Space Mountain Then & Now

[PixieChic86]

So my mother-in-law and I have had an ongoing quarrel about Space Mountain. When she was 17/18(about 25 years ago or so) she rode Space Mountain and said she'd never ride it again, that it was too strong. I'm pretty sure that the SM that she rode and the one that we ride today are completly different, I'm pretty sure that I had read that SM has had changes. She doesn't believe me . Any insight?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Moonpie]

I haven't looked it up....but, I don't think it's changed.

 

[Tiki Room Fan]

As I recall, back in 1991-ish it seemed like it had more drops and was darker inside than it seems to be now. It definitely feels more mild now than it was then, but it's still fun. Just IMO.

The seats and safety bar have changed, too.

I've read that just like with Expedition Everest, SM's tracks and trains are "cold" in the morning (i.e. slower) and "hot" in the afternoon/evening (i.e. faster) but not by much. They'll go from like 28mph to 32mph and also the weight of the train/car effects the speed.

 

[Donold_Fan]

I rode it in 76 and I thought it was much more intense than it is now, but I've always chalked that up to being 7 as opposed to my current 37

I do have a coworker that's originally from Orlando and he swears it's changed at least twice and is not even worth riding now. Don't know for sure.

 

[BTown]

The Space Mountain at WDW has not changed, as far as the ride is concerned. There have been changes in soundtrack, lap bars, sponsership themeing and exit displays, but the ride remains pretty much like it was since 1975. The other Space Mountains around the world, mainly the ones in CA and Paris have undergone changes through the years, but not the one at MK. The ride, however, does have two intertwined tracks, which could possibily lead to different ride experiences, but each track is nearly identical.

However, as far as coasters are concerned, even by Disney coaster standards (which are generally pretty mild) Space Mountain is a pretty tame ride. The cars on Space Mountain top out at 28 MPH, which is the slowest of any of the Space Mountains around the world (the one in Paris tops out at 43 MPH). Even Big Thunder Mountain goes up to 36 MPH.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

I can only speak for Disneyland. SM was closed for what seemed like forever. When it was reopened, the track seemed pretty much the same (as far as almost all of the turns go in the same direction, etc) but the cars are different which gives the ride a different feel to it, and it goes slower. IMO, it isn't worth standing in line for anymore when you can ride Big Thunder.

WDW's SM was never closed?

 

[LoraJ]

I used to love space mountain. But I enjoy it less and less each time I ride it. I think my disenchanment with it came once I rode the one at Disneyland. I wish they would rehab the WDW version to be more like the one at DL. The WDW just doesn't feel very secure to me, and I always feel like the car is going to fly off the tracks, or that my head is going to hit the track above.

 

[PixieChic86]

Thank you all for your comments, though now I think I'm more confused than before. Just the way she describes SM as this terrible roller coaster, makes me wonder whether or not it has been changed.

LoraJ...from looking at your Ticker...we'll be in WDW at the same time (Oct. 27th). A little early for your trip.

 

[LoraJ]

Nothing major has changed. I first rode it when I was 7. As I get older, I don't know if the ride is more rickety, or if I just have a lower tolerance. But nothing major physically has changed other than what has been described.

Maybe we'll see you around the world. Can't wait.

 

[ChrisFL]

Technically nothing has changed since it opened...but DL's as mentioned HAS changed and it's SO MUCH better than WDW's now...they really could use an update to the effects of WDW to add some new things that DL has.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Nothing has changed as far as the track. I know that back in 85/86 the cars were different. There were 2 people per car, no lap bar and you had to sit together...um, if that makes any sense. The FedEx stuff by the conveyor belt exit has changed, does that count. From what I hear, they are closing it down for a while after the first of the year to do a refurb like they did in CA.

 

[Karnak]

When I was a kid (back in the days of carnivals), there used to be a ride called "The Wild Mouse." It could be taken down and moved to the next town with ease.

For some reason, Space Mountain has always seemed to me like a large version of the Wild Mouse in the dark. So, it has never seemed like much of a major attraction to me.

More like those old carnival rides.

Enjoy.

 

[monetnj]

I think this is more a case of the people changing and not the coaster. Coasters in general have gotten higher and faster over the years, not to mention the inversions. RnR and EE are both examples of the more modern coaster. SM has just gotten tamer in comparison, although it is still one of my favorite rides.

 

[we3disneygo]

we thought it was lighter inside the ride this past trip also.

 

[TikiGoddess]

In the 70s the seats were different which made for a different ride experience. You used to sit on a bench w/no backs so when you went uphill everyone would slide to the back. The person riding anchor (or in back) would get completely squished. I remember thinking I was going to get squished to death when I was little. I think that made the ride a lot jerkier because you weren't stationary like you are now. Maybe that's the difference.

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

The coaster isn't different, but the cars you sit in are! There use to be no seats and no safety belts! You strattled inbetween people's legs behind you and held on to whoever was infront of you very tightly! I love hearing my Mom and Dad telling me about how bad it use to be. They are from Florida and we're even at Epcot for the Grand Opening. My Mom said you were jerked around like crazy on Space Mountain. You'd be bruised getting off the ride and lose glasses, hats, loose change, etc. I can't imagine not having seats and safety belts! It's rough now, so I can't imagine how dangerous it was back then!

 

[PixieChic86]

Wow thank you all for the very detailed answers, I was afraid of getting yes or no answers.

I'm going to talk to the DMIL tomorrow and ask her about the seating, something she's never mentioned. I'm pretty sure if the seating was different it made SM that much more intense, especially it being one of the first roller coasters you (DMIL) have ever ridden.

You guys are so great.

 

[QT Pooh]

Nothing has changed as far as the track. I know that back in 85/86 the cars were different. There were 2 people per car, no lap bar and you had to sit together...um, if that makes any sense. The FedEx stuff by the conveyor belt exit has changed, does that count. From what I hear, they are closing it down for a while after the first of the year to do a refurb like they did in CA.

Yes, the ride itself has not changed - just the safety/seating systems. And the exit conveyor belt used to have the song 'RCA leads the way...leads the way' before it was sponsored by Fed Ex.

 

[disneymom29]

I liked Space Mountain when I was younger.

I went on it again this June . I Have to agree with the earlier poster , I Felt I was going to fall off the track too !

I prefer Splash Mountain ....

 

[Dead-metal]

I rode SM in MK first and found it very good until I rode the one in DLRP which is much much better. Darker, faster and a faster launching ramp which shoots you halfway up and then fires you into the ride. 10/10