Space Mountain Heading to the Scrap Heap :)

[disneysroyal411]

I look at it this way:
SM is MK's signature thrill ride. An iconic attraction who's name alone stirs feelings and images with the public, even those who haven't ridden it.
HRRR is Uni's new signature thrill ride. High tech and exciting.
Now...which park will have the most impressive signature thrill ride? To me, and many others, Uni will.
It's not a knock against Disney really, I love them too much for that. Instead it is my desire to see the MK have a ride that is worthy of it's iconic status. A ride that is the best of it's kind in the world, which is what Disney used to demand, and what the MK deserves.
"Classic" doesn't earn a ride any slack from me. Too often it is just an excuse to let something get stale.

well they have Mission Space.:lookaroun

 

[disneysroyal411]

:lol::lol::lol:

I'm sure the Cm's working that shift will greatly appreciate that. Besides, who ever heard of music in space?

In space, no one hears you sing. :lookaroun:ROFLOL:

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

In space, no one hears you sing. :lookaroun:ROFLOL:

And for some of us, that might be a good thing. :lol:

 

[disneysroyal411]

And for some of us, that might be a good thing. :lol:

It's a good thing for me because on all the thrill rides like that one that are loud I like to sing to my favorite tunes. I don't know why everyone is so scared on Tower of Terror I mean I get on and the most I worry about is not having the dropping box there. Then when we are dropping everyone is screaming and I'm singing away to Queen or the Beatles or other old music. I'm 13 and hate almost every knew song out there. So I turned toward the classic.:ROFLOL:

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

It's a good thing for me because on all the thrill rides like that one that are loud I like to sing to my favorite tunes. I don't know why everyone is so scared on Tower of Terror I mean I get on and the most I worry about is not having the dropping box there. Then when we are dropping everyone is screaming and I'm singing away to Queen or the Beatles or other old music. I'm 13 and hate almost every knew song out there. So I turned toward the classic.:ROFLOL:

:lol:

Better classics than the "music" (and I use the term lightly) thats out there now. :lookaroun

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I assume there has been no word on the exterior refurbishment of SM as we have not even heard much about the inside. But, what do people think of changing it?

I mean, I know the basic white color and look of the mountain is sort of a staple and is its 'look'. But honestly, maybe I will be in trouble with any Disney purists, I really wish the outside would get a makeover of some kind. I mean, even the white could stay, but using LED lighting or other options to make it look a little more futuristic or exciting.

I know this type of decision is a balancing act of disturbing its well-known look and also not making it look too cheesy with tons of lighting. But, I really think the exterior is boring and could use 'something'. Anyone agree? Has there been any word on an exterior refurb?

White, silver and blue would have been fantastic.

Take a look at the official Rockit site for great onboard and offboard POVs. And more.
There was originally a package for exterior lighting, but audio was also on the table to begin with.

So, is it officially gone? A shame, if it is. Hoping they still have it being considered...

 

[Jasonflz]

In space, no one hears you sing. :lookaroun:ROFLOL:

:lol::lol::lol:

I wish that was the case with the American Idol Experience.

 

[RSoxNo1]

In my opinion, coasters can be classified into three categories: no theming, light theming, heavy theming. The coasters at your local Six Flags (save maybe X2 and Terminator Salvation) are your no theming coasters. I would argue that the Hulk and Dueling Dragons fall into this category, regardless of their queues. The light theming would include the likes of California Screamin' and Rip Ride Rockit, and your heavy theming would be Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, and The Mummy. Comparing coasters across categories is very difficult to do, and isn't entirely fair.

 

[kcnole]

The theme is that it's your concert and you are getting adored by the fans.

This only proves that there's really no theme because that's not even the story Universal is pretending to tell with Rockit. Their official story is that its a video shoot for a music video and you're in the video. At the end you'll be able to edit your video. So the theme is "production".

If people can't even figure out what it is, then there's no theme.

For all of the Disney-philes on these boards it astounds me that one would even compare the two parks or the rides within. They are night and day.

