Buzz/Space Mtn. Update for Jan. '05

[bryon1]

Theres not much to report on this month....Minor Spoilers ahead dont read if you dont want to know.....

Buzz,

Got to see part of the inner begining of the cue line the other day...If your looking at the two doors on the corner...Fast pass will enter on the right side and stand-by will enter from the left. Couldnt see all of the cue line but, it does utilize the left side of the building next the Rocket Rods track. The interior has the same kind of instructional drawings on "how to defeat Zurg" from Florida. The Matterhorn walkway between the show buildings has been torn up for replacement. Hearing more rummors of an early March soft opening (again rummors). Suposably the online site is available but, havent gone...Ofcourse parts wont be working till the ride opens.

Space,

The cue lines will be seperated coming up the ramps behind Redd Rockets for Fast Pass. FP will go to the left and stand by will go to the right around the large planter, and will merge at the old Orange Space Mtn. Sign that was mounted to the wall if you remember. There is a large cast member consol with two screens for cameras to monitor the lines. The interior has floor tile just like in mission space and TLT at WDW, lots of Silver and Blue and some Gold. One surprise...The have sealed off the "viewing" area of the rockets in space. WDI has instaled their speaker towers for sectional listening. And air gates have been installed.

Enjoy,
bryon1

 

[djmatthews]

Thanks for the update. Do you have any news on the opening dates for Space Mountain. Will it be open for the beginning of the celebration, or will it be open in November?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Thanks for the update. Do you have any news on the opening dates for Space Mountain. Will it be open for the beginning of the celebration, or will it be open in November?

I think Disney is hoping for neither...the most optimistic timeframe would have it open July 17th.

 

[xfkirsten]

Optimistic being the operative word! Last I heard, chances are it would still be November. However, no sources ever agree on that, so as far as I'm concerned, they're all talking out their rears. :lol: It'll open when it opens, and until Disney makes an announcement, I wouldn't pay any attention to those rumors.

 

[bryon1]

From what Ive seen and from pictures inside Space...there should be no reason why Disney would take till Nov. to re-open Space. However, again I havent had any reports of all the newer "rockets" showing up on property or even any type of ride cycling. There have been no flyers yet about asking for CM's for the cycling and opening team. And usually word spreads that WDI hands over the "keys" to the attraction, and that hasnt happened yet either. Unless something wierd happens to the "rockets"....

Other news is that the rigging team that dug out Space and had the cranes inside to re-build has taken some of the last of the crane weights from back stage.

 

[xfkirsten]

Weren't there some photos of at least some of the new rockets backstage around the time that it closed? Or were those scrapped and re-done?

 

[bryon1]

Yeah, Ive seen pictures of the dark purple with Gold "rockets" and the enhanced speaker placement. No more bang your head headrests that didnt rest your head.

I have no idea what the status is or what was the final go ahead design of the "rockets" If I reemeber right that the Cast Members were told BEFORE Space Shut down of the new "rockets" at the Cast Blast but, that was almost 3 yrs ago.

So, does anyone else have any idea if these were given the go ahead?

 

[ToTBellHop]

I seem to remember hearing that those rockets were being held at Disney World's Space Mountain for the time being. Disney has announced Space Mountain as opening "Fall of 2005", which would at least put soft openings possible late in the summer. I get the impression that Disney feels they won't have any problem getting crowds this summer, so if they announce it as opening in the fall, they can get people to continue booking trips into the off season, even though the ride may open by late summer. Buzz is soft opening 2 months early...