I think it's interesting how many people cite the physical motion of the Space Mountain coasters as the decisive factor between them.
To me, Disneyland's was far more enjoyable because the theming seemed so much more complete than at WDW's (better soundtrack, "spacey" bric-a-brac seemed more thoroughly integrated during ride, tracks seemed less visible than at WDW).
Neither one of them are a top-flight coaster experience in their own right (as is the case with just about any Disney thrill ride), so the differences in theming — or my perception of them, anyway — is what affects my ranking.
To be honest, all the talk about airtime and turns — with no mention of which one actually seems like a better representation of a trip through outer space — seems a bit strange on a Disney fan board. If it's pure coaster experience you want, Space Mountain on any coast isn't your best bet.
Respectfully disagree, especially with the bolded parts!
It is a Disney message board, but many of us are coaster enthusiasts, as well! And WDW's Space Mountain holds up VERY well in the thrills department, for my taste. It is in my Top 20 steel coasters in the country, (out of the 208 steel coasters I've ridden) behind only drop/camelback/lap bar/inversion-free hypercoasters (which are AWOL in Florida)
It's also my favorite steel coaster in Florida, ahead of all the tedious (for my taste) positive-g, shoulder-harness multiloopers (cough, Kumba, Hulk, Montu, Kraken, Manta, etc), and even ahead of Sheikra! Sheikra has some nice floater air on the drops, but since it holds you up there for awhile before the drop, it lacks the element of surprise, a nice long runtime, and the gradual buildup of both speed and intensity found in the MK Space Mountain.
Airtime and pacing are my favorite qualities in a coaster experience, and the MK Space comes up aces in these categories. In the back seat you are cruising along, then there's a turn, a sudden straight drop, and BAM! Ejector air PARADISE, and an INCREASE in speed! And it does this three more times in rapid-fire succession on those great, straight drops, with the last one being the biggest! Space Mountain in MK is a PERFECT example of the fact that a coaster need not be the "tallest", "fastest", etc. to deliver the goods BIG TIME in the thrills category!
Of course, if you "staple" yourself too tightly with the lap bar, you will not feel this air to the fullest (or at all!)
I am an airtime junkie when it comes to coasters; other's mileage may vary.
As far as the theming, DL's may be a little better but WDW's is no slouch, either! It works for me! And I love the WDW postshow, the star-tunnel entrance music, etc. It's not like our theming is garbage! But as a coaster enthusiast, the actual coaster elements (ie thrills), are the most important thing I evaluate in a coaster. That's why I rank Disney attractions in two different categories (thrills and aesthetics).
PS. The lack of the highly-touted onboard audio has never bothered me in the slightest. I am so focused on being in a zen-like state "feeling" the layout and focusing on the physical part of the ride, that I scarcely even notice it on Rock and Roller Coaster. In fact, I remember someone once asking me what song I had after just getting off of RnRC, and I honestly couldn't remember!
