Two different Space Mountain tracks?

[disneyfan369]

I was watching the Travel Channel yesterday and they said that Space Mountain has two tracks. Is this true? I've never heard anything about it. And if there are two, is there a way to ride both tracks? Would I ask a CM to ride on a specific track?

[Jerry2]

Yes there are two tracks, one on the left and one on the right. When you get to the entrance to the main waiting area (the room where you actually board the ride) you will see the queue split. I believe both rides are supposed to be the same but a lot of people will tell you that they have a preference.

[Donald A]

Yep, two tracks same layout. You can watch it on youtube going with the lights on!

[Speedy1998]

That is true, there are two different tracks, one for each loading area. I do not think you can anymore, but you used to be able to choose, and the CMs would tell you which was the more intense ride (This was back in the 80s) Last time I was on it, you could not choose. I suspect if you asked the CM though they would let you ride the side that you did not ride on the first time.

[magicman]

You will choose either the left or right side about 3/4 of the way through the line/queue.

Folks will tell you one side is scarier than the other, but they are identical except that the turns go in different directions (according to a CM I asked on our last vacation).

[caryrae]

I found this a few days ago about the track layout.

Space Mountain - Magic Kingdom

This roller coaster is an 2 1/2-minute trip traveling at top speeds of 28 miles per hour inside a building 300ft wide and 180ft tall. The Florida version has two identical but mirrored tracks and guests are seated one behind the other in 6 seat cars. (The California version has only one track with passengers seated side by side).

[magicofdisney]

I've done both and for whatever reason, I prefer the left track.

[Speedy1998]

Folks will tell you one side is scarier than the other, but they are identical except that the turns go in different directions (according to a CM I asked on our last vacation).

I find it intresting that CMs say this now, because back in the 80s the CMs used to tell you they were different, the one on the right was supposed to be a rougher ride with bigger drops. I wonder if they redid the track layout, or if not enough people were riding one side of it. When I was a kid I rode it so much I could tell the difference between the sides. As an adult I usually only manage to get on it once per trip.

[LudwigVonDrake]

The tracks are supposed to be mirror images of each other. One side is slightly longer (10-15 ft.)so it can cross over but that's about it

[Disney Doll]

When we were there for the PIrate and Princess Party this Feb, we were randomly chosen for a tour of the Space Mountain control tower. The CM giving our tour said the tracks are the same, but one with a few extra feet of track to get to the ride started. I'm not sure if that has always been the case, but apparently now there is no difference.

[PeterPan]

There never was any difference - the two tracks have always been identical, but mirror images of one another. I don't care what a CM might have told you - they were probably teasing you, anyway. All turns, all drops are identical, except opposite. Used to be called Alpha and Omega. They have never re-worked the tracks in any way (WAY WAY WAY too expensive an undertaking - the tracks are intertwined and it would be almost impossible to change one and not the other).

By the way, Space Mountain at Disneyland has undergone major rehab, and is smooth as glass and has a fabulous sound track (like RRC) that can CHANGE. I think there are three variations to the sound track, one is advertised to be featured at night (more rock-music-like) and one is more star-wars like.

[xipetotec]

I was watching the Travel Channel yesterday and they said that Space Mountain has two tracks. Is this true? I've never heard anything about it. And if there are two, is there a way to ride both tracks? Would I ask a CM to ride on a specific track?

Yes, when you board the ride, you are asked to go either to the right or the left. IMHO, the one on the left is crazier. But maybe that's all in my head.

[MOJoe]

Last year at 1 a.m. EMH's my son and I rode both sides of SM back to back. We both swore that the right side was a more intense ride. Isn't that the side where the car seems to leave the track for an instant? Mirror image, maybe, but there is a distinct difference to each side.

[mcjaco]

By the way, Space Mountain at Disneyland has undergone major rehab, and is smooth as glass and has a fabulous sound track (like RRC) that can CHANGE. I think there are three variations to the sound track, one is advertised to be featured at night (more rock-music-like) and one is more star-wars like.

Rockin' Space Mountain stinks. It takes all the fun out of SM. It's like RRC Lite, and listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers is not what I call Disney, at least not in Disneyland. They have concert lighting all over that lights up the dome and you can see the track in front of you.

As for MK's SM, as said above, it's the same track, each side mirrors each other. One is a bit longer to cross over the other. The only major change has been the trains. They went from the Matterhorn bobsled type trains, to individual seating.

[mttafire]

Rockin' Space Mountain stinks. It takes all the fun out of SM. It's like RRC Lite, and listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers is not what I call Disney, at least not in Disneyland. They have concert lighting all over that lights up the dome and you can see the track in front of you.

As for MK's SM, as said above, it's the same track, each side mirrors each other. One is a bit longer to cross over the other. The only major change has been the trains. They went from the Matterhorn bobsled type trains, to individual seating.

This is the first complaint ive ever heard about the new S.M. at Disneyland. We LOVED it. It is my hope that the rehab that the M.K. Space M. is about to undergo will be the same as D.L. I have heard that the M.K. Space M. is very close to the refurb date..?

[BelleandtheBeast]

I have ridden it before and never knew this, thanks for the little bit of trivia.

[trackbarroness]

Yes, when you board the ride, you are asked to go either to the right or the left. IMHO, the one on the left is crazier. But maybe that's all in my head.

you go left or right befor the Control Tower not after you board the trains. Both tracks are mirror images of each other except that they go in opposite directions of each other.
someone said that one side might feel more intense then the other depending on which hand is your dominate hand(left or right). I don't know about that because I've ridden both sides and on diferent days B side seems more intense then A side then visa versa. Have any of you ridden Space Mountain with the lights on?

[mcjaco]

This is the first complaint ive ever heard about the new S.M. at Disneyland. We LOVED it. It is my hope that the rehab that the M.K. Space M. is about to undergo will be the same as D.L. I have heard that the M.K. Space M. is very close to the refurb date..?

The ride itself, is great. It's the one of the smoothest Vekoma's out there. It was the Rockin' layover that's just terrible. Red Hot Chili Peppers in Disney? And in Tomorrowland? What's this all aboot?

[dumbo ears]

its true that there are 2 tracks. i have ridden both and there is no real difference besides that one is on the right and one is on the left.

[markb]

Yes, when you board the ride, you are asked to go either to the right or the left. IMHO, the one on the left is crazier. But maybe that's all in my head.

Oh good. I'm glad it's not just me that thinks that