Space Mountain

[Karolena]

So, I've seen a lot of threads about people wanting Space Mountain to be refurbed. They think it needs to be smoother, but I disagree. I like that it's really bumpy. Those are my favorite kinds of roller coasters, I actually can't stand smooth ones.

The only thing I would like changed is the line. The song they play drives me crazy and it's so dark. I don't mind walking through it, but if I'm in line for twenty or thirty minutes it makes me want to pull my hair out.

I'm not saying it couldn't be updated, everything needs a little pixie dust every once in a while, but I would like it to keep the speed and texture (bumpiness, which is definately not a word).

Does anyone agree?

Or am I alone?

 

[doop]

I'm with you, I'm a fan of wooden coasters, and don't mind being shaken around. I still think it could use a refurb in general, but the smoothness of the track shouldn't be at the top of the list at least in my opinion.

 

[SeanC]

I respect your opinions, and I like wooden coasters too, but Space Mountain is supposed to simulate space travel, so by its very theme it should be smooth, give the illusion of great speed, and you shouldn't be able to see or feel the track. The DL refurb achieved this, WDW needs to as well.

 

[ChrisFL]

If I wanted the bumpiness of a wooden coaster...I'd get on a wooden coaster

 

[aleckendyl]

It aint no rumour.....It WILL be refurbed. Looking at July-Aug 08. It WILL be a big long refurb..Much like D.L.'s version. Not necessarily exact but certainly major changes.
MANY pod casts you can get online have pretty much confirmed this 100%
Im VERY VERY happy to see it get done. We are going back to the World in the Spring of 2010...It WILL be done baby!!:animwink:

 

[the-reason14]

I enjoy SM for what it is and how it is. I do understand the whole thing about it suppose to be traveling through space, therefore it should be smooth. I can understand and respect that. And I wouldnt mind at all if they refurbished it to make it smoother. I can see several things on it that are dated. The lift hill, all the stuff there looks dated, its classic and I do enjoy it, but it may need to go, some of the lights there could be replaced, and the whole effects inside the building could be replaced too. The red tunnel and the first tunnel could use some help.


However, what I would NOT want to see happen is a complete gutting of SM, and changing it to mirror any other SM at any of the other disney resorts. Im not to hip on adding audio, because when I think of audio, I think of rockin roller coaster, and I wouldnt want to be on SM having all this loud noise blasted in my ear, WDW already has one coaster like that, IMO they dont need another. I also like the single bobsled like seating, and hope they keep that too. And honestly if WDI or anybody wanted a bigger more thrilling SM, I think they should focus building another thrilling coaster elsewhere and leave the classic SM how it is. To me, if they were to gut it, they'd be screwing with a classic. They might as well gut HM and Potc, and change everything about them while they're at it. But thankfully none of that is going to happen. Also the whole bumpy thing doesnt seem like a good enough reason to refurb SM, from what I hear the matterhorn at DL is bumpy like that, and I dont think they've refurbished or plan on it for that. Also Rockinroller coaster is worse on the bumpy factor, so if they really wanted to smooth something out, start with that. And these are just my thoughts.

 

[Syntho_Magnetic]

I Love Both Songs, Pseudo-Holograms...Everything in the Queue

I agree with SeanC that space travel should be generally smooth, though you might have some rough times when firing a rocket. I look forward to the refurb.

The only thing I would like changed is the line. The song they play drives me crazy and it's so dark. I don't mind walking through it, but if I'm in line for twenty or thirty minutes it makes me want to pull my hair out.

This is one of my favorite touches in "the World." I have both the slow trumpet fanfare that you hear in the entry room with the balls on the floor and the arrival/departure screen, and the wonderful spacey theme that permates most of the queue and the first part of the TTA loop through the building. I love that song!

I also like the mood in there. It's a little somber, reverent, but still exciting. The psuedo-holograms throughout the space dock's windows are terrific, and very inventive for the time. I think a cheap 3D display, or worse, a run-of-the-mill flat HD would really take away from it. If they sprung for a true volumetric display, that might work, but I could sit and watch those things for quite awhile. They way the concave lens makes the stars swoop as you go by is neat too.

I've really been almost disappointed the past 2 trips that I haven't had to wait in line, either by timing or use of fast-pass. I like to mill around in that beautiful queue. Even the backlit plaques of places like the Horsehead Nebula are neat (though some of them could use replacing and better wiring).

I miss the TVs some too, though the touch of being able to look out the overhead "window" and see the UV-charged phosphorescent rockets whip around is thrilling.

