What did they do to Space Mountain

[DISNEYWITHCHILDREN]

Glad you posted about this. I went probably 20 years ago, and while I don't like Rock and Roll Rollercoaster I love Everest. I HATED my ride on space mountain this past August. My pins came very close to flying off. I felt like I was in a combination salad spinner/meat grinder. I never want to go again.

 

[kneemeister]

I think it is a possibility; that due to the refurb making it much darker, you are just thrown around more. I think maybe, we consciously or unconsciously, adjust our body position while ridding to prepare for twists and drops. With no visual reference we just get tossed about more.

My only problem with SM is how difficult it is to get out of the dang cars you sit so low and there is nothing to pull yourself up and out with. I am afraid every time I get off that I will be laying at the feet of the operators station or the track behind the train to be run over by the next.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Could it either be that we are all just getting spoiled with the newer technology of smooth rides which makes this seem old and jerky??? OORRRR... are we maybe just getting OLD and rickety ourselves and it really isn't the ride that's changed at all, LOL

Good answer

I've rode Space Mountain more times than I can count and I've had multiple experiences. Some have been awful and others have been great, I'm not really sure what makes the difference, mood maybe?

 

[DOOM1001]

I think it is a possibility; that due to the refurb making it much darker, you are just thrown around more. I think maybe, we consciously or unconsciously, adjust our body position while ridding to prepare for twists and drops. With no visual reference we just get tossed about more.

My only problem with SM is how difficult it is to get out of the dang cars you sit so low and there is nothing to pull yourself up and out with. I am afraid every time I get off that I will be laying at the feet of the operators station or the track behind the train to be run over by the next.

I think that's a good point because ever since the refurb I've heard everything from it being smoother to rougher,people who ride it frequently say it's either smoother or the same with a lot of roughers coming from infrequent riders.In my opinion you have to realize this is a 1970's coaster you might see at a state fair,these rides are rickety by nature just like wood coasters.Look at Gwazi at Busch Gardens in Tampa that ride had gotten so rough it was almost unrideable,then they did a refurb and changed the trains and after riding it right before the refurb and right after it was like night and day,still rickety like a wood coaster should be but not painful.You can't expect Space Mountain to become as smooth as Everest,it's not feasable.I do believe the darkness probably has an effect on many riders experiences with it being a bit darker now.I honestly don't want any more changes to Space Mountain,I like it how it is,a little rickety and a little wild making you feel like you might fly off at any moment,this is also why I like wooden coasters.Everest is good but to me it feels too much like an adult version of a kiddie roller skater coaster.

 

[smallworldnh]

Could it either be that we are all just getting spoiled with the newer technology of smooth rides which makes this seem old and jerky??? OORRRR... are we maybe just getting OLD and rickety ourselves and it really isn't the ride that's changed at all, LOL

LOL, I did think of that, but my 27 year old DD and her 25 year old friend said it was definitely rougher and not a fun ride!

 

[minnie mum]

Could it either be that we are all just getting spoiled with the newer technology of smooth rides which makes this seem old and jerky??? OORRRR... are we maybe just getting OLD and rickety ourselves and it really isn't the ride that's changed at all, LOL

Yep, at least in my case (and DH's), this is probably the unfortunate truth. We used to love this ride. Last time we rode SM I was painfully reminded of the arthritis in my neck. No more Space Mtn for me.

 

[BestDadEver]

I ride it for the first time this year . I love role coasters of all types . But recently having an issue fitting on them being 6'7". Anyway this year was firsttime to disney since I started riding roller coasters .

I probably shouldn't have went on cause the lap bar was just a little over my inner thigh . I honestly thought I might have fallen out of it , and stated clenching my legs and holding the handles realy tight . It was very rough ride . But most of the older rides are rough like the scream machine in 6 flags .

I am happy I road SM causr its such a classic but I dont think I will again just cause I didnt fit .

Thought the ride itself was amazing and lived up to the hype . I have never been on an indoor coaster I liked so I wasent optimistic . But I couldn't belive how fast and sharp the turns were . Its definetly up there with some of the best imo . My favorite coaster ever is dueling dragons in IoA

 

[jahber]

I think it is a possibility; that due to the refurb making it much darker, you are just thrown around more. I think maybe, we consciously or unconsciously, adjust our body position while ridding to prepare for twists and drops. With no visual reference we just get tossed about more.

My only problem with SM is how difficult it is to get out of the dang cars you sit so low and there is nothing to pull yourself up and out with.

I agree that not seeing where you're going may have an impact. My daughter and I rode three times in a row on the right side and it was so bumpy. Then we rode twice on the left side and I could see better and was able to anticipate the movements. Much less bumpy. It seemed lighter, but it could be that I had ridden it so many times in a row . PLUS, the front was much less jerky than the back. We love the front! I've been riding SM all my life and I kind of like it more since the refurb.

