Space Mountain Vehicle Question

[EpcotMark]

Okay, so I have been on Space Mountain once in my life. Reason being, I have do not feel very secure in those ride vehicles due to the restraint being rather wimpy in my opinion. But I am going to be there next week with my young nephews and I am sure they will want to do that ride, so I my have to relent.

Question, is it possible to safely grasp the side of the ride vehicle with my hands while in motion? The reason I ask is I know there are beams and posts that support the track and I thought I heard once that if you stick your hands out or something that you might make contact with them while in motion. Perhaps I am a bit paranoid, but really would like to find someway to feel more secure while I am riding around through the dark in that tiny vehicle.

 

[larryz]

You should keep your hands and arms inside the ride vehicle at all times.

That said, they've engineered the ride so that 99% of the people sitting in the car properly restrained can't, no matter how hard they try, touch any track or supports.

ETA: no hand-holds.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Hold the seat-back in front of you!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you tried, the only thing you can touch is the walls during the glowy tunnel parts. You're not going to hit any beams.

What you're suggesting is extremely dangerous. Keep your hands in front of you where they belong.

Perhaps I am a bit paranoid...

Perhaps.

Honestly, do people think Disney would actually operate a ride where you stand a chance of having your arms chopped off halfway through?

 

[networkpro]

Its just a wild mouse variant. You can look on Youtube for Space mountain lights on and there will be plenty of on-ride videos where you can actually see how much clearance you will have. You would be in danger if you had 8 foot long arms and didn't keep your arms inside the ride vehicle.

 

[EpcotMark]

You should keep your hands and arms inside the ride vehicle at all times.

That said, they've engineered the ride so that 99% of the people sitting in the car properly restrained can't, no matter how hard they try, touch any track or supports.

Also, you may not remember, but there are hand-holds about knee high on the insides of the ride car, so you won't have to hold onto the outside edge.

There are hand holds? I must have missed that the first time.

 

[larryz]

There are hand holds? I must have missed that the first time.

My bad. There used to be hand holds. When they did the last refurb, the hand-holds went away.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

There are hand holds? I must have missed that the first time.

You'll be fine. Millions ride it every year and they're fine.

 

[correcaminos]

IMO the restraint is not wimpy feeling at all. You will feel very secure and you can also use your legs to brace yourself if you really feel the need to (I do it for my back, my son loves the darn ride). You can grab onto the t-bar in front of you as well. There is nothing to grab on to the outside of the vehicle anyway, but I'd say that's more dangerous to do anyway.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Hold the padded restraint - that's plenty. You're not going anywhere... And if you do - you'll be the FIRST! That's gotta be worth something, no?

 

[Captain Barbossa]

While we're on the subject of touching things during a ride, and the possible consequences that may follow, does anyone remember, about 3-4 years ago, when that guy got part of his finger cut off while ridding POTC?

Anyone know what it was that he was trying to touch?

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Do you wanna lose your fingertips?

I assure you that the seat you sit in is restrained properly. Otherwise, the vehicle won't operate. I think it works like aligning of switches. Once everything has "clicked" into place or a.k.a. all of the switches have properly aligned, then everything works.

However, if there is something unlocked, then the ride vehicle wouldn't go. Everything has to be locked in place for the vehicle to move.

I saw this this past weekend at Carowinds. Whenever a seat restraint hasn't locked properly, they have to unlock everyone's seat and re-lock the restraints. Otherwise, the vehicles will not go into motion.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

While we're on the subject of touching things during a ride, and the possible consequences that may follow, does anyone remember, about 3-4 years ago, when that guy got part of his finger cut off while ridding POTC?

Anyone know what it was that he was trying to touch?

My guess was he had his hands out on the side while they were going down the hill. I think with that speed and possible wall contact, that might have done it.

 

[DisneyFreak]

While we're on the subject of touching things during a ride, and the possible consequences that may follow, does anyone remember, about 3-4 years ago, when that guy got part of his finger cut off while ridding POTC?

Anyone know what it was that he was trying to touch?

The Mermaids. Those ladies have sharp teeth and why they were removed.

 

[Bairstow]

You can grab onto the t-bar in front of you as well. There is nothing to grab on to the outside of the vehicle anyway, but I'd say that's more dangerous to do anyway.