Space Mountain

[mydisneygirls]

Is SM completely in the dark or can you see a little bit? Is this more like a roller coaster or drops and turns like Thunder Mountain? Believe it or not, I've never been on it but now that DDs are older, I'm trying to convince them to go on during our upcoming trip.

[PirateLover]

You can barely make out the track. It is definitely dark, but there are stars and spaceships and things flitting around. You also pass some scenes that are not in total darkness. There are no really big drops and it doesn't go upside down or anything crazy like that. It feels like you are going a lot faster than you actually are. If you are OK on Big Thunder, I'm sure you'll be fine on Space Mountain.

[mydisneygirls]

Thanks Maryanne! DDs love Thunder Mountain so I'm going to give it a try! If they get scared, they can just close their eyes!!! LOL

[EJS-Houston]

Do you remember the rides common in amusement parks that used to be called "Wild Mouse" rides? That's what Space Mountain is, but in the dark. As previously pointed out, there are no steep drops, or loops, or corkscrews of any kind. There are just lots of sharp turns and short drops, and being in the dark, you don't seem them coming. Also, it doesn't approach anything like the speed of roller coasters.

[mydisneygirls]

I have a feeling Space Mountain will be like Thunder Mountain. We were there 4 years ago and oldest DD was 8 then. While standing in line (TM), she was crying, shaking and jumping up and down because she didn't want to get on. Halfway through the ride I noticed she was smiling....getting off the ride she said "mom, can we go again?"

[btharvey]

The difference between a wild mouse and a roller coaster is the abruptness of the changes in direction.

Space mountain's cars are small and the directional changes can be swift. If you tend toward the larger (and I do), be sure and site in the back-most seat of the triple-seat cars, and you'll be fine. Otherwise your inertia might make the squeezes a tad more painful than those who can more easily be tossed around.

Other than that, it's great fun!

[Stu29573]

Space Mountain is actually slower than Big Thunder. (BTM averages about 30 mph, while SM is around 28 mph) It is about a minute shorter too. The highest drop is roughly fourteen feet. You won't pull any G's like you do on Big Thunder's helixes, but you will be tossed around. You can usually see the track directly in front of you, but that doesn't give you much warning!

[iceicebritney]

If I sit up front I find I can see the track much easier. I also have incredible night vision (but terrible day vision...) My husband thinks I was an Owl in a past life. I like to close my eyes on space mountain so I can't see a thing. I think it makes the ride more fun!

[Melanie]

I think it's much darker in Space Mt. now after the recent refurb. I have a hard time making anything out.

Wow, BTMRR is faster than Space Mt? I would have never guessed.

[Stu29573]

Wow, BTMRR is faster than Space Mt? I would have never guessed.

Its the dark that does it! Personally, I think it feels like you're doing at least 45!

[paragon]

I would agree with everything already said. You could always check out youtube for some video of the ride too, just to give you some type of idea.
While I am totally a roller coaster fanatic, as well as wild mouse or Galaxy rides,I am actually not a huge fan of Space Mountain. It seems just a bit too jerky for me, not as comfortable as I would like it to be, and I am by no means a large person.( 5' 7" 150lbs )

[texas211]

I often youtube rides/attractions to see if i'm interested in riding, or if i'm unsure if i should ride on it.

[Grumpy.]

Here's another vote for "very jerky". It's just not smooth like the other coasters. The kids do like it though...

[lizzi6692]

I think your girls will probably love space mountain, just don't sit in the front. If you do you can see the tracks and, at least for me, that ruins it.

[disneydeb]

My youngest did SM when she was 4.. She did great and it became her favorite ride until Rock n Rollercoaster opened!

[Dopeysgal]

I agree with everything said above.

It's a "wild mouse" and it's in the dark, so I could say i can be very disorienting. you never know that is going to happen next and you do get jostled around more than on BTMRR (I think moreso because you can't see what is coming and brace for it). It's not more intense or faster, though. The car ride design also makes me feel more exposed, I don't know how else to describe it.

I think if your kids can handle BTMRR, they can ahndle this. Just let them know it WILL be dark inside. Unless you sit in the front, you really can't see the track. You will see stars and planets,and the glow in the dark stripes on the other cars. I'd just prepare them that it will be dark, assure them that they won't go upside down, and tell them to see if they can spot any planets.

[Main Street Jim]

Can you take the word of a long-time (almost ten years) - and most recently (and former) Space Mountain Cast Member?

Biggest drop: 23 feet
Top speed: about 27 1/2 mph
Track A (Alpha) is ten feet longer than Track B (Omega)
Top of the lift hill is 77 feet above the floor
Ride time: about 2 minutes, 31 seconds (B-side); 2 minutes, 37 seconds (A-side)
It's *fairly* dark inside. When it was refurbished a couple of years ago, it was "darkened" to not allow so much "outside" (ambient) light onto the ride track.

The soundtrack, which was added later on in 2010, is *very cool*, although it's not a true on-board audio system like RnRC.

When the cars (rockets) were refurbished with the wider seats, the glow-in-the-dark stripes were removed.

As for the "largest" seat (that has the most room), as btharvey said, request the very back seat in either car (two cars per train, so seat #3 or #6).

Oh - and if you have small items that you're carrying, there's a storage net on the side of each seat. And take off them hats 'n glasses, 'cuz this here's the wildest......Oops....LOL...please secure all loose cargo

[Mousemates]

thanks (again) Main Street Jim

[Stu29573]

Can you take the word of a long-time (almost ten years) - and most recently (and former) Space Mountain Cast Member?

Biggest drop: 23 feet
Top speed: about 27 1/2 mph
Track A (Alpha) is ten feet longer than Track B (Omega)
Top of the lift hill is 77 feet above the floor
Ride time: about 2 minutes, 31 seconds (B-side); 2 minutes, 37 seconds (A-side)
It's *fairly* dark inside. When it was refurbished a couple of years ago, it was "darkened" to not allow so much "outside" (ambient) light onto the ride track.

The soundtrack, which was added later on in 2010, is *very cool*, although it's not a true on-board audio system like RnRC.

When the cars (rockets) were refurbished with the wider seats, the glow-in-the-dark stripes were removed.

As for the "largest" seat (that has the most room), as btharvey said, request the very back seat in either car (two cars per train, so seat #3 or #6).

Oh - and if you have small items that you're carrying, there's a storage net on the side of each seat. And take off them hats 'n glasses, 'cuz this here's the wildest......Oops....LOL...please secure all loose cargo

Oops! I missed the drop by nine feet! Still, the point was it's not very big. Not bad, considering I was going by memory! Thanks Jim!

[mydisneygirls]

Thank you Main Street Jim! Are both track A and track B exactly the same?