Space Mountain to close at 15th of januar
Looopings has a news item on the long awaited rehab of Space Mountain. The rehab will start on january 15, and will take 6 months. Space Mountain will get new MK1212 trains from Vekome. I did similar trains in Walibi, and they were a great improvement. Hopefully Space Mountain benefits equally.
Besides rumour has it that there will be invested in theming. Also Hyperion will be undergoing rehab.
Great news. However a slight detail; Space Mountain will be closed on its 20th birthday
I really hope they return it to its former glory!
I'm sure they must know how much fans want it back to De La Terre à La Lune and how people were really disappointed by Mission 2.
I would love to do something like Space Mountain: Retour à La Lune (Return To The Moon) They can use that if they want, I don't mind.
Finally... they have to restore quite a bit. I'm hoping for mission 1 with a twist and enhanced effects to bring it to it's former glory and up to date for 2015:
-Bring back that nostalgic retro-future Jules Verne feeling!
-Original entrance (with the moon) and poster
-original lightning on the outside at night (at the top: green, red, white, sparkles), which was magical and far better than the "toned down" version displayed right now
-cannon effect and blastoff sound
-original area music
-the "space gallery"
-new trains with better and louder (and working) speakers
-original ride music (maybe with a twist)
-new/enhanced effects and a combination of old mission 1/new theming
-new safety video
-more theming when waiting (if you still cant see inside the ride like originally intended)
-general refurbishment of the building
Things to keep from mission 2:
-lower launch position in cannon, some additional comet effects
Please no pixelated projections like the supernova, We need the original moon with the face or something realistic, but really really good looking. If it's a projection, it could/should be a really high resolution animation (4K or more) "hologram" or an animation displayed on an invisible 3D screen (without glasses).
-Get rid of the red vortex at the end (because you can see the track that way)
Fingers crossed :-)
Quote from: Spacepilot on October 08, 2014, 06:15:08 PM
Finally... they have to restore quite a bit. I'm hoping for mission 1 with a twist and enhanced effects to bring it to it's former glory and up to date for 2015:
Agreed! I really hope the moon comes back and all the original scores including the area music too.
I really miss Mr Moon!
Do they have that observation platform still in the Mountain? I remember going in there back in '95, it was directly opposite the Vidiopolis. I don't remember seeing it the last time I went.
No right now its completely covered up and used as the fastpass entrance.
Quote from: Spacepilot on October 08, 2014, 06:15:08 PM
Finally... they have to restore quite a bit. I'm hoping for mission 1 with a twist and enhanced effects to bring it to it's former glory and up to date for 2015:
-cannon effect and blastoff sound
Fingers crossed :-)
We were told that the cannon "boom" had to be turned off because there were too many complaints from residents who obviously didn't notice it when they were looking to buy their houses!).
As a compromise to them, maybe they could have it booming certain times of the day, or certain days of the year?
Agree that it should be put back to how it was. Mission 2 was very disappointing - just seems like a standard rollercoaster in the dark, can't think of any memorable features.
Is it my imagination, or did the transition to Mission 2 coincide with the ride becoming very painful (head banging especially)?
Quote from: A&S&O on October 09, 2014, 11:30:43 AM
Quote from: Spacepilot on October 08, 2014, 06:15:08 PM
Finally... they have to restore quite a bit. I'm hoping for mission 1 with a twist and enhanced effects to bring it to it's former glory and up to date for 2015:
-cannon effect and blastoff sound
Fingers crossed :-)
We were told that the cannon "boom" had to be turned off because there were too many complaints from residents who obviously didn't notice it when they were looking to buy their houses!).
As a compromise to them, maybe they could have it booming certain times of the day, or certain days of the year?
Is it my imagination, or did the transition to Mission 2 coincide with the ride becoming very painful (head banging especially)?
About the "boom": Really? That's just BS imo, if I can't hear the boom standing on main street (as far as I remember), surely residents living outside the disney property can't hear it.
I don't know when the ride became painful, but personally I never knew what's the big deal, smooth enough for me. Nonetheless, I'm happy it get's new trains.
Six months doesn't seem like long enough to have a full theme change (even though we all want it) so i imagine this'll just be me trains and a couple of new props. Does anyone know how long it was closed when they changed it from de la terre a la lune to Misson 2?
Still- new trains will be a big improvement!
