From what I can tell, it was often breaking down so I imagine rather than replace or continually repair it they decided to just take it out. Also, the main reason there was a moving walkway was because the loading/unloading station is at the far side of the mountain and it was a way of making the long walk back more comfortable. I don’t think it was ever intended as a space themed element, even if it seemed so!
My hubby and I were just recently talking about the elements of the moving walkway. How the kids were doing school by watching a huge screen TV. Hadn’t realized they took it out since we haven’t been able to do roller coasters for awhile but those particular inventions aren’t so futuristic anymore anyway. I did enjoy the walkway tho, and think they should bring it back in an updated version.
The last few times I’ve visited space Mountain I was sort of disappointed to discover that the moving sidewalk was gone. I really enjoyed that at the end of our ride. And I wish they would bring it back. Some thing about the walkway caring us out of the building just added to the experience of the attraction. And I really do miss it.I had a lot of fun with it. Thank you
It is a long walk and the moving sidewalk felt like the ride was continuing. It also kept people moving to the end so no stopping and clogging up the exit. Hope it will come back but I doubt it.
Disney was set up to be entertaining. If it comes down to a decision based on repair cost they will lose market share to theme parks with new attractions.keep the dream alive.
Lol “ But as many of you know, when Disney Imagineers work on an attraction, they think of everything. The experience doesn’t start the second you board the ride — It starts the second you walk into the coaster’s queue line at Magic Kingdom”.
That statement by the author makes me think she’s never rode the hideous Figment ride in Epcot. Those imagineers got that one completely wrong, beginning to end.
Back the the moving sidewalk, it was turned of on Pirates too last March.
The moving sidewalk was very difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. It was quite narrow and the grooves fought the wheelchair’s wheels.
In addition to the maintenance issues, there were numerous complaints from wheelchair users.
We couldn’t move forward with our wheelchair. We had to ride it to the end. Personally we did not mind as we loved the experience, but people could not get past us, and it often got ugly with other guests literally climbing over our wheelchair, and it’s occupant, to get off of the moving sidewalk. We were cursed at and abused by fellow guests who couldn’t wait a few extra minutes to get off of the ride.
Haha thanks bthis reminded me of my niece who moved to the UK when she was really young (2-4) and started calling every by both terms evelator lift, apartment flat, etc. It was adorable. Thanks for the memory queue line made me think of that.
This has been gone for some time. Last time I was there was 2015 and it was already gone. I distinctly recall because my son was in a manual push chair and I commented at the time how much easier it was to navigate with the chair now that it was just a ramp. Additionally removing the moving handrails also significantly widened the exit path allowing those that wanted to leave quicker more space to pass other slower moving guests. The moving sidewalk was essentially a forced single/double file exit and even before my son was in his chair at the parks we encountered guests rushing to walk up the sidewalk and forcing thier way past us since we couldn’t move at the same rate. I get the idea that it was a good thematic element but the current setup is much more practical and accessible though decidedly less “futuristic”.
If Team Disney Orlando doesn’t want to pay to maintain / reinstall a Moving Walkway under Bob ‘Cheapskate’ Chapek …. and pay to install a separate Exit for Wheelchair using Park Guests (that would be better for Handicap Access) …. then get used to it (because things are going to get worse with a Cheapskate in charge!)
It was there in 2016 since that was my very first time to WDW. They removed it sometime between 2016 and 2019 when I went for my second time. Both times were for my sons graduations. I thought it was cool and felt great on my feet like a little massager since my feet were hurting so much from 30,000 steps a day on average there. Just like the lift one on The Peoplemover.
There is one big part that you dont metion anywhere about Space Mountain. I loved to be able to look up and see the stars on the ceiling before you got on. Now they closed it off and you cant see up into the space. When getting on. Thats more of the loss for me. That was part of the excitement waiting in long lines to even get on. They have taken too much of the sights of the ride that was important and enjoyment of the ride. I did enjoy the moving plat form. But not having a big part of the ride of looking up into space while waiting. Messes the whole ride up.
That was mainly Done to remove the light from load area invading the inside of the dome, the ride is much darker now. But I do miss the chocolate chip ? flying through space.
Bring back the moving platform!!!! I always enjoyed riding the platform out of the ride. It gave me a chance to rest for a few minutes. As I am now older I have ambulation issues and it is hard for me to walk off of Space Mountain. Bring back the riding platform !!!!
I dont think they will bring it back as it was helpful for some guest it isnt helpful for some other guests I saw a comment in this comment section thing that said they use a whell chair and the walkway makes the wheelchair barely move forward and sometimes go backwards and it is to narrow and the brush things on the sides also slow it down, and people just walked all over the wheel chair just to skip over ig becaus they didnt feel like waiting ir standing.
Disney was set up to be entertaining. If it comes down to a decision based on repair cost they will lose market share to theme parks with new attractions.keep the dream alive.
Comments for Iconic Element Went Missing From Space Mountain, Fans Upset
Nic B
From what I can tell, it was often breaking down so I imagine rather than replace or continually repair it they decided to just take it out. Also, the main reason there was a moving walkway was because the loading/unloading station is at the far side of the mountain and it was a way of making the long walk back more comfortable. I don’t think it was ever intended as a space themed element, even if it seemed so!
Jim
Former SM CM here.
