Hello everyone! This is Formula Rossa, and my blog series "The Magic Of Disneyland". It will feature history of many famous attractions and much more...

Formula Rossa's The Magic Of Disneyland Presents:

SPACE MOUNTAIN

1977-2003

and

2005-????

Originally pitched by Walt himself in the 60's, the attraction is a "simulation" of space travel. It was not actually built until 1977 however, at a cost of $20 Million dollars, more than the entire Disney Park when it was constructed in 1955!

The ride featured three lifts, a hyperspace tunnel, and a giant "star room" where the coaster traverses most of it's track. The ride reached a top speed of aprox. 32 mph.

The ride was heavily themed, and the queue actually featured of viewing area of the ride itself. The rocket ship cars were glow-in-the-dark, and allowed spectators to follow the rocket's path. A giant red glowing geodesic sphere dominated the center of the room.

The ride was modified in 1996 when onboard audio was added, as part of a new sponsorship.

In 1998, the white dome was painted a bronze color in honor of the re-envisioning Tomorrowland. (this re-envisioning was deemed a failure due to several reasons, see vol. 2 for more soon) The aging ride also underwent a long rehab.

In 2003, it was announced that Space Mountain would close, and reopen in 2005 as part of the new Tomorrowland as part of Disneyland's 50th Aniversary.

The Old Space Mountain was completely removed, and replaced with an entirely new roller coaster. The effects were changed and updated, the viewing area removed from the queue, the dome re-painted white, the geodesic sphere removed.

It re-opened in 2005 as a completely new ride experience. The ride is entirely new, making it only 6 years old.

Space Mountain is one of Disneyland's most sucessful rides, and has a capacity of almost 2500 people per hour!

I hope you enjoyed:

Formula Rossa's The Magic Of Disneyland Vol. 1

COMING SOON:

The Peoplemover