The Spires of Space Mountain	The Entrance to Space Mountain	Attraction Poster

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. . . I rarely question changes that Imagineers make to their creations but I dislike all of the 1997 additons to Space Mountain. I always liked the roar of the track and the screams of guests when you entered the queue with the eerie, unintelligible "com chatter" in the background. This ambience has been destroyed by the video monitors which have cheesy, slapped-together "programming." Very un-Disneylike. The Federal Express Robot in the loading dock is not bad because it's a nod to the attraction's sponsor but since it is rather shabbily done. The droid in the Star Tours queue is, by far, better. And, though the soundtrack was a nice attempt at livening up the attraction, I think it mostly just ruins the intended space travel effect. What does surf guitar music have to do with space anyway? And was there any point in sticking that satellite dish on top of the central globe? . .

. . . If you're an old pro on Space Mountain, try this. The minute the rocket gets inside the dome, look up and continue to stare at the stars for the remainder of the ride. The effect is trippy and, perhaps, a bit disorienting. It's a different experience, though, and you certainly won't see the drops coming. . .

. . . I've always gotten a little dizzy on Space Mountain because the track is circular and non-stop. Sometimes, I stumble out of the car when it gets back to the loading dock. . .

. . . Ever wonder what that probe thing is that sits over the middle of the loading dock? It has two pilots. You can barely see them in their spacesuits if you squint into the cockpit. . .

pointless trivia

• Walt Disney, himself, had the idea for Space Mountain in the 60's but the technology was not available for its creation until a decade later. (Disneyland, Dreams, Traditions, and Transitions) - search for it on amazon.com
• This first incarnation of Space Mountain, imagined by Walt Disney, was known as "SpacePort" and was to be the centerpiece of the 1967 Tomorrowland remodel. The prototype was much like the Matterhorn, in that it would have four tracks emerging from the top of the "SpacePort," which would wind their way to the bottom on looping tracks called "satelloids." Just as it became known as "Space Mountain," the project was put on hold. (Disneyland The Nickel Tour)
• Space Mountain opened first at Florida's Magic Kingdom in January 1975. (Ibid)
• Construction began at the Disneyland site in June 1975. The building was submerged 15 feet below ground level and the twin track of Florida's was reduced to one to keep the mountain to scale with its more "intimate" Disneyland surroundings. (Ibid)
• The ride cost $20 million to build.
• Space Mountain was built on the site of the old "Flying Saucers," which floated in Tomorrowland from 1961-1968. (The E-Ticket, Winter 1993-94)
• The interior was renovated in 1997 to include new video monitors in the queue area, a Federal Express robot and packing crates throughout the launch area, a satellite dish on the central globe, and new headrests in the ships that play a soundtrack which is coordinated with the ride.
• TEST:Which Disney World landmark is the central globe of Space Mountain said to be a prototype of? Answer Below

Answer: Spaceship Earth at EPCOT Center

innoventions		star tours