Was removed mainly because it was breaking down more than it was operating, and it was costing more to repair/replace than was feasible.
Wanda Estes
My hubby and I were just recently talking about the elements of the moving walkway. How the kids were doing school by watching a huge screen TV. Hadn’t realized they took it out since we haven’t been able to do roller coasters for awhile but those particular inventions aren’t so futuristic anymore anyway. I did enjoy the walkway tho, and think they should bring it back in an updated version.
Robin
The last few times I’ve visited space Mountain I was sort of disappointed to discover that the moving sidewalk was gone. I really enjoyed that at the end of our ride. And I wish they would bring it back. Some thing about the walkway caring us out of the building just added to the experience of the attraction. And I really do miss it.I had a lot of fun with it. Thank you
EM
It is a long walk and the moving sidewalk felt like the ride was continuing. It also kept people moving to the end so no stopping and clogging up the exit. Hope it will come back but I doubt it.
Rahn Thomason
Disney was set up to be entertaining. If it comes down to a decision based on repair cost they will lose market share to theme parks with new attractions.keep the dream alive.
KenR
Lol “ But as many of you know, when Disney Imagineers work on an attraction, they think of everything. The experience doesn’t start the second you board the ride — It starts the second you walk into the coaster’s queue line at Magic Kingdom”.
That statement by the author makes me think she’s never rode the hideous Figment ride in Epcot. Those imagineers got that one completely wrong, beginning to end.
Back the the moving sidewalk, it was turned of on Pirates too last March.
Anthony
The moving uphill platform on pirates is still turned off?
Margaret K
The moving sidewalk was very difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. It was quite narrow and the grooves fought the wheelchair’s wheels.
In addition to the maintenance issues, there were numerous complaints from wheelchair users.
We couldn’t move forward with our wheelchair. We had to ride it to the end. Personally we did not mind as we loved the experience, but people could not get past us, and it often got ugly with other guests literally climbing over our wheelchair, and it’s occupant, to get off of the moving sidewalk. We were cursed at and abused by fellow guests who couldn’t wait a few extra minutes to get off of the ride.
DAMON
A “queue” IS a line please STOP calling at a “queue line”!
John
Haha thanks bthis reminded me of my niece who moved to the UK when she was really young (2-4) and started calling every by both terms evelator lift, apartment flat, etc. It was adorable. Thanks for the memory queue line made me think of that.
Shelby
This has been gone for some time. Last time I was there was 2015 and it was already gone. I distinctly recall because my son was in a manual push chair and I commented at the time how much easier it was to navigate with the chair now that it was just a ramp. Additionally removing the moving handrails also significantly widened the exit path allowing those that wanted to leave quicker more space to pass other slower moving guests. The moving sidewalk was essentially a forced single/double file exit and even before my son was in his chair at the parks we encountered guests rushing to walk up the sidewalk and forcing thier way past us since we couldn’t move at the same rate. I get the idea that it was a good thematic element but the current setup is much more practical and accessible though decidedly less “futuristic”.
Cj Brown
If Team Disney Orlando doesn’t want to pay to maintain / reinstall a Moving Walkway under Bob ‘Cheapskate’ Chapek …. and pay to install a separate Exit for Wheelchair using Park Guests (that would be better for Handicap Access) …. then get used to it (because things are going to get worse with a Cheapskate in charge!)
Terrance
It was there in 2016 since that was my very first time to WDW. They removed it sometime between 2016 and 2019 when I went for my second time. Both times were for my sons graduations. I thought it was cool and felt great on my feet like a little massager since my feet were hurting so much from 30,000 steps a day on average there. Just like the lift one on The Peoplemover.
Phil O.
Wait, are folks really just noticing *now* that the squishy moving walkway was removed?
That was the squishy one, wasn’t it?
Steve S.
I was wondering the exact same thing, lol.
Daniel
There is one big part that you dont metion anywhere about Space Mountain. I loved to be able to look up and see the stars on the ceiling before you got on. Now they closed it off and you cant see up into the space. When getting on. Thats more of the loss for me. That was part of the excitement waiting in long lines to even get on. They have taken too much of the sights of the ride that was important and enjoyment of the ride. I did enjoy the moving plat form. But not having a big part of the ride of looking up into space while waiting. Messes the whole ride up.
Dave
That was mainly Done to remove the light from load area invading the inside of the dome, the ride is much darker now. But I do miss the chocolate chip ? flying through space.
Bryan
There was a flying chocolate cookie, I never knew that
Doris
Bring back the moving platform!!!! I always enjoyed riding the platform out of the ride. It gave me a chance to rest for a few minutes. As I am now older I have ambulation issues and it is hard for me to walk off of Space Mountain. Bring back the riding platform !!!!
Bryan
I dont think they will bring it back as it was helpful for some guest it isnt helpful for some other guests I saw a comment in this comment section thing that said they use a whell chair and the walkway makes the wheelchair barely move forward and sometimes go backwards and it is to narrow and the brush things on the sides also slow it down, and people just walked all over the wheel chair just to skip over ig becaus they didnt feel like waiting ir standing.
Rahn Thomason
Disney was set up to be entertaining. If it comes down to a decision based on repair cost they will lose market share to theme parks with new attractions.keep the dream alive.
Chris
It’s either executive bonuses or a better guest experience and you do not get to pick. Keep on truckin
Comments are closed.