Details on Space Mountain Refurb

[marni1971]

Sounds relatively legit. I just hope that the soundtrack doesn't suck. :fork: Howzabout a nice orchestral score thing as opposed to Red Hot Chili Peppers? .

The RHCP was a bad marketing ploy in DLC only. Thankfully.

New trains are still a very-much-maybe at the mo.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I just want the ride to be darker.

Blind folds will be available when you board :ROFLOL:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Also, the refurb is still scheduled for january 2009 and may even get moved up to november 2008 depending on attendance and such....

January 2009 will do quite nicely - certainly not during 2008 (please)

 

[Fun2BFree]

After passing by Venus and Mercury you finnaly made it to the sun and enter the "red fire passage at the end of the ride".

Enter the Sun? Are you crazy, man?!?

I too think if they removed the Star Tunnel/Promising Tomorrows suite from the queue, I would be gutted. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but does the OP state the track will be replaced? When they did a similar thing to Disneyland's one-track younger version, it took two years. How can this happen in just a year?

 

[erasure fan1]

I guess I dont mind them keeping the layout the same because that alone should take care of the smoothness issues and make it feel a bit different. But at the very least, It would be very cool for them to put in a new drop or something that no one will expect. Not a major change but something so when you get off you go, "what was that!". One can dream cant he.

 

[marni1971]

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but does the OP state the track will be replaced? When they did a similar thing to Disneyland's one-track younger version, it took two years. How can this happen in just a year?

Yes, the OP said new track for a virtually identical layout give or take. Time wise, it can be acheived faster than DLC since the new track is already being made, and there is an awful lot more room in WDWs show building than in Anaheim - and access is easier too, due to both Alpha and Omegas layouts and to physical access into and out of the building.

Plus, don`t forget DLCs SM wasn`t meant to close when it did. There was no choice. They wern`t ready. WDWs rehab has been 4 years in the planning.

 

[PhilharMagician]

This all sounds great, but I hope some money becomes available for the post show. It really needs more than a spit and polish.

 

[sissa216]

So glad this is FINALLY going to happen (unless they put it back another year again), and I do also hope they keep the queue music.
But I'm also glad that I'll have the opportunity to see it one last time this fall.

 

[Legacy]

Enter the Sun? Are you crazy, man?!?

I too think if they removed the Star Tunnel/Promising Tomorrows suite from the queue, I would be gutted. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but does the OP state the track will be replaced? When they did a similar thing to Disneyland's one-track younger version, it took two years. How can this happen in just a year?

Yes, the OP said new track for a virtually identical layout give or take. Time wise, it can be acheived faster than DLC since the new track is already being made, and there is an awful lot more room in WDWs show building than in Anaheim - and access is easier too, due to both Alpha and Omegas layouts and to physical access into and out of the building.

Plus, don`t forget DLCs SM wasn`t meant to close when it did. There was no choice. They wern`t ready. WDWs rehab has been 4 years in the planning.

Furthermore, if they are just replacing the track, it's possible that they are leaving the support beams up. That would depend (obviously) of the load-bearing ability of it with a new track on it, but it's possible.

Roller coasters really don't take that long to build. The biggest hassle for something like SM is getting it inside, which really isn't that difficult in FL.

 

[Philo]

I'm not that happy that they plan to close off the ride area from the load area. I like the look of the trains shooting round the track as your getting ready to board. Worse still is that they seem to have neglected the view from TTA.

Still, the rest of it sounds great!

 

[brkgnews]

Depending on how they do the "ceiling," the TTA view might not even be affected. TTA track is well above the load area. And while it is neat seeing the ride overhead while queueing, I think it'd be worth if for a darker, more "themed" ride experience.

 

[PhilharMagician]

The light leakage from the load area does effect the ride. The TTA will only have a view of the load area or the ride itself when done. I can't see how they can get both to be viewed if they are covering the load area.

 

[brkgnews]

I'd much rather be able to see the ride from TTA than see the load area from TTA.

 

[jt04]

The light leakage from the load area does effect the ride. The TTA will only have a view of the load area or the ride itself when done. I can't see how they can get both to be viewed if they are covering the load area.

