News Space Mountain Update!

[Bug]

"Rocket train in motion!"

Went on TTA today and saw a train in motion, plus heard the spiel. Just saw one train cycling. Test & adjust is well under way. Saw some of the cast in hard hats walking out of the mountain. Hopefully the refurb is on schedule, but since TTA was delayed by 3 weeks, I won't hold my breathe.

[Kidgenie]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

What a bummer. already in test and adjust phase? How much track could they have replaced in that time frame?

Its great for the castmembers working the ride they it will now have better computer technology running it, but for the guests, it looking more and more like WDW really did close a tired yet classic attraction only to reopen it a few months later and give you... the same tired yet classic attraction. They should have just left it along as the status quo until they could do it right.

then again maybe its a good sigh they are in test and adjust, means they still have almost three months to install the new effects. Trying to be optimist as I too have been on the TTA recently, but aside for closing off the view of the coaster from the que line.... I don't see any changes. The lift looks identical. BTW... I use the word Classic in Jest. I hate it when Disney, AKA Phil Holmes, uses the word "Classic" to justify NOT doing something.

Makes me wonder if Burbank is forceing the new Fantasyland into Phil's beloved "Classic" Magic Kingdom.

[Bug]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

the track layout is the same. they replaced brakes, nuts, bolts, etc. like i said before, this refurb is more for the cast than the guests. it's going to be a lot harder to breakdown and we'll be much more efficient than before. this refurb is more operational then it is cosmetic. the main lift is still the same physically, but works COMPLETELY different than before. i like the fact that they're keeping it classic. we are the original one and the only one w/ 2 tracks. our track layout is more thrilling than DLs. there's is aesthetically more pleasing but ours is more thrilling. plus, it needed this refurb BADLY. it's been i think 20 yrs since the last one.

[Kidgenie]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

Thats a matter of opinion. I find Disneyland's track layout Far more thrilling. I am not thrilled they are keeping a classic. Dated it not classic. I have no doubt of the validity of the operational improvements. When next time you ride SM at Disneyland, make it a point to listen to the conversation as the guests around you get off the ride. They are talking about the ride, how fun it was, should they do it again, when can they do it again etc etc.... At the orginal classic, do the same thing, and most of the time they are talking about their day, what they are going to do next, is it time to eat yet, and what time is the parade or worst of all.... " I waited in line for that?"

It needs the upgrades to the guest experience just as badly as it needed the operational upgrades.

[Jspider]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

wowzers, I figured much of the work would be minimal, but shouldn't they have at least updated the main lift hill with the same ship as Disneyland and maybe some more modern astronauts? I doubt they're even doing anything for light leaks so it's probably going to be the same ride it's always been. The queue is probably were the real work is going on at.

[DizDee]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

Does anyone know if they are keeping the single seater cars?

I'm sure hoping we'll be there for soft openings in Nov.

[Disneytwins]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

I hope they kept the cars the way that they were. It's awesome sitting in a position that your not used to sitting to on a ride, which makes the ride much more thrilling.

[Kidgenie]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

NO major changes to the guest ride experience. AKA same cars. Not same cars with audio, not new cars in the same style, just same cars

[Jspider]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

NO major changes to the guest ride experience. AKA same cars. Not same cars with audio, not new cars in the same style, just same cars

Is this supposed to be a plus? Then again music might not work well since this ride likely still has the queue open air with the ride?

Are they just smoothing out the track and altering the projections? I guess this refurb is all queue work

[Kidgenie]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

No... not a plus. I was being sarcastic with the smile. There will not be any sound track on the ride. That said, the que will not longer be open to the attraction. They are closing that up.

[BoogaFrito]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

So it's still going to be jarringly bumpy? A rocket-type ride through space should not feel like a Matterhorn bobsled!

[kcnole]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

No one knows whether it will be bumpy or not but I hear that smoothing the track out is part of the refurb.

[ORD84]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

So it's still going to be jarringly bumpy? A rocket-type ride through space should not feel like a Matterhorn bobsled!

Space turbulance maybe???

[disneyfann121]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

Disneyland's version is snazzy and more high tech, but I do agree with those who say that WDW's is more thrilling. It really feels like a coaster, whereas DL's SM is just a little too smooth for me.

[ryno1986]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

If you sit in the front, Space Mountain isn't rough at all. In fact it's pretty smooth- definitely smoother than RnR and Everest, both of which have Vekoma to thank for their aging roughness. Space Mountain at DL before the refurb was much rougher than WDWs. There's no point replacing the track if it didn't need it (though it would have been nice to get onboard audio).

[danyoung]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

I just want to say that it's really amazing how so many of you can attest so clearly to the experience on the new Space Mountain, having not yet ridden the new Space Mountain! Seriously, if it's a bit smoother I'll be happy, even with no music. I was iffy when they first added the Dick Dale track to DL's SM. I learned to love it, but I also enjoyed the music-less Florida version. My biggest problem with it was that it's become so bumpy that it's actually painful to ride. If this refurb smooths out the ride a little, I'm satisfied.

[Jspider]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

Disneyland's version is snazzy and more high tech, but I do agree with those who say that WDW's is more thrilling. It really feels like a coaster, whereas DL's SM is just a little too smooth for me.

eh, they're both Disney coasters and they're both mild and barely feel like a coaster at all once you've been on a real one o_o. Not that it's bad just that you end up looking at them differently.

I don't mind the ride at WDW though, I just hope the lift isn't too indicative of the rest of the ride. In all honesty I'm not sure that DL did enough work on the ride. I'm afraid of what it'll be like with even less work done.

[Boxalarm]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

Really? Are we going to debate over whos is more thrilling or smoother of a ride? Geez....take a trip to Six Flags and see how long you can ride their pile of crap coasters. Wow...someone took a ride on TTA and saw some stuff at a glance. I am pleased that Disney is doing something which is making it better in one way or another.

[Kidgenie]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

If you sit in the front, Space Mountain isn't rough at all. In fact it's pretty smooth- definitely smoother than RnR and Everest, both of which have Vekoma to thank for their aging roughness. Space Mountain at DL before the refurb was much rougher than WDWs. There's no point replacing the track if it didn't need it (though it would have been nice to get onboard audio).

DL's was still smoother. DL's unexpectantly closed one day and began its refurbishment with almost no prior notice. This was not done due to rough track, but as the rumors go, "cracking" was found to be taking place to the attractions support structure. At the time, before this discovery, if I recall they were going to try to wait until after the 50th celebration rather then the forced choice of having to start the 50th with out it open. closed down the attraction due to safety concerns and effectively ended the debated as to "IF" or "When" it should be refurbished. They were forced to REFURBISH now.

But even if I have gotten this all mixed up I still remember DL's always been smoother.

[danyoung]

Re: Space Mountain Update!

Kidgenie, your memory jibes with mine. And I agree that DL's is much smoother since the rebuild.