Space Mountain closing for short refurbishment in January 2016

[marni1971]

The part i miss the most from the old Space Mountain is when you were entering on the PeopleMover and it would say, "NOW APPROACHING SPACE MOUNTAIN"

That was changed in 2009 with the Peoplemover. It wasn't a change with the Mountain per say.

In fact, that was the third version of the spiel.

 

[MichWolv]

Am I the only person who prefers WDW's Space to DL's Space?

When the sound effects are working right, I generally prefer WDW's.

 

[KikoKea]

I always feel 1/2" shorter after riding SM- it's a rough ride, but I love it. Still, after riding DL's version last year, I must admit I'd be happy if they changed it out for something smoother. No hope for that anytime soon, it seems.

Just wondering- when they covered the que, was it because of too much light from people in line...flashlight apps or cameras on cell phones, etc?

 

[ToTBellHop]

I always feel 1/2" shorter after riding SM- it's a rough ride, but I love it. Still, after riding DL's version last year, I must admit I'd be happy if they changed it out for something smoother. No hope for that anytime soon, it seems.

Just wondering- when they covered the que, was it because of too much light from people in line...flashlight apps or cameras on cell phones, etc?

No. Just the fact that the queue is lit leads to light bleeding.

 

[KikoKea]

Thanks. Just curious since everyone now has a flash camera and flashlight in their pockets now.

 

[marni1971]

No. Just the fact that the queue is lit leads to light bleeding.

Hardly.

It was designed and lit specifically to eliminate that. Don't believe the hype and the cutesy YouTube video.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Hardly.

It was designed and lit specifically to eliminate that. Don't believe the hype and the cutesy YouTube video.

So then why do it? So they could install Mission Space blue lighting above?

 

[marni1971]

So then why do it? So they could install Mission Space blue lighting above?

Honestly? It seemed some were trying to make a name for theirselves. Shame even that couldn't be maintained properly.

 

[Bairstow]

If light isolation was their intent, you would think they could have done it just as well by stretching a thick scrim over the queue rather than a hard ceiling.

 

[Horizons '83]

Would it be possible that they covered it with a hard ceiling to prevent passengers of the ride throwing things from above which could potientally injury people in the queue area? (admittedly I can't remember if the ride is that close to the queue)

 

[ShoalFox]

Also, why did they replace the old illuminated text next to the loading stations (i.e. Rocket Arriving, Checking Invisible Oxygen Dome)? The old style text looked fine and IMO looked cooler than the new text.

 

[Incomudro]

I always feel 1/2" shorter after riding SM- it's a rough ride, but I love it. Still, after riding DL's version last year, I must admit I'd be happy if they changed it out for something smoother. No hope for that anytime soon, it seems.

Just wondering- when they covered the que, was it because of too much light from people in line...flashlight apps or cameras on cell phones, etc?

It is a rough ride.
I ride it because my sons love it, and I have a blast with them.
It beats you up though, and I can't get over the fear of imminent decapitation.

 

[Bairstow]

Would it be possible that they covered it with a hard ceiling to prevent passengers of the ride throwing things from above which could potientally injury people in the queue area? (admittedly I can't remember if the ride is that close to the queue)

I don't believe so.
Neither of the tracks actually pass over their respective load stations.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

Am I the only person who prefers WDW's Space to DL's Space?

WDW's Space is a better roller-coaster when it is running as intended with no brakes. It has actual negative-g forces and drops.

DL's Space is a better Disney experience in the form of a highly themed roller-coaster. When I visit Disney Parks, I'd rather have better Disney caliber experiences even if that sacrifices old fashion thrills. When I want to ride a great roller-coaster, I'll go to someplace that has a top tier roller-coaster in it (Holiday World, Silver Dollar City, a few of the Six Flags parks, or maybe even Cedar Point - but, they are more quantity than quality rides there).

In WDW's Space's current condition, it isn't worthy of the Disney Mountain moniker that is bestowed on it. It's lost it's only advantage over it's sister in Anaheim because it's been trim braked to death. Add to that the frequent failures with the theming and it's a mess.

Instead of getting what it needs, it's going to spend more time with the welding crew. I wonder if they will put more trims on it while it's down this time?

Wake me up when they break out the acetylene torch to start pulling down the structure to fix it the way it needs to be fixed.

Another 5 day refurb is an insult to all those paying admission to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[marni1971]

Would it be possible that they covered it with a hard ceiling to prevent passengers of the ride throwing things from above which could potientally injury people in the queue area? (admittedly I can't remember if the ride is that close to the queue)

The ride tracks don't come close enough. You have to be an excellent shot to get anything into the load area from the ride.

Edit - I see my diagram answered it!

 

[Horizons '83]

The ride tracks don't come close enough. You have to be an excellent shot to get anything into the load area from the ride.

Edit - I see my diagram answered it!

Figured that might be the case. Thanks Bairstow for the diagram.

I used to love that aspect of the queue. You could just get a glimpse of what you were about to get yourself into.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Well, Phil is going to DHS, so there won't be anything there. Epcot never refurbishes anything. And DAK, as we all know, can't refurbish anything until AVATAR opens. Primeval Whirl is getting a spit-clean, though. It isn't expected that any guests will notice it's closed, though.

Mission: Space is in DESPERATE need of a refurb.

 

[Bairstow]

Mission: Space is in DESPERATE need of a refurb.

It is?
Other than that big ring in the queue, what's broken?

 

[Next Big Thing]

It is?
Other than that big ring in the queue, what's broken?

I can't remember exactly, I just remember coming off of my last ride a month ago feeling it was really worn down, the actual ride portion. The least they could do is give it a weeks rehab in off-season... no one would miss it.

 

[ChrisM]

Mission: Space is in DESPERATE need of a refurb.

It's in desperate need of a refresh on the film/CGI. Those effects haven't aged well.