Any of you who read my blogs on a regular basis know that I’m generally pretty positive when it comes to Disney. I have my occasional complaint, but overall, I’m generous with my praise. But today I cannot give Disney glowing accolades for the new sound system they installed on Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.
Before I go any further, let me give you a little background. Last year, Space Mountain was closed for an extensive refurbishment. During this time, there were a lot of rumors and speculation that Disney would be modifying the mountain’s ride vehicles by adding speakers to each car. People were hoping that the Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain would offer the same audio experience as can be had at Disneyland’s Space Mountain and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, this did not come to pass. When the Magic Kingdom’s version of this perennial favorite reopened, it was music-less. This disappointed many fans and they let their dissatisfaction be known on a number of websites.
Two days ago (August 30, 2010), Disney unexpectedly announced that they had added a new sound system to Space Mountain. In a general announcement they said it wasn’t added during the extensive rehab in order to bring the ride back on line as quickly as possible. They also said they did not retrofit the ride vehicles because they wanted the experience to be different than that of Disneyland’s Space Mountain. Instead, they strategically placed 60 speakers throughout the mountain. So today I headed to the Magic Kingdom to experience this new addition.
I’m sorry to say, I was not impressed. Unlike Disneyland’s version and Rock ‘N’ Roller coaster where each car hears a complete piece of music from beginning to end during the ride, at the Magic Kingdom, the music is just piped into the entire structure. And the volume grew and decreased as I road closer and further from the various speakers. And to be honest, if I wasn’t specifically listening for the music, I probably would never have noticed it. And I suspect this will be the case with most visitors. The music is more of a mood enhancer than a special effect. If I had to grade this new feature, I’d give it a C- because I’m generous when it comes to Disney.
Bottom line”¦ The ride is better with the music than without, but I doubt that most people will ever notice it’s been added.
Hey Jack,
This is really sad. First, when Space Mountain reopened I was greatly disappointed because I was expecting a sound system similar to Disneyland’s. Now after I have been on the ride a few times I can certainly say that the new speakers take away from the overall experience. At one point your ear is blasted by sound effects. The entire ride is plagued by varying sound levels. An “in car” speaker system really would have done the trick. The quality that you expected from Disney is missing.
I can’t really comment on the added audio treatment as we were there the week before it debuted. However, I really like what they’ve done with the rehab. I feel that they’ve updated the ride in numerous ways without changing the essential spirit of the original ride. I like the fact that you can no longer see the ride vehicles from the queue as it revealed how slowly they were actually going. Plus I found the glow in the dark stripes and projections on the ceiling to be outdated. I also thought the the track itself felt somewhat smoother but the overall ride felt wilder somehow. Loved the fact that the ride was much darker than years past, maybe this added to the wilder feeling of the ride. There’s really nothing I did not like about the rehab although maybe the new loading area was a bit underwhelming but I still enjoyed it. I know many people were hoping for an altogether new high tech experience but I’m glad it’s still the good ol’ Space Mountain I grew up with, just with some new updates.
Space Mountain has always been my favorite ride. The last time I rode SM was in April and I have to admit disappointment with the refurb. I am one of the rare people, it seems, who doesn’t like the “game room” they’ve added to the queue. I liked how it used to be quiet and atmospheric. The ride itself is too dark and actually seemed rougher, almost too rough. I will be going to the World next week and hope that the music will be a welcome enhancement. At least I will not expect the truly awesome experience I had on SM at Disneyland.
PS–Does anyone remember when we used to be able to watch faux futuristic TV commercials while standing in the loading area queue?
I don’t ride a roller coaster for on-board audio, so I’m not particularly drawn to or away from this addition to Space Mountain.
I more strongly object to the too darkened, post-rehab version of the ride removing any visual interest whatsoever within the building and for what it did to the Peoplemover (nothing to see here; move along).
As an aside: I’m glad they didn’t switch to the seating arrangement they have on DL’s version of Space Mountain. As a larger guy, it was impossible for me to get both knees under the tiny lap bar in DL’s side-by-side ride arrangement. The single-file row of WDW’s Space Mountain works infinitely better for me.
