Annoying change at Space Mountain

[ExtinctJenn]

(I miss the choc chip cookies)

We saw the cookies on our December 2013 trip so unless they've been removed since, they weren't removed in the '09 refurb.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Same here. I think what I miss most are the glow-in-the-dark panels on the side of each car. Before they covered the boarding area during the '09 refurb, I LOVED how you could look up and see the glowing neon stripes of each car racing along the track. It really got you pumped for the ride to come. I can deal with the annoying line games and the droning spiels and the some of the other additions (although in my opinion the 'starry-o-phonic sound' adds nothing to the ride and is vastly inferior to DL's onboard soundtrack), but I wish they'd have left those asthetic touches alone - it's one of the things that made MK's Space Mountain unique.

For me it's a bit of a trade off. I agree that seeing the glowing cars above - and they seemed really, really high up for some reason - was unique. However, I really love the fact that ride itself is much darker now and you can't really see the track.

What I can't fathom is why they didn't just give TTA a window into the loading station like before rather than giving it nothing to look at. THAT, to me, is baffling.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

For me it's a bit of a trade off. I agree that seeing the glowing cars above - and they seemed really, really high up for some reason - was unique. However, I really love the fact that ride itself is much darker now and you can't really see the track.

What I can't fathom is why they didn't just give TTA a window into the loading station like before rather than giving it nothing to look at. THAT, to me, is baffling.

I think the Imagineers were so focused on trying to darken the ride that they forgot that people might want something to look at rather than just riding around in the dark.

I echo the nostalgia for the glow strips on the rockets. Even on the ride itself, it was great to be able see another rocket whizzing around out of the corner of your eye.

 

[DisneyCane]

I just rode Space Mountain on Tuesday and heard this annoying addition. I did want to point out that you can still hear the music while the "warning" is playing. The OP made it seem like the music shut off for the warning but it doesn't. It is somewhat overwhelmed by the volume of the warning but you can still hear the classic music.

It is crazy how quickly it replays. They must have set it up to ensure that no matter how quickly you can go through the fastpass line, you will hear the whole warning at least once.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

It is crazy how quickly it replays. They must have set it up to ensure that no matter how quickly you can go through the fastpass line, you will hear the whole warning at least once.

I think you may be right. If you made your way quickly enough through the tunnel with a FP (or even on a day when there is no wait) you'd miss it if there was a few minutes between it playing. Still, what happened to the days when the warning signs everywhere were enough? I kind of feel for Disney actually as I'm sure it's because they are tired of being sued. But, I don't see restaurants playing a recording to warn you that the floor may be slippery where someone spilled something... no they just put a big "wet floor" sign out. (oh God that's coming next isn't it?)

 

[Tom Morrow]

If this is a "lawyer" thing, then why doesn't every thrill ride have a non-stop safety spiel? RnRc has one, but it only plays every 5 minutes or so.

 

[SoupBone]

I heard this in November...And this was my reaction for playing over the best music for a ride..

 

[Bocabear]

It would have been nice to have added something for the TTA to look at...if not the glowing rockets, then do something that makes it visually appealing to be in the dome...and the speedramp displays could all be refreshed and brought into the 21st century...not just the remnants of a couple remodels...
actually all the displays on the TTA could use a major refresh and redo.

 

[Brian Swan]

Three tracks?!?! Me thinks that would be insane, and maybe even impossible inside the mountain, although, something that went outside the mountain might be conceivable. I would love to see something like DLP. I think two is sufficient, but it definitely needs to be re-done. It's almost become un-enjoyable for me. I clinch my teeth thru the whole ride and come off it feeling like I was just in an auto accident, and this is coming from somebody who loves roller coasters!

I've skipped SM the past two trips. Don't know if it's the ride getting older or me getting older, but it has become just plain painful to ride. I LOVE the DL version; smoother track, better visuals, better sound. As I am not likely to ride it again in it's current condition, I'd be all in favor of closing it for a couple of years and doing a COMPLETE refurb/rebuild...

