Does Disneyland really NEED another Space Mountain?

[JustinTheClaw]

I recently read about Space Mountain in Disneyland Park being updated to Rockin' Space Mountain in 2007. When I first read it, I was hoping it was a typo...Another new Space Mountain in Disneyland? They must have meant Magic Kingdom Park... Alas, it was not a typo.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against Disneyland getting new stuff, nor do I have a big problem with the WDW Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain (it is one of the Attractions I try to experience every visit). My problem is that this will be the forth edition of Disneyland's Space Mountain (including the original) in just over a decade, and the third in less than five years. Heck, Space Mountain just reopened with a brand new edition a year ago.

Meanwhile, over at the Magic Kingdom of Florida, Space Mountain remains virtually unchanged since it opened in 1975, save for some decoration and sponsership changes. The ride is bumpy and noisy, there is no music, it still isn't as dark as it could be, and since FedEx jumped ship (if you'll pardon the pun), there is almost no theming.

Space Mountain is one of my all-time favorite Attractions and it irks me to see the Imagineers do nothing new with it. I know Walt Disney World has better roller coasters, but does that mean an old favorite should be neglected? What you you think? Should the Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain be renovated? What would you like to see done to it if it was?

 

[erasure fan1]

I too ride every year because of the fond memories I have of the ride. Give me the same basic track layout with maybe a few more drops. Use the latest track/train technology and get the ride a bit darker. Then add some killer space special effects lighting and you have one of the best rides in Disney. The smoothness of the ride and the extra dark will add to the thrill without you really having to up the speed that much. I really hope this is the next "classic" they refresh.

 

[Chape19714]

I hope there is something for WDW in store. DL has gotton a fair amount of updates. Unfortuately, I don't think anything will happen anytime soon. It would be nice, but probally not. Our Space Mt. is different than all the others because of dual tracks, single person seating, and a larger than "standard" dome, so there are a few more variables with our version, the biggest being for the new tunnel effects and music, every cost and material order is x2 from DL.

 

[PlaneJane]

lol, the rockin' mountain is a night time overlay of space mountain. It is space mountain with a rock soundtrack and rock lighting. It will go back to the regular space mountain at the start of everyday. OH BTW this was part of the rehab that DL just got, they have planned this from the start.

 

[themack618]

I like the WDW space mountain the way it is...although it could be made a little smoother and should include music.

 

[JustinTheClaw]

lol, the rockin' mountain is a night time overlay of space mountain. It is space mountain with a rock soundtrack and rock lighting. It will go back to the regular space mountain at the start of everyday. OH BTW this was part of the rehab that DL just got, they have planned this from the start.

Ah...well, still, my point about MK's Space Mountain still stands. True is may cost a little more, but who says the Imagineers have to do exactly what was done at Disneyland? I'm sure that there are more cost-efficient ways to plus the Attraction and make it at least feel new.

 

[PaisleyMF]

Sometime ago i hear that the Space Mountain in DL was so damage beyond repair that the closed it for like 3 years or more (not sure) and was gutted and replaced with a newer track. Plus the added sound system and lighting effect for day and night rides (remember coasters change as the day passes with contraction and expantion, physics).

Space Mountain was open without the overlay of Rockit last year to meet the
Re-dedication of Disneyland. Some effects where there but not many. All the SM effects where there. And the newer soundtrack.

Now they are finishing the RockIt theme for next year and there was a preview for Grad Night 2006.

 

[ScrapIron]

Considering how the speakers are installed in DL's SM, Cal Screaming and RnRC, I can't help but wonder if the single seat style at WDW would make music impractical. It does add a lot, especially since it's composed with all the dips and turns in mind.

But remember that the main reason, possibly only one, that DL's tracks got rebuilt were because it was a safety issue; they were wearing out. Ironically, the extra weight from the audio equipment accelerated the process. In fact, although the rebuild had been scheduled, the ride closed down a few months earlier than planned because of safety. It was so unexpected that the CMs scheduled to work it the day it shut down didn't know about it until arriving for their shifts.

Early reports on RM are not encouraging. Word from miceage is that many of the RM elements didn't get installed because they pushed to get it open in July last year instead of the originally scheduled November. Hopefully, if that is so, they get it done properly before opening to the public next year. They ran it grad nights only because it had been promoted. But, keep in mind that this is in a sense a way for DL to get a RnRC type experience on the cheap if thinking about it that way makes you feel any better.

Cheers.

 

[the-reason14]

Me, personally, I wouldnt want to see any changes to SM esp the addition of music. I think its fine the way it is. If there were any changes made, however, I would say just smooth out the track, make it darker and faster, but no crappy noise like Rrnr.

 

[Scar Junior]

While I'd like to see a change at some point in the future.... SM is the last thing in Tomorrowland that needs to be altered. Well, Buzz and Astro appear to be doing well, but that's about it! TTA is decent. But this land needs major changes. I don't think they should touch SM until the land is all but complete.

