Are the glowing stripes on Space Mtn rockets gone?

[Skyway]

Are the glow-in-the-dark stripes on the rockets now gone ?!?!?!?!?!?

In this recent photo from mousesteps.com, it is hard to see the greenish-white stripes anymore:

http://www.mousesteps.com/images/stories/Updates 2009/November 5th/Update/DSC_8750.JPG

In these recent YouTube videos, at certain times you can see streaks of white, but I cannot tell if it is the old glowing stripes, or simply glare from the bright new worklights reflecting off the shiny gloss on the newly-painted trains.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxNfNyB24-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKEvHVCuojA

(EDIT) Good news. I just found this early testing video, which shows the stripes are clearly still on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1spOLlsm3MY

The stripes would be unnecessary for people standing in the queue, since the roof opening has now been enclosed.

But the stripes also made it possible to see the vehicles from the TTA (and occasionally, from other SM rockets)

Speaking of SM's glowing stripes---- does anyone recall the pre-2005 Disneyland SM? Those rockets also had glowing stripes, but from what I remember, the PeopleMover did not have a very good (or very long) view of the rockets. There was also a huge glass wall in the queue that supposedly looked out on to the track. But the lighting was so bright in the queue, you could not see through the glare. Were the rockets ever visible from that queue window? (I believe it is now completely covered, and the DL rockets no longer have glowing stripes.)

 

[OnWithTheShow]

I wonder if the new queue lighting made it impossible to "recharge" the glow-in-the-dark paint?

The stripes were actually recharged by UV lights right before the first tunnel and again at the top of the lift. A good clue would be whether those lights are still there or not.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Not sure about DL, but as for our glow stripes, I'm fairly certain they are still there (they better be there...). The amount of lighting in the queue is irrelevant because the glow strips were recharged through the use of black/UV lights located in the room before the blue light tunnel and along the lift hill.

EDIT: Curses! I was beaten! :lol:

 

[Skipper Dan]

Here's my theory:

I think the stripes will still be there, still glow and may be even the more evident now. The stripes always had a green'ish glow, and I think they are in some way connected to our new color scheme. I don't know, but as soon as I saw the lime green, I was instantly reminded of the lime green stripes flying through the nothingness while riding in the TTA.

That's my theory, like it or not! :zipit:

 

[Gringrinngghost]

(EDIT) Good news. I just found this early testing video, which shows the stripes are clearly still on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1spOLlsm3MY

Yay! That is Me! :sohappy::sohappy: I am CoasternnewsMediaInc on Youtube!!!

I believe they are still on.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I did hear that the cars were taken to central shops for painting, however....:shrug:

 

[Jasonflz]

I did hear that the cars were taken to central shops for painting, however....:shrug:

From what I see in the 1st video, the sides of the rockets (where the strips are) are now a dark gray color, as opposed to the white/green they used to be, as pointed out earlier.

Then:

Now:

(I also wonder how the seats and front portion were changed)

 

[raven]

(EDIT) Good news. I just found this early testing video, which shows the stripes are clearly still on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1spOLlsm3MY

That video was posted September 19th so it isn't current. The astronauts are not on the rocket anymore.

With the queue line and boarding area enclosed now, what would be the purpose of the glowing stickers? The original idea was to see the cars flying around in space from the line. Now that isn't possible. The stickers also reflected light onto the straight posrtions of the ride (break runs) and kinda ruined it for me personally.

 

[Jasonflz]

That video was posted September 19th so it isn't current. The astronauts are not on the rocket anymore.

With the queue line and boarding area enclosed now, what would be the purpose of the glowing stickers? The original idea was to see the cars flying around in space from the line. Now that isn't possible. The stickers also reflected light onto the straight posrtions of the ride (break runs) and kinda ruined it for me personally.

But they still would be visible from the TTA.:shrug:

 

[enoe01]

It looks to me that in all the new pictures we have seen that the stripes are no longer there. The ride vehicles did go to central for new paint and it doesn't look like central reapplied the stickers. Hopefully the stickers get reapplied at final punch out, all we can do is hold our breath and wait.

 

[xdx]

My guess is that it has more to do with the new "darker" version of the ride. It will probably help focus on the new projections/star field.

The glowing stripes would probably distract somewhat due to the much darker experience.

 

[Skyway]

That video was posted September 19th so it isn't current. The astronauts are not on the rocket anymore.
.

True, the video is a few months old.

But that appears to be a newly-painted rocket (dark blue body instead of greyish-blue). When that video first appeared, many noticed the new color scheme.

I guess we won't know until the ride opens (which some say might be today?!?!)

 

[marni1971]

With the queue line and boarding area enclosed now, what would be the purpose of the glowing stickers?

Nah... you could often see other cars `flying` around in space. The effect was great.

I too was told the cars were probably un-glowed in `shops a few weeks ago.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Nah... you could often see other cars `flying` around in space. The effect was great.

I too was told the cars were probably un-glowed in `shops a few weeks ago.

Is it for a good reason, at least?

 

[EpcotServo]

It looks like the UV lights were still there.

Knowing this Rehab, they are probably left in place for un-glowed rockets.

:brick:

It will make the ride darker, which is good.

 

[Skyway]

It will make the ride darker, which is good.

Those glow strips did not contribute much light to the ride, if any at all.

The biggest light leak offender was apparently the lift hill, even more than the queue opening. Early reports suggest the lift hill light have been dimmed (and lights more precisely aimed with LEDs?)

If the glow strips are gone, I'm sure the enclosure of the queue was a big factor. But the other factor must be the new obsticles blocking the TTA's view of the tracks. Alpha (I believe) is almost entirely hidden now by the queue ceiling "boxes". That would mean 50% of the glowing rockets would never been seen at all (other than by other passing rockets, which will hopefully be offset by more projections and special effects to look at)

Considering there is no other Disney attraction I can think of (or other use anywhere at all) that uses UV rechargable glowing paint (or plastic), I wonder if the material is even manufactured anymore (or cost-prohibitive, considering the limited views of it now)

 

[EpcotServo]

Those glow strips did not contribute much light to the ride, if any at all.

The last time I rode I made it a point to watch the sides, and in most of the turns there was significant glow illuminating the closest ride pylons. My guess is that it was even more exaggerated in the new darker environment.

 

[jt04]

Is it for a good reason, at least?

Yes, stars should be brighter. I just wish they could have added a state of the art projector.