved the ride. How can you not? It’s an absolute horror of a roller coaster. Cruising along at 35 miles per hour on basically what amounts to a Carnival “Wild Mouse” ride in complete darkness.

Just knowing how old this dilapidated hunk of scrap metal is and the fact that at any moment our rocket-car will not make the turn and send us off into oblivion is enough to get the adrenalin flowing and the high pitched screams squealed through clenched teeth.

This thing scares me. For years I’ve sworn to never take my children on this beast for fear we’d draw the short straw and Space Mountain would finally derail after years of perfect service.

But when MB started cheering for the triple “whammy” (from that Stacy show in the hotel room) I knew I just had to take him.

His first trip on SM was back in March of 07. He loved it, and we rode it four times.

This time he just kept telling us that he wanted triple whammy… “Wham Wham Wham”!

Not to be outdone, little sister decided she too wanted to ride the Wham Wham Wham. I looked at LtP, she looked at me, then shrugged her shoulders and we were off like a shot to attempt fate and beat the monster.

As we approached the 1972 rocket-car to board, I anticipated a little apprehension from LG but here was none. She’s a brave little monkey.

After surviving the ride and not becoming dislodged from the track, we decided to ride it one more time. There was no line so all we had to do was walk through the ¼ mile queue, back on the rocket-cars, and zippity-zip, we were done.

WooHoo! That was awesome!

Back to the stroller we went as the kids skipped and LG blathered on about how much fun she on SM.

The next item on my agenda for the day was a relaxing roll on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA for you nOObs). I just love this wimpy little ride. I like the computer generated baritone voice of the announcer; “Now Entering Space Mountain”!

It’s also a great opportunity to catch some photos of the park and the castle… if you’re quick enough.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Reminiscing ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

A few years ago, we rode the TTA and got a shocking surprise. As we went through Space Mountain, the entire ride was shut down and the lights were on! Once you see Space Mountain with the lights on, it’s very difficult to ever ride this attraction again (refer to my fear of SM earlier in this post).

Twisted rusting metal with various appendages strewn about were being cleaned by the very efficient SM Maintenance & Body Parts Disposal Crew.

Actually, we didn’t have a lot of time to look at everything as the TTA zoomed on through and beyond to Buzz Lightyear. It was a sight to behold however and we do feel lucky for having seen it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~All Done Reminiscing ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

As we approached the TTA from Space Mountain, I noticed a large CM standing apposed to the entrance. The TTA was closed! WTH? In 100 visits to MK, I’ve never seen this attraction down for any reason. I asked the grizzled CM what was up and he simply shrugged his shoulder.

Darn it! Well, we’d be back. I’ll ride it then.

Off to BLSRS!!

Next Up: Gocknic Von Saminhurin. Stalin’s Hair Stylist.

Let’s ride Space Mountain a second time. Is that “okay” with you Trey?

Here we go! Hold on tight! I hope this sucker doesn’t derail!

On day 2, the stretchy shorts still appear to be clean. TTA is closed!!

 

[jcc0621]

It was mayhem, and Buzz liked it.

This does not surprise me

As we approached the TTA from Space Mountain, I noticed a large CM standing apposed to the entrance. The TTA was closed! WTH? In 100 visits to MK, I’ve never seen this attraction down for any reason. I asked the grizzled CM what was up and he simply shrugged his shoulder.

I have been to WDW a gazillion times and have NEVER seen the TTA down. What up wit dat

 

[camelotcats]

DOH! Not first.

What's the height limit on SM? Kids here have been askingabout it.

 

[DisneyJo]

Wooo hoo am I first???? Nope Janet beat me

I can so remember that dash to Space Mountain, it was so strange going back a few years ago and not doing it I've seen it with the lights on too

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Back in the 80's. I took my mom on SM. She was in her 70's then (still alive and kicking today, TYVM).

Anyway, so she was seated behind me. I heard not a single sound from her. NOTHING, DEAD SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was deathly afraid that she had had a heart attack or something. And of course, in the dark I could not see anything.

Turns out she was afraid she was going to lose her dentures!

Which really is not an unrealistic fear. Rumor has it that lots have been found.

 

[dismorgh]

I guess 5th isn't too bad on a busy Friday!

We never did the "SMS". Always a stroll up Main Street, take in the castle, and a slow jaunt into Tomorrowland.

I have also seen SM with the lights on a few times. You wonder why you ever get back on!

Buzz, great update! Thanks for posting so close to Christmas. Are you ready for the big day? Any surprises for LtP? We won't tell!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Turns out she was afraid she was going to lose her dentures!

Apart from appendages, I did note some "sets" of teeth also so apparently she had every right to be frightened.

We never did the "SMS". Always a stroll up Main Street, take in the castle, and a slow jaunt into Tomorrowland.