And I hear you on the low seats. I was always the last one out! I'm only in my mid-thirties but it made me feel ancient and rickety

 

[hookedonears]

The referbs at both Disneyland and WDW world were done about the same time. SM Disneyland is incredible. It's basically the same tract, but very smooth like Rock’n Roller Coaster. It has music playing within each car like RR as well. The Disneyland version is night and day different and better than the WDW version. They took SM down at WDW for 6-9 months and what’d we get? A very disappointing outcome.

 

[Violet Parr]

My family has been convinced since 2005 that there is a smooth side and a rough side. For the life of me, I can't remember which one is which! But we have felt that way every trip from 2005-2010. It will be interesting to try it out again this year.

VP

 

[drinkme]

The referbs at both Disneyland and WDW world were done about the same time. SM Disneyland is incredible. It's basically the same tract, but very smooth like Rock’n Roller Coaster. It has music playing within each car like RR as well. The Disneyland version is night and day different and better than the WDW version. They took SM down at WDW for 6-9 months and what’d we get? A very disappointing outcome.

Yes, the DL version is incredible. The WDW is blahhh. They should just shut down the ride for more than a year and make it rideable. I agree that it's too bumpy to even enjoy.

 

[kalc12345]

Yes, it is very rough now!!! I won't ride it anymore. It gives me a terrible headache.

 

[SaraJayne]

Yup, I agree with most everyone else. It is much too rough to enjoy the ride.

I'm only 5'5 and I felt like I was going to fall out.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Yes, the DL version is incredible. The WDW is blahhh. They should just shut down the ride for more than a year and make it rideable. I agree that it's too bumpy to even enjoy.

Totally agree. After riding Space at DL, I refuse to go on the WDW version anymore. It's so uncomfortable.

 

[softballmom3]

This used to be a huge favorite of ours and we've ridden it many times, but not since 2008 - before the refurb. This time was awful! It was rough and jarring and even knocked the breath out of me once when my chest hit the bar. Has anyone else found this to be the case? I don't remember it ever being this rough!!

I actually have a story from this ride last November. Before I say it...I will tell you I have ridden this ride many time w no problems.

I rode w my daughters and was placed in the last car last seat. Maybe this is why it happened I don't know. But during the ride I felt like I was jarred to death and also felt like I was going to fly out of my seat. My dd in front of me thought I was laughing. I was not. I was screaming. After the ride which I didn't think I would survive they could all see how distressed I was. I kept telling them I was coming out of my seat. I got the replies of laws of gravity, etc. when we saw the pictures it told another story. It was very clear exactly how high I was and did indeed look like I was coming out.

For the next two days I couldn't even "pee" without having significant pain. Yes I should of told someone. No I didn't. I was fine after a couple of days but idk if I will ever go back on it again. It was embarrassing. Here I am a grown woman crying on a bench by the bathroom and some little kid was yelling and telling everyone what a great time he had. I see the humor now but didn't then. Oh we'll live and learn. If I do get back on it will be near the front!!

 

[smallworldnh]

My family has been convinced since 2005 that there is a smooth side and a rough side. For the life of me, I can't remember which one is which! But we have felt that way every trip from 2005-2010. It will be interesting to try it out again this year.

VP

Hmmm, I wonder if there is any truth to this! We were directed into the queue to the left as we entered the ride area. This is the first time we rode on that side, usually we were directed to the one on the right side. Interesting!

 

[Violet Parr]

Hmmm, I wonder if there is any truth to this! We were directed into the queue to the left as we entered the ride area. This is the first time we rode on that side, usually we were directed to the one on the right side. Interesting!

YUP! I just asked dh and he said, yes, the right side was the smooth one and the left side is the rough. I remember now, too, and so does dd. When dh and I first rode, he loved it. The second time he rode it he rode on the left and hated it. Our last trip, if we were sent to the left we simply asked to go to the right and they always accommodated us. I plan to test out the theory again when we return in a few weeks.

VP

 

[maiapapaya]

YUP! I just asked dh and he said, yes, the right side was the smooth one and the left side is the rough. I remember now, too, and so does dd. When dh and I first rode, he loved it. The second time he rode it he rode on the left and hated it. Our last trip, if we were sent to the left we simply asked to go to the right and they always accommodated us. I plan to test out the theory again when we return in a few weeks.

VP

I'll keep that in mind and try it for ourselves. When I rode SM last fall after not riding since before the refurb I thought it was much more jerky than I remembered and I was somewhat naseous afterwards. I wasn't planning on going on again this year, but I'll think about trying it again and requesting the right. I go on rides to have fun, not to be made to feel pewky!

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

I found SM much rougher than I remembered it. Unfortunately it was DDs first time and she did not enjoy it. I had to agree I experienced serious stomach pain due to the bar that was holding me in, needed pain killers the pain didn't go away until the next day. I'm not a pain wimp and I love coasters so this came as a surprise, I actually put it down to me gaining weight since last time I went but it appears lots of people have experienced the roughness too.

 

[DM4Life3]

IMO, rows 2 and 5 are smooth rides.

If you crave bumps, check out rows 1, 3, 4 or 6.

Again, just my opinion.