Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
but actually, they picked my son only after my husband launched him onto his
shoulders to draw their attention. I noticed that they especially picked other
kids on their parents' shoulders.
TOURING TIPS
There are two prime viewing locations: standing room on the show floor un-
derneath the overhang, and seating at the Terrace counter-service restaurant. There are
only 10-20 tables with decent views of the show, so make sure to stake them out early.
Otherwise, there is plenty of standing room space around the sides of the stage.
To be chosen to participate, arrive 20-30 minutes early and seat your child in the
first couple of rows surrounding the stage. Jedis look for energetic and excited children to
recruit; wearing a
Star Wars
T-shirt helps, but don't bring your own light saber because
those are supplied.
Space Mountain
(Fastpass)
What it is
Roller coaster in the dark.
Scope and scale
Super-headliner.
When to go
Right after
the park opens or use Fastpass.
Special comments
Much improved; must be 40" tall to ride.
Duration of ride
2¾ minutes.
Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you
3½ minutes.
Loading speed
Moderate.
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS
Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster with a theme
of high-speed interstellar travel. Roller coaster aficionados will tell you (correctly) that
Space Mountain is a designer version of the Wild Mouse, a midway ride that's been
around for at least 50 years. There are no long drops or swooping hills as there are on a
traditional roller coaster—only quick, unexpected turns and small drops. Disney's contri-
bution essentially was to add a space theme to the Wild Mouse and put it in the dark. And
this does indeed make the Mouse seem wilder.
The most surprising thing about the new Space Mountain is its aesthetic beauty. No,
we're not kidding. The vistas of the solar system and the stars, the distant galaxies, and
passing comets are intoxicating and very realistic. Because you cannot see the ride's in-
frastructure, Space Mountain is no longer simply a roller coaster in a dimly lit building
with some Buck Rogers planets and meteors projected on the ceiling. Because you can't
see the track or anticipate where your vehicle will go, your eyes are free to feast on the
rich visuals. Since 2009, Disney has transformed Space Mountain into Ghost Galaxy for
Halloween, adding atmospheric audio and video projections of an angry space ghost (no,
not that Space Ghost) chasing you through the cosmos. The interstellar specter is more
goofy than genuinely scary, but it makes a fun novelty for the spooky season. Nighttime