Quote from: davidrsykes on October 09, 2014, 03:49:49 PM
Six months doesn't seem like long enough to have a full theme change (even though we all want it) so i imagine this'll just be me trains and a couple of new props. Does anyone know how long it was closed when they changed it from de la terre a la lune to Misson 2?
Still- new trains will be a big improvement!
According to Wikipedia (So grab a handful of salt before reading):
"The original version of the ride, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, closed in January 2005 and the theme was changed to Mission 2, planned as a continuation rather than replacement of Verne's classic, where the rider is taken further into space on a new adventure. The track remains unaltered. The new onboard audio track was composed by Michael Giacchino, and the refurbished attraction debuted on April 9, 2005."
So if thats correct only about 3 months!
Quote from: evil cod on October 09, 2014, 05:22:39 PM
Quote from: davidrsykes on October 09, 2014, 03:49:49 PM
Six months doesn't seem like long enough to have a full theme change (even though we all want it) so i imagine this'll just be me trains and a couple of new props. Does anyone know how long it was closed when they changed it from de la terre a la lune to Misson 2?
Still- new trains will be a big improvement!
According to Wikipedia (So grab a handful of salt before reading):
"The original version of the ride, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, closed in January 2005 and the theme was changed to Mission 2, planned as a continuation rather than replacement of Verne's classic, where the rider is taken further into space on a new adventure. The track remains unaltered. The new onboard audio track was composed by Michael Giacchino, and the refurbished attraction debuted on April 9, 2005."
So if thats correct only about 3 months!
No way!! Well if that is true then a retheme sounds very possible! Bring on the moon!
I think most people didn't really care they changed the theming. Only hardcore nerds like us ;)
I do hope they change the trains though. It has ALWAYS been painful. I rode the first version and I ended up crying. I didn't see anything because it hurt so much I just closed my eyes and hoped it would end. I just rode it again and it was just as painful as I remembered. I wasn't able to see anything either because I had to close my eyes and go to my mental palace again.
Honestly, I don't care about the theming. I'd just like to be able to open my eyes during the ride and see SOMETHING, for once in 10 years, and not leaving with the worst headache ever. I know I'm pretty weak, but seriously, that ride hurts like hell.
Quote from: Esti on October 09, 2014, 10:24:44 PM
I think most people didn't really care they changed the theming. Only hardcore nerds like us ;)
I do hope they change the trains though. It has ALWAYS been painful. I rode the first version and I ended up crying. I didn't see anything because it hurt so much I just closed my eyes and hoped it would end. I just rode it again and it was just as painful as I remembered. I wasn't able to see anything either because I had to close my eyes and go to my mental palace again.
Honestly, I don't care about the theming. I'd just like to be able to open my eyes during the ride and see SOMETHING, for once in 10 years, and not leaving with the worst headache ever. I know I'm pretty weak, but seriously, that ride hurts like hell.
Can I ask if you are short or tall? We're both short and the sides of our heads get banged between the sides of the head restraint. We rode it loads in the late 90's / early 00's, so it can't have been bad then.
Did they make a change, or have the cars' running gear just got worn over the years? As I said before, it seemed to coincide with Mission 2.
I'm 1,82m normal posture and get an instant headache after riding this thing. Not fun at all.
Was there during the first year it opened (1995) and at opening party of Mission 2 (2005). It was always rough. But not painful. My best guess (from my experience) is that it started around 2010.
It's probably a personal thing if it "hurts like hell". Last year when I visited I was a bit dizzy for a few minutes afterwards, but that's all. I'm also normal posture and around 1.80. On the other hand, I'm not really experienced what a rollercoaster is supposed to feel like.
Either way, Im sure it will be smoother with the NEW trains. Hopefully also with better and louder speakers.
Do these MK1212 trains have "standard speakers" they use in this model or will they be custom made for Space Mountain? Does anyone know?
It is optional. The new trains on Speed of Sound in Walibi Holland have on board audio. The new trains on Python in Efteling doesn't have it.
This is brilliant news. I never got the chance to ride with the original theming so I hope they do bring some aspects back. The change of trains can't come quickly enough, I can't ride it anymore. Last time, I felt like my teeth were going to be rattled free of my head!
First time I rode I must have been around 1,45 m. I'm 1,65 m now and it hurt both times. If I had to say which hurt more, I'd say it was the old version, but it could be because I was shorter. Still, both hurt.