Oh give me a break. Nobody's comparing the two coasters, they're comparing the technologies used on the new coasters. While I despise that the coaster is sitting out there in the open at Universal, there's no denying that they're pushing the bar on coaster technology at Universal while Disney is just resting on its laurels. Disney truly had a chance to do something amazing with Space Mountain. (Brand new cars, with on board audio and lighting effects, special effects inside the mountain, outside lighting package, etc...) It seems they're just taking the shortcut and resting on name recognition alone.

And just because someone is a disney-phile doesn't mean they don't also really like Universal as well.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

This only proves that there's really no theme because that's not even the story Universal is pretending to tell with Rockit. Their official story is that its a video shoot for a music video and you're in the video. At the end you'll be able to edit your video. So the theme is "production".

If people can't even figure out what it is, then there's no theme.



Oh give me a break. Nobody's comparing the two coasters, they're comparing the technologies used on the new coasters. While I despise that the coaster is sitting out there in the open at Universal, there's no denying that they're pushing the bar on coaster technology at Universal while Disney is just resting on its laurels. Disney truly had a chance to do something amazing with Space Mountain. (Brand new cars, with on board audio and lighting effects, special effects inside the mountain, outside lighting package, etc...) It seems they're just taking the shortcut and resting on name recognition alone.

And just because someone is a disney-phile doesn't mean they don't also really like Universal as well.

:lol: Seriously. I see no way that HRRR is something. It's more RnRC.:shrug:

 

[T-1MILLION]

:lol: Seriously. I see no way that HRRR is something. It's more RnRC.:shrug:

Actually RnRC has more of a theme. But although that Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit is not heavily themed and like Kcnole I dislike that about it...

it is once again Universal pushing for new and innovative..taking more risks if you will than Disney usually has been over the past 5 or so years.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Actually RnRC has more of a theme. But although that Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit is not heavily themed and like Kcnole I dislike that about it...

it is once again Universal pushing for new and innovative..taking more risks if you will than Disney usually has been over the past 5 or so years.

Oh, yeah, I know...Just more of the same line of thought.:lol: Disney is always more themed...


Until Potterland blows us out of the water.

 

[joel_maxwell]

In my opinion, coasters can be classified into three categories: no theming, light theming, heavy theming. The coasters at your local Six Flags (save maybe X2 and Terminator Salvation) are your no theming coasters. I would argue that the Hulk and Dueling Dragons fall into this category, regardless of their queues. The light theming would include the likes of California Screamin' and Rip Ride Rockit, and your heavy theming would be Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, and The Mummy. Comparing coasters across categories is very difficult to do, and isn't entirely fair.

I like this category system. Yes, it is hard to compare. I have said before, there is a reason we have coasters with no themeing, light, and heavy. It keeps things in balance. For example, most six flags coasters dont need themeing. They are what they are. You go to SFoG to get your fix, not to admire the queue. Who cares. Just give me some airtime on the Cyclone so on and so forth.

Now, I do think that non-themed coasters can have the element of things like "custom on-board" audio that slightly trumps a light themed coaster with no on-board audio.

such a hard job to critique.

 

[Lee]

Who cares. Just give me some severe back pain on the Cyclone so on and so forth.

Fixed for accuracy.

 

[kcnole]

Oh, yeah, I know...Just more of the same line of thought.:lol: Disney is always more themed...

I never said Universal can't theme. They theme beautifully when they want to. Its why I was so upset to see a coaster pop up from behind the New York skyline that wasn't tied into NY in any way or shape. However you have to admit that there have been several theming disasters lately, most of them dealing with NY.

The mummy is a fantastic ride which is beautifully themed on the inside, but it doesn't fit into NY. Twister should be in a Kansas section of the park, not NY. And now the coaster? Its like NY has become the dumping ground for attractions that couldn't fit anywhere else.

 

[Mstr Gra-c]

1) Having on board audio will not make Space Mountain comparable to HRRR...two different coaster styles, two different eras of engineering even. Space Mountain would have to be essentially leveled and built again to compare. Im sorry, I don't want that to happen. I would rather Disney spend the money and man power on new attractions, while refurbing and maintaning, on a periodic basis, the classics.

