Space Mountain Refurb?

[RiversideBunny]

The idea is that the rider is zooming through space.

Having a rough type of ride makes it seem more like being on a railroad train.
That takes away from the celestial immersion experience.

 

[Skyway]

marni1971---

Any word on what the new "theme" might be? (Buck Rogers fantasy? Mission:Space realism? Or my hope-- retro 60s/70s NASA space race??)


I've always thought Space Mountain had the infrastructure for a true storyline. It's the only coaster I know (other than maybe RnRC) that has a separate loading and unloading area. And don't forget about the post-show area.

It could be as simple as putting up a sign at the beginning that says "Departing for Planet X" and a sign in unload that says "Welcome to Planet X" (of course I hope they'd do more than that!)

They tried to imply the old RYCA-1 post-show was a "destination", but it wasn't up to traditional Disney storytelling standards.

 

[TubaGeek]

My main hopes:
Smoother, since I already get headaches at WDW because of the smells.
Music, but not some crappy rock band. I want a full orchestral score.

 

[Katherine]

I just got back for DLR and if it's anywhere near what they updated there it will be an even more wonderful ride. The one at DLR is AMAZING! smooth quick turns that aren't garing and you really feel like you are zipping through dark space. So excited MK is getting this update.

 

[djkidkaz]

Disney should use those blue lights they use in the descent of SSE to replicate the stars in the rehabbed SM. They could just use less of them and make sure they aren't within reach of the vehicles. But that would make an awesome starfield to zip through!

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

14 Months? Blimey, wasn't it reported at 2-3 initially, or is my mind playing tricks on me?

Initially it was rumored for around a years time frame, and then people were saying that it may have gotten a severe slashing budget-wise.

Lately, it has gone back up and is now going to be an all-out refurb.
This is now the real deal - and can't wait to see the finished product!!
After being on Disneylands and with the drops in our track, it is going to be awesome!:sohappy:

 

[jonnyc]

Initially it was rumored for around a years time frame, and then people were saying that it may have gotten a severe slashing budget-wise.

Lately, it has gone back up and is now going to be an all-out refurb.
This is now the real deal - and can't wait to see the finished product!!
After being on Disneylands and with the drops in our track, it is going to be awesome!:sohappy:

Thanks!

 

[pjulie75]

I am a bit sad that we are going to miss it next summer. I haven't been to WDW in some years and have great memories of Space Mountain, can't believe it will be closed and for such a length of time and we are going to miss it. I don't really understand why they don't do a small refurb and keep the ride, as it is, "classic"? It clearly, can't compete with some of the newer hi-tech coasters but has a charm itself. I would think next year when we visit the queue times in some of the other rides will be busier then normal with Space Mountain being closed.....

 

[marni1971]

It has to close sometime....

SM hasn`t ever had a full infrastructure overhaul so far as I know. I`m not saying it would, but remember what happened in Disneyland with their version? Metal dosn`t last forever.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Things I need to see in a Space Mountain rehab.

-darker

-smoother (that one's a given.)

-The neat effect still in the queue.

-Disneyland's music

BONUS POINTS:

-A return of the "Music Makers" song!

I could live with those.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

It has to close sometime....

SM hasn`t ever had a full infrastructure overhaul so far as I know. I`m not saying it would, but remember what happened in Disneyland with their version? Metal dosn`t last forever.

Hey Martin -

Is there an account somewhere of exactly what happened at Disneyland?? I know the basic plot line is that there was some sort of structural failure with the track and that it was not during park operating hours (or from what I understand there would have been lawsuits following shortly behind)... But if there's an actual account out there of what failed and how, I'd just be curious to hear about it. Just for the heck of it.:shrug:

For example... Were there cars on the track at the time? Was it while the track was being walked in the morning? Was it overnight, and the crew came into the building the following morning to some twisted metal? Or was it something small like one support falling to the floor of the building? That kind of thing.

 

[imagineer boy]

Hey Martin -

Is there an account somewhere of exactly what happened at Disneyland?? I know the basic plot line is that there was some sort of structural failure with the track and that it was not during park operating hours (or from what I understand there would have been lawsuits following shortly behind)... But if there's an actual account out there of what failed and how, I'd just be curious to hear about it. Just for the heck of it.:shrug:

For example... Were there cars on the track at the time? Was it while the track was being walked in the morning? Was it overnight, and the crew came into the building the following morning to some twisted metal? Or was it something small like one support falling to the floor of the building? That kind of thing.

I think the tracks were simply rusty and in very bad condition to the extent where it was getting dangerous.

 

[marni1971]

More to what 20Kleague said. The park wasn`t open. Let`s leave it at that.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Return the arcade? How about get rid (yeah, right!) since it was only added in 1994.

Right now:

Closure Jan 9th 2008 for 14 months

New preshow theme (extent unknown)

New load cosmetics

New track, same layouts

Mostly new track supports

New cars with onboard audio similar to DLC but unique to WDW

New visual effects

New unload cosmetics

Possible brand new post show, at least a retheme

Exterior enhancements

Martin,
I thought the post show was only going to get a fluff and dust because of budget?

 

[kasey1988]

The refurb sounds great and is needed, but im disapointed that is will be closed for my upcoming trip

 

[Lee]

Martin,
I thought the post show was only going to get a fluff and dust because of budget?

If I may...hence his use of the word "possible". As I hear it, the post show has been planned, but will be the first thing to be whittled away if money gets tight.
That info is a month or two old, so...you know...

 

[Lee]

Or was it something small like one support falling to the floor of the building? That kind of thing.

Not saying anything like that happened...:lookaroun
But, that would be small?
All I'm gonna say about that....

I think the tracks were simply rusty and in very bad condition to the extent where it was getting dangerous.

Rusty? Yeah.
Bad shape? Oh, yeah.
Photo? Right here.
http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=19035&ppuser=3193

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

Thanks to marni and Lee for the info! I'm very excited for this so I hope budgets and everything else lines up to do SM justice.

Guess I'll see how many rides I can get in during October's trip.

 

[Vince3]

I wonder how this will effect the TTA-blueline ?

 

[wickedfan07]

I wonder how this will effect the TTA-blueline ?

Closed for most if not all of that time, I think. Martin or Lee would know; I'm just going on what I thought I heard in the past.