Credit: DisneyVisiting a Disney theme park is the ultimate journey into imagination — you can become a pirate on the high seas, take a ride on a haunted elevator, and even shrink down to the size of a rat as you are chased through a busy kitchen. Some Disney Parks even let you board a rocket and take a ride into space.
Space Mountain has been a Disney staple for decades. Fans love the feeling of flying through space and the sharp twists and turns as they look at the stars around them.
Here is your ultimate guide to everything you wanted to know about Disney’s Space Mountain.
What Is Space Mountain?
Space Mountain takes its riders on a thrilling journey through deep space — and became an idea in Walt Disney’s head after the success of the Matterhorn at Disneyland. Here is a description of the dark thrill ride from the Disneyland Resort website:
Navigate through a vast futuristic space station as you make your way to Mission Control. Board a sleek flight vehicle and prepare yourself for a high-flying adventure to the furthest reaches of space.
Ascend slowly through a swirling solar field as your rocket powers up. Plunge through a spectacular spiral nebula and then, when the countdown ends—hang on tight!
As you hurtle forward into infinite darkness, your rocket darts and twists in the void, speeding faster and faster. Feel the g-force as you careen into the unknown!
Immersive sound effects and evocative music add to the intense sensory experience.
Brave the most epic journey of your Earthbound life and accept your mission—to conquer Space Mountain.
What Disney Parks Have Space Mountain?
Walt Disney World
Located at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, Space Mountain is truly the heart of Tomorrowland. It opened in 1975, four years after the Magic Kingdom opened, and it has been a must-ride for Guests ever since. There are two tracks on Space Mountain — Alpha and Omega — and Alpha is about 10 feet longer than the Omega track.
Other Tomorrowland attractions at Magic Kingdom Park include the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Astro Orbiter, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor.
Space Mountain is the most visible attraction at Magic Kingdom Park but is really located on the right side of the Park when walking to it from the Magic Kingdom hub. The attraction is located in between the Tomorrowland Speedway and the Astro Obiter and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
Disneyland
Just like Walt Disney World, Disneyland’s Space Mountain is located in Tomorrowland. Even though Disneyland is Walt’s original theme park, it was not the first one to have Space Mountain. Disneyland had the Matterhorn and Space Mountain was not put into the theme park until 1977, when its success at Walt Disney World became apparent.
At Disneyland , Space Mountain is located at the back of and can be found between The Star Trader merchandise location and Alien Pizza Planet.
Disneyland Paris
Unlike Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris does not have a Tomorrowland area. Instead, the area has Discoveryland — an area with a distinctly European vibe that is themed after famous people like Jules Verne and Leonardo Da Vinci. It is here in Discoveryland where you can blast off on their version of Space Mountain — which was originally themed after the Jules Verne classic, From the Earth to the Moon.
Discoveryland has attractions in it that will bring back the memories for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World fans. Space Mountain is located between Honey, I Shrunk the Audience and Captain Nemo’s Submarines.
Tokyo Disney
Like its American counterparts, Tokyo Disneyland also has a Tomorrowland, and that is where Space Mountain is. The ride opened in 1983 when the theme park opened, and it is the first Space Mountain attraction to open on the same day as the theme park it is located in. Tokyo’s Space Mountain was originally identical to the Disneyland ride but was updated to be more futuristic in 2007.
When visiting Tokyo , Guests can find Space Mountain can be found next to the Grand Circuit Raceway — which is similar to the Speedway in Walt World and Autopia at Disneyland.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Disneyland Paris is the outlier when it comes to having a Tomorrowland, so Hong Kong Disneyland’s Space Mountain falls in line with the other Parks and is located in Tomorrowland. It is nearly identical to Disneyland’s Space Mountain but is unique in the fact that it has its own designated Single Rider line and has a “hyperspeed tunnel” which Disneyland’s version does not.
Guests visiting Hong Kong Disneyland can head to Tomorrowland and find Space Mountain behind the Orbitron — similar to the Astro Orbitor — and next to Stitch Encounter.
What Kind of Ride is Space Mountain?
Disney classifies Space Mountain as a “roller coaster-type” ride, which means that it is a thrill ride. It takes place mainly in the dark, and it is important to remember that it might be a little frightening for younger riders. Space Mountain also has several drops, which some riders may be uncomfortable with, so it is important for Guests to realize that before they decide whether or not to ride.
What Are the Ride Vehicles Like For Space Mountain?
For nearly all Space Mountain attractions, Guests will sit side-by-side in rows of two. However, when it comes to Space Mountain at Walt Disney World, Guests sit one behind the other — the seats are lower and your legs go down tube-like sections so they are one on each side of the person in front of them. While Disney caters to a vast array of people, it should be remembered that Guests with certain dimensions may not be able to fit on Space Mountain and should check with Cast Members if they are worried.
At Disneyland Paris, the ride vehicle has a harness that comes down over Guests in their seats. For all the other Space Mountain attractions, there is a bar that Guests will pull down over their lap.
Does Space Mountain Have a FastPass
Both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida have recently eliminated their FastPass program and will be introducing a new paid-for system that will be called Disney Genie+. At Walt Disney World, Space Mountain will be one of the rides that are considered an “individual attraction selection”. That means that Guests wishing to use Lightning Lane to ride Space Mountain will have to pay an additional fee. The fee may vary based on the time of year or even the day of the week Guests are making the purchase on.
At Disneyland Resort, Space Moutain will be a part of Disney Genie+. For $20 per person, per day, Guests can purchase Disney Genie+ and that will allow them to book Lightning Lane return times right from their phone. You can book one ride at a time but can book the same ride more than once if times are available. Disney Genie+ will operate a lot like the MaxPass did before the theme parks shut down.
