Space Mountain Refurb

imaginationcelebration · Post by **imaginationcelebration** » Nov Thu 26, 2009 10:52 pm

I can't wait to hear some first hand reports.

Post by **subsonic** » Dec Wed 02, 2009 2:25 pm

Captain Schnemo wrote:It looks like the upgrades to the Mountain are all pretty cool.

Can't complain about something to relieve the boredom of waiting in line. They identified the Star Tunnel music as something people love and somehow found the restraint to not replace it for no reason.

It sort of sucks that you can't watch the rockets go by while you wait, but the focus on darkening the attraction is admirable and it does add more tension for first-time guests. I wonder what the view from the PeopleMover is like without the glow-in-the-dark strips on the rockets.

Anyway, this is exactly the kind of thing I wish they were doing to all the attractions all the time. No fixing what ain't broke, but still freshening things up enough that they're worth taking another look. Nothing that will ruin old memories or disappoint fans of the older version.

I can only imagine how nice Epcot would be if all the attractions got similar facelifts from time to time.

I totally agree. Upgrades/Updates not replacements. Stick with the theme!

EpcoT2891 · Post by **EpcoT2891** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 6:59 pm

i have to say i would've been disappointed if they had gotten rid of that 1970's feel. For me, that's what makes space mountain so cool for me. A fairly old ride, still thrilling guests of all ages even to this day.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 11:43 pm

We got to experience SM twice on our trip and I was pretty happy with the refurb, we rode both sides, Alpha and Omega. The queue is cleaned up and they still have star tunnel playing. And the ride is definitely alot darker! It's smoother and I think the darkness makes it feel faster! DH still thinks it's not smooth enough!

The only two things I don't care for are the interactive games along the queue, good idea when you're wait times are up, but when they're not, you've got everyone stopping to play the games instead of moving forward. I also don't like how they've changed the ceiling once you get up to the loading area, you no longer see and hear the coaster, it's covered. Overall though, I was pleased. They did not disappoint.

Side note...the bathrooms in the SM area where the skyway loading area used to be were redone and very nicely I might add!

DIAC2010 · Post by **DIAC2010** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 11:54 pm

I went on it. And, I was rather disappointed. The old-school feel is still there, but at the same time one can wonder if they could have done more to improve upon what was already there. After seeing the wonderful re-imagining of Haunted Mansion, this new Space Mountain was a bit of a letdown.

It was as if they "enhanced" the ride only to make the queue line and attraction maintenance easier for the cast members...

alsirrap · Post by **alsirrap** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 11:06 pm

The changes are minor for the most part as far as the ride is concerned, but I have to admit why not keep the original, original.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Jan Thu 07, 2010 10:52 am

It basically still is the original. They just cleaned it up a bit and made some minor changes. We were pleased when we rode it on our last visit.

MadEye · Post by **MadEye** » Jan Thu 07, 2010 11:50 am

I think what happened was that more money was needed to clean the roof of the dome from asbestos than they thought. Either way, they could have redone the entire ride in cheese and I would have been happy because they kept Star Tunnel.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Jan Fri 08, 2010 10:28 pm

I'm with you MadEye, I was nervous about Star Tunnel and was relieved to hear it as we entered SM!

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » Jan Thu 14, 2010 8:23 am

I agree Boiler. I just wish that Star Tunnel went on a bit longer. Maybe up to the interactive part. But the ride itself is good. Like you I got to ride both sides. Smoother and darker. Otherwise the same. Still a great ride.

MadEye · Post by **MadEye** » Jan Thu 14, 2010 9:22 am

kcarts wrote:I agree Boiler. I just wish that Star Tunnel went on a bit longer. Maybe up to the interactive part. But the ride itself is good. Like you I got to ride both sides. Smoother and darker. Otherwise the same. Still a great ride.

That's why you go during the busy seasons. So you can hear it longer waiting for the line to move...

Or you can go during the slow season and just stand around in the queue and listen to it for as long as you want. It's up to you.

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » Jan Sat 30, 2010 2:01 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FjJvfe8_vg&feature=sub

The TVs are back......

MadEye · Post by **MadEye** » Jan Sat 30, 2010 2:55 pm

Too much glare on the video. Looks better in person!

Lori60 · Post by **Lori60** » Jan Sat 30, 2010 5:11 pm

I really missed the flying chocolate cookies!!! It was still a very rough ride, at least for an old lady like me.....

MadEye · Post by **MadEye** » Jan Sat 30, 2010 5:15 pm

Lori60 wrote:I really missed the flying chocolate cookies!!! It was still a very rough ride, at least for an old lady like me.....

Chocolate chip cookie(s) is (are) still there. You can only see it on the ride (if you know where to look) and on TTA if your ride vehicle has good timing.

And I've found Omega is a little less bumpy than Alpha.