WDW's Space Mountain is REALLY bad

[ChrisFL]

It has probably been 7-8 years since I rode it last and at the time I didn't want to ride it again since it was so uncomfortable and painful....

recently I've been hanging out with a friend who's never been to WDW before, so we've been going around the parks, she convinced me she wanted to try Space Mountain and I told her in advance it's not in great condition.

I made the mistake of riding it and wow, it's MUCH worse than I remember it. Now I'm not a young, skinny person, I'll admit, but even so, it was super painful and not fun. She also was in pain and had a headache the rest of the day after riding it (she's ok now).

I know they were going to replace the track 10-15 years ago then cheapened out...then I was HOPING they'd let the opening of TRON give them a reason to close and re-track Space Mountain, but that still hasn't happened.

I wonder how many complaints Guest Relations gets daily about it.

On this note, I have also been on the Matterhorn a few times and yes, it is also quite jarring and rough, however one difference is I can actually see and anticipate the turns/drops, etc. and brace for them. Space Mountain is so dark (especially with the changes to make it more dark) that it surprises you.

I know some people still love it, but sorry, I can't ride it again unless they make major changes to it. I'll happily ride the Anaheim one instead.

 

[JohnD]

It has probably been 7-8 years since I rode it last and at the time I didn't want to ride it again since it was so uncomfortable and painful....

recently I've been hanging out with a friend who's never been to WDW before, so we've been going around the parks, she convinced me she wanted to try Space Mountain and I told her in advance it's not in great condition.

I made the mistake of riding it and wow, it's MUCH worse than I remember it. Now I'm not a young, skinny person, I'll admit, but even so, it was super painful and not fun. She also was in pain and had a headache the rest of the day after riding it (she's ok now).

I know they were going to replace the track 10-15 years ago then cheapened out...then I was HOPING they'd let the opening of TRON give them a reason to close and re-track Space Mountain, but that still hasn't happened.

I wonder how many complaints Guest Relations gets daily about it.

On this note, I have also been on the Matterhorn a few times and yes, it is also quite jarring and rough, however one difference is I can actually see and anticipate the turns/drops, etc. and brace for them. Space Mountain is so dark (especially with the changes to make it more dark) that it surprises you.

I know some people still love it, but sorry, I can't ride it again unless they make major changes to it. I'll happily ride the Anaheim one instead.

I rode it in March on my last trip. Yeah, I'm good for a while.

 

[NickMaio]

It has probably been 7-8 years since I rode it last and at the time I didn't want to ride it again since it was so uncomfortable and painful....

recently I've been hanging out with a friend who's never been to WDW before, so we've been going around the parks, she convinced me she wanted to try Space Mountain and I told her in advance it's not in great condition.

I made the mistake of riding it and wow, it's MUCH worse than I remember it. Now I'm not a young, skinny person, I'll admit, but even so, it was super painful and not fun. She also was in pain and had a headache the rest of the day after riding it (she's ok now).

I know they were going to replace the track 10-15 years ago then cheapened out...then I was HOPING they'd let the opening of TRON give them a reason to close and re-track Space Mountain, but that still hasn't happened.

I wonder how many complaints Guest Relations gets daily about it.

On this note, I have also been on the Matterhorn a few times and yes, it is also quite jarring and rough, however one difference is I can actually see and anticipate the turns/drops, etc. and brace for them. Space Mountain is so dark (especially with the changes to make it more dark) that it surprises you.

I know some people still love it, but sorry, I can't ride it again unless they make major changes to it. I'll happily ride the Anaheim one instead.

It's in a SAD state - - - - - they could have given the flagship SM some love for the 50th.
It's the ONLY SM on the planet that has not been significantly plused. - - WHY
Its Genesis.....

My LO loves it - - Our last trip we rode the Mountain 10 times in a row - - - prob 15 at the end of the day.
Man SM really beats me up.........things we do for our kids - - -
My wife and I swapped with him when we rode.
We went on some anomaly day - - - SM was walk on All day long.
Other were super short as well.

7DMT was the only ride to be 30-40+

 

[Raineman]

The older I get, the harder it is on me when I ride. One of the worst parts for me is when you turn that corner , and get to the bottom of the lift hill, and the chain grabs your vehicle to pull it up. It feels like my spine is snapping every time.

 

[Jrb1979]

They really need to close it and do a major refurbishment. Maybe even change the layout

 

[HauntedPirate]

I've been riding Space Mountain since the late 80's and while it's not as smooth I've never had the type of experience mentioned above.

They really need to close it and do a major refurbishment. Maybe even change the layout

The layout is fine. The track has needed replacement since the mid-2000's, but the track continues to function due to the things Disney has done to lessen the strain on the track.

 

[Jrb1979]

I've been riding Space Mountain since the late 80's and while it's not as smooth I've never had the type of experience mentioned above.


The layout is fine. The track has needed replacement since the mid-2000's, but the track continues to function due to the things Disney has done to lessen the strain on the track.

I disagree. With what they can do with coaster track now it could be Disneys wildest ride in space.

 

[osian]

I've just ridden The Boss in Six Flags St Louis. Once. Enough said.

 

[Jrb1979]

I've just ridden The Boss in Six Flags St Louis. Once. Enough said.

That needs to RMC'd at this point.

 

[denyuntilcaught]

The layout is fine. The track has needed replacement since the mid-2000's, but the track continues to function due to the things Disney has done to lessen the strain on the track.

Curious to know what they've done - I didn't know they've made adjustments of that sort!

 

[marni1971]

Curious to know what they've done - I didn't know they've made adjustments of that sort!

Added brakes, most telling before the biggest drop. They can also recover trains from a 101 using booster wheels instead of brute force now.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I disagree. With what they can do with coaster track now it could be Disneys wildest ride in space.

They already did that over at Epcot. No need to repeat that mistake.

 

[NickMaio]

They really need to close it and do a major refurbishment. Maybe even change the layout

YES - - - Hold off a bit on the Thunder Mountain expansion and take some of the cash for SM.
The original deserves to be plussed.

 

[Jrb1979]

They already did that over at Epcot. No need to repeat that mistake.

Guardians is not a mistake.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

IDK my sister and I enjoy it and don't find it to be too rough. We are late 30's and mid 40's...

 

[ChrisFL]

It could also be one track is worse than the other...I was on the left one (as you enter the building)

 

[dreamfinding]

It could also be one track is worse than the other...I was on the left one (as you enter the building)

I’ve heard some people experienced the same thing.

While we’re at it, the Disneyland version of SM is superior.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Guardians is not a mistake.

Putting that ride in Epcot was a mistake. There’s no need for anything similar at MK.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I’ve heard some people experienced the same thing.

While we’re at it, the Disneyland version of SM is superior.

IMHO DL version is absolutely horrendous. There are no drops just "speed bumps".

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Putting that ride in Epcot was a mistake. There’s no need for anything similar at MK.

IMHO they did a good job at making it "fit in" with UoE.
Now what I think a mistake is is making TT be "Tron" and then building Tron at MK. Good thing TT is being reimagined.