Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK, so it's been too quiet around here of late, so the spirit moved me to create this thread. My conclusion: Space Mountain is an abysmal embarrassment in its current 2006 state. It's dirty, loud, and rough with tacky effects. It's pre-post shows don't wow like they once did either. Version 2.0 should have been installed 10-15 years ago. The future: who knows? I have heard from a few sources that Space Mountain is going under in '07 or early '08 for a major overhaul and updating, heard that the $$$ is trickling down the pipes (with some likely going to Jungle Cruise and possibly Pirates too). But I've also heard this isn't the case at all. And that's what our intrepid Disney insider Leemac has said too. He seems stuck on the idea that WDW management will finally give some TLC to the Mansion next year. If Space Mtn isn't getting any work that is just incredibly lame but not surprising as TWDC has shown it doesn't believe in keeping its parks (especially in Florida) fresh. Now, anyone want to argue that the attraction is great the way it is? Or that it's pathetic state makes it 'a classic' that shouldn't be touched. Or anyone think it's as good as it always has been (if so, you had better ridden in the 70s and 80s)? Let's see what we stirred up.
Originally Posted By Kane22 Well Space Mountian should be getting a nice fixing up for that night-time Rock it' Mountian.
Originally Posted By tonyanton Spirit...I am in complete agreement. While most of the older attractions in the MK need top-to-bottom rehabs, I would put the most in need as: Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain (here an entire re-thinking of the track,F/X, etc. should take place), Country Bear Jamboree, and Splash Mountain (interiors mostly). Jungle Cruise, CoP, and Peter Pan's Flight are up next.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Being a coaster fan, I find Space Mountain to be a classic, great family ride. I was just there in June as part of the American Coaster Enthusiast's national convention at WDW, and most attendees agreed that Space Mountain, given it's age, is still a very fun coaster and is still a modern coaster marvel. (Now, please note that the following comments come from my coaster geek side, not necessarily my Disney theme park geek side!) I know that many have complained about how rough it is, but, honestly, I didn't experience that, and we had Exclusive Ride Time for about 1 1/2 hours straight one early morning before the park opened, both as the normal ride experience and with the overhead work lights turned on for us to photograph the structure! I must have ridden the ride at least 6 times each on both sides. The ride is very comfortable and for a 31 year old steel coaster, it rode very well and seemed very smooth. (Many other steel coasters half this age don't seem to be as lucky and have become nearly unrideable due to roughness.) Ok, it might not be as smooth as Expedition Everest or other newer rides at Universal and Busch Gardens, but, for a coaster it's age, it has held up quite well. Please note, that I've ridden over 300 coasters across the continent, so I feel I have some basis to state this that Space Mountain is still a decent, smooth coaster. Yes, I've ridden Space Mountain many, many times since 1975. About the only major difference that I've noticed from the early years is that the interior doesn't seem to be as dark as it used to be and the cars have been changed from 8 passenger/2 per seat tandem seating (like the Matterhorn) to 6 passenger/3 single seats per car. As for other Space Mountains at other Disney parks, I've only ridden Space Mountain 1.0 (before music was installed) back in 1990 at Disneyland. I found that ride to be fun as well. But, it seemed more repetitive in direction (lots of right turns, if I recall) than the Magic Kingdoms. In fact, I feel that MK's Space Mountain has much more in common with the Matterhorn than it does with it's namesake at Disneyland. Both the Matterhorn and MK's Space Mountain have dual tracks that sometimes intertwine and they have similar type trains. Unfortunately, I have not yet ridden the newer SM at Disneyland, nor have I visited any of the overseas Disney parks to ride their respective versions. Now, as a coaster preservationist, I would love to see the original track and configuration preserved. Remember, this was a 'first-of-it's-kind' attraction, so I feel that it's historical significance both for roller coaster history and Disney history is extremely important. Most Disney purists would scream 'blasphemy' if someone were to suggest the removal of the Matterhorn to replace it with an 'upgraded' version that might be similar to, say, Expedition Everest. No, the Matterhorn needs to remain at Disneyland, pretty much as is due to it's extreme popularity, family appeal, and it's towering presence as an icon in the park. I feel the same way for the Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain. It is a Disney masterpiece that has been copied, and possibly perfected, by not only Disney, but other parks as well. But, given the ride's total popularity at the Magic Kingdom, it sure doesn't seem that the general public agrees that Space Mountain needs to be replaced. It's family friendly design helps to reinforce the importance of it's significance to the Magic Kingdom's roster of attractions. But, that doesn't mean that the visual effects can't be improved. I would whole heartedly agree to 'plussing' the effects of Space Mountain, to bring it more in line with today's other 'E-Ticket' attractions. Perhaps adding some of the visual effects from the newer Space Mountains might be more in line for a SM makeover than to replace the ride with something more thrilling. Even the addition of an on-board sound system (though I don't feel it needs it) may be acceptable. But the track layout shouldn't change. Remember, not everyone will want something more thrilling physically. Rock n' Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest were built specifically for the more adventuresome coaster rider. My nearly 70 year old parents still love to ride Space Mountain as well as Big Thunder Mountain RR when they visit, but have absolutely no interest in EE or RnRC. So, if Space Mountain DOES go down for rehab in the next year or so, I really hope that the coaster itself is somehow preserved, but, that the visual and sensory experience is somehow enhanced. Oh, and make it a little bit darker wouldn't hurt, either!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Great post brotherdave...but it may fall on deaf ears as you and I as coaster enthusiasts are in the minority here in LP.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "Remember, this was a 'first-of-it's-kind' attraction," How was it a first of it's kind? Was it the first indoor coaster? I really don't remember. I do remember that the Matterhorn was the first steel coaster, so Space Mountain couldn't be that.