As I mentioned we liked the new music and audio effects and thought the new version of Space Mountain was much better than the old one because they have made the ride much darker so you can’t see the track at all which makes the ride even more of a surprise. The track is supposed to be the same, but it feels even more wild since you can’t see what is coming due to the added darkness. Disney did a nice job in fixing up this classic ride.
We just came back from WDW and rode Space Mountain 4-5 times and on the last day we noticed they just put in the new audio effects – gotta say I didn’t mind them and thought they did add to the ride experience, but would agree that many people may not hear them. I would also agree tat not every coaster needs to have onboard music – would grade the new effects a B (like them and noticed them, but some people may not).
I feel the resent refurb took away the charm of the ride. Seeing the cars zip over head in the queue was exciting,as well as seeing other cars go by while on the ride. Now the added music just makes the experiance worse. The old Space Mountain was much better. Should have left it alone.
Old, new, music, sound effects….still makes me laugh , scream , and pee my pants everytime I ride it! Love that ride!!
Ive hated this ride ever since the refurb :/ Used to be my first, I miss the little stars on the ride
I was on SM yesterday. My opinion? For what it does to the experience, they might as well save that money and use it for something else!
It’s fun to see the can of worms you opened in the blog getting bigger and bigger! I truly hope the execs read it and wake up. Don’t they realize what they are doing to the Company’s reputation?
The comment made by Joey was excellent and brought tears to my eyes, literally! Everyday I’m out there as a guest I notice the little cutbacks that are adding up taking away the quality.
You are correct about people not realizing the music was added. I rode Space Mountain on 8/30 and it was not until near the end of the ride that I even noticed the addition of the music/sound. When I heard the music the 1st thought was that I did not remember it being there earlier in the trip and then the music was gone. I couldn’t even tell exactly what I heard as it was so brief and left a minimal impression.
I rode Space Mountain today with my Dad and I didn’t tell him about the added soundtrack. I wanted to see if he would notice it, and he did! We both agreed it was more sound effects than a soundtrack. It added a little something extra to the ride. We both thought it was a minor but nice improvement.
Walt is definitely turning in his grave now! I don’t think that he ever had make a buck in mind over make the people happy!
It seems as with all things for years lately, except for new resorts, WDW has gone cheap! I am so disappointed in them because of this, it actually has started hurting my experience when going there. For the first time ever, my last trip there, I actually noticed the employees coming and going, whereas in all the years before, the first being in 1979, I have NEVER noticed employees coming or going from the park, nor walking to their cars in the front parking lots. Being in the vacation club, I have noticed the yearly dues ever increasing at a rapid pace. I bought into it in 2000, and my dues since then have MORE THAN DOUBLED!!! I have also noticed the parks do not seem to be as clean or kept up as they used to be. I’m not saying they are filthy, just noticing things like a little trash here, and overgrowth of plants and flowers here and there. Rides being shut down as soon as it looks like weather is coming, whereas it used to be not until the weather was right there. Also, the addition to Animal Kingdom looks and feels like a carnival, and is very untasteful inside the park. Minor things that may go un-noticed to many, but things I have been seeing. Also, the implementation of the absolute same souvenirs at every store in every park, and not actual park themed souvenirs has really made it hard to find something I like. And the license plates? Where did they go? All you can find is WDW plates, no Epcot, MK, MGM/Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or resort specific ones? The food, as mentioned by someone earlier, is starting to be repetitive and quality is degrading. The magic is unfortunately starting to fade for me and my wife, and I hope they do something about it soon. I mean, with the prices we pay to enjoy it, it seems Walt’s dream is dissipating because of greed, and the dream of a happy place is becoming a distant sight. All this leads me to say I am almost dreading riding SM when we go back, because I don’t know how much more disappointment I can stand from WDW. I hope someone over there wakes up and does something about it soon. Sorry to ramble on about it, but is anyone else noticing any of these things? I hope SM isn’t the first of many rides to lose some of it’s magic, and start a downhill trend at WDW. Thanks for letting me vent. I still love WDW!!!
