Space Mountain closing intermittently in September

James122

James122

Well-Known Member
I had no idea that the 2009 refurbishment was meant to be a more thorough and lengthy operation. Was the re-tracking put off simply because of money issues, or were there other problems ?
 
Kman101

Kman101

Well-Known Member
Hearing about the brakes for SM is really disappointing. For every minor step forward, WDW just constantly takes so many steps back. Disney cannot be hurting for money, why are TDO sooooooooooo cheap? They constantly just look so bad.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
James122 said:
I had no idea that the 2009 refurbishment was meant to be a more thorough and lengthy operation. Was the re-tracking put off simply because of money issues, or were there other problems ?
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Try an 18 month rebuild. The following photo shows some of the spray paint marks (in yellow) made in 2008 for the plans to cut and remove the original track and supports. I took it last month.

image.jpg
 
mergatroid

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
Rode it today and have to agree the breaking is noticable. The big drop is no longer quite as good and the sound effects timing is now out durinng the spiral ending. It also broke down this morning whilst I was in the queue. They announced there would be a wait but strangely after about only 5 mins they then asked everyone to leave the building which I've not witnessed before. I returned at 12:30 with my fast pass and everything was back to normal (apart from the brakes obviously)
 
James122

James122

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info, marni and disney fan! It's hard to belive that such large parts of the refurbishment project were dropped in favor of what seems like minor cosmetic improvements to the ride. Obviously, the track replacement and on-board audio components are the biggest disapointments, but I would've also loved to have seen some of the effects from DLP and DL's Mountains brought to Orlando's Space Mountain. The external lighting would've been really cool - it's great to see the outside lighting effects done during the Ghost Galaxy overlay at DL's Space Mountain.

I would've gladly put up with Space Mountain being down for 18 months if it allowed for major work to be done on it.
 
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rodserling27

rodserling27

Well-Known Member
dhsaddict83 said:
I know I'm going to get bashed and flamed for this, but I feel the need to toss in my 2 cents...

After going on Space Mountain this past weekend for the first time since their most recent "refurb," I must say that I'm greatly disappointed in Disney for the addition of the brakes.
The 2 hills following the intersection of opposite moving trains are IMO the best drops on Space Mountain (especially the last hill), and for months/years there were no brakes at that point in the ride, and the ride has been 100% safe without the brakes there. And now you add brakes there and call it a "refurb"... Shame on you, Disney for adding brakes to that location, the ride didn't need to be any slower, was already safe, and now, it's slower, jerkier, and suffice it to say, you've ruined easily my favorite sacred attraction at the MK. Please, Disney remove those brakes- the ride is fine without them!

Again, I'm sure I'm bound to get bashed/flamed for this (I hope I don't), but just wanted to voice my opinion about this change to SM @ the MK.
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Why on earth would we flame you for speaking the truth? I'll bet the large majority of people agree with you! Well put, my friend.
 
azox

azox

Well-Known Member
Just got back from visiting Disney World this week and I love the addition of the trim brakes to Space Mountain. After reading posts on here I was getting worried that they ruined my favorite ride in Disney World. However, I think it's a nice improvement since our last time there. I only noticed the brakes on the last dip before the helix at the end of the ride and it was subtle. It slowed the card down just enough so when you exit the helix and go into reentry tunnel you don't get that whiplash feeling. Likewise exiting the tunnel is also more comfortable. I don't think they toned it down much, just enough to make it smoother at the end.

I would be curious if anyone else noticed this as well. Everyone in my party was pleased with the change as well :)


-Scott
 
steve2wdw

steve2wdw

WDW Fan Since 1973
I did notice the trim brakes, and didn't mind any of them until the last one (before the drop). I felt exactly opposite of you....as it completely eliminated any bit of air time there, and the helix and tunnel felt like we were driving through a school zone. I always felt that the ride had great build-up until the end (most coasters putter out towards the end). It would pick up more and more speed as you progressed through the ride, with the reward being the final drop and helixes. While it's still "fun", it now has no climatic moment and that is a letdown to me. I actually left a comment in City Hall regarding the brakes.
 
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
steve2wdw said:
I always felt that the ride had great build-up until the end (most coasters putter out towards the end). It would pick up more and more speed as you progressed through the ride, with the reward being the final drop and helixes.
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That's exactly it! Most start with a climax, such as a drop or a launch. Then slowly fizzle out, are a complete bore by the end. (See: RnRC)

Part of Space's otherworldy brilliance is that the ride never lets go of you, keeps throwing new stuff at the rider. Space climaxes near the end, at the helix. It is a nothing less than a disaster that they took this out.
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said:
That's exactly it! Most start with a climax, such as a drop or a launch. Then slowly fizzle out, are a complete bore by the end. (See: RnRC)

Part of Space's otherworldy brilliance is that the ride never lets go of you, keeps throwing new stuff at the rider. Space climaxes near the end, at the helix. It is a nothing less than a disaster that they took this out.
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So our Space is a formerly brilliant lover that now needs to see his doctor for medication?
 
C

celluloid

Well-Known Member
I believe it. That is unfortunate. Space Mountain was my favorite Disney Thrill Coaster. It is what really gives the edge over DL's(I know I am often in the minority) DL's Space was too tame...no drops like WDW has always had.

Sorry for the confusion Scuttle. The above was a follow up to a Space Mt Viagra analogy/joke.
 
Scuttle

Scuttle

Well-Known Member
Sped2424 said:
age, trim brakes will lessen the strain on the track and the foundation if I am not mistaken. the ride is old, and instead of giving it the refurb it needs they are putting a band aid and some tape on a bone that's close to fracturing.
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Band aids at WDW whatever do you mean!? Lol
 

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