Rumor MK Space Mountain REVISED in 2026? (One track? side-by-side seating?)

[Nunu]

My chiropractor won't be happy with this, lol, but I wouldn't mind the change to side-by-side as long as the ride were significally less rough.

 

[BirdbyBird]

I hope they max out their budget on Space Mountain

 

[larryz]

If they are charging the seats to be two per row then wouldn’t the capacity stay the same?

I'd prefer the original seating scheme, where you got to get real close to your date... or a total stranger...

 

[ParadoxPortals]

Given the likelihood of Laugh Floor moving over to the MuppetVision building at some point in the future plus the Stitch building still sitting vacant, I'd hope the company has been eying Tomorrowland for a revamp in the not-too-distant future. Space Mountain could certainly be a flagship project for another New Tomorrowland.

Sorry if this has already been said in the thread (it's 6 pages, I ain't got the time for that lmao), but Disney has (weirdly) confirmed that the HS Monsters Inc land will have a "brand new" stage show, so not Laugh Floor. Guess it's somehow staying in MK for awhile, though I expect (hope for) it to get replaced one day...

 

[GenChi]

I honestly will be disappointed if they replace 1-seat rows with 2-seat rows.

The whole experience is elevated with no one directed seated next to you, it gives more illusion to the intended space atmosphere. It differentiates it from Tron and the park's other coasters, and also all the other Space Mountains especially Disneyland's. If duel track goes away for a better experience that's all fine with me, but I don't think duel-seats will make a better experience as much as take away an aspect that makes it feel slightly more isolate and more mad then it is.

Not remotely a "they are taking out scenic attractions to put a literal dirt field" levels of disaster, it'll still be good regardless, more just everything being upgraded but downgrading the seating structure and not making the experience different from Disneyland seems pointless.

 

[DisDude33]

I honestly will be disappointed if they replace 1-seat rows with 2-seat rows.

The whole experience is elevated with no one directed seated next to you, it gives more illusion to the intended space atmosphere. It differentiates it from Tron and the park's other coasters, and also all the other Space Mountains especially Disneyland's. If duel track goes away for a better experience that's all fine with me, but I don't think duel-seats will make a better experience as much as take away an aspect that makes it feel slightly more isolate and more mad then it is.

Not remotely a "they are taking out scenic attractions to put a literal dirt field" levels of disaster, it'll still be good regardless, more just everything being upgraded but downgrading the seating structure and not making the experience different from Disneyland seems pointless.

Space Mountain is probably my least favorite ride in WDW (mainly due to the back pain I have after riding) but I think you bring up a good point about experience the single row ride vehicles provide.

 

[doctornick]

I honestly will be disappointed if they replace 1-seat rows with 2-seat rows.

The whole experience is elevated with no one directed seated next to you, it gives more illusion to the intended space atmosphere. It differentiates it from Tron and the park's other coasters, and also all the other Space Mountains especially Disneyland's. If duel track goes away for a better experience that's all fine with me, but I don't think duel-seats will make a better experience as much as take away an aspect that makes it feel slightly more isolate and more mad then it is.

Not remotely a "they are taking out scenic attractions to put a literal dirt field" levels of disaster, it'll still be good regardless, more just everything being upgraded but downgrading the seating structure and not making the experience different from Disneyland seems pointless.

This is kind of my take. I like the single seats and how it is low to the ground. It really makes MK feel more unique among coasters and certainly different from other offerings in the park. DL’s is great with the onboard audio and projectors working (so yes to that stuff for MK) but the actual ride setup feels like a much more generic coaster side by side. Also the track pathway in MK is much superior in terms of elevation changes and sudden turns where DL feels far less intense with more gradual turns (maybe I’m wrong but it feels that way). I suppose if the go with one track it could be a longer ride and that could be good.

 

[rle4lunch]

Space Mountain is probably my least favorite ride in WDW (mainly due to the back pain I have after riding) but I think you bring up a good point about experience the single row ride vehicles provide.

I think that the bobsled design has advantages, but I think that in a wider 2 seat coaster you can feel the lateral G forces better and provides a less hurky jerky experience. I get the "alone in space" feeling that they were talking about, but DL SM is a much nicer ride experience overall.

Leave the bobsled design to the last back breaker, Matterhorn..

 

[Streetway Again]

agreed. I want to believe but I need to see more proof. I do think at this point we are getting figment 4.0 with dreamfinder, they’ve already gone so far into classic ride imagery. I do wonder if that also means inside out.

Slightly scary thought: the 2026 thing isn’t for epcot, SSE and Figment don’t get done for a few years, and Epcot is done until the near 2030’s completely.

