Originally Posted By davewasbaloo One of the most overrated attractions in Disney history dalmatians.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I can't disagree. 1975 era roller coasters don't cut it. We need effects, music, the works.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Is it the fact that the 1975 era of roller coaster don't cut it, or are we just that damanding?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer A 1975 roller coaster in WDW doesn't cut it. It's just not good quality.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Sorry, but I totally dissagree. I feel Space Mountain is just as fun today as when in opened in 1975. It is historically significant as one of the first computer controlled roller coasters ever built, allowing for multiple cars to travel the track at the same time safely. It was also the first major "in-the-dark" coaster concept of this size to be constructed which inspired many clones and similar type rides around the world. It is singularly perhaps one of the most famous roller coasters ever built, along with the Coney Island Cyclone. Most people who aren't Disney or amusement park or coaster fans know of it or have heard of it, even if they have never ridden it. Just because a coaster is "old" doesn't necessarily mean it isn't fun. Look at how many older roller coasters continue to be popular. If that were the case, then the Matterhorn should have been torn down at Disneyland long ago to put in some mega-looping monster coaster in its place. To me, along with the Matterhorn, Corkscrew at Knott's (first modern looping coaster now at Silverwood in Idaho), and Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point, Space Mountain is possibly one of the most significant modern steel coasters to ever be built as it helped to change the amusement industry. I don't mind that Space Mountain is the same basic design as when it opened. Plussing of special effects is definitely welcome, but the overall ride system itself doesn't need replaced, only small portions from time to time due to wear and tear. Space Mountain, just like the Matterhorn Bobsleds, is a roller coaster classic. I am certainly not making excuses for Disney or "sniffing pixie dust". There's a lot of fault that I've seen at WDW that needs corrected. If they do anything with Space Mountain is that they need to clean it up inside more (especially when the service lights come on, guests will see this!). But the ride system is a great classic coaster as is. I hope it continues to remain a fun coaster experience that the whole family can enjoy together. Lastly, those who think Space Mountain is a "rough" coaster probably haven't rode a coaster that truly IS rough. Space Mountain is extremely smooth, especially when considering it's age. I can think of probably a hundred coasters that are much rougher than Space Mountain.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper The fact that my groin/stomach area feels like it's dying after Space Mountain doesn't cut it for a ride that's still operating. The only coaster I've ever been on that's more painful is now dead, thank the lord.
Originally Posted By brotherdave It's amazing that we're talking about the same ride. I've never felt that way from Space Mountain. Other coasters, yes, but not SM.
Originally Posted By MPierce I have the same complaint as the Skipper. I really liked the ride, but it seems the older both the ride, and I got, the rougher it felt.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Sorry, but I totally dissagree. I feel Space Mountain is just as fun today as when in opened in 1975. It is historically significant as one of the first computer controlled roller coasters ever built, allowing for multiple cars to travel the track at the same time safely<<< So? Though historical, which should always be remembered, logic like this implies that we should use Windows 95 and cassette players. I can understand you wanting to preserve the original feel of SM (and I do too) but I also want to see the ride in a 21st century form.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Sorry, as one who promotes historic coaster preservation, especially one as historic as Space Mountain, unless there is a MAJOR structural problem and it is a definite concern for rider safety, I see no reason to remove and rebuild the ride system. - Enhance the effects??? By all means!! Additional and better visual effects and general upgrading of the theming is certainly welcome! - Add music??? Not necessary, but I'll accept it. Many seem to like it, but personally, music on a coaster does nothing for me. The noise of the ride and folks screaming usually make it almost inaudible on every coaster I've been on that featured it (unless I happen to be lucky enough to be the only one on the ride!!!) - Smooth out the kinks and retrack where necessesary??? Of course. Safefy must come first. But only to fix areas of concern, not to redesign the entire layout. - Tear the ride down to build a launched, mega-looping ride like Rock n' Roller Coaster??? Absolutely not!!! I much prefer the ride that's there already. If you rides like RnRC, that's great! I like them too. Have a blast on RnRC!! Leave the Space Mountain layout as is. It's still great coaster layout and much more family friendly. My 71 year old parents love to ride Space Mountain, but won't go near RnRC. I like RnRC a lot, but in much smaller doses than those younger than me. However, I could ride SM all day. I love the ride layout as it doesn't beat me up and doesn't nauseate me. Space Mountain is still a favorite among coaster enthusiasts. So, with your statement EE, would you tear down the Matterhorn simply because it's old?? I think most Disney fans (and not to mention coaster fans) would scream in protest if Disney ever planned to do that. To me, coasters aren't like computer operating systems. They're more like "movies" to me, if you will. Instead of a plot, they have a layout. If a movie has a