And it can't be personal because it's a common complaint, doesn't matter the intesity: hurt, unconfortable, whatever. Also, I love rollercoasters and have ridden them since I've been tall enough. I've never experieced anything close to Space Mountain. Ad I'm not talking about feeling dizzy, I alwas feel dizzy, but if it has loops and you get motion sickness, well, that's inevitable ;) Your head banging is not inevitable, though. RARC, Indiana Jones, and, well, most rollercoasters don't have that problem.
Vekoma coasters are renowned for gradually getting rougher and rougher as they get on, Iv always found you need to lean forward a little for a smoother ride (same with all the other Vekoma coasters) The only major complaint I had with SM is that after multiple rides you can really feel the where the restraints dig into your shoulders.
I'm looking forward to seeing what the new trains are like. I do hope they theme them nicely.
Quote from: mickey1980 on October 09, 2014, 11:45:58 PM
I'm 1,82m normal posture and get an instant headache after riding this thing. Not fun at all.
Was there during the first year it opened (1995) and at opening party of Mission 2 (2005). It was always rough. But not painful. My best guess (from my experience) is that it started around 2010.
I'm exactly the same - 1,82, normal build - and I have never had such a headache as I did coming off this in March. I also had my eyes shut the entire ride, and couldn't stand having my head back in the headrest, so I was straining my neck holding my head off it. Besides, the safetybars dug in to my shoulders so bad, I couldn't carry my bag on my shoulder for 3 weeks after, as it hurt too much!!!!!
I really hope the new trains are a lot better than the old ones! I will still be hesitant in trying it again after the refurb though, as that was the worst ride I have ever been on - ever!
Do we know who is working on the update? The original imagineers or just someone "random"? It would be great to get some insight in what they are going to do apart from the trains. By now, they certainly have a final plan worked out...
I will be interested also to know if anyone from the original is involved. For me the queue line audio and ride area sound effects need to return too. Sadly I expect it will be a few months until the park give us anything official!
Whilst on Space Mountain (shameless plug I know), but I'm selling some old merch here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231390936017?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Disneyland-Paris-Space-Mountain-Rain-Coat-/231390939639?
I was chatting with its a CM on space mountain today and he seems to think that the new trains aren't coming until 2017.
I really don't see that happening though so espeIlly if star tours will be down for while to upgrade it.
Any news whether they will upgrade (or downgrade :P) the theming? Works are starting in less than 3 weeks.
Space Mountain 2 was the first rollercoaster I ever rode, in July 2014. It blew my mind. I love it.
But when I got home after that first trip to DLP and learned that it wasn't a sequel to the American Space Mountains, but an original Verne-inspired ride at DLP, I was completely intrigued. I watched the BBC documentary about designing and building the ride and read a lot about it, and suddenly found myself wishing and hoping that perhaps for an anniversary or something, they might re-do the ride in its original format because it sounded so amazing!
Having read all this, and with an Annual Pass good until December 2015, I'm filled with an unreasonable amount of giddy hope! ;D
The difference between De la terre à la lune and Mission 2 are astonishing considering its the same ride.
I really do feel quite lucky to have ridden it when it was in its prime. I'm going to go back over as soon as it reopens. I think currently whatever they do has to be better then how it is currently.
I really hope the project is in good hands (It's a shame Tim Delaney is not longer with WDI)
When I rode the original back in 2004 it was really showing its age and I was quite excited by mission 2, especially as the launch was going to be from the bottom of the cannon. As it turns out, that is the only improvement, it got worse in every other way. But it was only down for three months to put in Mission 2 so in six months they must be able to make a big change: lets hope its for the better (and some soft openings at the start of June would go down nicely!!).
I think the ride would be so much better if it wasn't as bumpy as it is now. It would make a huge difference if it was as smooth as RnRC.
On our first two trips to DLP we didn't get to ride SM , but feb 2014 we finally did
I agree totally with the comments about it being bumpy and having a headache afterwards , although I found it better when I kept my head pushed backwards against the seat .
We are looking at going to DLP Dec 2015 . When I was in the travel agents today they phoned disney to ask about family rooms , The person at disney advised the travel agent that SM will still be closed in December 2015 for its refurbishment .
No idea if that is true or not but thought I would pass on the information .
Obviously can't say for sure but I would imagine they would have it reopen for the high summer season.
On another note has anyone noticed that Les Mystères du Nautilus is also showing as closed from January onwards.
