The New And Improved Space Mountain

[22David2]

I've heard many great things about the new space mountain at disneyland. My question is this: How much tougher is the ride compared to the one in Florida? We've done the Disney World version many times and love it. If we can handle that one, will we be able to handle the new one at disneyland?

 

[DoomBugger]

You'll love it. More fun than WDW MK's version with more speed and quick turns. It is only a Disney ride so no need to be tentative!

To many, outside of the Space Mountain in Paris the SM at DL is generally regarded as the Disney universe's best rollercoaster.

 

[22David2]

Wow. You're getting me excited to ride it now. lol

 

[quiltymom]

The DL version is much smoother and overall a better ride. We were just in WDW in October and we couldn't believe how rough and jerky the MK version was. We love the one at Disneyland!

 

[DLR29]

If you loved MK's, you will love DL's even more. What does it for me is the music in the cars (seriously lackin at MK) and the complete darkness (also lacking at MK)

 

[ScooterL]

What DLR29 said!!! Space Mountain at DL is SOOOOO much better than Space Mountain at MK! Smoother AND faster.

 

[HydroGuy]

When the refurbed SM at DL they improved the overall experience in a huge way. Music, lighting, start sequence, finish, etc. I used to be ho-hum about SM at DL. Now it is one of the best.

FWIW, I rode the SM at DLP twice and did not like it at all. It is very different from its American counterparts. The ride is rougher and just not for me.

 

[mog]

Does the one in DL have any drops? I finally got up the courage to ride Space Mt at WDW last summer and loved it. I don't like drops at all, but that ride didn't have any. I just want to make sure the DL one doesn't before I go on it!

 

[Goofy_Dave]

Go for it! It's never been my favorite ride, but it's fun now especially with the rock music blaring and sync'd perfectly with the experience. I can only ride it once a day though because the G's give me a headache for a little while after the ride.

No big straight ahead drops, just a lot of tight, fast, turns.

 

[22David2]

This thread gets me so excited to ride it.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

You'll love it. More fun than WDW MK's version with more speed and quick turns. It is only a Disney ride so no need to be tentative!

To many, outside of the Space Mountain in Paris the SM at DL is generally regarded as the Disney universe's best rollercoaster.

Well, I think now people are saying that Expedition Everest is the best Disney coaster (and I think I'd have to agree...even though I love Space Mountain at Disneyland.)

The DL version is much smoother and overall a better ride. We were just in WDW in October and we couldn't believe how rough and jerky the MK version was. We love the one at Disneyland!

Exactly! I never went on it at WDW when I was younger because I was too afraid. Finally made a trip back to WDW for the first time in almost 13 years and went on Space Mountain. I knew it would be nothing like the one I love at Disneyland but I had no idea just out PAINFUL it would be. Ugh. Too jerky and the lack of music was sad.

Does the one in DL have any drops? I finally got up the courage to ride Space Mt at WDW last summer and loved it. I don't like drops at all, but that ride didn't have any. I just want to make sure the DL one doesn't before I go on it!

Only one tiny drop that you can barely feel.

Go for it! It's never been my favorite ride, but it's fun now especially with the rock music blaring and sync'd perfectly with the experience. I can only ride it once a day though because the G's give me a headache for a little while after the ride.

No big straight ahead drops, just a lot of tight, fast, turns.

Rock music? Are you talking about the Red Hot Chilli Peppers tune? If so, they aren't doing that anymore. It's just the regular Space Mountain music again.

 

[Quest4fun]

It's a top notch attraction and the long line is a testament to it. The Magic Kingdom version is a bit too rough for me.

The smooth track and exciting soundtrack makes it even better. The combination of horns and strings adds to grand science fiction feel and almost beckons back to John Williams' Star Wars arrangements albeit a little more futuristic with a catchy beat that climaxes with ferocity. You will surely have it in your head long after the ride is done.

This attraction is hardly the monolith that can be found in the Magic Kingdom in Florida.

It's a paragon of Disney "Imagineering" and serves as a benchmark for attractions around the world. The fact that they were able to do this with the same ride I rode as young boy is all the more amazing.

 

[22David2]

Is there Fastpass for Space Mountain in Disneyland? If there is, then they would run out early I should think.

 

[Quest4fun]

Is there Fastpass for Space Mountain in Disneyland? If there is, then they would run out early I should think.

You betcha. They typically run out around 7 or 8pm depending on how busy it is so you may want to grab one early. If the standby line is wrapping in front of the upstairs windows of the Starcade then it's going to be about a 45 minute wait regardless of what the marquee says. If the line is stretched out to the area overlooking Tomorrowland and is wrapping then you may want to skip the standby line.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I would say get a fastpass as quickly as possible. Space Mountain is by far the most popular ride in the park (at least I think so.) And if you end up waiting 45-60...it's still worth it. Such a fantastic ride.

