Space Mountain...WHY?

**DisneyFunGuy** · 07-03-2005, 01:44 AM

I was one of the fortunate ones that was able to ride SM on 7/1. I was all excited to see the new show effects and what Disney did differently. However, my impression after I got off the ride was not as good as I was hoping it would be.

Don't get me wrong, I'm THRILLED that SM is back up again!! But to me, it all looked pretty much the same. Especially when you enter that huge room where the loading area is located. Sure, you have a slightly new *ship* hanging fromt he ceiling, but other than that, it's the same look. The only noticeable changes I saw was part of the que area, the exact loading area, the very beginning of the ride, the very end of the ride and the exit (no speed ramp, but stairs now).

Now those changes are really cool, but the ride itself (to me) was pretty much what I remembered before it closed down. And all I kept thinking to myself after I got off the ride was, *it took Disney nearly 3 years to re-open SM for THIS?*

One of the main things I was hoping for (expecting, actually) was that all the stars inside the ride would be that of what Peter Pan is like. To me, that would be more realistic looking and actually make the ride appear darker. But instead, we have projected stars running rampant all throughout the ride, just like before. I didn't notice any major show change, and that was really disappointing to me.

Also, I'm not a fan of the new music they have. The old score was so much better!! But like I said earlier, I'm THRILLED that SM is open again and I'll still go on it all the time. It's just that after so long, I was expecting a lot more for the length of time it was down. Perhaps more show effects will pop up once the official opening happens on 7/15, let's hope!

Anyway, I know a lot of you out there may really love the new SM, and for that, I'm happy! But for me, I was wanting (expecting) more.

Patrick

**mp3piratesavvy** · 07-03-2005, 02:40 AM

It should be noted that since it was opened 4 months early, many things may have been left out.

**Speedway** · 07-03-2005, 04:04 AM

Well in three years, they completely rebuilt the Space Mountain track, and have developed two new ride configurations - even though one is yet to debut. And as the above MiceChatter said, Space Mountain opened four months earlier.

But I respect and understand your comments though.

**JiminyCricketFan** · 07-03-2005, 05:20 AM

We have to remember that the refurb of SM was approved under Pressler. I cannot imagine him spending a dime to make the ride BETTER. Matt came in after all the plans were done and most of the work was way behind schedule. All he could do is complete the job faster.

I think that Disneyland is going to have a PR problem if they try to advertise the ride as if it was a NEW attraction. Once former fans ride it, they will know that it is basically the same ride without the Dick Dales music (I like that version too) and the speed ramp. So it is kind of a down grade.

I am glad it is reopened after so long a closure. We are still suffering from the Pressler mistakes. Not adding a newly designed track when they had the opportunity was a MAJOR misstep.

I think that the only way to salvage the PR disaster is to push forward the Rockit Mountain scheme. If they do not, attendance at the park will be the same because of the 50th, but they won't be that excited about the "NEW" Space Mountain.

**Druggas** · 07-03-2005, 05:51 AM

Other than avid fans of DL, most people have short memories and couple that with only an occasional visit to DL, and they will believe it's a new ride!

**Mac Daddy** · 07-03-2005, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Druggas

Other than avid fans of DL, most people have short memories and couple that with only an occasional visit to DL, and they will believe it's a new ride!

Speaking of short memories...is the disabled loading area new?

I don't remember the ride vehicles moving on to the tracks from the side. (Very cool...it keeps the line moving.) If it's not new, this was a good piece of imagineering from before.

**merlinjones** · 07-03-2005, 07:02 AM

>>Well in three years, they completely rebuilt the Space Mountain track, and have developed two new ride configurations - even though one is yet to debut.<<

All of Disneyland 1955 was built in one year...

**merlinjones** · 07-03-2005, 07:04 AM

>>Well in three years, they completely rebuilt the Space Mountain track, and have developed two new ride configurations - even though one is yet to debut.<<

All of Disneyland 1955 was built in one year...

**dramaqueen** · 07-03-2005, 07:09 AM

yes, but they didn't have to bring in the bulldozers through the back door and work at night. Heck, they couldn't even take the top of SM off and pull the track apart that way. Everything had to be done basically though the back door of the ride so as not to ruin the illusion of the rest of the land (many wouldn't have cared probably, but its a landmark, it would be like knocking down the matterhorn to rebuild the ride- sure its faster, but thats just not the Disney way of doing things.