And don't even get me started on how much of a waste Indy is!

 

[abian]

The current state of Space mountain doesn't fully operate all the effects WDI intended to install at the first place. There are still some space effects waiting to be added on in the future rehab and it is rumored to be the giant collision with asteroid. That is not included to part of the rockit mountain version at the first place. But right now they change the name to Rockin Space Mountain which WDI are not changing the entire enirovement to the RNCR scene (which I think is very very cheap and umimpressive), but basically keep the theme of space but add more fancy lighting effect and change the sound track to rock-and-roll style. The biggest installment of Rokin Space Mountain could be the Asteroid special effect which at the first place WDI is very ambitous about, but later on just failed to present the effect effectively. That is why RSM has been delayed and hopefully they have figured out the way to do better. Despite lots of people questioning about if it will be good enough to change it to the rock and roll version, I believe WDI got something very impressive. At least that what I read about somewhere else.

 

[kap91]

I don't know if it is going to happen or not but one of the Year of a Million dream articles on Orlando Sentinel I believe mentioned something about Space Mountain in WDW to be getting a rehab. I personally, really hope this happens

 

[bassman]

is it just me or does the name "rockin space mountain" seem a little.....erm.....lame to you.
also i also think that WDW's space mountain needs an upgrade,dont get me wrong i always go on it and love it,its a classic.
but it just doesn't have that whole spacey feel to it,its not dark enough and the themeing isnt quite what you would expect from disney,its very varied and sparce.
i think that if MK's space mountain got the upgrade that DLC's version got a year ago,(what they have currently),it would bring that little bit more life into the attraction.

another thing that i have noticed about MK's space mountain.
most of the LED stars that are around the track seem to be on the supports for the coaster track,marking them out ,i was just wondering if this was for the safety of riders so that they know not too put their hands in the air cos they can see the support beams.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

This is probably going to be a minority oppinion, but here goes anyway.
I'd be perfectly happy if they tore out the 2 Space Mountain tracks and created a whole new single coaster in the building. Give it some cool space effects like the DL or Paris versions. Keep the speed down though, it should be a family coaster with low height requirements, so no LIM launch; i like the steady crawl up through the space station before being sent out into space anyway. It should also have a soundtrack, either surf-guitar or full orchestral would be fine (maybe electronica? only if it was "real" electronica, and not lame Disney "techno"). Of course, doing this would mean that SM would be shut down for at least a year.

As a side note, i think i've seen SM without the lights on, and iirc the track is grey~ish. Wouldn't matte black tracks make more sense to hide them in the dark?

 

[JustinTheClaw]

But remember that the main reason, possibly only one, that DL's tracks got rebuilt were because it was a safety issue; they were wearing out. Ironically, the extra weight from the audio equipment accelerated the process. In fact, although the rebuild had been scheduled, the ride closed down a few months earlier than planned because of safety. It was so unexpected that the CMs scheduled to work it the day it shut down didn't know about it until arriving for their shifts.

This is partly true. The track was fatiguing, but it was from the added weight of the on-board sound system, originally installed in 1996.

 

[JustinTheClaw]

another thing that i have noticed about MK's space mountain.
most of the LED stars that are around the track seem to be on the supports for the coaster track,marking them out ,i was just wondering if this was for the safety of riders so that they know not too put their hands in the air cos they can see the support beams.

The Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain actually does not use LED. I believe the Attraction and its effects predate the mainstream use of LEDs or Fiber Optics. (Bear in mind, LEDs are very expensive. It's only recently that LED technology has become affordable enough for mainstream use.) Most of the stars are actually creating by shining spotlights through disks with pinholes in them, creating the star-like dots of light which spread across the whole building, including the ride structure. This is also why the stars seam to get smaller as you fall deeper into the building. You're getting closer to the projectors.

As far as safety is concerned, that is handled by the looping safety speil which goes something like "Please keep your hands and arms inside your rocket, and remain seated at all times." If you do not follow these directions, you are putting yourself at risk for injury.

 

[cmatt]

Hmmm interesting read - rock eh? id personally request a bit of soulfly or some Fear Factory (like THAT will EVER happen )

Hmm interesting point coffeejedi - but i personally think they need to make it more like dlrp version - more extreme, it doesnt *have* to go upside down to make it a tad more thrilling, but a proper drag hill wouldnt go a miss nor would instead of turning at the end how about it takes you to the top of the ride? again like dlp..... it would be a more fun experience. Even with these changes the height requirements would be kept low.

Then again they would have to replace the tracking entirely... which would be a tad erm... exspensive

 

[PlaneJane]

they need to replace the track at WDW so my dad can ride it..

BTW the official name of the rock mode is- Rockit' Mountain