Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=4351" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Space Mountain preview</b></a> <p>The Disney Parks blog has a preview of Space Mountain which should be reopening in a couple of weeks. <a target="_blank" href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/11/walt-disney-world%e2%80%99s-classic-space-mountain-attraction-to-reopen-with-a-few-surprises/">Click here</a> to read.</p>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I like the look of the area with the switchbacks just before loading. It manages to keep the 70's vibe while still looking futuristic by modern standards. Did they make opening in the ceiling to 'space' smaller? It doesn't look nearly as big as I remember it (the white part looks new). I'm not nearly as excited about the video screens in the queue. The little windows into outerspace were one of my favorite things in WDW. They were simple, yet pretty effective. I don't think the interactive screens will be as good at setting the feeling for the ride.
Originally Posted By jmuboy The queue ceilings are all enclosed now. They used to be open. Those are projection screens to simulate windows on the new queue ceiling
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That's exciting. It was cool to be able to see the cars up on the track from the queue, but it was really not so cool to be able to see the queue when we were supposed to be out in space. Good change, IMO.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Yes, those new ceilings will be a huge improvement. The original Space Mountain always reminded me of The Matterhorn inside of a warehouse. Those ceiling projections, if done effectively, should help strengthen the illusion of being in a space station. As for the games in the queue I think they'll be great. I'm curious to know what will be in the corridor as you exit and if the ride will have on-board audio.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "The original Space Mountain always reminded me of The Matterhorn inside of a warehouse." What I mean is that it was the same ride as the bobsleds, but inside of a warehouse rather than a Swiss mountain.
Originally Posted By tonyanton the video screens are just on the standby side of the queue, the "little windows into outerspace" are still on the fastpass side (and still visible from standby.
Originally Posted By leobloom >>if the ride will have on-board audio.>> That's not going to happen. Same rockets, no speakers. Oh well.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 Same rockets, no speakers and same track layout. I love Space Mountain but I think Disney was foolish to not take the time to redo this attraction right. A lost opportunity.
Originally Posted By -em >>I love Space Mountain but I think Disney was foolish to not take the time to redo this attraction right. A lost opportunity. << Agreed..
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Oh really? Well never mind then. This isn't nearly as exciting as it sounds.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Same rockets, no speakers and same track layout. I love Space Mountain but I think Disney was foolish to not take the time to redo this attraction right. A lost opportunity. << >> Agreed.. << But that would have cost more money, and kept the mountain closed twice as long. You know TDO can't tolerate either of those two things.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt But on the other hand a stronger rehab would have had greater marketing potential, which could have led to an attendance bump for the MK. Just imagine the response if they'd put in a DLP style track layout. From the details revealed so far this seems more like a long over due rehab rather than a complete revamp of the ride - something that is sorely needed for this attraction. Definitely a missed opportunity.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 And an extended rehab would be an ok thing IF we could have expected a redo a couple of years down the road. But we all know that this rehab guarantees this version of Space Mountain for a long time. Not that its a bad thing since the ride is a classic but still a lost opportunity.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Personally, I'm glad that the original layouts will remain. I loved Space Mountain when I first rode it nearly 30 years ago and loved it on my last trip 3 years ago, I'm sure I'll still love it now. Added effects and a darker ride, but keep the great ride that it was, yeah that works for me! If you want loops in the dark with onboard music, head over to DHS. I'm happy with Space Mountain remaining as is.
Originally Posted By -em So today I was at the MK and they were soft opening Space but it lived up to its name and I got a great tour of the queue and exit but since it went 101 while I was waiting to board that's all I saw... Overall I would give it a 4 out of 10 for a great rehab, while some things were interesting overall I was very disappointed (hopefully after really riding my score will increase) The computer "game" was interesting but if the queue is not at a standstill its pretty pointless and I could easily see it backing up the queue more than entertaining it. The load zone was better lit but not as much as the "space sky" visible- As we were exiting it seemed that they may be adding ride photos... The exit speed ramp scenes were different but in some areas you could tell how cheap it was done- Add a lot of areas they didn't bother to repaint (or even clean) throughout the whole ride all in all I was disappointed. I have a bunch of pics I'm uploading to Photobucket as I type so ya'll can see it and point out what I didn't notice or think was different -e
Originally Posted By dshyates Thanks for the report -em. It is sad that there are parts that didn't even get paint.
Originally Posted By -em Geez either my computer or photobucket was slow tonight... <a href="http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t71/DL_EM/Space/" target="_blank">http://s157.photobucket.com/al...M/Space/</a> -em
Originally Posted By leobloom Thanks for the review, -em. However, if you took your review over to MAGIC Central, you'd be shouted down. I didn't realize how important it was to add a "backstory" to SM. That apparently is more important than replacing the cheap, cracked, red plastic re-entry tunnel. It sounds like they did what we expected. Maybe a little more, but underwhelming just the same.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Thanks -em for the report & pics. I'll be there in 27 days so will see what's up & since I'm going to get my NEW CAMARA in 1hr&45mins(not that I'm excited)maybe I'll have some pics to post later also.
