WDW's Space Mountain is REALLY bad

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

How many other parks does she visit and how many coasters has she ridden to compare it to

Actually we are a coaster loving family.
We've been on all the coasters at WDW, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, All but the newest at SeaWorld Orlando, All but probably the last couple at Cedar Point, most at Six Flags Great Adventure, most at Hershey Park PA, most at Six Flags Great Escape, all at Six Flags Darien Lake, We've also been to DL/DCA and gone on the coasters there...

Some of our favorites have been Space Mountain, Rock N Roller Coaster, Manta, Kumba, Gemini, Mean Streak, Top Thrill Dragster, The Comet, Mindd Eraser, California Screamin'...

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

At this point I’m interested. Are we arguing that the turns are sharper, drops steeper, or the speed greater on Space Mountain today compared to previous years?

Aside from the general shakiness that might occur when the coaster wheels need to be replaced, I don’t see how a steel coaster would become considerably rougher over time. I see various studies relating to wooden coasters, but maybe someone has some data relating to how a steel coaster may become rougher over time?

(Not a reply to anyone specific, but more so curious what previous members meant by “rougher”)

 

[Jrb1979]

At this point I’m interested. Are we arguing that the turns are sharper, drops steeper, or the speed greater on Space Mountain today compared to previous years?

Aside from the general shakiness that might occur when the coaster wheels need to be replaced, I don’t see how a steel coaster would become considerably rougher over time. I see various studies relating to wooden coasters, but maybe someone has some data relating to how a steel coaster may become rougher over time?

(Not a reply to anyone specific, but more so curious what previous members meant by “rougher”)

Shakiness is not always due to wheels needing to be replaced. I've seen many older steel coasters have a rattle to them. A good example is Kingda Ka at Great Adventure is a good example. Shakiness and rattle for me is rough. Look how smooth Velocicoaster and the Hulk after it being redone.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

Shakiness is not always due to wheels needing to be replaced. I've seen many older steel coasters have a rattle to them. A good example is Kingda Ka at Great Adventure is a good example. Shakiness and rattle for me is rough. Look how smooth Velocicoaster and the Hulk after it being redone.

Gotcha, I can see how the track can warp a little to give it a rattle (or other things like the sand filling the track settling and stuff, for coasters that have it)! That sort of roughness I can agree with.

 

[RoadiJeff]

SM feels like they have slowed down the speed since I first rode it in 1975 and thus it is a little less exciting, except for the time the girl stumbled as she was reaching in to check that my seatbelt was secure and her hand ended up somewhere else.

Anyway, I like the special occasions when they operate the ride with the lights all on and during the MVMCP all the holiday lights that line the tracks.

SM is also one of the rides that does not give me motion sickness. I do not feel beat up at the end.

 

[Tiny Tim!]

The last time I rode it was on the day TRON officially opened, and rode it immediately after TRON. I thought it was quite rough, but I’m sure the contrast of riding it after a brand new coaster played into it. It was Matterhorn rough IMO, but I wouldn’t hesitate to ride the OG Space Mountain again.

 

[Tiny Tim!]

I agree, and they could play rock and roll music to it. Could work well at Hollywood Studios!

I can’t stop laughing at your post.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Space Mountain in MK needs a new track, but the layout is superior to DL's in every way, in my opinion. I think I made a thread about this a month or two ago. No one successfully changed my mind.

 

[C33Mom]

Space Mountain in MK needs a new track, but the layout is superior to DL's in every way, in my opinion. I think I made a thread about this a month or two ago. No one successfully changed my mind.

I often ride the DL several times a day, I cannot imagine riding the MK version more than once a day (and my husband refuses to ride it at all) because it’s so jerky. I do prefer the MK hill sequence as you travel by the space shuttle and astronauts, but I can’t really focus on the actual coaster since I’m focused on keeping a strong core to brace against the track knocking us around.

Do you actually think the single row of riders is superior to DL’s side by side seating configuration?

 

[Lilofan]

A launch coaster would be nice with inversions.

Ever been to DHS before?

 

[marni1971]

Other than the theme of Guardians I really don't see the issue with adding thrills to the parks

That’s the mistake as mentioned earlier. And a runaway budget.

 

[marni1971]

.Do you actually think the single row of riders is superior to DL’s side by side seating configuration?

Both have their merits, and both have historical reasons why they are how they are. But the Orlando track is beyond life expired.

 

[Jrb1979]

Ever been to DHS before?

Yes and I get it that many would think it's Rock n Roller coaster. You can have a launch coaster with inversions that would be different than that. It would be 2 different coasters. You could even make it lap bar only

 

[HauntedPirate]

Yes and I get it that many would think it's Rock n Roller coaster. You can have a launch coaster with inversions that would be different than that. It would be 2 different coasters. You could even make it lap bar only

So you want a launched roller coaster with inversions at MK that also only has a lap bar?

 

[Jrb1979]

So you want a launched roller coaster with inversions at MK that also only has a lap bar?

What's wrong with that? IMO since Disney is adding more thrills to the parks why not go all out for once

 

[HauntedPirate]

What's wrong with that? IMO since Disney is adding more thrills to the parks why not go all out for once

So you want them to go down the Six Flags route at the world's most visited theme park which also happens to attract more families with small children than any other. Gotcha.

 

[Starship824]

In my opinion there is a major difference between a coaster being "a little rough" and maybe uncomfortable and being downright painful. Current WDW SM is painful. Matterhorn is the same in DLR

 

[Jrb1979]

So you want them to go down the Six Flags route at the world's most visited theme park which also happens to attract more families with small children than any other. Gotcha.

Yep. Not every ride needs to be available to everyone. They did it with Rock n Roller coaster

 

[Ayla]

What's wrong with that? IMO since Disney is adding more thrills to the parks why not go all out for once

You can't do an inverted coaster with only a lap bar to hold you in. Way too much liability.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Yep. Not every ride needs to be available to everyone. They did it with Rock n Roller coaster

Which is a completely different park aimed at a completely different clientele. If you cannot grasp even the simplest of concepts here, there's no point in further discussion.