Space Mountain is not only one of Tomorrowland’s major landmarks, but it was a first-of-its-kind indoor steel roller coaster, and has long been a quintessential piece of the Disney Parks’ own mountain range. As we continue on our venture through Disney’s mountain range, we’re now taking a deep-dive (or high climb?) into the history and evolution of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World; how the ride came to be, how it’s changed over time, and some fun facts along the way. 3… 2… 1… BLAST OFF!
Origins & Concept (1960s-Early 1970s)
The idea for Space Mountain traces back to Walt Disney’s vision for Tomorrowland at the original Disneyland in California. Inspired by the success of Matterhorn Bobsleds (which opened in 1959), Disney’s Imagineers wanted to create a roller coaster that simulated a voyage through space.
Early designs for what was then called Space Voyage were conceptualized in the mid-1960s. Walt Disney approached John Hench around 1964 with ideas. The below art shows Hench’s initial concept with multiple tracks weaving in and out of the building. Concepts would eventually evolve, but at that time, the technology for advanced dark ride effects and indoor coasters were not quite ready, and Disneyland didn’t have enough suitable space. Plus, Walt Disney himself passed away in 1966, which put many of those early Tomorrowland and “space ride” ideas on hold.
— Original concept art by John Hench
After Walt Disney World opened in Florida in 1971, there was more room (both literally and figuratively) to realize bigger ideas. The larger Tomorrowland space in Magic Kingdom and advances in ride design – including ride automation and computer control systems – made it possible to pick up the Space Mountain concept.
Construction & Opening (1972-1975)
Construction began in December 1972 under Walt Disney Imagineering (then WED Enterprises), with John Hench among the leading designers. The structure is a conical dome, with steel exterior supports that give the building its distinctive futuristic profile.
The building is roughly 183 ft tall with a diameter of about 300 ft. Space Mountain officially opened in Magic Kingdom on January 15, 1975, with a major event complete with parade bands and even astronauts.
It was the world’s first enclosed roller coaster, and the first ride fully-controlled by a computer. The sleek design and new thrill factor quickly made it one of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions.
Blast Off… TODAY!
Inspired by the excitement of space exploration and the early space age, Space Mountain boasts a dark ride coaster experience, with tracks weaving through glowing stars and distant galaxies. The ride was revolutionary at the time for its innovative use of light, sound, and motion, creating the illusion of flying through outer space. Its success set the standard for future Disney thrill rides and has since inspired versions of the attraction at Disney parks around the globe – and no two are the same.
Based on the success, Space Mountains have since cropped up at Disney’s parks around the globe at Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. I hope that we never lose sight of one thing… that it all started in Orlando, Florida!
Don’t miss the special holiday overlays during Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is where you can blast off into the complete pitch black darkness all set to a spooky galactic track, or fly along a Christmas-colored lit track to upbeat holiday songs.
Fun Facts & Extras
– When it opened in 1975, Space Mountain was one of the tallest structures in Magic Kingdom, and for many years was the tallest ride at any Disney park.
– The ride is a dual-track, indoor roller coaster, with two nearly identical mirrored tracks, referred to as Alpha and Omega.
– Though the ride isn’t extremely fast by modern coaster standards (about 27-28 mph), most of the ride takes place in darkness with special lighting effects, including stars and comets, which amplifies the sensation of speed and disorientation.
– As you climb the initial coaster lift leading into the stars, you can spot the “X-1” space shuttle, which is a callback to the opening day Disneyland Attraction, Space Station X-1. Sound familiar? Your crew pilots the X-2 space shuttle simulator over at EPCOT’s Mission: Space!
Psst… check out what the attraction looks like with the lights on!
Me? I’ll never forget my first journey through Space Mountain. I was equally excited and terrified to board a singular-row rocket heading into the unknown darkness. It’s one of my very favorite Disney attractions today, and I’m always reminded of the brave little girl in me each time I hear that Space Tunnel music.
Whether you’re riding it for the first time or revisiting a childhood favorite, Space Mountain continues to be a timeless, exhilarating escape into the stars!
