Annoying change at Space Mountain

[GrumpyFan]

- queue still routed through ugly unthemed hallway on one side, no attempt at at least installing atmospheric lighting in the hallway was ever made.

This bugs me the most. The sound and lighting are somewhat minor, to me at least, but messing up the theme by sending guests into the hallway, where they were never intended to be, just grinds my gears because the Imagineers spent lots of time & money to create a queue that was rich and immersive and would draw guests into the story that is now trashed because someone doesn't understand how to work the queue lines.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Now THAT's an excellent question.
I'd say Space Mountain. Iconic. Almost a brand name. And a terrible ride.

Midway through this year, they will both likely be vastly inferior to their Disneyland counterparts. Peter Pan's Flight in DL is already better, but with animatronic upgrades it won't be close.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Lawyers.

It has always played non-stop outside the entrance, but they added it up until the end of the star corridor for "safety."

 

[DVC91]

I was down there from 12/28-1/2 (was already in the area for the gf's sister's wedding and decided to cross off MK NYE from my bucket list). While I ended up getting on space mountain very early, and then again with around a 120min wait time, I hadn't noticed the PSA until that long wait on NYE, and that had been my 2nd day in MK on that trip. It quickly became obnoxious.

Also, a few of those buttons on the interactive side aren't working. I found out the hard way as the GF and I are pretty competitive with just about any game and I kept getting the ones that wouldn't shoot or turn left.

Another side note, while the fireworks were fantastic, I'm happy that I can say that I will absolutely never go back down there during that week ever again. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am. One and done. The crowds were like drooling mindless dregs which was probably the worst part out of any of it.

The lines were atrocious, but at least we had scrabble on my phone to pass the time. They also had quick service locations moving fairly quickly and I was surprised to get a reservation in France on the 30th and Mama Melrose on the 1st. We were kind of unlucky with the fast pass situation considering our trip was about as last minute as it gets, but managed to get a few at strange times. Still, I couldn't justify dealing with all of those people again lmao

 

[Kman101]

Space Mountain is definitely overrated. And it's time for WDW to spend the cash to upgrade Peter Pan's Flight. And the lighting in Mermaid's Under the Sea room.

 

[Jakester]

Heres what disney ought to consider. Pull the ride down for say 2years, Tear apart the entire interior of the mountain and rebuild the same ride layout/experience with modern supports/technology while addinga 3rd track to intermingle the current layout yet have that 3rd track include inversions(mission 2) and bam, you've completely revamped Space Mountain.

 

[DVC91]

I can't believe that PPF is consistently one of the highest wait times. It was 225 at one point on NYE

 

[marni1971]

Heres what disney ought to consider.

Doesn't matter. They considered and planned a lot of things 5-6 years ago.

Then they wouldn't pay for it.

 

[ParksAndPixels]

Doesn't matter. They considered and planned a lot of things 5-6 years ago.

Then they wouldn't pay for it.

I took a page from Disneys playbook... We had a really nice (& pricey) trip planned. I've "considered"(and have) cancelled our trip to WDW this year. It's alot of money to see attractions that really need work and lots of construction projects at same time. We're looking at going back when some of dust settles in 2017? Hopefully then these other areas that really have needed TLC will start getting it too.

 

[GrumpyFan]

Heres what disney ought to consider. Pull the ride down for say 2years, Tear apart the entire interior of the mountain and rebuild the same ride layout/experience with modern supports/technology while addinga 3rd track to intermingle the current layout yet have that 3rd track include inversions(mission 2) and bam, you've completely revamped Space Mountain.

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!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

I took a page from Disneys playbook... We had a really nice (& pricey) trip planned. I've "considered"(and have) cancelled our trip to WDW this year. It's alot of money to see attractions that really need work and lots of construction projects at same time. We're looking at going back when some of dust settles in 2017? Hopefully then these other areas that really have needed TLC will start getting it too.