By the time you make it to Tomorrowland, we're probably having lunch!

This does not surprise me

Where there's chaos, there's opportunity.

 

[carrieannie]

Hi everyone!! Just checking in before I go to work! Its going to be a crazy nite at work, everyones gonna be in getting their booze for christmas weekend,,,wish me luck!!
Buzz I`ll read your update later tonite!

 

[carrieannie]

I saw this on another board, and thought you guys would appreciate it. I laughed so hard....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

They are awsome! thanks for the laugh!

 

[jordanyosh]

~The Man Report ~ ~ SM Maintenance & Body Parts Disposal Crew ~

On day 2, the stretchy shorts still appear to be clean. TTA is closed!!

Ma'am, I know that the TTA is never closed, but we had to fumigate the ride. See the man behind us? Smell the stench eminating from his shorts? Yup, that's right. I know he seems to think they're clean...No ma'am... he can't smell it...but 10 passed out guests on the ride seem to think otherwise.

Thanks for the update....nice surprise.

 

[Shmu]

A few years ago, we rode the TTA and got a shocking surprise. As we went through Space Mountain, the entire ride was shut down and the lights were on! Once you see Space Mountain with the lights on, it’s very difficult to ever ride this attraction again (refer to my fear of SM earlier in this post).

Twisted rusting metal with various appendages strewn about were being cleaned by the very efficient SM Maintenance & Body Parts Disposal Crew.

Let’s ride Space Mountain a second time. Is that “okay” with you Trey?

Here we go! Hold on tight! I hope this sucker doesn’t derail!

Great pics.

In all my visits to WDW since 1971, I finally rode Space Mountain for the first time this year. Loved it. I had been told by my doctors to stay off rides like that. Yea...... what do they know. I always push the limits.

 

[Lintasare]

Very nice update Buzz. SM is a must do in my family. Back in 2002 when I was working at WDW my parents came to visit and we rode 6 times in a row one day. That tied what my sister and I did the year before. Have never been able to beat that record. We would have beaten it if my dad hadn't decided to ride the 6th time with his eyes closed. He got a wee bit motion sick so we had to head over to The Launching Pad to get him a Sprite and me a frozen Coke. I love me some frozen coke. I think on my last trip I had 4 or 5 of them. To me that is the best use of my DDP snack credits.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Very nice update Buzz. SM is a must do in my family. Back in 2002 when I was working at WDW my parents came to visit and we rode 6 times in a row one day. That tied what my sister and I did the year before. Have never been able to beat that record. We would have beaten it if my dad hadn't decided to ride the 6th time with his eyes closed. He got a wee bit motion sick so we had to head over to The Launching Pad to get him a Sprite and me a frozen Coke. I love me some frozen coke. I think on my last trip I had 4 or 5 of them. To me that is the best use of my DDP snack credits.

Eyes closed!?!?!

Great pics.

In all my visits to WDW since 1971, I finally rode Space Mountain for the first time this year. Loved it. I had been told by my doctors to stay off rides like that. Yea...... what do they know. I always push the limits.

Pfft... Doctors!

Ma'am, I know that the TTA is never closed, but we had to fumigate the ride. See the man behind us? Smell the stench eminating from him? Yup, that's right. I know he seems to think they're clean...No... he can't smell it...but 10 passed out guests on the ride seem to think otherwise.

Hey!

 

[Lintasare]

Eyes closed!?!?!

Yep eyes closed and for some reason on other rides he kept screaming out the name Martha.

Problem is...we don't know anyone by that name.

 

[cmp1111]

SM (at DL, however) was my first roller coaster, but I don't know that I could handle seeing it lit up!

Terrific pics!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

SM (at DL, however) was my first roller coaster, but I don't know that I could handle seeing it lit up!

I can't even remember my FIRST roller coaster. It could have been Matterhorn when I was 12.

Yep eyes closed and for some reason on other rides he kept screaming out the name Martha.

Hmmm... interesting. :

 

[imp&pixie]

Great installment! I love Space Mountain in a nostalgic way, but I agree with you that it is a bit rickety. I took my almost 6 year old son on it as his first roller coaster at WDW and he hated it (probably due to the fact that I was holding on to him over his shoulders because I was scared the skinny little guy would fly right out.) It scared him off coasters for the whole trip .

I hope your bad week is behind you, Lin, and you can have a fantastic weekend and Christmas.

Oh, camelotcats, I loved that video of the men's choir. I'd pay money to see them. What a group of cuties .

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

I loved that video of the men's choir. I'd pay money to see them. What a group of cuties .

Awww... thanks. See if you can figure out which one is me.

 

[Lintasare]

Hmmm... interesting. :

I know...my mom would love to know who Martha is.