Rumor MK Space Mountain REVISED in 2026? (One track? side-by-side seating?)

[marni1971]

The supports have been spray painted since I worked there in 2007, when they were originally supposed to gut it and rebuild it in 2008.

Yep.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Unfortunately, if they do rebuild Space Mountain, I think they’re going to change the ride path. There is nowhere near enough clearance for modern coaster safety standards.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Until Phil Holmes decided to cut it.

To be fair, it was an otherwise fantastic refurbishment but it only went so far without the most important piece.

 

[celluloid]

To be fair, it was an otherwise fantastic refurbishment but it only went so far without the most important piece.

Filling in the ceiling and taking away the stripes completely from ride vehicles hurt both the experience of The Peoplemover and Space Mountain.

 

[HMF]

To be fair, it was an otherwise fantastic refurbishment but it only went so far without the most important piece.

Compared to what Disneyland received in 2003-5, It was a massive disappointment.

 

[fgmnt]

Unfortunately, if they do rebuild Space Mountain, I think they’re going to change the ride path. There is nowhere near enough clearance for modern coaster safety standards.

I can’t speak authoritatively on the clearance and safety standards, but unlike BTM it’s not a track built onto a structure but a structure built over a track. It’s not an engineering challenge to replace the track and the general public I think are more attached to the idea of riding a roller coaster in that building than riding the specific tracks that happen to be in SM. I think if the company ever wanted to do an overhaul of Space Mountain the only way they could sell it to suits is by telling them it can be marketed as a whole new experience. Launches, projection mapping, etc.

 

[Bocabear]

I can’t speak authoritatively on the clearance and safety standards, but unlike BTM it’s not a track built onto a structure but a structure built over a track. It’s not an engineering challenge to replace the track and the general public I think are more attached to the idea of riding a roller coaster in that building than riding the specific tracks that happen to be in SM. I think if the company ever wanted to do an overhaul of Space Mountain the only way they could sell it to suits is by telling them it can be marketed as a whole new experience. Launches, projection mapping, etc.

I don't think they need to "sell it to the suits"...at this point it is aging out and needs refurbishment and replacement... It is also one of the most popular, iconic attractions at the WDW resort.... For those reasons alone there should be no problem getting permission to do it.... Without worrying abbout marketing... Having it refreshed with show scenes, integrated sound, and it's speedramp exit restored would be enough...

 

[lazyboy97o]

I can’t speak authoritatively on the clearance and safety standards, but unlike BTM it’s not a track built onto a structure but a structure built over a track. It’s not an engineering challenge to replace the track and the general public I think are more attached to the idea of riding a roller coaster in that building than riding the specific tracks that happen to be in SM. I think if the company ever wanted to do an overhaul of Space Mountain the only way they could sell it to suits is by telling them it can be marketed as a whole new experience. Launches, projection mapping, etc.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad also has structure built around the track and there are photos of them adjusting for additional clearance. Space Mountain at Disneyland is also not exactly the same as it was, as a few modifications were made to provide additional clearances.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

.. It is also one of the most popular, iconic attractions at the WDW resort...

So was splash.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

So was splash.

Splash did have mounting cricitisms on it for...
Wait a minute why are we talking about Splash again? Must it be ripped from its grave every single time someone wants to make an argument and rear its zombified corpse on a flagpole for all to see.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Splash did have mounting cricitisms on it for...
Wait a minute why are we talking about Splash again? Must it be ripped from its grave every single time someone wants to make an argument and rear its zombified corpse on a flagpole for all to see.

Ok…. So was tower of terror in Cali.
Is that better?

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Ok…. So was tower of terror in Cali.
Is that better?

Yeah thats better, ToT in Cali was the worst version of ToT though so ...
Uh oh.

 

[HMF]

Yeah thats better, ToT in Cali was the worst version of ToT though so ...
Uh oh.

Florida has the worst version of POTC. Should we tear that out next?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Florida has the worst version of POTC. Should we tear that out next?

Off topic - but I like all the different versions!

I actually think Florida has a great Pirates - I like the way you travel through the fort, board a boat and “escape” into the caves that drop you into the action.

I also think the Paris (and formerly California) version of Tower has some fun moments

 

[Coaster Lover]

Florida has the worst version of POTC. Should we tear that out next?

Yes

 

[MisterPenguin]

Florida has the worst version of POTC. Should we tear that out next?

If by "tear out" you mean "replace with a better PoTC"... yes.

 

[HMF]

Off topic - but I like all the different versions!

I actually think Florida has a great Pirates - I like the way you travel through the fort, board a boat and “escape” into the caves that drop you into the action.

I also think the Paris (and formerly California) version of Tower has some fun moments

I agree, and for me when DCA's Tower became Guardians is when I realized that nothing in the parks is sacred with the current morons in management.

 

[Vinnie Mac]

Unfortunately, if they do rebuild Space Mountain, I think they’re going to change the ride path. There is nowhere near enough clearance for modern coaster safety standards.

Can't you literally touch the top of the red tunnel if you reach high enough and your wingspan is just long enough

 

[VicariousCorpse]

Can't you literally touch the top of the red tunnel if you reach high enough and your wingspan is just long enough

Yes. And the light tunnel at the beginning... and multiple struts throughout the ride...

 

[Charlie The Chatbox Ghost]

Florida has the worst version of POTC. Should we tear that out next?

Is it only the worst because it’s missing the cave scenes? Marc Davis said he purposefully excluded those because he viewed them as only necessary for DL to get under the berm, not necessary to the story at all. He (and the other Imagineers) thought it was better to not include them, weirdly enough.