Is Space Mountain Scary?

Are you planning on visiting Disney World or Disneyland and curious to see which rides you should add to your list?

Then, you probably have a lot of questions about many of the rides and attractions, including everyone’s favorite ride Space Mountain.

So, is Space Mountain scary like people make it out to be? And if yes, what’s scary about it? Read on to find out all the details.

Is Space Mountain Scary?

At the core of its design, Space Mountain isn’t supposed to be a scary ride. In fact, given its speed and height restrictions, it’s one of the more child-friendly attractions.

It’s designed to give you a different and unique experience that simulates outer space. It is an indoor roller coaster. The whole ride lasts between two minutes and 30 seconds to a full three minutes.

That doesn’t give you much time to get scared. Yet, it’s enough to offer a pleasant, relaxing ride without holding up the line of people eager to get their turn.

Sometimes it does have a longer wait time though, so it’s a good ride to rope drop. Moreover, it’s on the tame end of the spectrum, with a top speed of 28.7 miles per hour.

Compared to other rides, like Splash Mountain, which has a top speed of 43 or 45 mph or Big Thunder Mountain which has a top speed of 36 mph, Space Mountain is pretty laid back.

If you’ve been wondering is Space Mountain scarier than those other rides, then I would say no it is not scarier.

Not to mention, it doesn’t have any loops, holes, or sections that turn riders upside down.

If it’s going to be your first time riding Space Mountain at one of the Disney Parks that has it, then you might be worried about if it’s too scary for you.

The Disney theme parks with a Space Mountain ride are Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Walt Disney World.

The Disney World ride is in Magic Kingdom. The other Disney World parks (Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) have some thrill rides too.

Related Content: 12 Best Rides At Magic Kingdom That You Have To Ride

Why Do Some People Find Space Mountain Scary?

While there isn’t much to the ride itself, the environment is what triggers different reactions from different people.

First off, the ride is almost entirely dark. The darkness can be too much for some people. There are a couple of tunnels that come with flashing lights, which may be disturbing for some.

This is why people with epilepsy should tread on the ride with caution, as it could cause seizures.

Another thing is that even though the twists and turns on the ride aren’t intense, they do seem to come out of nowhere. Thus, the fact that you can’t see and anticipate them coming makes you feel them a little more strongly.

Also, as mentioned earlier, there are no loops or topsy-turvy sections, and only one drop throughout the entire ride.

Although, it always feels like more drops to me since you can’t anticipate what’s coming on the attraction. So, it’s a fairly straightforward rollercoaster ride.

However, the fact that the setup is a line of vehicles that fit a single passenger makes the ride quite tight. So, it can trigger a claustrophobic reaction in some riders.

Finally, since it’s been running for almost 50 years, the ride can get a bit turbulent in some areas. That can also be scary for some.

Related Content: Is Tower of Terror Scary?

Space Mountain: The Full Ride Experience

Space Mountain is a rollercoaster ride that’s at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. It’s been up and running since 1975, which is proof enough of just how enjoyable it is.

Walt Disney was inspired by the success of Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1959, and that’s when he had the idea for this space-themed ride.

The queue for the ride is outside the building. Then, as you move inside, you’ll find the blue-lit boarding deck, which gets you ready for an out-of-this-world experience.

Once safely settled in the ride vehicle, you’ll start to slowly move forward into the dark tunnel. Then, you’ll find yourself in an orange room, where you can see planets and upside-down astronaut figures.

There, the ride is rather slow, giving you time to get the feel of being in outer space.

After that, you enter a dark tunnel with stars above you. There, you take a sharp right turn, with sound effects that resemble lightsabers.

There’s a bit of a drop there, which is the only one on the ride. Then, the ride takes a few more turns as you pass by the screen and imagery of outer space.

Next, you’re propelled into an orange-red tunnel, with spinning and flashing lights.

Then, a few seconds later, you’ll find yourself drifting through a dark tunnel with the stars above you before ending up at the boarding deck.

What’s the Difference Between Space Mountain at Disneyland and Disneyworld?

The first difference is the height requirement. The minimum height is 40 inches at Disneyland and 44 inches at Disney World.

This is the height of an average 4 or 5-year-old or a 6 to 8-year-old, respectively.

Another difference is that the ride at Disneyland is much smaller. It’s 118 feet tall and 200 feet in diameter, while the one at Disney World is 180 feet tall and 300 feet in diameter.

Consequently, the ride at Disney World is longer. Plus, it features two tracks, Alpha and Omega, while the Disneyland version has space for one track only.

In addition, the vehicles at Disneyland take up to two passengers at once. Alternatively, the ones at Disney World, despite being more true to the nature of a rocket, have space for only one.

Most people prefer the two-passenger variant, however, as you can sit next to your child. They’re also easier to get in and out of.

Finally, at Disneyland, the vehicles have speakers that broadcast a soundtrack as you go through your ride. In contrast, the ride at Disney World leaves you with the screams and shouts of other passengers.

Final Verdict

I’ve ridden Space Mountain many times at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom and I don’t consider it to be a scary Disneyland or Disney World ride. It is one of my favorite Disney World rides!

Space Mountain is an iconic Disney ride and it’s definitely worth a try. Although many believe this is a scary ride due to the dark ambiance and the music, it’s a pretty safe and slow option.

It also doesn’t come with violent twists and turns. So, you can rest assured that it’s family-friendly, super safe, and loads of fun!

Frequently Asked Questions About Space Mountain

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