They also had to dig about 6 feet deeper to lay the new track, and remove all that dirt unnoticed. I am sure that added time to the project. Anyways, I don't think the marketing plan is to call it a new ride. They will play on the 50th nostalgia theme and say- "look, we brought back your favorite ride for the 50th" In essence, that is just as much a fraud since its only been down a few years. Now if it was the people mover or the subs, then that marketing would make sense- but they will most likely be making those announcements (in two weeks now, holy moley!) so they can market those the same way.

My two shillings worth.

**travelmom** · 07-03-2005, 07:50 AM

Good point Drama Queen!
I was pondering this, and you made me understand it.

Hey, its always been a great ride. I don't Disneyland has been promoting it as a "new" attraction.

**Derekuda** · 07-03-2005, 08:03 AM

DON'T FORGET THE BIGGEST REASON! SAFETY!!!!!!!! The ride broke down which caused the ride to close early. But aside from that, the original reason they were going to rebuild SM was for safety. If you remember, they were always going in and doing touch up spot weldings and such, because the old track was deteriorating and everytime the air pressured sensitive track had a crack or somthing little the whole ride would shut down. Now with a new track, the ride is running in it's top performance. Safety comes first, the new effects come second....and id be willing to bet that's how disneys financial planning planned it as well.

**Soulquarian** · 07-03-2005, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by dramaqueen

yes, but they didn't have to bring in the bulldozers through the back door and work at night. Heck, they couldn't even take the top of SM off and pull the track apart that way. Everything had to be done basically though the back door of the ride so as not to ruin the illusion of the rest of the land (many wouldn't have cared probably, but its a landmark, it would be like knocking down the matterhorn to rebuild the ride- sure its faster, but thats just not the Disney way of doing things.

They also had to dig about 6 feet deeper to lay the new track, and remove all that dirt unnoticed. I am sure that added time to the project. Anyways, I don't think the marketing plan is to call it a new ride. They will play on the 50th nostalgia theme and say- "look, we brought back your favorite ride for the 50th" In essence, that is just as much a fraud since its only been down a few years. Now if it was the people mover or the subs, then that marketing would make sense- but they will most likely be making those announcements (in two weeks now, holy moley!) so they can market those the same way.

My two shillings worth.

Regardless of whatever marketing ploy Disney will try to spin, Space Mountain is really nothing more than more star projections, darker building, new color scheme, and launch hill/re-entry effects.

Universal tore down E.T. and built the mummy ride in about a year or so...

The ride is just not as amazing as we'd all hoped it would, and it seems the majority of people are still in love with the old ride. That's fine, but if you don't look through "Disney Goggles", you'll see a fairly mediocre coaster...

**Derekuda** · 07-03-2005, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Soulquarian

The ride is just not as amazing as we'd all hoped it would, and it seems the majority of people are still in love with the old ride. That's fine, but if you don't look through "Disney Goggles", you'll see a fairly mediocre coaster...

Space Mountain was never ment to be more then that. It's a roller coaster through space. Period! It's thrilled millions of people for generations...and its going to thrill millions more. Why try and change a good thing. I really think your looking why too much into this.

**ni_teach** · 07-03-2005, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by GoldenEars

And all I kept thinking to myself after I got off the ride was, *it took Disney nearly 3 years to re-open SM for THIS?*

Yes, it took almost 3 years because of the condition of the track and the building. If the track hand not been neglected by the past administration for over ten years they might have been able to replace the track section by section over several years (a tough job but doable). But because of the neglected the ride was breaking down on a regular basis and had become dangerous.

Bottom-line is that good solid, preventive, repair work maintains rides and if it’s not done the repair that needs to be done down the line is much more expensive and will take longer.

**Kevie** · 07-03-2005, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by merlinjones

>>Well in three years, they completely rebuilt the Space Mountain track, and have developed two new ride configurations - even though one is yet to debut.<<

All of Disneyland 1955 was built in one year...

Disneyland 1955 did not have any huge construction projects. No mountains or huge rides. It was mostly a few exhibits, darkrides and a Jungle Cruise..