TOTALLY understand your logic here. We did the same in that we skipped our annual trip the year New Fantasyland was being built in favor of waiting and going back once it was done. That being said however, if they are doing their job, there will never be a time that you visit the parks and don't see some construction or walls etc. There should always be refurbishments going on or new things being added. That's the way Walt envisioned it at least. Who knows, 2017 may be worse. LOL!

 

[ParksAndPixels]

TOTALLY understand your logic here. We did the same in that we skipped our annual trip the year New Fantasyland was being built in favor of waiting and going back once it was done. That being said however, if they are doing their job, there will never be a time that you visit the parks and don't see some construction or walls etc. There should always be refurbishments going on or new things being added. That's the way Walt envisioned it at least. Who knows, 2017 may be worse. LOL!

Oh trust me, I'm not naïve enough to think things will ever be 100% but with so much at all parks and the closures expected during our trip combined with the attractions that desperately need some TLC it just didn't make sense this time. I am one who believes Disney should always be adapting and growing but with such a large % at once, to us it's worth waiting. Taking a cruise instead.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I would love to see something like DLP.

Never been to DLP but from what I've read that ride system is even more likely to give you a headache than the one at MK.

 

[Kman101]

And the problem with the MK too is they also need more things to do. I know it just received New Fantasyland but the park can get packed and while there IS plenty to do, I look at Disneyland and definitely think the MK could use some added rides. A stage show would be nice as well, but I guess Hollywood Studios has that angle covered.

 

[thelookingglass]

Try getting stuck in line at the Kali Rivers Rapid waiting for lightning to stop and hearing the spiel about the tree loggers and how it is important to preserve the trees and the environment...FOR OVER AN HOUR!

That's bad too, but that spiel only plays in one small room, and getting stuck there for a long time is not a normal occurrence. In the case of the Space Mountain queue. the standby line will be hearing it for 30 minutes or more unless the line happens to b e short enough to not be beyond the games.

 

[H2O_Mouse-Ears]

What's more overrated, Space Mountain or Peter Pan's Flight?

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.

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere.

There is a new auto safety spiel that plays at Space Mountain from the entrance all the way through the tunnel up until you reach the games. This wouldn't be that annoying, but... it plays non-stop. It finishes and starts again 10 seconds later. Once every 5 minutes would be fine, but nope. Constantly. It plays over the beloved entrance and tunnel music.

You know...this would change swiftly - if one of the execs were accidentally trapped in that area!!! Just sayin'...

 

[JohnD]

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere.

There is a new auto safety spiel that plays at Space Mountain from the entrance all the way through the tunnel up until you reach the games. This wouldn't be that annoying, but... it plays non-stop. It finishes and starts again 10 seconds later. Once every 5 minutes would be fine, but nope. Constantly. It plays over the beloved entrance and tunnel music.

In other news:

- ceiling projections in loading area messed up
- music for "Starry-o-Phonic Sound" still barely audible
- half the sound effects installed for the audio upgrade don't cue anymore.
- the sound effect for the re-entry tunnel still delayed, doesn't play until you've almost already exited the tunnel, the same way it has been out of sync. since the big refurb.
- queue full of chipped paint
- queue still routed through ugly unthemed hallway on one side, no attempt at at least installing atmospheric lighting in the hallway was ever made.

Have you ever been waiting in line for TT to hear the same spiel over and over again about how TT works? My point is that you hear rotating recorded voiceovers in multiple attractions. Nothing new about that.

 

[Sage of Time]

Now THAT's an excellent question.
I'd say Space Mountain. Iconic. Almost a brand name. And a terrible ride.

But it has a ton of potential to be a real technological headliner for MK. Pan... Too small for that.

But yeah, Space Mountain is currently a joke. I just wish we could get Disneyland's version dropped into our facade. Now THAT is a cool ride.

 

[marni1971]

Never been to DLP but from what I've read that ride system is even more likely to give you a headache than the one at MK.

It's worse for some than others but the visuals, audio and experience are well worth it.

Plus it's getting new cars and a new restraint system over the next few months. Finally.