Agreed. It will have to be one or the other it seems to me. I am really hoping they go all out on the load areas. Also with a ceiling added they could better light the TTA and make it much more visible from the load area and thereby make the theming more layered. I am really impressed by the load area in Tokyo and think the same style would look great at WDW with TTA an added element Tokyo does not have. The load area really sets the mood for the entire experience. Hopefully TTA has a seperate budget because it needs updating also.

 

[Skyway]

My guess is that SM will be given a more Buck Rogers fantasy-future theme to match the rest of the 1995 Tomorrowland facelift (if they duplicate the new DL Space Mountain decor, they run the risk of resembling Mission:Space).

Even though it probably won't happen, I think Disney has a perfect opportunity to expand the ride's existing 1970's decor and exploit the retro-ness of it.

Just as DL has returned some of the 1960's elements of Tomorrowland that were at one time "outdated" but now "cool retro" (like the Rocket to the Moon), WDW could easily do the same with Space Mountain.

Put in a 1970's Mission Control with Mr. Tom Morrow (although it would look a lot like the new SSE computer room). Throw in a big Saturn V rocket like the old RocketJets tower. Line the queue with video monitors showing vintage NASA videos and clips from the old "Mission to Mars" ride. For the on-board ride music, use an instrumental version od Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" or a C.C.R.-esque early 70's rock theme.

As the years tick by, more and more people will long for anything retro 70's. Right now, SM is stuck in the 70's. Instead of running from that problem, Disney should embrace it!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

The only downside is of course the impact on the rest of the MK on loosing one of its big three attractions.

I just wish they had put something new and additional in first.

 

[jt04]

I'd much rather be able to see the ride from TTA than see the load area from TTA.

I guess from an operational perspective, that if space mountain is shut down (and the lights are on) they might rather not have the ride area visible from the TTA. I think the load area will get some great theming so it should look great from the TTA also. The downside is nobody will be able to get the great pictures we get from time to time when the lights are on. But the good side is the TTA will be unaffected when the lights are on and have a cool new element added (rethemed load area in the mountain).

 

[joel_maxwell]

Sounds great. Hopefully the new main lift will be cable or tire based so you don't hear "CLACK CLACK CLACK" for 30 seconds.

yes, it detracts from the "rocket" effect

Matches almost exactly with the info I was alble to drag out of someone involved about 2 weeks ago.
Only differences: Post show refurb was said to be dependant on how far they are able to spread the budget, the train design was still a little unsure, and the interactive element in the queue was thought to not be a sure thing.

Otherwise, pretty spot-on.:wave:


Pretty much all of '09.


Would be nice, but would add more expense. Besides, with a new queue layout, fastpass, stand by and single rider could all be handled much more efficiently. Capacity should be fine.

please be finished by 2012 and not get delays and push backs for another year or so

I agree, if they replace the star tunnel music, I'll be crushed, no matter how good the new music is.

Deespite that, it looks good. I'm glad they're FINALLY going to give it a good overhaul.

since it is my ringtone sometimes... i would be crushed as well.

January 2009 will do quite nicely - certainly not during 2008 (please)

like i said above, i just want it to be complete by 2012

Furthermore, if they are just replacing the track, it's possible that they are leaving the support beams up. That would depend (obviously) of the load-bearing ability of it with a new track on it, but it's possible.

Roller coasters really don't take that long to build. The biggest hassle for something like SM is getting it inside, which really isn't that difficult in FL.

it has quiet the backside opening :lookaroun

 

[joel_maxwell]

The only downside is of course the impact on the rest of the MK on loosing one of its big three attractions.

I just wish they had put something new and additional in first.

im all for moving CoP someplace and putting an eticket there... but it wont ever happen (and i have discussed at nausea)

 

[darthjohnny]

If the redo the line, I hope they can make a better way to transition from the bright light from outside to the darkness of the line. It's fine if you are on Stand-By, but when you're doing fast pass and walking right through, it's hard to get your bearings for a little bit.