Space Mountain has anchored Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom since 1975, and its white, ribbed cone is still one of the most recognizable shapes on the Walt Disney World skyline. Inside is a roller coaster that runs almost entirely in the dark. There are no loops and no enormous drops. What makes it memorable is that you can’t see what is coming next, so every dip and hairpin turn arrives as a surprise.
| Location | Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom |
| Ride type | Indoor roller coaster in the dark |
| Height requirement | 44 in (112 cm) |
| Ride length | About 2.5 minutes |
| Opened | January 15, 1975 |
| Thrill level | High for its size: sudden turns and drops in darkness, no inversions |
| Seating | Single-file rocket, one rider per row |
| Lightning Lane | Yes. Check the My Disney Experience app for the current option |
| Rider switch | Available |
What the ride is like
After a long, dim queue lined with glowing space-station windows, you climb into a slim rocket that seats riders one behind the other. The rocket passes through a pulsing blue launch tunnel and then climbs slowly toward the top of the mountain, where projected stars and a rotating galaxy fill the dome.
Then the lights, such as they are, go away. The rocket drops into a series of tight, fast turns and short dips while meteors and distant planets streak past. Because the track is hidden, even riders who know the ride well find themselves bracing for curves that never come and missing the ones that do. It feels much faster than its actual top speed of roughly 27 mph. The ride ends with a glide back into the station through a colorful re-entry tunnel.
Space Mountain actually has two nearly identical tracks, called Alpha and Omega. You’ll be directed to one side or the other, and most riders can’t tell the difference.
Tips for riding
- Know your crew. The single-file seating and jerky turns make this rougher than it looks. Riders who are nervous about the dark may prefer Tomorrowland Speedway or the PeopleMover, which actually passes through Space Mountain and gives a sneak peek inside.
- Ride early or during the fireworks. Waits drop noticeably during the nighttime spectacular, when crowds gather on Main Street.
- Secure everything. Phones, hats and sunglasses have a way of disappearing in the dark. Pockets that zip are your friend.
- Pair it with TRON. TRON Lightcycle / Run sits just next door, so many thrill seekers ride both back to back.
Accessibility
Guests must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV into the rocket and be able to sit upright with a lap bar. The ride is rough and abrupt, so Disney advises against riding for expectant mothers and anyone with heart, back or neck conditions. Rider switch is available for families with young children.
Is it worth the wait?
For thrill seekers and nostalgia fans, absolutely. Space Mountain is a true Disney classic and it still delivers a rush more than fifty years after it opened. First-timers who don’t love the dark may want to watch the PeopleMover view first and decide from there.
Featured Photo: Magic Kingdom Space Mountain by Benjamin D. Esham ( bdesham ), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
