Space Mountain is one of many thrill rides at Walt Disney World and it’s definitely a favorite at Magic Kingdom.
You board your rocket ship coaster, which juts around an indoor track that’s pretty much pitch black, except for some minimal starry space elements you can see throughout.
While Space Mountain might be an oldie, it’s still very much a goodie. Warning: it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
Let’s blast off and check out our complete guide to Space Mountain!
Before we get too far into it, make sure you check out our guide on the Best Rides at Magic Kingdom for information on every attraction and show at Magic Kingdom.
Space Mountain Quick Facts
Description: Space Mountain is an indoor high-speed roller coaster that takes place in complete darkness. The ride doesn’t go upside down, but it has several drops and lots of sharp, quick turns.
Location
You can find Space Mountain towards the back of Tomorrowland. Here’s the location on the map.
How To Ride Space Mountain
Space Mountain has a Standby Lane and a Lightning Lane. There is no Single Rider Line.
The standby lanes for Space Mountain are typically the lowest first thing in the morning and at the end of the evening. The middle of the day will see the longest lines.
It is listed as an available attraction for Early Theme Park Entry. This means it will open 30-minutes before the official park open every day for Disney World resort guests (and select others) only.
Space Mountain’s standby wait time jumps quickly after park open and can see sustained wait times well over 60 minutes for most of the park day.
Eligible guests can also ride Space Mountain during Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.
Do I Need to Use Genie+ at Space Mountain
Space Mountain is available with Genie+ and we highly recommend using it at this attraction.
This is a highly-popular ride that many park guests make a must-do during their park day. Unless you hop on this ride within the first hour of park opening, you should plan to reserve a Genie+ time for later in the day.
Make sure you check out our touring strategies for Magic Kingdom for more Genie+ advice.
Rider Switch/Child Swap
Rider Switch is offered for Space Mountain.
This is Disney World’s system that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another member of your party waits with the little one(s).
You can learn more about Rider Switch via our handy guide.
What to Expect When You Ride
Queue
The Space Mountain queue is primarily indoors (there is some outdoor overflow on very crowded days). Between the space vibes and the music and sounds (some of the best tunes in Magic Kingdom), this line has great theming.
It’s quite a lengthy queue, which shouldn’t be surprising, since it is a popular attraction. It even has an interactive queue, in which guests can play video games. These aren’t the most exciting games, but they can help past the time if the wait is long.
As you approach the end of the line and prior to boarding, the queue splits into two. Did you know there are two different tracks? Alpha (left) and Omega (right).
The two tracks are almost identical to one another, but Alpha’s track has an additional 10 feet of track for layout purposes.
Even though they are essentially the same, there are some guests who prefer one side over another. If you have a chance to ride twice on your trip we recommend testing out both sides to see which one you prefer.
Ride Vehicles
The vehicle cars resemble space shuttles prepared to blast off.
Each shuttle is made up of two vehicle cars attached to one another, with each car fitting three guests. So, there is a total of six guests per each vehicle.
Every guest rides by themselves and has a lap bar to pull down for safety.
You don’t sit side by side, but rather one in front of the other. Your bags go at your feet and any headwear must come off for safety (hats, sunglasses, ears.)
Accessibility Information
Guests must transfer from ECV to wheelchair to enter the queue. Once you reach the boarding area you must be able to transfer from the wheelchair to the ride vehicle as wheelchairs are not permitted on the ride.
Due to the nature of this ride, service animals are not permitted to accompany their owners.
Guests should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers advised not to ride.
PhotoPass/On-Ride Photos
When riding Space Mountain, your photo will be taken on the attraction.
Since there are two separate tracks, there are two different cameras. If you go Alpha (left), the camera is at the end of the star tunnel on the left as you take that first corner.
If you go Omega (right), the camera is also at the end of the star tunnel on the right as you take the first corner.
It’s fast, so be ready!
When you ride with a MagicBand and a linked Memory Maker entitlement, your photo will automatically be uploaded to your My Disney Experience account. The same can be said if you’re a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder.
At the end of the ride, there’s also a touch point for those without a MagicBand to tap their park ticket or Memory Maker card. Your photo will then be added to your account. The photo will be available in the app for 45 days unless you choose to purchase them.
Guests purchasing Genie+ will receive digital downloads of their on-ride photos taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge.
Be sure to read more on PhotoPass and how Memory Maker works.
Motion Sickness
Space Mountain is an intense coaster that has many sharp twists and turns. Plus, the majority of the ride takes place in total darkness.
It’s a very jerky ride, meaning motion sickness is highly possible for those prone to it. We have a guide on motion sickness that’s filled with more information and tips, so feel free to check that out.
On The Ride
Board a sleek space shuttle vehicle and pull your lap bar down tight. After safety check, your vehicle will round the corner and initiate the launch sequence.
You will blast off through a blue tunnel and make a quick turn around the corner. This is where your photo will be taken, so be ready because it happens very fast!
You slowly climb up the ascent launch chamber as the mission countdown begins. Then, it’s time for the launch sequence, so hang on tight!
You quickly find yourself on a high-flying adventure to the furthest corners of space. Ascending and descending as you twist and turn in your rocket ship throughout the solar system.
Your ride nears its end when you enter the red sound barrier tunnel to reenter earth’s atmosphere. Prepare to disembark as your shuttle slows down and comes to a complete stop in the unloading station.
Is Space Mountain Kid-Friendly?
Space Mountain is a thrilling ride so it’s not for everyone. It could be scary for kids due to the coaster being completely in the dark and all of the twists and turns.
This is a ride that even some adults are not a fan of. So, if you have a child that scares easily, is afraid of the dark, or doesn’t like roller coasters, they probably should avoid Space Mountain and stick to more kid-friendly coasters, like the Barnstormer or Big Thunder Mountain.
We have a full guide on several other things that might scare little ones at WDW.
Strollers
Strollers are not allowed on the Space Mountain vehicles or in the queue. You’ll need to park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area at the attraction entrance or leave it with a non-rider.
History
Space Mountain first opened in Tomorrowland on January 15, 1975. It was the second attraction built specifically for Magic Kingdom, with the other being Country Bear Jamboree.
With the Space Age beginning in 1957 thanks to Sputnik, the addition of not only a space-inspired land, but also an out-of-this-world ride was a must, especially to attract more teenagers.
Imagineer and legend John Hench was at the helm of the design. Space Mountain celebrates the Golden Age of Rocket Travel and honors the excitement of that time around space travel.
The construction of Space Mountain was a big deal. So much so, in 1975, original Mercury Seven astronauts Scott Carpenter and Gordon Cooper and Apollo 15 astronaut Jim Irwin all attended the opening of the roller coaster.
There’s no denying that Space Mountain, the first mountain of Disney World, remains a classic.
Other Fun Details
- There are several Easter eggs, with one being the giant logo reading “Starport Seventy-Five,” which refers to the year the ride opened (1975). Also, when you exit the ride, look to your left at the beginning of the exit walkway to see a panel with “closed sectors.” These refer to the following ride that have since closed:
- FL – 20K: Fantasyland, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- FL – MTWR: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- TL – SK2 FL: Tomorrowland, Skyway to Fantasyland
- MSU – SB: Main Street, U.S.A., Swan Boats
- FL -MMR: Fantasyland, Mickey Mouse Revue
- TL – M2M: Tomorrowland, Mission to Mars
- You can use Play Disney Parks for Space Mountain. This free mobile app is available for select attractions and allows guests to pass the time as they play games, trivia, and earn achievements along the way.
- Space Mountain was the first roller coaster at Walt Disney World and the first roller coaster in the world to be built completely indoors.