Space Mountain Turns 50 — Check Out These Fun Facts About the Beloved Disney Ride
If you’ve ever been to a Disney theme park, or even heard about one, you likely know about one of the most iconic rides: Space Mountain. While Space Mountain was dreamed up by Walt Disney for the original Disney theme park, Disneyland, in California, it made its debut at Disney World in Florida on January 15, 1975, and has been thrilling fans ever since.
It was Walt Disney’s idea (Why it was revolutionary for the time)
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Steven Vagnini, Content Strategy manager for Walt Disney Archives, shared, “Walt first had the idea for a high-speed trip through space as part of a reimagining of (Disneyland’s) Tomorrowland that would have taken place in the 1960s. This was a revolutionary idea.” It was so revolutionary that the technology just wasn’t there to make it happen until the ‘70s.
Space Mountain was the first roller coaster to be fully enclosed and in the dark, plus it was the first to be fully controlled by a computer. “This allowed us to have two totally separate ride paths through space,” Vagnini explained. “The zone systems allowed multiple rockets to allow guests to be transported through the cosmos at once. And the fact that it’s all in the dark … that adds to the thrill. You don’t know if they’re going to be going left or right or up or down.”
Changes made to Disneyland’s version
The ride was so popular that it eventually went to Disneyland a few years later in 1977. While the idea is the same, several changes had to be made at the smaller theme park, including making it one track attraction instead of two. It isn’t quite the same experience — and boy, do Disney fans have their opinions on which is better. Generally, more people seem to like the original version, even if it is just for the nostalgia of riding the classic.
Different Space Mountain themes around the world
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The third Space Mountain opened at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 and is currently undergoing a major refurbishment for a reimagining of Tomorrowland, and will open back up in 2027. Reportedly, it will retain “the original concept as a thrilling indoor coaster that takes guests on a high-speed journey through space, but will include enhanced performance and immersive special effects. These will give guests even more thrills throughout their journey and will provide a greater connection between Earth and the universe.”
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The ride proved so popular that they opened the fourth version in Disneyland Paris in 1995, and the fifth in Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. Both versions are quite different, as the Paris version was inspired by Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon and the Hong Kong version is called Hyperspace Mountain, inspired by Star Wars. At times, the U.S. parks will showcase the Hyperspace Mountain version for special events as well.
Despite being 50 years old, Space Mountain is still one of the most beloved and most popular rides at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, bringing together nostalgic fans and new fans alike. Have you ever been on Space Mountain? Tell us about your experience!
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