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Space mountain

MickeyLuv'r

Well-Known Member
Not so much specific ages, but height. Plenty of times I have seen kids ride it that just met the height restriction fror Space Mtn, and they came off excited to re-ride it.

I can't specially recall any kids not liking Space Mtn, per say, but I'm sure I've seen children and adults who didn't enjoy most of the other rides at WDW - even many of the very mild ones.

********

If I add in survey posts I've read over the years like, "What is your least favorite ride?" Just about every ride gets mentioned at least once. (Though LOTS of people HATED Stitch.)

My point is, until you try a ride for yourself, there's really no way of knowing 100% if you will like it or not, except maybe in the case of the very extreme rides. If someone really hates big drops or spinning, they can be reasonably confident they aren't going to enjoy a ride with extreme drops or spinning.

With kids, if they hated HM at age 3, they might always hate it, or they might love it a year later. I've seen children react both ways to rides, though again, I can't personally recall any children who didn't like space Mtn.

I have read posts from adults who say the ride is too rough, there was just some discussion on the topiclast month.
 

Fitmomma93

Member
Original Poster
Not so much specific ages, but height. Plenty of times I have seen kids ride it that just met the height restriction fror Space Mtn, and they came off excited to re-ride it.

I can't specially recall any kids not liking Space Mtn, per say, but I'm sure I've seen children and adults who didn't enjoy most of the other rides at WDW - even many of the very mild ones.

********

If I add in survey posts I've read over the years like, "What is your least favorite ride?" Just about every ride gets mentioned at least once. (Though LOTS of people HATED Stitch.)

My point is, until you try a ride for yourself, there's really no way of knowing 100% if you will like it or not, except maybe in the case of the very extreme rides. If someone really hates big drops or spinning, they can be reasonably confident they aren't going to enjoy a ride with extreme drops or spinning.

With kids, if they hated HM at age 3, they might always hate it, or they might love it a year later. I've seen children react both ways to rides, though again, I can't personally recall any children who didn't like space Mtn.

I have read posts from adults who say the ride is too rough, there was just some discussion on the topiclast month.

Thanks for the reply!
Is the entire ride pitch black or is there lights in it?
 

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
We don't have kids but I first rode it when I was 7 (my first visit in 1976) and loved it. It's not 'pitch black' as in you see nothing at all, however it's fairly difficult to see the track to gauge where the next turn or drop is coming. You see projections of stars etc as you ride and various interior lighting around the structure.
 

Queen of the WDW Scene

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I don't have kids but I myself I think i was 5.
I always loved roller coasters.
Only thing was I didn't realize you sat single file until we were about to get in.
I started getting scared and my oldest sister said to sit in front of her and she would catch me if I flew out.
That was somehow comforting to me lol.
I loved it.
 

Pepper's Ghost

Well-Known Member
Not so much specific ages, but height. Plenty of times I have seen kids ride it that just met the height restriction fror Space Mtn, and they came off excited to re-ride it.

You definitely have to be careful about those height restrictions. In the dark if you're too tall you're liable to get decapitated! "That'll end your PRECIOUS little trip pretty d@mn quick, huh." (Sorry, I love that scene and don't get to use it often.) 🤪
chris farley.gif
 

MickeyLuv'r

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the reply!
Is the entire ride pitch black or is there lights in it?

No, it is not entirely pitch black. Several parts of the ride have reasonably bright lighting, especially during the photo.

Even the parts that are supposed to be dark, are not 100% completely dark, but how much you see depends a little on how good your eyesight is in the dark, and whether you are riding during the day or at night.

For me, I can see much of the track when I am in the front seat.

The ride itself isn't al that intense, IMO. I don't want to give spoilers, but probably the most intense aspect is that the ride is not as smooth as newer coasters.
 

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
No, it is not entirely pitch black. Several parts of the ride have reasonably bright lighting, especially during the photo.

Even the parts that are supposed to be dark, are not 100% completely dark, but how much you see depends a little on how good your eyesight is in the dark, and whether you are riding during the day or at night.

For me, I can see much of the track when I am in the front seat.

The ride itself isn't al that intense, IMO. I don't want to give spoilers, but probably the most intense aspect is that the ride is not as smooth as newer coasters.

I've never really understood those who say it's too painful to enjoy? Maybe because I know the track so well I move with the turns, but I just don't get why it gets so many complaints on here for being too rough? I'm not accusing you of saying this, it just came to mind when you said it's not as smooth as newer coasters which is true.
 

carriebeth

Well-Known Member
How old were your kids when they first rode space mountain and did they like it?
They rode it at 4 or 5 depending on when they hit height limit. They did not like it at that age. Now Disneyland’s is fine they loved that at 3. The difference is you have to sit alone at world and at lands two people sit together. When you are super tiny you really get flung around on roller coasters so having an adult next to you to help steady you makes a big difference. It took to like 6 or 7 for most of mine to like it better.
 

MickeyLuv'r

Well-Known Member
I've never really understood those who say it's too painful to enjoy? Maybe because I know the track so well I move with the turns, but I just don't get why it gets so many complaints on here for being too rough? I'm not accusing you of saying this, it just came to mind when you said it's not as smooth as newer coasters which is true.

Yes, I was trying to address that concern with some delicacy.
99% of the time the attraction has not bothered me, but a few times I have come off with a borderline headache - IF - I happened to be dehydrated when I rode it. It is especially common/easy (not sure the best wording here) in the hotter months. In hotter months, I try to make a point of drinking water.

I daresay, after waiting in the Space Mtn queue and riding, that then often contributes to another kind of discomfort.
 

JustAFan

Well-Known Member
I've never really understood those who say it's too painful to enjoy? Maybe because I know the track so well I move with the turns, but I just don't get why it gets so many complaints on here for being too rough? I'm not accusing you of saying this, it just came to mind when you said it's not as smooth as newer coasters which is true.
I get the complaints, but think they're a tad overstated. Some of the sudden turns do jerk you a little bit. It could be smoother, but I still enjoy it as it is.

I love Space Mountain. My kids have ridden it since they were 6 or so and I've ridden it since my first visit as a teenager.
 

NelleBelle

Well-Known Member
My first son rode DLR SM at 3 and liked it. He rode WDW SM when he was 4 and was not a fan (because of the fact that he sat "alone"). I'm one of those who find WDW SM "painful". The older I've gotten, the worse it seems to get. I end up with neck pain and a horrible headache for 2 days. No comparison to DLR SM, which is a lot smoother, and when they have the Hyper SM overlay on, can't be beat!
 

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