good plot and story, even an old movie like say, Casablanca or Wizard of Oz, I can watch them over and over again without hesitation. Or to be more relevant, like Jaws, which opened the same year as Space Mountain. I love that movie and can watch it over and over again, too. I feel that way about certain coasters, too. If the layout (plot) is good enough, I can ride it many, many times and never tire of it, as well. There are some great OLD (and I mean OLD) wooden coasters that I can ride over and over and over again and never get bored. I love the layout and workmanship behind them. I also love some of the newer rides, too, just as I like newer movies. I hope you see my point. I love the new rides like Expedition Everest, Hulk, Rock n Roller Coaster, Montu, and SheiKra, but I also love Space Mountain, too. I'd hate to see it replaced with a newer ride system when it isn't really necessary, imho.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I do see your point, and I honestly agree. But some things, especially theme park rides, have to be updated with SOME new effects to keep them fresh, and new, and not stale for new guests. Wow your new guests with new tech and flair, like you wowed your first guests with a new ride back then. But in no way do I want it totally killed and replaced.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<- Smooth out the kinks and retrack where necessesary??? Of course. Safefy must come first. But only to fix areas of concern, not to redesign the entire layout.>> Never said they should redesign. But the current track should be rebuilt to get rid of the ridiculous roughness that exsts now. The ride seems nothing like a ride through space as of now. Rather a ride through a dirt road that hasnt been maintained since the 50s. <<- Tear the ride down to build a launched, mega-looping ride like Rock n' Roller Coaster??? Absolutely not!!! I much prefer the ride that's there already. >> I would rather have a RNRC type ride then whats there as of now, AKA a rough roller coaster that feels like it's stuck in the 70s/ But ide rather have a completely rebuilt version of what's there over RNRC.
Originally Posted By brotherdave I guess because I've ridden so many coasters across the country, I guess I don't notice the ride's supposed "roughness". As coasters go, Space Mountain is far from rough, imho. Jerky, perhaps, but it's always had that as part of its experience. Personally, I like that in a coaster which is why I guess I like Space Mountain as it is. If you want to experience what is truly a "rough" coaster, just journey to Busch Gardens and ride their wooden coaster, Gwazi. After riding that, compare it to Space Mountain and tell me which is truly rougher!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Okay, but that's a woodie. I expect a woodie to be ridiculously rough(and even then go on El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure. Smooth as a baby's bottom!).
Originally Posted By -em >><<- Smooth out the kinks and retrack where necessesary??? Of course. Safefy must come first. But only to fix areas of concern, not to redesign the entire layout.>> Never said they should redesign. But the current track should be rebuilt to get rid of the ridiculous roughness that exsts now. The ride seems nothing like a ride through space as of now. Rather a ride through a dirt road that hasnt been maintained since the 50s.<< Agreed... As much as I dislike WDWs Space I don't feel the whole concept needs to be scrapped just needs to re-tracked and re programed to make it a better experience. IMO the music is a very poor excuse for an "addition" and the whole experience could be better while staying true to the theme.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I can understand you wanting to preserve the original feel of SM (and I do too) but I also want to see the ride in a 21st century form ----------------- very slippery slope- where does 'improvement' stop and change of ride take place ? I rode it this trip and yes it was rough-- and likely feels rougher that even I remember due to my age compared to when I thought this ride was the cats meow. But that said I do not want another RNRC in there..we already have one. This ride is unique to the DIsney Parks because it was the cloest thing to a thrill ride for many people over the years. Yes, it is a wild mouse indoors- we all know that- and wild mouse rides are not smooth as a baby;s bottom. I appreciate the extra darkness..the sound is a nice addition as I think it always should have been there-- but I agree with brother Dave I do not want to see all new coaster. Living near 6 Flags- Gurnee-- almost all the coasters are the same darn thing here... I love the American Eagle ( wooden coaster)- and I used to love things like Rolling Thunder - which was a chutes type coaster ( ala Flying Turns at the old Riverview here) -- the newer ones eithe rbore me or make me want to vomit- neither reaction thrills me.. which is why even at the new low proce of $59/yr for an AP - I don't own one...Most of the rides with uniqueness are gone- and smooth coasters might as well be the name of the park. I am sure there are better omnimover systems today than the doom buggies- do we want them replaced ? not me
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I am sure there are better omnimover systems today than the doom buggies- do we want them replaced ? not me<<< Nor do I. And nor do I want to see SM totally replaced. It needs to be plussed. New projections, effects, music, smooth track...but don't totally make the feel different. The original feel of SM is what makes it great. But it can't be falling apart, and that's what it feels like now.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 smooth track...but don't totally make the feel different. The original feel of SM is what makes it great. --------- I think changing the reckety feel of the 'mouse' tracks would make it a different ride-- maybe even a better one, but different
