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The Secret History of Disney Rides: Space Mountain

by Tad on December 14, 2015 18 Orlando   Video

The Secret History of Disney Rides: Space Mountain - Secret History

Let's take a space voyage beyond our galaxy! Space Mountain is one of the most well-known Disney rides. The roller coaster zooms through the darkness and past stars; it's considered one of Disney's thrill rides for these reasons and more! With this secret history of Space Mountain, you'll learn all about your favorite Disney space ride.

====>Hop here for Space Mountain wait times, ride details and more!<====

The Secret History of Disney Rides: Space Mountain - Space Mountain

The Secret History of Space Mountain

Space Mountain was first opened to the public at Magic Kingdom Park on January 15, 1975. The idea of the space roller coaster evolved from Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds! According to DisneyParkHistory.com, because of Matterhorn's success, Walt Disney was believed that thrill rides did belong at his Disney parks. He originally thought the roller coaster to be the centerpiece of a renovated Tomorrowland in Disneyland that included a "Space Port" area. Before the name "Space Mountain" was found, Disney Imagineers referred to the ride as "Space Voyage."

After Walt Disney's death, the Space Mountain idea was set aside until imagineers noticed Magic Kingdom had a serious lack of thrill rides, and the park was majorly popular among teenagers and young adults. Via DisneyParkHistory.com, after more land and technology became available, Space Mountain was set in the books! The Magic Kingdom mountain was originally to be built on the south side of Tomorrowland, but was decided to be placed on the "park's perimeter berm."

To celebrate the space roller coaster's opening, a marching band performed upon the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover tracks. Colenol James Irwin, who was the pilot of the Lunar Module on Apollo XV, made an appearance at the ceremony as the guest of honor.

Of course, Space Mountain went on to becom one of the most well-known Disney attractions in history. Today, the iconic mountain stands at every single Disney park in the world.

Disneyland's Space Mountain opened two years later after Magic Kingdom's. Disneyland Paris opened its own innovative version of Space Mountain on June 1, 1995, after its grand opening the day before on May 31st; the roller coaster went through a major refurbishment in 2005 to be renamed Space Mountain: Mission 2! Let's hear some fun facts about the secret history of Space Mountain.

The Secret History of Disney Rides: Space Mountain - Entrance

Space Mountain Fun Facts

  • Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain closed for a major refurbishment in 2009; some of the changes included replacing some of the track, placing a ceiling above the loading area, interactive games and new space rockets (ride cars)! Starry-O-Phonic music was also added to the ride.
  • During the 2009 refurbishment, the roller coaster's post show was also changed to feature a baggage claim, lost and found, and more.
  • Speaking of lengthy refurbishments, the Disneyland Paris Space Mountain's renovation in 2005 included adding new special effects and a sound track.
  • With Disneyland's new Season of the Force in 2015, Space Mountain was taken over by Star Wars and transformed into Hyperspace Mountain; the temporary change features an X-wing star fighter battle (and it's AWESOME).
  • According to InsidetheMagic.net, Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain's logo "Star Port Seventy Five" is a clever nod to the year the attraction opened!
  • Look for the robot dog in the post show at Magic Kingdom; since RCA first sponsored Space Mountain in the beginning, the dog was RCA's mascot. After RCA's sponsorship ended, the dog still remains!
  • Via DisneylandParis-News.com, Famous astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, made an appearance at Space Mountain's grand opening at Disneyland Paris.
  • Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain has a top speed of 30 mph! It doesn't seem fast, but since the roller coaster is completely in the dark, you feel like you're really zooming.
  • Every Halloween since 2009 Disneyland's Space Mountain has an overlay featuring an angry space ghost trying to cause mayhem for riders. The overlay is called Ghost Galaxy!

Hope you learned some stellar facts in this secret history of Space Mountain! Hop here for Space Mountain wait times, ride details and more! Be sure to check out our other secret history posts: Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Stay Cool!

Keep hopping, Tad!
View Comments
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Sep 28, 2021 at 5:23 p.m. Kathryn Tate Says...

I was fortunate to be invited to the grand opening ceremony of Space Mountain at WDW. They filmed the first riders and there were clips of me in the commercial and pre-launch video. I sure wish I could find the video online. I had long blonde hair and they filmed me as we hit a big drop and my hair went straight up in the air and of course I was screaming!????

Reply
Sep 28, 2021 at 1:22 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kathryn!

That's toadally awesome — thanks for sharing! We'd suggest checking on YouTube. You might be able to find the footage if you search for it!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Oct 19, 2020 at 10:02 p.m. Ryan Says...

I still think Matterhorn is better.

Reply
Jan 10, 2020 at 4:24 p.m. Nancy Says...

I could swear that over the years the speed of space mountain changed ? True or false

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Jan 10, 2020 at 2:10 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Nancy!

We don't know of the speed changing! The ride has had some changes over time, but to our knowledge, speed hasn't changed :) Others in the Frog Pond may chime in!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Dec 24, 2019 at 9:31 p.m. ANTHONY RUSSO Says...

i road it in 1976 and when i go next month it will be the 6th different decade i have been on it!

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Jan 26, 2019 at 2:44 a.m. Charles Coker Says...

Everywhere I look. They say the ride open on January 15, 1975.

I rode it in Late February 1972!

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Sep 9, 2021 at 4:23 p.m. Says...

I agree. I also recall riding it the first week of operation when my child was 2 yes old. No age limitations. 1972

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Jul 29, 2019 at 3:46 a.m. Nathan Says...

Wait, are you sure your not thinking of a different ride? Because I've seen photos from 74' where it's still under intensive construction.

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Jun 27, 2019 at 12:31 p.m. Mart Says...

I also rode space mountain Spring break of 1973.Maybe we were the guinea pigs!

Reply
Dec 17, 2018 at 6:20 a.m. Jeff Says...

I was the first kid on space mountain, I would have been the first person on but 2 adult males pushed me and a friend out of the way and got in front of us.

Reply
Jun 15, 2018 at 12:58 a.m. Carlos Says...

Space mountain is the most dark ride than revenge of the mummy ride

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Mar 20, 2018 at 6:19 p.m. Arty Morales Says...

Ive been riding Space Mountain since it first opened in 1975, today is 3/18/2018 and it still feels like 1975 to me. I remember the 2 hour wait and it was worth it!!!.

Reply
Mar 20, 2018 at 2:54 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Arty!

That's toadally awesome. Space Mountain is always worth a long wait!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
May 22, 2017 at 12:44 a.m. Andrew Yacos Says...

On a more serious note, I remember a wooden post sign posts, pre-1975, seen from the train ride around Disney World with the message like "Coming soon, Space Mountain" with a picture of Mickey in a 'space' suit complete with circular glass bubble helmet. Needless, to say, when it opened, without Fast Pass, it took almost 2 hours in line. But, honestly, it was sheer joy from that first visit until now. The classic King attraction of WDW. Cheers.

Reply
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:26 a.m. Carlos Medina Says...

I like space mountain because it goes in the dark

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Nov 4, 2016 at 6:50 p.m. Carlos Medina Says...

I like space mountain because it is awesome

Reply
Nov 3, 2016 at 8:08 p.m. Carlos Medina Says...

I like space mountain because it is the iconic thrill ride

Reply
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