I'm guessing its either getting a lengthy refurbishment or they are going to retheme (I hope not but I wouldn't put it past them to just completely abandon the Discoveryland concept).
I hope it's open as it was a favourite ride of mine and the kids .
I just thought it was very random that the disney person mentioned this to the travel agent and then I saw this thread .
I guess time will tell if it's open by December !
Any ideas of when Space Mountain will be open?
According to InsideDLP it will reopen 24th July 2015, and Videopolis/Cafe Hyperion should reopen 11th July 2015
Quote from: Matty88 on January 13, 2015, 06:57:04 PM
According to InsideDLP it will reopen 24th July 2015, and Videopolis/Cafe Hyperion should reopen 11th July 2015
Thanks!
What are they doing to Videopolis? ???
Quote from: DisneyGagaChick on January 13, 2015, 09:48:20 PM
Quote from: Matty88 on January 13, 2015, 06:57:04 PM
According to InsideDLP it will reopen 24th July 2015, and Videopolis/Cafe Hyperion should reopen 11th July 2015
Thanks!
What are they doing to Videopolis? ???
Jedi training school/show.
Quote from: Alberto Frog on January 13, 2015, 10:41:37 PM
Jedi training school/show.
Ooo like the one in Florida?! ;D
Quote from: DisneyGagaChick on January 14, 2015, 11:00:28 AM
Quote from: Alberto Frog on January 13, 2015, 10:41:37 PM
Jedi training school/show.
Ooo like the one in Florida?! ;D
From what I remember reading it was going to be less interactive and more of a theatre show which I guess would lend it better to videopolis?
Quote from: Alberto Frog on January 14, 2015, 11:29:39 AM
From what I remember reading it was going to be less interactive and more of a theatre show which I guess would lend it better to videopolis?
Ooo that sounds fun!
So all seems pretty quiet on this topic, considering there are tons of rumors flying around over this.
So what do we 'know'?
A name change, dropping 'Mission 2'.
A re-paint of the mountain exterior.
Stripping and re-building the cannon to work as it was intended.
New show elements, or update existing, or returning of some of the original??
Sadly most of the rumors talk of the trains coming in 2017, and no word on the ride audio, or the return of the excellent original queue line audio..
It's a shame if true that the trains aren't part of this, as it really needs them, and would be great for their next anniversary to already be covered on the Space Mountain refurb.
That's basically what we "know". Here is an excerpt from a great disney& more article about it:
-
"Space Mountain" as it will be its official name without "Mission 2" will reopen July 11,
2015 at the latest. This is the currently set dead-line
- The ride show or the trains will not be changed, but all projection systems will be
replaced by new and better quality projectors ( DLP has bought a large
package of them for different projects) and, as announced during
yesterday's annual stockholders meeting, there should be new special
effects.
- Space Mountain dome will be fully cleaned outside and its colors slightly modified for
more flashy colors, like the castle, which went from pale pink to pink
candy in 2012 ( Ndr: let's hope not too flashy... )
- The Canon will be rebuilt to finally work at 100%: door system, inclination of the sun, recoil system, smoke effects.
- The catapult sequence should be reviewed and will resume to its original format in two times. (note from me: I guess this means original launch sequence?)
- The queues will be fully reviewed to finally solve the many problems: too limited room
inside the dome causing a large unprotected queue, the fast-pass
entrance currently in the way of the future Star Wars Land will be
changed to be located through the ride main entrance, and they probably
will add a single rider line. It should be noted that in addition to all
this the mezzanine should, after the works, be finally reopen again and
that a cooling system should be added to the queue inside the dome.
- Also,the ride exit could be reviewed to direct the guests to the center of
Discoveryland and not to the back of the land as it is right now.
- All the Space Mountain area should regain its original background music ( with among others The Rocketeer soundtrack )
- The interior of the dome should be fully cleaned and dusted.
- All computer systems of the attraction will be changed and upgraded: control computers, sensors, etc...
And it should stop there for this big rehab. The change of trains, the redesign of the ride
show, for a ride story-line which will take guests back to the Moon but
using the effects set up with Mission 2 will be done during another 6
months rehab currently planned for the first half of 2018. :(
D&M Note: from my own sources, chances that they will put back the original
"Voyage to the Moon" sets inside the dome are low. As ED92 says it above
an below they'll probably put back the original score but still will
use the projections effects with a Voyage to the Moon theme.