2) I refuse the notion that a major deciding factor, when comparing these two parks, will be HRRR on one hand and SM on the other. People do not go to DW SIMPLY because of the rides...DW has been a worldwide tourist mecca for decades. NOT because of the THRILL RIDES...honestly they have maybe 4 thrill rides in total...and most of those sprung up in the past 15+ yrs. Beacuse heres a little secret...here on these boards we LOVE rides. We are ride freaks...we like talking about them, dissecting them...heck some even make models and schematics. 99.9% (random percentage) of EVERYONE ELSE in the WORLD DOES NOT DO THIS. Folks go to Disney World because...well...ITS DISNEY WORLD. They go for Mickey Mouse and Main Street and Florida and everything else...not because they want an extreme ride. Some may like DW better...some may like Uni better...but it will be because of that person and thier personal preference...not because of one ride.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

1) Having on board audio will not make Space Mountain comparable to HRRR...two different coaster styles, two different eras of engineering even. Space Mountain would have to be essentially leveled and built again to compare. Im sorry, I don't want that to happen. I would rather Disney spend the money and man power on new attractions, while refurbing and maintaning, on a periodic basis, the classics.

2) I refuse the notion that a major deciding factor, when comparing these two parks, will be HRRR on one hand and SM on the other. People do not go to DW SIMPLY because of the rides...DW has been a worldwide tourist mecca for decades. NOT because of the THRILL RIDES...honestly they have maybe 4 thrill rides in total...and most of those sprung up in the past 15+ yrs. Beacuse heres a little secret...here on these boards we LOVE rides. We are ride freaks...we like talking about them, dissecting them...heck some even make models and schematics. 99.9% (random percentage) of EVERYONE ELSE in the WORLD DOES NOT DO THIS. Folks go to Disney World because...well...ITS DISNEY WORLD. They go for Mickey Mouse and Main Street and Florida and everything else...not because they want an extreme ride. Some may like DW better...some may like Uni better...but it will be because of that person and thier personal preference...not because of one ride.

Well said, and agreed in full. SM is a nostalgic classic Disney experience. If done right, it too. can be a thrill.


HRRR? It's fun. Pure and simple.

 

[kcnole]

1) Having on board audio will not make Space Mountain comparable to HRRR...two different coaster styles, two different eras of engineering even. Space Mountain would have to be essentially leveled and built again to compare. Im sorry, I don't want that to happen. I would rather Disney spend the money and man power on new attractions, while refurbing and maintaning, on a periodic basis, the classics.

You're totally missing the point here. Nobody's trying to directly compare the two coasters. They're different beasts, however what they were showing is that Disney could have attempted to use the best technology available to present the show that is SM while keeping it a family coaster like they used to. They chose not too.

HRRR on the other hand, while not themed at all, and a horrible blight, has definitely done that with their technology. They attempted to raise the bar with what has been done with a coaster. Disney too could have attempted to raise the bar with what could be done with a SM coaster. They chose to not even meet the bar that many other SM's around the globe have already set.

 

[SirGoofy]

You're totally missing the point here. Nobody's trying to directly compare the two coasters. They're different beasts, however what they were showing is that Disney could have attempted to use the best technology available to present the show that is SM while keeping it a family coaster like they used to. They chose not too.

HRRR on the other hand, while not themed at all, and a horrible blight, has definitely done that with their technology. They attempted to raise the bar with what has been done with a coaster. Disney too could have attempted to raise the bar with what could be done with a SM coaster. They chose to not even meet the bar that many other SM's around the globe have already set.

Bingo. Perfect post.

 

[Lee]

Disney too could have attempted to raise the bar with what could be done with a SM coaster. They chose to not even meet the bar that many other SM's around the globe have already set.

Exactly my point.
Even after the refurb, MK's SM will not be the best in the world, much less the best coaster in Florida.
Disney can do, and SM deserves, better.