Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)

Space Mountain
Magic Kingdom
Park section Tomorrowland
Coordinates 28°25′09″N 81°34′38″W / 28.41917°N 81.57722°W / 28.41917; -81.57722
Status Operating
Opening date January 15, 1975 (January 15, 1975)
Cost US$20 million
General statistics
Type Steel Dual-tracked Enclosed
Manufacturer Arrow Development
Designer WED Enterprises
Model Special Coaster Systems
Track layout Dual-tracked
Lift/launch system Chain lift hill
Alpha Omega
Height 65 ft (19.8 m) 65 ft (19.8 m)
Drop 26 ft (7.9 m) 26 ft (7.9 m)
Length 3,196 ft (974.1 m) 3,186 ft (971.1 m)
Speed 27 mph (43.5 km/h) 27 mph (43.5 km/h)
Inversions 0 0
Duration 2:30 2:30
G-force 3.7
Height restriction 44 in (112 cm)
Trains 30 trains with 2 cars. Riders are arranged 1 across in 3 rows for a total of 6 riders per train.
Sponsors

RCA (1975–1993)
FedEx (1994–2004)

None (2005–present)
Music Mike Brassell
"Mount Bop"
Trains Per Track 13
Lightning Lane Available
Wheelchair accessible
Must transfer from wheelchair
Space Mountain at RCDB
Pictures of Space Mountain at RCDB

Space Mountain is an outer space-themed, indoor roller coaster in Tomorrowland located at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. The dark ride, which opened on January 15, 1975, is the original version of the iconic attraction that has since been replicated at other Disney theme park locations worldwide, with the exception of Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Space Mountain is one of the first computer operated roller coasters and is also the oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Florida.

Walt Disney originally conceived the idea of a space-themed roller coaster for Disneyland following the success of Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1959. However, due to technological and spatial limitations, the concept was further developed and eventually became a part of Walt Disney World. RCA helped fund construction and sponsored the ride from 1975 to 1993. FedEx assumed sponsorship from 1994 to 2004.

Space Mountain has undergone a number of changes since its opening, including new ride trains in 1989 and 2009, as well as incremental upgrades to incorporate modern roller coaster technology. It has also seen a number of cosmetic renovations to its entry, queue, and post-show elements, many of which were necessitated by changes in its corporate sponsorship over the years.