WDW Space Mtn. MAJOR refurb January 09

[hygienejean]

Cany you tell me what the DL and Paris SM versions are like? How are they different from the one in WDW? Thanks!

 

[Condorman]

Cany you tell me what the DL and Paris SM versions are like? How are they different from the one in WDW? Thanks!

The SM version in Paris is most closely related to the Rockin' Rollercoaster. Imagine RnR but with a Jules Verne, 19th century theme and triumphant Disney fanfare playing from speakers over your shoulder and you get the idea. The best part is the beginning; you go from 0-60 just like RnR but you do it at an incline as if simulating being shot out of a cannon towards the moon (the way Jules Verne imagined it would be done).

The DL version of SM is a cross between WDW and Paris. It doesn't go in loops or corkscrews, and is actually pretty tame, smooth and pleasant. It is not as jerky as WDW and for that matter not as unpredictable. You can see every turn and twist long before you get to it. Oh, it's a good ride but it's not as good. SM in WDW is the last remaining "best of breed." It's old school, no doubt, but I prefer it. You'll get many people who have ridden SM in DL who will disagree with me, but it lost some of its magic in favor of technology.

Whatever the future of WDW, the current rumor is SM will not be down for 14 months but only partially in 2009. That is not enough time for them to redo it DL-style. I hope that's true. Fingers crossed.

 

[Orlando313]

The SM version in Paris is most closely related to the Rockin' Rollercoaster. Imagine RnR but with a Jules Verne, 19th century theme and triumphant Disney fanfare playing from speakers over your shoulder and you get the idea. The best part is the beginning; you go from 0-60 just like RnR but you do it at an incline as if simulating being shot out of a cannon towards the moon (the way Jules Verne imagined it would be done).

The DL version of SM is a cross between WDW and Paris. It doesn't go in loops or corkscrews, and is actually pretty tame, smooth and pleasant. It is not as jerky as WDW and for that matter not as unpredictable. You can see every turn and twist long before you get to it. Oh, it's a good ride but it's not as good. SM in WDW is the last remaining "best of breed." It's old school, no doubt, but I prefer it. You'll get many people who have ridden SM in DL who will disagree with me, but it lost some of its magic in favor of technology.

Whatever the future of WDW, the current rumor is SM will not be down for 14 months but only partially in 2009. That is not enough time for them to redo it DL-style. I hope that's true. Fingers crossed.

I agree with you Condorman. It is a dying breed and I don't want to see it change too much. If it was like DLP then my parents would no longer ride it. Mom is a chicken and dad doesn't like her to be lonely in the parks.

I really wish they would get a sponsor though and just fix the place up. New paint, clean crap up. It's showing it's age unfortunately. And, ugh, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but when you ride through on the PeopleMover through the part where the electronic dog is below, you can see where people have thrown soda's and stuff on the ceiling to the area down below. It's totally gross. There's soda streaks all over the slanted ceiling.

 

[kadesha]

Does this mean that the TTA will be closed as well?

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Does this mean that the TTA will be closed as well?

IF the rumored rehab takes place, and IF it's the extended 12, 14, or 18 month rehab (the length changes in virtually every reposting of the rumor) then yes, the TTA would need to be closed a good amount of the time while they remove and replace the entire track system and perform all the other upgrades.

IF the rumored rehab lasts only six months, as one of the latest rumors states, then the TTA wouldn't necessarily have to shut down. IF it did, it would probably only be for a short period of time.

As you can see, there are a lot of IFs associated with the rumors. I'm afraid we're just going to have to wait and see IF Disney actually goes forward with the rehab before we know for sure exactly what will be involved.

 

[Condorman]

They may just board up the track for the TTA and turn it into a tunnel so you cannot see the construction during the refurb. If they shut down the TTA while working on SM, that would be two rides down for an interminable period of time and I don't think they would stifle Tomorrowland like that.

As for the garbage thrown onto the scenes, yeah, I've seen that myself and it's sad. But word is they may change that entire exit/moving sidewalk area as well and that makes me even sadder. There's something so 1975 about it; like the last surviving remnant of Horizons (I know SM had nothing to do with it but it just reminds me of it). Here's hoping they do something about the unloading area, you know, the part where you get off in a 22nd century orthodontist's waiting room with wall-to-wall carpeting, zero furnitire and scarce lighting? I almost expect to find a parole hearing the next time my rocketship comes back to port.

 

[KYMickey]

And, ugh, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but when you ride through on the PeopleMover through the part where the electronic dog is below, you can see where people have thrown soda's and stuff on the ceiling to the area down below. It's totally gross. There's soda streaks all over the slanted ceiling.

This just shows how the general population has become so inconsiderate of everything. People used to try to dispose of things in a proper place, today they could care less and just toss things wherever they feel one! It just shows how humanity has deteriorated.

Of course if Disney kept things neater to start with people might be a little less likely to throw stuff everywhere.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

Why would they have to close down the PeopleMover?? Can't they simply just put up something to block the view of Space Mountain?? They do it all the time.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Why would they have to close down the PeopleMover?? Can't they simply just put up something to block the view of Space Mountain?? They do it all the time.