Does spaceship earth have its own thread? Or does it need one?

 

[aladdin2007]

Slightly scary thought: the 2026 thing isn’t for epcot, SSE and Figment don’t get done for a few years, and Epcot is done until the near 2030’s completely.

Does spaceship earth have its own thread? Or does it need one?

it does have its own thread somewhere here, but some of those have got to get attention by Epcots 50th. They cant keep limping along like they are.

 

[Streetway Again]

it does have its own thread somewhere here, but some of those have got to get attention by Epcots 50th. They cant keep limping along like they are.

That’s what the last reported intention is. The thing is, SSE was supposed to go first as of a while ago rumor wise, but correct me if I’m wrong, I think all has gone quiet on the Epcot rumor front? Never really was 100% I don’t think. So it’s kinda a mystery which will get work first and when.

They do need work. At least it wasn’t the story light.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Disney World's Space Mountain is inferior to Disneyland's. Give me a smoother ride with on board audio 100 times out of 100. Neither version is particularly intense, and that's ok. For me, the experience in Disneyland makes it a must ride every visit. The same isn't remotely the case for WDW.

 

[networkpro]

Personally I abhore WDW'S space mountain as it currently exists. Haven't ridden on it since 2009 and unless it changes, will never again.

 

[doctornick]

Disney World's Space Mountain is inferior to Disneyland's. Give me a smoother ride with on board audio 100 times out of 100. Neither version is particularly intense, and that's ok. For me, the experience in Disneyland makes it a must ride every visit. The same isn't remotely the case for WDW.

I think the fact that DL's is "smoother" is a flaw, not a benefit. The onboard audio and projections are much great and they should come to MK too, but the ride vehicle and layout at MK is IMHO far superior. Part of the fun with SM is being jerked around in the dark when you don't see what's coming.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Weren’t there some concerns raised about falling cell phones and keys on Space Mountain? Wonder if moving to a single track would be for safety purposes. Recalling what happened with the dueling dragons at Universal, thinking maybe coaster cars in close proximity is a bit of a liability, depending on the layout.

The two tracks don't really intersect, so it wouldn't be an issue. There have been a handful of situations, including one very serious one, of falling objects from the top of the ride striking riders below. The incidents typically happen on the same side of the track though.

 

[DisDude33]

I think the fact that DL's is "smoother" is a flaw, not a benefit. The onboard audio and projections are much great and they should come to MK too, but the ride vehicle and layout at MK is IMHO far superior. Part of the fun with SM is being jerked around in the dark when you don't see what's coming.

Being jerked around is fine but being flung around like a rag doll in a tin can can take people out of the ride experience.

 

[Bocabear]

I hate the idea of the moving to a single track because it would mean a faster coaster with an even shorter ride time.... I would rather have the current configuration with a little mor banking here and there to smooth it out, a lot more on-ride special effects and sound... other than that, a complete refresh of the post show scenes and an enhanced queue similar to the original "Space Port" from 1975. Bring back the idea of the entire experience being a journey... not just a quick ride like Tron next door...

 

[Bocabear]

I think the fact that DL's is "smoother" is a flaw, not a benefit. The onboard audio and projections are much great and they should come to MK too, but the ride vehicle and layout at MK is IMHO far superior. Part of the fun with SM is being jerked around in the dark when you don't see what's coming.

I agree completely... DL's version is just a series of inclines and banks....while WDW's version crisscrosses and intertwines the tracks... If they brought back the glowing panels to the vehicles so you could see them again....it was a cool visual....

 

[mysto]

The future of space travel is tobaggons!

Is that a toboggan that you ride backwards? Ride in a bag? I'm on board either way.

I'd prefer the original seating scheme, where you got to get real close to your date... or a total stranger...

From personal experience I recommend wearing a tooth guard to prevent chipping. Helmets?

I personally love the lift hill and the tunnels surrounding it, even the load area, and I think the dual track really contributes to that. I agree with others that like the low profile cars and the open ceiling above the queue area. A smoother faster track with the same theming would be great. Hopefully it'll stay longer than 52 seconds.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I truly don't understand those who claim, "I have back pain after riding Space Mountain", or "my head hurts because it's so violent". Maybe it's because I've ridden it a hundred times in my life, but I've never once come off of it with even the slightest bit of discomfort. I don't find it rough. I don't find it violent on my body. Do you ride around completely limp and let the ride throw you around like a rag doll?

It absolutely needed a new track 15 years ago, and that's almost an unforgivable offense on the part of TDO, but I'm continually scratching my head when I see people make these claims.