Like Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris also got rid of its FastPass system and implemented Premier Access. Unlike Disney Genie+, Premier Access charges Guests for front-of-the-line access per ride. So, if you would like to skip the line, you can purchase Premier Access for Space Mountain for a certain price — which can vary based on the day of the week and the time of year you are visiting.
Unlike Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Paris, both Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland have kept their free FastPass programs in place. Guests can head to the attraction and receive a return time to come back to the attraction for no additional fee.
Is Space Mountain Handicap Accessible?
Whichever Park Guests decide to ride Space Mountain in, it is important to note that they are all handicap accessible. Guests can get to the ride vehicle in their wheelchair and then — either by themselves or with someone’s assistance — transfer into the ride vehicle.
It should be noted that in Disneyland Paris, any Guest in a wheelchair or electric vehicle who would like to ride Space Mountain must ride with someone who is able-bodied and over the age of 15.
Are There Any Ride Restrictions on Space Mountain?
While Disney wants all Guests to have the most magical time they can while in the Parks, they also what to do everything they can to keep Guests as safe as possible. The following safety guidelines should be acknowledged and taken into account when riding Space Mountain.
Here is a complete list of ride restrictions from the Disneyland Resort website:
- Guests must navigate steps when boarding and disembarking the attraction vehicle. To facilitate boarding, a transfer seat and separate loading area is available upon request.
- Guests must transfer from their wheelchair or Electric Conveyance Vehicle by themselves or with assistance by members of their party to experience this attraction. A transfer device is available for this attraction.
- Rider Switch offered.
- Service animals may not accompany Guests on this attraction.
- Guest-activated captioning is available on selected preshow video monitors in this attraction. Please contact a Cast Member at the location for assistance.
- Wheelchair Access: Enter through the attraction exit and follow the arrows to the left. Proceed to the attraction loading area and contact a Cast Member for boarding instructions.
- Supervise children at all times.
Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.- The seating and restraints on this attraction may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from riding.
- Persons who do not meet the minimum height requirement of 40 inches (102 cm) may not ride.
WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
It is also important to remember that different theme parks may have different height requirements. Here are the Space Mountain height requirements for each theme park:
- Disneyland Resort California – 40 in. (102 cm)
- Walt Disney World Resort – 44 in. (112 cm)
- Tokyo Disneyland – 40 in. (102 cm)
- Hong Kong Disney – 40 in. (102 cm)
- Disneyland Paris – 47 in. (120 cm)
Fun Facts About Space Mountain
Ride Overlays
Ghost Galaxy
At Walt Disney World Resort, most rides are always kept the same, due to the fact that there are so many out-of-state Guests, they want everyone to be able to have the same experience. However, at other Disney Parks, Space Mountain may receive an occasional overlay.
In the past, both Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland’s Space Mountain received overlays and became Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy. While the track remains the same, the music and effects are changed to be darker and scarier.
Hyperspace Mountain
Throughout the years, Space Mountain at Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disney have received Star Wars overlays and turned into Hyperspace Moutain — one of the more popular overlays. Hyperspace Mountain takes Guests on a wild ride as they try to avoid TIE fighters all around them. As they zip around a blast or two may go right by them!
Disneyland Paris has been Hyperspace Mountain since it received its overlay in 2017.
Christmas
This one isn’t technically an overlay, but it’s still a fun addition to the ride. Every year since 2009, Space Mountain at the Tokyo Disney Resort receives a Christmas spin. A light show is played in time to Christmas music on the exterior of the building to celebrate the holiday season.
Disneyland Paris’ Version Has a Loop
Disneyland Paris definitely has the most unique version of Space Mountain compared to all of the other theme parks. For one, Guests need to be taller to ride and have to pull down a harness because the ride has inversions. That’s right, you actually go upside down! Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris is also the only version of Space Mountain that actually goes outside the building that it is housed in. All other versions of the attraction remain completely indoors.
Disneyland Paris Version Got a Makeover
Disney always likes to give their rides a refresh once in a while, but Space Mountain in Disneyland Paris has received more than its fair share. When the attraction first opened, it was themed after the Jules Verne novel From the Earth to the Moon. However, the ride was closed in 2005 and was rethemed to take travelers deeper into space, but the Jules Verne concept was still kept in place and honored.
In 2017, the ride received another makeover and became Hyperspace Mountain. While Disneyland California and Hong Kong Disney receive Hyperspace overlays that only remain for a few months, Disneyland Paris’ version has remained in place since it was redone.
The Ride Almost Didn’t Happen
When Walt Disney saw the success of the Matterhorn at Disneyland, he realized that Guests loved thrill rides and they could thrive in the Parks. He then decided to give the Matterhorn a space-themed twist and put the new ride in his new Florida theme park that he was building. Unfortunately, Walt died in 1966 and the idea for Space Mountain was shelved.
However, after Magic Kingdom opened in Florida, Imagineers noticed that the Park was incredibly popular amongst teens and young adults, and if they wanted to keep them coming, they needed to put in some more thrill rides. They then went back and took out the plans for Space Mountain.
World’s First Indoor Roller Coaster
Walt Disney was always looking for ways to Disney have things that no Guest had ever seen. He always wanted Disney to be ahead of the curve when it came to new attractions and experiences. Imagineers took that into serious consideration when designing the ride, and they decided to build the ride entirely indoors — something that had never been done before. And what better way to give the experience of flying through space than having everything in a dark building?
Visiting a Disney theme park is always an exciting trip and Space Mountain is always a fun addition to any roster for anyone who loves a thrill ride.
Hopefully, this ultimate guide to Space Mountain has answered all of your questions and you have an incredible time on your Disney vacation!
Is Space Mountain on your must-do list when you visit Disney? How many versions have you been on and which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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