I think it’s kind of obvious that Disney took the cheap way out, here. I doubt there’s a SM fan alive that wouldn’t have loved individual speakers in each ride vehicle. But, I’m sure that was seen as too expensive an option. This from a company that just had two films break the billion dollar mark in the same year. *sigh*
Jack thanks for the review!! I love your answer above where you critique the Alex Wright article. I thought many of the same things. In fact as I was reading your original post I was setting there in front of a few friends pretending my nose was growing as we heard all the reasons why Disney couldn’t or didn’t want to install the same upgrades as those in Disney Land. It was worth a good laugh but at the same time its sad. I understand the need to put a positive spin on things but don’t insult my intelligence. I would rather have them leave a classic attraction “as is” rather for them to do a half ass job at a refurb! There are attraction is Disneyland we do not have in WDW and vise versa. Most people are Ok with that and in fact it gives you a reason to visit each park. If they wanted to save a buck then why refurb BOTH Space Mountains at the same time? Why not refurb one, wait a while, see what works and doesn’t, then refurb the next. I truly didn’t understand their logic from the get-go but now to clearly do a half ass job in an attempt to save a buck makes it all the worse 🙁
To be honest after hearing about the dynamic system placed in the Disneyland Space Mountain that allowed the attraction’s theme to be changed or modified dynamically I got a little more excited about the project. When I saw that they did that “Ghost Galaxy” Mod during Disneyland’s Halloween celebration last year I realized the power the new refurb could have and settled into thinking this might be something good. Hey if you can keep a classic attraction “as is” most of the year and change things up for special events that’s awesome! Not only awesome but from a financial standpoint what better cost saving measure could one wish for. Disney knows that people want something and need something NEW all the time. So if you can build or mod an attraction where every once in a while you can change it into something new and then change it back. WOW!! That’s powerful!
But now it seems with these cost saving cuts to WDW Space Mountain we wont be seeing this anytime soon:( What a real shame and disappointment. In fact I find it all very short sighted!!
One final note because I know this is getting long. I too am growing very tired of Disney’s Cookie Cutter approach and attitude to almost everything anymore. Pointing out the Pooh attractions is a perfect example but I’m also tired of seeing the same Hotel being built! Am I in Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, or Aulani in Hawaii? Its the SAME building, the same structure, just themed and decorated differently! Even the names are all sounding the same now-a-days KIDANI, AULANI! Can we try a bit harder folks?
I realize that “Cookie Cutter” is a very effective cost saving feature in the short term but over time and in the long run it costs you money because everything becomes stagnant. People stop coming because everything is just the same. There is nothing new to see or do when everything is the same. And quickly your market share plummets because rather than being proactive and pushing for new development and staying ahead of the pack you’re simply just trying to keep up because you have pigeon hold yourself and become complacent by trying to save a few dollars through a Cookie Cutter system.
You can get after market Stereo Head Rests for a Honda Civic but we can’t figure out how to put stereo head rests on WDW Space Mountain because they are single seat cars?? Please!!
Rob
I have to disagree with Jack here. I was at WDW from 8/29-9/2 and we were at MK on the first day and the last. I immediately noticed the addition of the music, and was actually quite pleased with the result. One of the really nice things about the way this was implemented was that when you pass specific speakers, you get specific sound effects…like a WHOOOSH sound as you round a turn, for example. The fact that these effects are ambient, as opposed to omni-present ala RNRC, add to the “spacy” atomosphere in a subtle, yet appreciable way. RNRC is a wonderful attraction, but the focus there is on the music, while at Space Mountain, the focus overall is atmosphere.
All and all, my only real complaint is that the placement and volume settings of the speakers can act as a sort of ‘tell’ as to where you are in the ride and for what is coming. Prior to the audio additions, the new version could be slightly more disorienting due to the increased darkness. But still, I have to give the music and audio effects a big thumbs up. Having ridden the ride a day before, and then a couple of days later, I’d say that anyone familiar with the ride would certainly notice the addition of the music, and that it does indeed add to the experience.
We are excited about the new music and riding TTA. The last couple times we rode TTA, it was strangley quiet in SM.
When we heard samples of the audio with TTA we got excited.
We are easy to please, any changes/improvements at WDW get us excited.
Overall, we are happy with the changes but we haven’t been on SM since the audio upgrade but we will in October.
Hi Jack –
We were at the World Aug 18-27 and rode Space Mountain 2-3 times. I both liked and disliked the improvements. Like: 1. Interactive games on standby line, 2. Darker ride – made it seem faster, 3. More spacious queue (less rows, each row having its own 2 rails and not sharing them with next row). Dislike: 1. Missed the view from the queue of the ride and stars (building) and the glow in the dark trains on the ride.