 

[HydroGuy]

You betcha. They typically run out around 7 or 8pm depending on how busy it is so you may want to grab one early. If the standby line is wrapping in front of the upstairs windows of the Starcade then it's going to be about a 45 minute wait regardless of what the marquee says. If the line is stretched out to the area overlooking Tomorrowland and is wrapping then you may want to skip the standby line.

Graham, obviously this depends on time of year. Since the 2005 refurb I have only gone in high season and the FPs were gone by about 3PM at the latest (on days DL opened at 8AM).

To 22David, I agree with Mrs Bee that Space Mtn is the most popular attraction at DLR (judging by how fast FPs run out). I almost always get Space Mtn FPs first thing on my way into DL.

22David, be sure you know the loopholes in the DLR FP system. For some info on this see "Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

 

[HydroGuy]

Well, I think now people are saying that Expedition Everest is the best Disney coaster (and I think I'd have to agree...even though I love Space Mountain at Disneyland.)

Choosing my favorite Disney coaster is a bit like choosing which of my four kids are my favorite. They (my kids and Disney coasters) all have things about them that I really like.

I was blown away by how good RnR was at DHS in Florida. The theming is just perfect. My only complaint there was that the ride is about 30 seconds too short.

I did have a slight preference for EE at AK and it may be my overall favorite DIsney coaster. Hard to say.

Space Mtn at DL is fabulous as you said. It did not do very much for me before the 2033-2005 refurb - it was a lot like MK's is right now. But the refurb really improved things.

The new music for Space Mtn at DL was written by the composer who wrote the music for the Incredibles movie.

California Screamin at DCA is a lot of fun and we always ride it, and some people compare it to RnR at DHS. However, I have to agree with some of the DCA critics that California Screamin is one of the most weakly themed Disney coasters. It would fit better into a Six Flags park. There are some plans out there to change the theming of California Screamin into a "Villains" ride. But it may be too late to make this ride a true Disney coaster. IMO RnR is much better than CS.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Choosing my favorite Disney coaster is a bit like choosing which of my four kids are my favorite. They (my kids and Disney coasters) all have things about them that I really like.

I was blown away by how good RnR was at DHS in Florida. The theming is just perfect. My only complaint there was that the ride is about 30 seconds too short.

I did have a slight preference for EE at AK and it may be my overall favorite DIsney coaster. Hard to say.

Space Mtn at DL is fabulous as you said. It did not do very much for me before the 2033-2005 refurb - it was a lot like MK's is right now. But the refurb really improved things.

The new music for Space Mtn at DL was written by the composer who wrote the music for the Incredibles movie.

California Screamin at DCA is a lot of fun and we always ride it, and some people compare it to RnR at DHS. However, I have to agree with some of the DCA critics that California Screamin is one of the most weakly themed Disney coasters. It would fit better into a Six Flags park. There are some plans out there to change the theming of California Screamin into a "Villains" ride. But it may be too late to make this ride a true Disney coaster. IMO RnR is much better than CS.

My thoughts on the Disney coasters...

Big Thunder - The one at WDW was my first ever rollercoaster when I was younger so I still love it quite a bit. So in my heart it will always be my true favorite. Also, my husband proposed to me on the bridge near the one at Disneyland. So that makes it even more special. I still rememeber riding if afterwards and being in a complete daze.

Space Mountain - DL version. Never went on it before the refurb. But I absolutely love it and can ride it over and over. The one at WDW, once was enough. DL's is so fast, smooth, the music and theming is great, and it's just a lot of fun.

Rock 'N' Rollercoaster - I was scared to go on it (never been on one with a corkscrew before) and I loved it. But I agree, it's too short.

Screamin' - Another was I was super afraid to go on (finally went on in 2006.) Hated it the first time. Loved it every time after that. It's really smooth and fast. And LONG. I wish RnR was as long as this one. The theming is almost non-existant though. And I think I liked it better when it had the Red Hot Chilli Peppers song.

Expedition Everest - AMAZING. I'd watched videos of it and had been dying to go on it since it opened. Finally went last month and loved it. We rode in the front seats every time. The theming and storyline are fabulous. So I think it's pretty much at the top of my list now.

 

[Laurabearz]

The BEST thing about Space Mountain in DL is the 40 in height req!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

The BEST thing about Space Mountain in DL is the 40 in height req!!!

So you're pretty short, huh?