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Construction, March 1976
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Space Mountain, October 2006
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Space Mountain, April 2006
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Space Mountain, October 2006
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Space Mountain, October 2006
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Space Mountain, December 2006
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SPACE MOUNTAIN |
| (May 14, 1977–Present) Title is from the “mountains” at Disney theme parks. Guests enter a Space Station and board/exit at a Space Port.
The enclosed design allows controlled lighting to selectively hide portions of the track, increasing the guests’ surprise, which compensates for the absence of some of the track elements typically required to make outdoor coasters exciting. The building has the distinctive feature of having the roof supports on the outside, allowing the ceiling inside to provide a flat surface for projecting stars & other elements onto it.
After Orlando’s success, Imagineers planned this one. Walt’s original “Space Port” plan opened more than ten years after the original plans. Unlike WDW there’s only one track, side by side seating in the rockets, and a faster, smoother, more thrilling ride. Opening Day festivities were attended by the original U.S. Mercury Astronauts (America’s first men in space). The on board audio was added in 1996 after the success of the system at Disneyland Paris. Track fatigue from the heavier weight of the on-board audio systems and improperly manufactured steel track was one of the reasons for the 2 year refurbishment (April 9, 2003—July 15, 2005). V1 (1977-2003) Riders were brought to a control tower where they listened to a recorded warning. The rockets turned sharply to the right and climbed into a long tunnel with fiber optic like projections of comets flying by on the walls. After another quick turn the rockets climbed up the longest lift filled with a red rotating spot light shining down the entire length of the lift tunnel, creating an effect as though the rockets were being pulled up by this red rotating light. At the top the rockets made a 200 degree left turn and passed a red-orange glowing geodesic sphere. There was a slight calm before the rockets climbed a short final lift to the top of the ride’s dome. After the 1996 refab, the audio began here. Slowly, the rocket sleds dove and the music changed to a hard-rocking Dick Dale surf guitar rendition of “Le Carnival Des Animaux: Aquarium” (The Carnival of the Animals ) by Camille Saint-Saëns. Riders were thrown about in almost complete darkness, faint lighting hinting at the dense metal scaffolding that seemed to fly within feet over the heads of the riders as the ride increased speed with each turn and built up to a dramatic climax. The ride ended as the rockets suddenly tunred left into a rotating tunnel with red-orange lighting effects to simulate re-entry. The music changed to a less foreboding variation of the original theme as the rocket sleds re-entered the station. V2 (July 2005-present): New rocket sleds, queue, music by Michael Giacchino, special effects, and storyline. The completely rebuilt track is the same layout as the 1976 original designed by Imagineer Bill Watkins. The original track was removed and the foundation was laid 30' deeper, making the ride safer. The rockets no longer glow in the dark. The attraction begins in Space Station 77 (reference to opening year) where riders board their rocket and are sent into a series of tunnels and lifts themed to get your rocket sleds energized and sent to the proper launch coordinates. The first lift and room is lit with red and orange lighting. At the top of the lift, as you enter a long tunnel, riders experience electrical sounds & light effects presumably beginning to transfer energy to your rocket sled’s power cells. Inside the tunnel is a series of blue strobe lights flashing around the riders. The electrical sounds and flashing blue strobe lights transfer the “energy” your rocket sled needs for the journey through space. The rocket sled then takes guests into the longest lift, surrounded by video screens. This is where the rocket sleds get their launch coordinates. On the screens red bars extend over the stars and stretch by the riders and begin to spin, making it seem as if the rocket sleds are rotating. Here the rocket sleds are once again being pulled up the by a tractor beam (this time the effect is digital). Riders see a spiral galaxy directly ahead and when the rocket enters the mountain, the galaxy swirls up and disappears. The rocket sleds ascend up one final lift hill and then descend into two minutes of sharp turns and dips. The re-entry tunnel was formerly orange lights spiraling around riders, but now the rocket sleds appear to zoom by stars. The effect’s highlight is when the stars suddenly start zooming forward, implying that the rocket sleds have stopped and the stars are traveling in their normal fashion. At this point, the souvenir picture is taken, and then the riders return safely to Space Station 77. Rockin' Space Mountain: This nighttime version featured new music & different special effects. Originally called Rock-it Mountain, it premiered for Grad Nite 2006 with a track by Hoobastank. A new version premiered during the “Year of a Million Dreams” Celebration and was promoted alongside Rockin’ California Screamin, a similar modification to DCA's California Screamin’ roller coaster (January 3–April 26, 2007). Contrary to the original plans, “Rockin’ Space Mountain” ran during all operating hours and did not use the Dick Dale soundtrack. On December 28, 2006, Disneyland announced that the music for “Rockin’ Both Parks” was by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Space Mountain had “Higher Ground” and Rockin’ California Screamin’ used a remixed version of “Around the World.” Differences included new projections within the mountain and many lights alongside the track. Riders began with “Uncle” Joe Benson, a radio DJ from the Disney-owned 95.5 KLOS, introducing riders to the “Space Stage” where the Red Hot Chili Peppers would be “broadblasting live.” The “rocket rockers” continued the flight with a “sound check” with guitar riffs accompanied by projections of bright colors and sound waves. Climbing the last lift, the soundtrack transitioned into the song, “Higher Ground.” Colored lights lined the tracks strobing in sequence and projecting on walls and surroundings. Re-entry and the station were mostly the same except for some added instruments floating in space with the astronaut in the “planet orbit” screen. The neon lights that flash when a rocket train was launched to the right remained on. The queue also received new lighting fixtures. Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below. |
Construction, March 1976 |
Space Mountain, October 2006 |
Space Mountain, April 2006 |
Space Mountain, October 2006 |
Space Mountain, October 2006 |
Space Mountain, December 2006 |
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) April 2007 |
) April 2007 |
) May 2007 |
) May 2007 |
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) May 2007 |
) Aug. 2007 |
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