Taking off from Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort, Space Mountain has delighted guests with a thrilling adventure through the cosmos since its grand opening on January 15, 1975. For 50 years and counting, Space Mountain has soared above Tomorrowland, creating unforgettable memories for millions of guests around the world with unexpected twists and high-speed turns, all in the dark of night with stars, planets and solar systems lighting the way.
Space Mountain – Did you know?
First of its kind: Space Mountain set a new benchmark for theme park innovation and excitement, inspiring generations of guests to dream big and reach for the stars. The attraction’s list of firsts includes being the world’s first indoor, dark, air-conditioned, fully computer-controlled roller coaster.
A part of the Walt Disney legacy, Space Mountain was one of the last attractions that Walt Disney personally worked on with his Imagineers, and its use of revolutionary technology and innovation has been the hallmark of Disney attractions ever since. That approach remains the North Star for Walt Disney Imagineering, resulting in fantastic new Walt Disney World thrills like Slinky Dog Dash, TRON Lightcycle/Run presented by Enterprise, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and more to come.
In numbers: Space Mountain's gleaming white cone-shaped structure is 180 feet (56 meters) tall – just two meters shorter than the theme park's iconic Cinderella Castle. The ride's dome has a diameter of 300 feet (91 meters). It houses two mirror-image tracks, called Alpha and Omega, each measuring approximately 3,000 feet (914 meters). Many are surprised to learn that the ride reaches a top speed of 28 miles (45 kilometers) per hour – the darkness and special effects create the sensation of traveling much faster.
Space Mountain Around the World: The popularity of the original Space Mountain at Walt Disney World Resort led Walt Disney Imagineering to create Space Mountain attractions at five of the six Disney destinations around the world. Each mountain features an iconic conical exterior and serves as a landmark for the park in which it is located.
A Galactic Celebration: Construction on the original Space Mountain in Florida began on Dec. 15, 1972, and the attraction opened just over two years later. The otherworldly celebration marking the attraction's opening included NASA astronauts, a 2,000-piece marching band, daytime fireworks, celebrity appearances, a nationally televised primetime special and more.
Praised by astronauts: The first official ride on Space Mountain in 1975 was made by astronaut Colonel James Irwin, who piloted the Apollo XV lunar module to the Moon. At Space Mountain’s debut, Irwin said, “We astronauts are here today to salute all those who… enabled us to see Earth as a beautiful blue jewel in the darkness of space. Now, we can all enjoy this sense of wonder thanks to Walt Disney. Walt had a dream; today, we see the results of that dream.”
A legacy of Disney parks that constitutes a rite of passage
Today, Space Mountain is much more than just a thrill ride – it’s a cultural icon known around the world. With references on television and in pop culture over the years, the name Space Mountain evokes excitement even in those who have never experienced it.
And experiencing it is a rite of passage for millions of young children around the world, who ask that age-old question: “Am I tall enough to ride?” With a height requirement of 44 inches, the attraction is one of several Disney experiences that families use to literally measure their children’s growth. There’s palpable joy with each child who steps up to be measured and discovers they’re tall enough to finally take flight on one of the world’s most famous attractions.
Moments like that and the timeless ride experience have given Space Mountain legendary status around the world. With its thrilling twists and turns and optimism about the future, we can safely say that Space Mountain will continue to thrill generations to come.
Source: Walt Disney World.