Because IF they are going to be totally replacing the tracks, there will be heavy machinery moving tons of steel beams throughout the attraction. They would have to shut down the TTA just for safety (and insurance) reasons. One of the rumors flying around also says that they'll be putting a roof over the loading area, like they did at DL, which would also require the TTA to be closed.

 

[addicted2dizney]

It may not be the popular opinion but I could not bear the idea of SM changing! I have gone on that ride since I was 8 when it opened and I love every little bit of it exactly like it is! My and my kids were there this summer and we rode it a ton.. we all just love it. I am going back in 4 days and plan to ride it a whole lot just in case the end is near! (well I'd do it anyway...lol..) I just hope it's not changing.. I'm a creature of habit for this one..

 

[Mandymewcakes]

I think it would be pretty cool if they changed it t be like DLP. I've seen numerous videos of it online and I want to go to Paris just to ride it!

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

When the Disneyland SM went down for MAJOR refurb a few years back, I remember that it was closed for almost 2 years. I believe they relaunched it for the 50th Anniversary celebration.

No changes to the tracks. Which shocked me. For being refurbed for almost two years, I kept crossing my fingers for them to add a loop. But to no avail. To say the least, SM is still one of my favorites at Disneyland. Especially the new, supped up version. They made is SOOOO dark in there, I literally can't see my hand infront of my face. The sound system at DL blows the doors off not having any at WDW. And when they had the special soundtrack to the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the 50th...that was AWESOME!

The first time my husband and I rode SM at WDW, we thought the sound was broken. Turns out, there is no sound at WDW on the rockets.

I agree, the WDW SM is overdue for a refurb, but I'll surely miss it when I'm there in February!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I have said it before here.......SM in Disneyland is soooo WAY beyond fabulous!! I cannot wait for them to shut down the WDW ride....the sooner the better. It just means the updated ride will be available faster.

We just returned from DL earlier this week. On our last night there...dead tired....we thought we had ended our night with BTMRR (we met at BTMRR in WDW 3 1/2 years ago). A couple approached us Sunday night- last night - and gave us two fast passes to SM.

It was our last ride of the trip and it's just GREAT!

Hurry - shut it down! Make this one fabulous too!

No comparison!

 

[sellsje]

Imagineering should continue its brilliance and give the MK SM a double face lift!!! Have two versions of SM, like Mission Space @ Epcot has. One track would be the mild version reminiscent of the DL refurb and call it something like "Lunar Orbit" and track two could have the DL Paris refurb and maybe call it "Asteroid Belt".

That way, we have two reasons to stand in line AND please two crowds at the same time!!!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Imagineering should continue its brilliance and give the MK SM a double face lift!!! Have two versions of SM, like Mission Space @ Epcot has. One track would be the mild version reminiscent of the DL refurb and call it something like "Lunar Orbit" and track two could have the DL Paris refurb and maybe call it "Asteroid Belt".

That way, we have two reasons to stand in line AND please two crowds at the same time!!!

DL refurb is hardly benign. It's thrilling and FAR more fun than WDW.

Hardly dull!!!

 

[raidermatt]

When the Disneyland SM went down for MAJOR refurb a few years back, I remember that it was closed for almost 2 years. I believe they relaunched it for the 50th Anniversary celebration.

It was actually closed for over two years, though the actual work took less than that. They had planned to close it around Labor Day but due to serious maintenance issues they closed it unexpectedly in the spring. FPs were actually being issued the day it closed, just to give you an idea of how last minute the decision was.

Since they had planned to start the rebuild (same track layout) in September, not much happened for awhile. The actual work took just about 2 years, though that was with a huge push at the end because Matt Ouimet insisted it reopen by the 50th.

 

[PoohsFan1]

It may not be the popular opinion but I could not bear the idea of SM changing! I have gone on that ride since I was 8 when it opened and I love every little bit of it exactly like it is! My and my kids were there this summer and we rode it a ton.. we all just love it. I am going back in 4 days and plan to ride it a whole lot just in case the end is near! (well I'd do it anyway...lol..) I just hope it's not changing.. I'm a creature of habit for this one..

I am so with you on this one. This is one ride that I cannot get enough of when visiting the World. I think the old creaky track is what makes it so much fun, it is like being on an old wooden roller coaster....I love the nostalga of it too. True it may need to go down due to maintainance, but I surely hope it is not to convert it into something different.

 

[sellsje]

DL refurb is hardly benign. It's thrilling and FAR more fun than WDW.

Hardly dull!!!

I wasnt implying that it was dull... some people like to go 30 mph. Some like to go 60. Why not do both?

 

[goofyabbydad]

I'm ten years older than when I first rode SM but my 54 year old body seems to think the ride is getter rougher and my DD (23) agrees. So if the refurbishment helps that issue I'll be happy. I'm old but I miss the science fiction clips on the now removed monitors. It helped the time pass in line. I haven't been to Disneyland so I can only guess that their SM rehab is better based on these posts.

 

[jackieleanne]

I hope they dont make it like the disneyland paris one I love MK for the fact it has fun rollercoasters that are for the family me and my bf can both do rollercoasters but not when they are upside down.