Originally Posted By hopemax During the NFFC presentation about the reopening of DL's Space Mountain, the Imagineers said, when they started the rehab, something like "43 of the 90 projectors were still working." When one effect dies at a time, it doesn't seem like the ride is losing much. But over time, it adds up. And by then, no one remembers the full effect. If they just fixed everything, replaced projectors, I bet the ride would seem like a brand new ride.
Originally Posted By fkurucz We visited WDW for the first time 3 years ago. It seemed to us that even when compared with the old SM at DL that the WDW version wasn't as pleasing. We were so underwhelmed with it that we only rode it once.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Dave, I realize your post was largely made from the perspective of a coaster junky and focused on the ride itself. My perspective is of the experience as a whole vs. what it once was and what it could/should be now. I am in no way comparing it to any other coaster with the possible exceptions of the other Space Mountains I have experienced. I am talking about the attraction being state-of-the-art, the effects being operational and the experience eliciting a feeling of WOW as it once did instead of cheese as it does now.
Originally Posted By danyoung I agree that SM is unpleasantly rough these days. And I'm saddened by the deterioration of the post show. It was fun before FedEx came in, then it was kinda lamed down. Now that FedEx is out, it's just pitiful. I especially hate the sign hanging overhead - "Perhaps someday you'll find yourself off-planet." No context, no meaning, just that. It made sense back in the RCA days when there were spacewalk displays overhead. Now it's just incredibly stupid, and at the very least should be taken down. I'm all for WDW's SM to enjoy an extended shutdown and refit, just like DL's.
Originally Posted By pitapan16 I totally agree that Space in the MK needs a total overhall. Atleast to the extent of Disneylands re-do. Space in the MK was in very poor shape in just about every way possible when I last rode it one year ago.
Originally Posted By brotherdave >>>Dave, I realize your post was largely made from the perspective of a coaster junky and focused on the ride itself. My perspective is of the experience as a whole vs. what it once was and what it could/should be now. I am in no way comparing it to any other coaster with the possible exceptions of the other Space Mountains I have experienced. I am talking about the attraction being state-of-the-art, the effects being operational and the experience eliciting a feeling of WOW as it once did instead of cheese as it does now<<< I do agree that the special effects and theming could use a major upgrade. But as far as the coaster system itself, I'm totally satisfied with it as it is. It still gives enough of thrill for both the novice and seasoned coater rider. But, more emphasis SHOULD be placed on the theme and special effects. If they were to just upgrade the effects, I feel that Space Mountain could once again be a true Disney masterpiece again. (They did it to the Matterhorn in 1978, why not do it to Space Mountain today, without actually having to change the ride system!)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Exactly. And Matterhorn is a great point. They have upgraded it a few times. It's getting new cars now. Not to mention the fact Matterhorn is kinda timeless ...Space Mountain isn't. It's supposed to be cutting edge, thrilling, high speed journey thru space. That's what it once was ... it's not anymore and it's so light in there you could read a book, so even that illusion is blown.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I'd love it if the two tracks stayed exactly as they are, but got totally rebuilt just like Disneylands. Then add new effects and such. Basically do exactly what was done to Disneyland...meaning track removal, not neccisarrily the same effects.