 

[Brian Swan]

I would say Peter Pan's Flight at WDW. Space Mountain is overrated as well but since it is a roller coaster-type ride, it does stand the test of time much better than Peter Pan's Flight. Although I do like the nostalgia Peter Pan's Flight brings, I feel this needs to be completely overhauled and made into an attraction similar to either Soarin' or the Harry Potter Ride. It just feels too outdated at this point even though I understand the nostalgic/sentimental value of the ride may result in an outcry from long-time visitors. The updated queue is not enough to justify the 2+ hour wait time for this ride.

I agree that PP is over-rated (and something I won't wait more than 20 min for), but as for standing the test of time, PP has been going since 1955 and SM only since 1975...

 

[Brian Swan]

For me it's a bit of a trade off. I agree that seeing the glowing cars above - and they seemed really, really high up for some reason - was unique. However, I really love the fact that ride itself is much darker now and you can't really see the track.

What I can't fathom is why they didn't just give TTA a window into the loading station like before rather than giving it nothing to look at. THAT, to me, is baffling.

On many trips I don't even go into TL anymore. If I do, it's for a dose of nostalgia on the COP; I saw the original in 1965 at the NYWF, and it made a serious impression on this 6 year old...

 

[GrumpyFan]

I've skipped SM the past two trips. Don't know if it's the ride getting older or me getting older, but it has become just plain painful to ride. I LOVE the DL version; smoother track, better visuals, better sound. As I am not likely to ride it again in it's current condition, I'd be all in favor of closing it for a couple of years and doing a COMPLETE refurb/rebuild...

I've just about gotten to that point. Every time I get off it and think, I'm not doing that again. But, I don't want my family to do it without me either, so I just ride along with them and deal with them pain.
I have to agree with you though, the DL version is a whole heck of a lot better, and actually enjoyable to ride!

 

[hth1917]

I hate the safety spiel, I hate the new brakes, and I agree a serious refurb is long overdue, but I wouldn't want it smoothed out too much. I actually enjoy the very "physical" experience of riding SM. Overly smooth coasters can be a bit boring, IMO.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

You know I rode it 3 times Thursday and I didn’t even notice the safety spiel.

I guess I really am going deaf. Well, deafer at least. I suppose that's a boon in this case!

 

[marni1971]

Overly smooth coasters can be a bit boring, IMO.

There's smooth, there's harsh, and there's the back breaking mid-course brake trim at the top of the hill crossing the main lifts. Not to mention tight radius turns built before the heartline was invented.

Not to mention lacklustre, bargain basement and failing show, 1975 lift hills and a laughable audio experience.

And did I mention the tennis court floodlighting outside?

 

[Kman101]

I skip Space Mountain too. I just can't in it's current condition. It's way too rough and I feel like I'm about to fall out. LOL.

I'd skip Tomorrowland altogether if not for the PeopleMover. I have to ride that each and every time. I'm even skipping Carousel simply because it's in such a sad state.

Tomorrowland is basically a wash and needs a complete overhaul. Stitch and Buzz aren't cutting it.

At least Astro Orbiter got some love and nice new paint on it's rockets. I don't do heights [yet I can do most coasters and Tower of Terror ...] so that gets skipped too.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I actually enjoy the very "physical" experience of riding SM. Overly smooth coasters can be a bit boring, IMO.

Same here, that's why I prefer our coaster to DL's, but everything else about DL's.

 

[Communicore]

Can't they build a more modern ride in that building? I mean, that ride tries hard not to be 70's it is better off being kept in its 70's state.

 

[HollyAD]

Like @Kman101 said SM is super rough. In Oct. we couldn't believe the whiplash we got from this ride. All four of us walked off in shock of how rough it was! This used to be my favorite ride as a kid but now I am going to skip until my son makes me take him.

 

[marni1971]

Can't they build a more modern ride in that building? I mean, that ride tries hard not to be 70's it is better off being kept in its 70's state.

That was the plan. Disneyland 2003 style gutting and rebuilding exactly the same layout but to modern standards. And that was just the start.

Idiots.