I hope the new music wasn’t on when I was there – if it was we didn’t hear it. We also haven’t figured how to ride the left track (on your left as you come thru the Star Tunnel) – out of all of the times I’ve ridden SM, only rode the left track once – this time the queue goes thru the left side making you think that’s your track, but it ends on the right side. Luck of the draw I guess.
PS – Loved the new additions and what appeared to be a new route for the TTA PeopleMover as it goes thru SM – some of the exit tunnel scenes and passing thru the ride room in what seems to be a different location.
– Jeff
Jack’s Comment:
In order to make the ride darker, it required putting a roof over the queue area and taking the glow-in-the-dark strips off the cars.
The right side of Space Mountain is the “default” side. In the early morning or late at night, when only one side is open, it will be the right side. When I rode yesterday afternoon, the left side was being used for “stand by” riders and the right side was being used by FastPass riders.
The PeopleMover’s route did not change at all. It’s exactly as it was.
I’ll have to see if I notice it over my own screaming 🙂 Hitting the road for Disney World on Monday for a week.
We enjoyed your input, being very fair and generous to Disney. It is baffling to me and I am sure many others why they would do an extensive rehab, so it was suppose to be as stated, and then go with such a low end sound for this ride. At least they could have made the sound balanced throughout the ride instead of sporatic as you mentioned. I will be there in December and will give this ride a whirl. Take care and hopefully Toy Story and Its a small world upgrades will not be disappointing to all!
I loved Space Mountain before the refurb. I certainly don’t care about music on the ride. Frankly, if they’d added a big new soundtrack to the ride, I would be hugely disappointed.
So this is good news for me.
I’ve always found DL’s Space Mountain music to be a bit intrusive as it blasts in my ear.
A mood enhancer, as you explain the WDW version to be like, sounds great.
Sorry you didn’t like it, but I look forward to giving it a try.
I just got back from WDW September 1st and road Space Mountain several times. You’re right, Jack – until I just read you’re article, I had no idea they added the music! I have been on the ride numerous times before and this time seemed no different to me.
Wonder if I’ll notice it next time now that I know to listen:)
hey jack
thanks for the headsup on space mountain the next time i visit i will make sure to keep my ears open for the music so i can foor myself if it was a good or bad move on disney’s part. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.
Thanks for the information Jack. I love Space Mountain and can’t tell you how disappointed I was after I rode it after the refurbishment. No more glowing stripes on the sides of the cars and the ride itself, smoother and quieter. Part of the great thing about that ride was seeing other cars streaking by you and hearing the sound of the cars on the track. People just weren’t even shouting and screaming as much. I hope the music helps!
Hi Jack! As always, great blog. I was fortunate enough to ride Space Mountain again (after it was updated) last year at a “soft” opening during MVMCP. I didn’t notice any big changes then, and that was a disappointment. I expected to be wowed, and that just didn’t happen. However, I do feel the music is unnecessary, especially if it wasn’t done to Disney’s usually high standards. But, I will not know for sure until November, when I come back and ride it again…On a side note, I last visited in July (that was visit 24), and it seems as if Disney is taking more “short cuts” this year, than in years past. I feel a lot of the food has gone down hill. I also feel that during evening magic hours, lines were longer than usual, because only one side of the ride was open (Haunted Mansion, Grand Prix etc). If you are taking care of your resort guests by offering magic hours, I feel it is necessary to take whatever steps possible to make those hours more enjoyable. What are your thoughts? Thank you! Jenny PS I’m still Disney’s biggest fan. 🙂
Just read your blog.. Ouch. Sounds like they did not “up” the experience there. It’s what I have been saying all along.. WDW advertises itself as the best Disney park around,. but in reality, they are professional penny pinchers and the standards have dropped so low, they don’t even compare with their counter parts in CA, Paris, HKDL and especially Tokyo. But that’s only my opiinion. I will not be making a special trip to the MK to ride SM any time soon.
Jack, I’m a HUGE fan of your column. Thanks for all your hard work on them.
