Why Space Mountain Cars No Longer Glow?

[OnyXx]

I remember seeing glowing Space Mountain ride vehicles in action while riding Tomorrowland People Mover back in 1986. Web search suggests that they did indeed glow (wikipedia and some threads on disboard). I don't recall them glowing on the lift hill but certainly after that. I recall the glow running alongside the cars in a single horizontal stripe. That feature was really cool.

1. Why was it removed (or was it a lifespan issue that was never rejuvenated for some reason)?
2. Was it glow material or something else like black light? Since space mountain is mostly in the dark, I don't see how glow material would be charged.

 

[Robo]

1. They dropped the black-light glow effect in the 2009 remodel.
2. It was a phosphorescent decal (black-light in the loading area caused it to glow) on the side of the cars.

 

[OnyXx]

1. They dropped the black-light glow effect in the 2009 remodel.
2. It was a phosphorescent decal (black-light in the loading area caused it to glow) on the side of the cars.

I wonder why they didn't keep that feature in the remodel. It doesn't sound too costly to maintain phosphorescent decal and black light in the loading area especially with the advancements in LED technology.

 

[kuhltiffany]

I had totally forgotten about that! Brings back memories from going as a kid...

 

[summerskye]

1. They dropped the black-light glow effect in the 2009 remodel.
2. It was a phosphorescent decal (black-light in the loading area caused it to glow) on the side of the cars.

Once again proof that Robo is amazing with his Disney information. I wonder if he ever gets stumped.

 

[lovethattink]

1. They dropped the black-light glow effect in the 2009 remodel.
2. It was a phosphorescent decal (black-light in the loading area caused it to glow) on the side of the cars.

Lol, and I thought it was my transition lenses making the cars invisible.

 

[summerskye]

Lol, and I thought it was my transition lenses making the cars invisible.

I was thinking it just me getting older...

 

[goofyernmost]

I was thinking it just me getting older...

Well, you are probably not completely wrong. There is a good chance that you are getting older, but, the alternative is less then desirable.

 

[cdg121990]

The lights bring back good memories as a kid.

 

[Nothing But Disney]

Yeah they have been gone for a while. Btw, this is my first post!

 

[ninafeliz]

I miss seeing those cars zoom through the dark every time I ride the Peoplemover! I wish they had kept that glowing stripe, it was such a simple thing yet so cool, and a great memory!

 

[ScubaCat]

On the bright side, it shuts down and runs with the lights on often enough that there's no need for glow in the dark decals and black lights to see the ride cars.

 

[cgattis]

Yeah they have been gone for a while. Btw, this is my first post!

Well then to the DIS!!!!

 

[gharter]

I miss seeing those cars zoom through the dark every time I ride the Peoplemover! I wish they had kept that glowing stripe, it was such a simple thing yet so cool, and a great memory!

That was one of my favorite parts of Peoplemover.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Bring back the glow!

 

[lovethattink]

Yeah they have been gone for a while. Btw, this is my first post!

 

[DisneyFive]

Seems like every time I ride Space Mountain it gets darker and darker. Noticed it yesterday and this thread reminded me of it. It’s like more of the accent lighting is dimmer or missing.

Dan

 

[Robo]

Seems like every time I ride Space Mountain it gets darker and darker. Noticed it yesterday and this thread reminded me of it. It’s like more of the accent lighting is dimmer or missing.

And, (as with all dark rides,) the interior light-level can be perceived to be brighter or dimmer depending on the light-level (often daylight) outside.

 

[mamapenguin]

Well it seemed lighter today. My daughter was disappointed at how much of the track she could see. SM at DLR was darker last month.

 

[pearljamin03]

I wear my sunglasses