 

[the-reason14]

I agree with SeanC that space travel should be generally smooth, though you might have some rough times when firing a rocket. I look forward to the refurb.



This is one of my favorite touches in "the World." I have both the slow trumpet fanfare that you hear in the entry room with the balls on the floor and the arrival/departure screen, and the wonderful spacey theme that permates most of the queue and the first part of the TTA loop through the building. I love that song!

I also like the mood in there. It's a little somber, reverent, but still exciting. The psuedo-holograms throughout the space dock's windows are terrific, and very inventive for the time. I think a cheap 3D display, or worse, a run-of-the-mill flat HD would really take away from it. If they sprung for a true volumetric display, that might work, but I could sit and watch those things for quite awhile. They way the concave lens makes the stars swoop as you go by is neat too.

I've really been almost disappointed the past 2 trips that I haven't had to wait in line, either by timing or use of fast-pass. I like to mill around in that beautiful queue. Even the backlit plaques of places like the Horsehead Nebula are neat (though some of them could use replacing and better wiring).

I miss the TVs some too, though the touch of being able to look out the overhead "window" and see the UV-charged phosphorescent rockets whip around is thrilling.

Oh yea, those tvs were the best. I remember the SM tv, that made waiting in line way more enjoyable even if they repeated. Before fastpass days you had no knowledge of the quick lines, so it never was a problem standing in line.

 

[Karolena]

I enjoy SM for what it is and how it is. I do understand the whole thing about it suppose to be traveling through space, therefore it should be smooth. I can understand and respect that. And I wouldnt mind at all if they refurbished it to make it smoother. I can see several things on it that are dated. The lift hill, all the stuff there looks dated, its classic and I do enjoy it, but it may need to go, some of the lights there could be replaced, and the whole effects inside the building could be replaced too. The red tunnel and the first tunnel could use some help.


However, what I would NOT want to see happen is a complete gutting of SM, and changing it to mirror any other SM at any of the other disney resorts. Im not to hip on adding audio, because when I think of audio, I think of rockin roller coaster, and I wouldnt want to be on SM having all this loud noise blasted in my ear, WDW already has one coaster like that, IMO they dont need another. I also like the single bobsled like seating, and hope they keep that too. And honestly if WDI or anybody wanted a bigger more thrilling SM, I think they should focus building another thrilling coaster elsewhere and leave the classic SM how it is. To me, if they were to gut it, they'd be screwing with a classic. They might as well gut HM and Potc, and change everything about them while they're at it. But thankfully none of that is going to happen. Also the whole bumpy thing doesnt seem like a good enough reason to refurb SM, from what I hear the matterhorn at DL is bumpy like that, and I dont think they've refurbished or plan on it for that. Also Rockinroller coaster is worse on the bumpy factor, so if they really wanted to smooth something out, start with that. And these are just my thoughts.

I agree with you and I don't think it needs a complete refurb either.

 

[Karolena]

I respect your opinions, and I like wooden coasters too, but Space Mountain is supposed to simulate space travel, so by its very theme it should be smooth, give the illusion of great speed, and you shouldn't be able to see or feel the track. The DL refurb achieved this, WDW needs to as well.

I equally respect your opinions. I just think that it could still be shakey, like I said, I think, it adds to the thrill.

And I know the DL refurb did this, but I don't want that.

And I know the refurb is going to happen, I'm not stupid or living under a rock. I'm just explaining my side and clearly some people agree with me. And I wish Disney would listen to this a little more. Every roller coaster does not need to be smooth as silk.

 

[Karolena]

It aint no rumour.....It WILL be refurbed. Looking at July-Aug 08. It WILL be a big long refurb..Much like D.L.'s version. Not necessarily exact but certainly major changes.
MANY pod casts you can get online have pretty much confirmed this 100%
Im VERY VERY happy to see it get done. We are going back to the World in the Spring of 2010...It WILL be done baby!!:animwink:

I know it's not a rumor. I was more saying what I wanted or didn't want to see happen when it gets done.

Sorry I've done three posts in a row. I don't know how to quote more than one person in the same post.

 

[jorgetheviking]

I personally wouldnt mind seeing SM get a re-furb. I do want it to be a bit smoother b/c it is supposed to simulate space travel. I do not want a soundtrack though. Maybe some cool sound effects on each rocket but no music.

