[Fun] Space Mountain

[Mr. Potato Head]

Where did the name "Space Mountain" originate from? I can't believe people are complaining about "Carsland" and not this.

[yensid1987]

Re: Space Mountain

Because it looks like a mountain.

[Kritter]

Re: Space Mountain

and it's in space.

[Datameister]

Re: Space Mountain

It's a Mountain that has Space in it - that simple. Just like Cars Land will be a Land that has Cars in it. The only difference is..."Space Mountain" actually sounds cool.

[Guest]

Re: Space Mountain

To keep in tune with the other mountain ranges? I googled it and it was originally refered to as the "space port" but it soon adopted the "Space Mountain" name.

[Mr. Potato Head]

Re: Space Mountain

This is a mountain:



This is "Space Mountain":



Other than being big I don't see a resemblance!

[stevo505]

Re: Space Mountain

Do all names have to be taken literally? It's big, it has a peak, resembling an abstract mountain. Dumbo The Flying Elephant doesn't literally have Dumbos flying does it?

[WJNM]

Re: Space Mountain

Well, most of DL's big, iconic thrill rides are named after mountains ... Matterhorn Bobsleds is the attraction housed inside Matterhorn Mountain and then there is Big Thunder Mountain. Thinking back to the 1960's/1970's, it was trendy to envision Googley (sp?) architecture as being space-related; this is how the show building was designed. It was big, it was a thrill ride, and it was set in space ... therefore Space Mountain isn't that much of a stretch.

I also think it seems less "cheesy" to us now because most of us grew up with it; those who were there for the construction/opening also probably brought into what, at the time, was a cool sounding name. But really, when you think about it "Big Thunder" and "Splash Mountain" don't sound any less cheesy.

The other reason against the name of Carsland, I suppose, is twofold: 1) it's VERY limiting, more so than "Radiator Springs", as it's an entire district of the park named after a singular movie/movie concept. When was the last time this was done (with the exception of the EXTREMELY small Pixar Place at DHS ... but even this can have a larger, more encompassing concept than a SINGULAR attraction). The second reason, it would be safe to say, is that DCA wasn't opened with the "land" theme. Rather, the park had districts ... the Disneyland-style parks are really the only ones with the "land" word (i.e. Arabian Coast, American Waterfront at TDL, Asia and Africa at DAK, not Arabian Coastland or Asialand). With the exception of the rumored-renaming of HPB to Hollywoodland, it would break theme in this manner with the rest of the nomenclature of DCA (and please no comments about the lack of theme in DCA, that is off topic, unless discussing names).

But, your original point is still lacking. Space Mountain kept theme with naming the large iconic thrill rides in DL-style parks after mountains; Carsland has no real precedent, either in the "land" word or in encompassing a larger theme past the restricting film concept.

[Mr. Potato Head]

Re: Space Mountain

Do all names have to be taken literally? It's big, it has a peak, resembling an abstract mountain. Dumbo The Flying Elephant doesn't literally have Dumbos flying does it?

Am I missing some sort of a joke here? I see flying elephants! (Yah whatever close enough)

Space Mountain vs Dumbo Flying Elephants is kinda off.... Space Mountain looks nothing like a mountain. This looks close enough.

[TheGlassSlipper]

Re: Space Mountain

Does it really matter if it looks like a mountain or not? The ride is awesome, who cares what the name is!

[Mr. Potato Head]

Re: Space Mountain

Well, most of DL's big, iconic thrill rides are named after mountains ... Matterhorn Bobsleds is the attraction housed inside Matterhorn Mountain and then there is Big Thunder Mountain. Thinking back to the 1960's/1970's, it was trendy to envision Googley (sp?) architecture as being space-related; this is how the show building was designed. It was big, it was a thrill ride, and it was set in space ... therefore Space Mountain isn't that much of a stretch.

I also think it seems less "cheesy" to us now because most of us grew up with it; those who were there for the construction/opening also probably brought into what, at the time, was a cool sounding name. But really, when you think about it "Big Thunder" and "Splash Mountain" don't sound any less cheesy.

