Originally Posted By planodisney It is both!! The track is sooo smooth and seems much faster, but probably is not. The new lift hill effect is great.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn <<Some steel rides start out rough, because the transitions are too abrupt. That's more likely with older rides (like Matterhorn and Space) which predate the ability to draw spline curves in a CAD program and then manufacture the track to follow the constantly changing radius of such a curve.>> Are you a CAD operator? I'm very familiar with what you're talking about. (I use Pro/Engineer daily) Older steel tracks can encounter a lot of creep throughout the years as well as a result of dynamic stresses on the frame, which very slightly changes the path of the track. This can cause slight buckling which can cause that "bumpy" feeling. Space Mtn. was one of the first rollercoaster attractions designed on a CAD system in the early 1970's. I believe it was from a CAD system that was spinned off from Lockheed.
Originally Posted By 550Deano The MAIN reason they had to totally replace the track at the DL Space mountain was due to the added weight that was created with the addition of walkways and railings in 2001. The 2001 rehab was a major one and because of that, the ride had to accomodate the "Americans with Disabilities Act" guidlines. Thus, added steel and weight which the old ride couldn't support. They essentially piggy backed their track order with the SM at Hong Kong DL. The track had many problems with stress cracks prior to the rehab...
Originally Posted By danyoung I've always heard that the main reason was the addition of the sound systems, adding weight which the original track wasn't designed to handle.
Originally Posted By a1stav I think that a re-vamp of SM is a GREAT idea. I hope they go all the way and replace the two track layout with a longer single track (twice as long, twice as fun). The new version over at Disneyland is great, if done right the new version at WDW will be even better!
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn I agree with no loops added to any future configurations of Space Mountain. But they SHOULD add a loop to the Peoplemover inside!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN They don't need to add a loop but they could definitely use a brand new track with better and more comfortable vehicles, a better show, darker "universe", and newer state of the arts effects.. MK's Space is an old albatross and needs to either be totally revamped or closed down for good.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Sorry, but WHY must everything 'old' be considered an 'albatross' or obsolete? 'Old' does not necessarily equate to inferior. Pirates of the Caribbean is old, so is the Haunted Mansion. Yet both attractions are still just as popular and impressive today, just as Space Mountain is. I've ridden HUNDREDS of coasters across the country and found Space Mountain not very rough at all. There are much newer rides out there that are far more rougher than Space Mountain could ever be! In my opinion, Space Mountain has aged very well as coasters go. Yes, I understand it needs some necessary maintenance work, but, just to replace it with the 'newest' version will not necessarily make it a better experience. My hope is that when this ride goes down for its major rehab, that none of its original magic is lost. As coasters go, it's a great FAMILY ride, and I hope it remains that way. Now, if they want to darken the interior and spruce up some of the special effects, then, I'm all for that. I'm also not totally against adding music to the experience, but even if they don't, it's still a great ride without it. I'm not even against them replacing some or all of the track as long as they keep it in the same basic layout (I love the 2 track configuration!). I'm just against changing the ride just for the sake of change. It's still extremely popular and I still find it a very enjoyable experience.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< think TDLFAN should be punished and only be allowed to visit WDW. "NO SOUP FOR YOU!" >>> "One year!"
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Sorry, but WHY must everything 'old' be considered an 'albatross' or obsolete?<< Ooops my bad. My apologies to all albatrosses around the World. They don't deserve to be compared to such a 70s dated ride. Besides... when did I say "all of WDW's rides are labtrosses?"" I hate it when you people put words on my mouth, so Brodave...take your exlax and relax.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Hey TDLFAN, if you re-read my post, I wasn't insinuating that you (directly) have called all WDW attractions albatrosses. Just Space Mountain. And I respect your opinion as such. I just happen to feel differently about it than you. I just was trying to point out that just because an attraction is old, that it doesn't necessarily make it inferior. There are a lot of great "old" attractions out there! I was just trying to make a comparison, not putting words into what you said. And I guess I didn't make my point clear. I was referring to the actual coaster ride system, not necessarily the theming and effects inside. In fact, I AGREED with you that the ride needs to be darker and the effects spruced up. I just don't agree that the ride itself is rough when compared to many of the other coasters that I have ridden out there, some of which that are much newer than Space Mountain. But, whenever an attraction is 're-done' by Disney anymore, I get very nervous. Journey Into Imagination and Alien Encounter/Stitch come to mind. Change is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to Disney lately. Please realize that I wasn't trying to make my post a personal 'attack' on you or your opinions. I know that you get a lot of flack for some of your 'negative' posts about WDW. And a lot of times, I have to agree with some of your 'less than stellar' reviews of WDW and how much some of the quality has declined around the resort. But, sometimes I don't agree (like Space Mountain's ride system). By the way, I took your advice and I'm very relaxed now... Now, everyone, have a very, merry Christmas!!!!
Originally Posted By barboy If you ask me they can shut that terribly overrated attraction down immediately. The effects need serious attention to bring this "E" ticket up to speed. The track needs a more thrilling design and the rockets are very uncomfortable compared to today's newer ride vehicles. The queue needs to be overhauled as well. Of all attractions that I have experienced with Universal and Disney Space Mountain at WDW is the 4th most overrated attraction(Universal's Back to the Future, Star Tours and Festival Of The Lion King).
Originally Posted By barboy You know BrotherDave I hear you, I really do on this one; but even classic Disney hits like Pirates and Haunted Mansion need upgrades and face-lifts. If only you could experience the huge differeces among the Splash Mountains at DL in Anaheim vs Tokyo Disneyland. One is dark, dank, depressing and litterd with chewing gum stuck to the queue walls and props whereas the other is smooth, bright, clean and magical. "New and improved" within the theme park industry really does mean something far reaching and important unlike Coke, dishwashing soaps and hair coloring agents.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Hey TDLFAN, if you re-read my post, I wasn't insinuating that you (directly) have called all WDW attractions albatrosses. Just Space Mountain.<< I just re-read, but I still get the same meaning out of it. Sorry.
Originally Posted By danyoung > MK's Space is an old albatross and needs to either be totally revamped or closed down for good.< I understand your desire for improvement - I share it. What I can't figger is why it would need to be closed down, as if its being open is some kind of blight on the Disney theme park landscape. MK's Space Mountain is still one of the headliner attractions, still has strong lines even on slow days, still seems to be pleasing tens of thousands of people daily. Why oh why would that require a shutdown, just cuz it's not the latest and greatest?
Originally Posted By CMM1 Just keep the two-track system, add a sound system to the cars and close off the queue area to (1) not allow riders to adjust their eyes prior to the ride and (2) keep the queue from being seen on the ride. That would be enough to make WDW SM better.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Why oh why would that require a shutdown, just cuz it's not the latest and greatest?<< Testing of any new equipment I reckon? Besides, closing down would be required if they were to replace the whole track, which they are not. Sadly.
Originally Posted By jmuboy I think the MK could really benefit from high profile rehabs. They did a great jib with IASW. The Pirates rehab is coming soon. SM and HM are both rumored to be getting very needed rehabs. Plus, it looks like WDW has no desire to spend any money on a real new attraction for the park.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 < Plus, it looks like WDW has no desire to spend any money on a real new attraction for the park.< You mean that spiffy new playground doesn;t count ?