As for the original music back in the ride it's not yet firmly decided, but looking good so
this could be done on this one or the other rehabs, if at all. "Time
will tell" as they say.
Quick question, as space mountain is closed do they open anything different for magic hours? I just wondered as I am going in 9 days :)
Any update on this? Did they open anything else? Thanks
We will be in DLP in March and I'm do disappointed SM will be closed. It's such a staple ride for us, one of our fav's. But I'm happy they're giving it some much needed love. Keep up the updates!
Been on the first 2 , I'll get a taste of this in October. Is it a new coat of paint or are they making it white like the others? I hope it stays the same colour but it's probably changing as the videopolis has the sane scheme. Also Le Mysteries de Nautilis is apparently being rid of.
What dates is this due to reopen?
Rumoured date is 24th July 2015 as previously stated. :)
If this dont open until 24 july it will be my 3rd time to dlrp and still wont have gotten a go on space mountain :'(
I hope it reopens before that, I am there on the 15th!
I wonder if it will still be as rough.
It will still be rough, as its a 20 year old Vekoma coaster and they just are rough. But I would imagine that the trains and the track will have been fully serviced replacing/refurbishing wheels, bearings, suspension components ect. So I would imagine it should be smoother... We'll have to wait until 2017 for the MK1212 trains (hopefully)
On a further note when riding Vekoma costers you should keep your head just off the head rest and learn slightly forward (I know the notices say to keep your head back but it improves the ride tremendously)
Quote from: DisneyManiac on March 02, 2015, 08:53:17 PM
I hope it reopens before that, I am there on the 15th!
Me too :)
So SM has soft opened today following its referb, and from Twitter it looks like the cannon recoil is still unfixed.
Any other word on the ride experience?
Quote from: Fever on July 20, 2015, 05:52:43 PM
So SM has soft opened today following its referb, and from Twitter it looks like the cannon recoil is still unfixed.
Any other word on the ride experience?
From what I heard the recoil wasn't part of this refurbishment but is going to be looked at in Phase 2.
I believe this refurbishment was a technical overhaul, photos from ED92 forum showed that they removed all the original ride controls and replaced it all with newer ones. I would imagine this would also extend to replacing track sensors, block break systems etc. (Mostly under the hood stuff that the guests done see)
Also from what i've heard the projectors and lighting inside have been renewed to be brighter more reliable etc
Also the addition of a single rider line that goes straight to the station.
Here's an interesting post n a French Space Mountain fan site that covers what went on in the phase 1 refurbishment.
it's all in french but you can easily run it though google translate and theres some cool behind the scenes photos too.
http://www.space-mountain.fr/documents-infos/exclusivité/127-les-secrets-de-la-réhabilitation-phase-1.html (http://www.space-mountain.fr/documents-infos/exclusivit%C3%A9/127-les-secrets-de-la-r%C3%A9habilitation-phase-1.html)
Rode it today. No sign of any work having been done.
Still rattles and shakes. No sign of anything being refurbished, no repainting, no atmosphere, no theming. Just another (bad) rollercoaster in the dark.
Very disappointed, won't be riding it again.
Whaaa? I'm just back from riding it, and I have to say the interior looks FAB, and arguably better than it ever did, even in 1995. The lighting updates are just tremendous, as is the updated projection. It was a real visual treat to see it look so good.
HOWEVER... It is so rough now, it's crazy. I used to be able to ride this over and over, but now I could barely manage two rides. My friend with me, had to sit it out after one ride (and they used to love it). Those new trains can't come soon enough, and I'd love to know why they didn't come with this refurb, it's that bad.
The queue line, whilst re-lit is still utterly soulless. The original music loop needs to be restored.
Rubbish on board audio, may as well not exist now, can't hear it. Fingers crossed the new trains are more reliable (original or new score.. either way we need to hear it!)
The cannon smoke only worked one out of 4 days at the park.
The 'MOM' was dead. No sound, no lighting, no smoke. The biggest fail of the recent referb.
Single rider queue whilst a great addition, just didn't seem to work. Staff either totally ignored it, letting loads of single seats go empty, or worse I was batched (twice), into a totally empty carriage, despite having a main queue, which was strange.
Does the cannon effect work or not? ::) ???
Completely agree about how rough the ride is - it actually bruised me! No need - could easily be resolved with a bit of padding on the seats.