 

[LuisT]

The point of space mountain being rocky, was to give the allusion of the pressure in space and stuff. Also, rocks colliding each other in the sky. I hope that the classic parts don't change

-Luis

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I love some of the classic elements of Space like the launch and the bobsled seating (although the older I get the harder it is to get out of it), however I am looking forward to a refurb of it. I just rode the WDW 3 days ago and it was so bumpy my back hurt when I got off (and my back never hurts). I rode the DL version this past summer and loved it, the ride was smooth and fast and dark. One thing about WDW is that there is so much light. The music on DL was also pretty cool, it was space themed not music with words like RNRC. Hopefully when they refurb it they'll keep some of the classic touches but some new surprises too.

 

[Disneykidder]

I think it could use a little upkeeping. I also hate the queue. I feel like I am in a smelly alley. Yeah, the music also makes me feel like I am walking through Wonderland. I love the ride itself and think it is awesome!!

 

[Lee]

I've voiced my thoughts on SM way too many times to repeat again here.....

Ok, I will...it's too much fun.

Preference #1....Gut it. Use Paris and an inspiration. Theme the outside. Put the queue and launch in the old Skyway building and make the ride fast, smooth, and thrilling. (I know...it wont' ever happen.)

Preference #2....Keep the layout, but fix the track, retheme the queue and load station, enhance the in-mountain effects, put music in the rockets. Minimum. (Pretty much a done deal.)

 

[kc1296426]

The attraction itself in the upcoming refurb isn't going to be much of ruining the classic--just 'spicing' it up, fixing the most common problems, fix the track problems, to enhance and darken the effects inside the mountain, and to hold as much capacity as it can. Over the years the ride's reliability and downtime as significantly increased. The ride has become a lot bumpy, it goes down nearly everyday, maintenance is constantly fixing the ride, giving it tweaks here and there just to keep it running. There has been lots of hardware and software problems and just the track itself has its problems time to time. A refurbishment on the ride would be wonderful, because the attraction has a number of problems that exist and need to be fixed for the ride to be up to its standards.

From what I've heard, the big wigs at Disney doesn't want SM to be down for a long time, especially for the upcoming summers of 08' and 09'. The original plans were to be a complete gutting of the track on the inside and replace it with a smoother, complete, and updated edition of Space Mountain. But of course this would take extremely long to do, and it would be costly. So I believe there is going to a big refurb coming up in the 'near future'...but I don't think its going to destroy the classic, but to just clean up the problems the current SM has.

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

\The only thing I would like changed is the line. The song they play drives me crazy and it's so dark. I don't mind walking through it, but if I'm in line for twenty or thirty minutes it makes me want to pull my hair out.?

No...keep that music. It's part of the experience and I love it. The music has to stay!!!

 

[WDWfreak89]

I know im late but I dont have time to visit this site anymore. I am on the college program and I work at Space. I have heard all the rumors but I have been told from people that the track is not going to be replaced which I cannot confirm. Here is a list of things I have heard by maintence going to be done.. cannot confirm anything because we are not told anything official.

-Gates will be added to the load area to prevent people from trying to get on the rockets while it is still in motion.
-The track will be painted black to blend in more
-Possible reworking of the Standby/Fastpass line to keep them seperated.
-Reworking of the speaker system

I was closing in the control tower one night about a month ago when a group of imagineers asked if they could ride with the lights on for the upcoming rehab. I hear June or July Space will be going down but have not heard for how long. Anything new interesting comes up I will try to keep eveyone updated. Again.. they dont tell us much, especially CP's.

 

[DisneyAnole]

I know im late but I dont have time to visit this site anymore. I am on the college program and I work at Space. I have heard all the rumors but I have been told from people that the track is not going to be replaced which I cannot confirm. Here is a list of things I have heard by maintence going to be done.. cannot confirm anything because we are not told anything official.

-Gates will be added to the load area to prevent people from trying to get on the rockets while it is still in motion.
-The track will be painted black to blend in more
-Possible reworking of the Standby/Fastpass line to keep them seperated.
-Reworking of the speaker system

I was closing in the control tower one night about a month ago when a group of imagineers asked if they could ride with the lights on for the upcoming rehab. I hear June or July Space will be going down but have not heard for how long. Anything new interesting comes up I will try to keep eveyone updated. Again.. they dont tell us much, especially CP's.

Thanks for that update. The "Paint It Black" track sounds like an interesting idea. I'm somewhat disappointed that it doesn't sound like it'll be getting any improved effects. But then again, maybe they'll repair the broken plastic in the red re-entry tunnel. That would be a start.