Space Mountain Coaster Ceases Operations at Disney World

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A futuristic spaceport-themed boarding area with a sign reading "now boarding — intergalactic rockets to all star systems" above a sleek control tower and gateways, featuring digital displays of queue times for

Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World Resort‘s version of the iconic Space Mountain roller coaster recently shut down for the better part of two days due to an unknown issue. A Magic Kingdom Park guest shared their experience of missing out on the ride on social media.

Ride breakdowns are commonplace at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Wear-and-tear is natural when thousands of guests are using advanced technology each day. Sometimes, closures aren’t the fault of the attraction itself but are necessary when guests lose a personal item or behave inappropriately.

Three guests on Space Mountain at Walt Disney World Resort wearing face masks.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

Attractions typically reopen shortly after closing but rarely suffer extended shutdowns due to more complicated technical issues. Disney cast members run extensive safety checks to ensure rides are safe upon reopening.

Related: Guest Suffocated on Board Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Ride Canceled

Redditor u/vinnyv0769 experienced an extended Space Mountain closure during a visit to Magic Kingdom Park earlier this month. The guest reported that the ride was down for most of one day and then again at a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party after-hours event.

Space Mountain has been down for most of today and for the last 8 hours,” the Disney Park guest wrote. “There must be something seriously wrong with the coaster if they can’t open one side. It’s the one ride that people want to ride during the Halloween party because it’s completely dark.”

The guest expressed concern that Walt Disney World Resort’s Space Mountain might have to be rebuilt, like Tokyo Disneyland’s, or rethemed, like Disneyland Paris Resort’s Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain.

The image features Space Mountain, a distinctive white futuristic building with spire-like structures at Disney World, at dusk with a colorful sunset sky and foreground lush greenery.
Credit: Disney

“It might be time to do a full refurb on it,” they argued. “Honestly, it’s run its course. No reason both sides stay down for so long.”

It’s unclear what caused the extended Space Mountain closure, but the roller coaster eventually reopened and operated normally at the time of this article’s publication.

Has a ride ever broken down during your Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort visit? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments. 

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