The other reason against the name of Carsland, I suppose, is twofold: 1) it's VERY limiting, more so than "Radiator Springs", as it's an entire district of the park named after a singular movie/movie concept. When was the last time this was done (with the exception of the EXTREMELY small Pixar Place at DHS ... but even this can have a larger, more encompassing concept than a SINGULAR attraction). The second reason, it would be safe to say, is that DCA wasn't opened with the "land" theme. Rather, the park had districts ... the Disneyland-style parks are really the only ones with the "land" word (i.e. Arabian Coast, American Waterfront at TDL, Asia and Africa at DAK, not Arabian Coastland or Asialand). With the exception of the rumored-renaming of HPB to Hollywoodland, it would break theme in this manner with the rest of the nomenclature of DCA (and please no comments about the lack of theme in DCA, that is off topic, unless discussing names).

But, your original point is still lacking. Space Mountain kept theme with naming the large iconic thrill rides in DL-style parks after mountains; Carsland has no real precedent, either in the "land" word or in encompassing a larger theme past the restricting film concept.

Interesting point. I personally hate Carsland and Hollywoodland as names, but feel Space Mountain is way more off. Sure it seems familiar and comfortable now, most people don't give it a second thought, but the whole argument about other rides being called mountains argument seems strange. They are ACTUAL mountains. This isn't.

[stevo505]

Re: Space Mountain

Am I missing some sort of a joke here? I see flying elephants! (Yah whatever close enough)

Space Mountain vs Dumbo Flying Elephants is kinda off.... Space Mountain looks nothing like a mountain. This looks close enough.

Perhaps Space Mountain is not supposed to be an actual mountain. Maybe that is just the name of the Space Station.

[WJNM]

Re: Space Mountain

Interesting point. I personally hate Carsland and Hollywoodland as names, but feel Space Mountain is way more off. Sure it seems familiar and comfortable now, most people don't give it a second thought, but the whole argument about other rides being called mountains argument seems strange. They are ACTUAL mountains. This isn't.

Well, if you want to get into "actual" things here ... they are DESIGNED to look like actual mountains, obviously. They are little more than steel, concrete, plaster and paint. Same thing as Space. You're trying to imply real world implications into a self-admittedly fantasy world embarking through imagination. Again, think back to the time period of design; whose to say that a tall, intimidating structure with a peak couldn't look like a space/futuristic mountain?

[WJNM]

Re: Space Mountain

Does it really matter if it looks like a mountain or not? The ride is awesome, who cares what the name is!

That's a slippery-slope there. I suggest we rename Indiana Jones "Garlic Farts" and Soarin' "Hot Liquid-Coming-Up Indigestion Burp".

Kidding, I see your point.

[akfandisney]

Re: Space Mountain

First of all Space Mountain Start in WDW, Just one thing there is not a tall mountain in Orlando.
Want a indoor Rollercoster for the weather but did not happen.

So the building is some what look like cone or a mountain.
Rocket and Space
The Name Is Space Mountain.

So Disneyland is the secound version of the Attraction.

[Datameister]

Re: Space Mountain

Other than being big I don't see a resemblance!

Me neither.

[WJNM]

Re: Space Mountain

First of all Space Mountain Start in WDW, Just one thing there is not a tall mountain in Orlando.
Want a indoor Rollercoster for the weather but did not happen.

So the building is some what look like cone or a mountain.
Rocket and Space
The Name Is Space Mountain.

So Disneyland is the secound version of the Attraction.

Well, yeah...

But that doesn't really help with the argument, does it? I mentioned it was tradition for ALL Disneyland-style parks; the Magic Kingdom Park is obviously included in that, as is TL DL, DL Paris and HK DL.

I don't see where mentioning if it's the first or second version of the attraction has anything to do with it ... nor does the mention of Orlando not having mountains, as neither does Anaheim.

EDIT - Just for the record, SM IS an indoor roller coaster (don't know what you meant by "that didn't happen"; also, SM was originally designed by Walt and his designers for the 67-68 TL renovation for Disneyland in Anaheim, but didn't make the budget. Regardless of where it was built first, it was designed originally for DL.

[Kritter]

Re: Space Mountain

Me neither.

ohhhhhhh..... SNAP!!!!!!

[MatterhornJ]

Re: Space Mountain

ohhhhhhh..... SNAP!!!!!!

Snappity snap snap!

[Guest]

Re: Space Mountain

That's a slippery-slope there. I suggest we rename Indiana Jones "Garlic Farts" and Soarin' "Hot Liquid-Coming-Up Indigestion Burp".

Kidding, I see your point.

Uhh...