Regarding this Space Mountain sound enhancement, I have a couple of questions for you. Was your grade perhaps influenced by your EXPECTATIONS based on the RUMORS of a Disneyland-like sound system? Also, was your grade influenced on a direct comparison with Disneyland’s Space Mountain? (If so, WDW will lose EVERY time, as Disneyland’s Space Mountain is practically flawless.)
If you read the interview that Imagineer Alex Wright gave to the Orlando Sentinel ( http://bit.ly/9Xoogv ), it seems the audio is more of an accentuation of what’s going on (curves, drops, accelerations, etc.) as opposed to a soundtrack a la Disneyland.
Alex also discusses how adding audio to the vehicles wouldn’t have worked well at WDW, as people are seated single-file. Having the speakers near the rider’s head would eliminate any interaction (read: togetherness) with fellow Guests. Does this make sense? Thus, the speakers placed along the track are more of an enhancement than an actual soundtrack.
Thanks for hearing me out Jack. Your thoughts?
Jack’s Answer:
You ask excellent questions – questions that should be asked when someone gives a slightly negative review. Let me take them one at a time.
1. I knew in advance that the individual cars had not been equipped with speakers so this was not my expectation. However, I did have another expectation. I thought the speakers (a lot more than 60) would be placed in series along the track route — in much the same way the sound system works on the TTA PeopleMover. So as you moved from section to section, the music would move with you. But this doesn’t seem to be the case. Although specific sound effects are track specific, the overall music is not — at least it didn’t seem so to me. As I mentioned, the volume grew softer and louder as I rode through the mountain.
2. I have not ridden Disneyland’s Space Mountain in at least five years. I really don’t have specific memories, except to remember it is very comparable to Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, which I think is very well done.
3. In regards to the Orlando Sentinel article. First, show designer Alex Wright says they want to keep this Space Mountain unique from all the others. I don’t buy this argument for one moment. And let me give you a fine example. At Tokyo Disneyland you’ll find a magnificent attraction, Pooh’s Huney Hunt. This is a trackless ride that garners hour and a half lines all day long. It puts Florida’s Pooh attraction to shame. Yet, when Disney opened Hong Kong Disneyland, they put in an EXACT copy of the lesser, cheaper to install, Florida version. In fact, it’s such an exact copy that the Hong Kong version even has a picture of Toad handing over the deed to the property to Pooh — which makes absolutely no sense since Mr. Toad never existed in Hong Kong. Disney has absolutely no hesitation creating cookie cutter attractions from park to park.
4. I also do not buy Mr. Wright’s argument as to why they couldn’t install on-board speakers because of the single file seating configuration. This made no sense to me. In fact, I would think single file seating would lend itself to onboard speakers better than double seating.
Please understand, I gave this enhancement a passing grade with a C-. I also said the attraction is better WITH the enhancement than without it. However, I just don’t think it lives up to the hype and I don’t think most people are really going to notice.
Thanks, again, Jack. Another great report. We’ll experience it firsthand next week, so we’ll hold our full judgement until then. Despite what they say, do you think it was really a budget squeezing issue?
I disagree! I rode it three times the day it reopened and I love it!!! Going up the first lift I noticed a zippy sound effect as another rocket sped past my vehicle. And there’s one part where the sound goes really crazy when you’re doing a bunch of tight turns. I think it makes the ride seem faster and more out of control with the music, which is cool. It’s like I’m so distracted by the new sounds that I’m not paying attention to the track. I give it an A!
Thanks for the review Jack. I’m heading to the World this weekend and am eagerly anticipating seeing the changes. That’s too bad about the sound system, but if Disney is known for one thing, that is listening to its guests. If enough people complain, they’ll fix it. Figment ring a bell anyone? 😉
I am actually glad that the music is less than noticeable. I am one of the few people that doesn’t need a soundtrack wherever I go. One of the things I enjoy most about Space Mountain is listening to the screams of those riding in the car.
I headed over to Space Mountain Monday night to check out the new music, as well. I have to agree with you, Jack. I certainly like the addition of music, but it was very awkward how the soundtrack get louder and then fade as you got closer to and pass the various speakers. I think this would have been a very neat effect for the ride when it opened – in the 70’s. But today, it just seems a bit careless. I agree with you on a C- rating.
This really is disappointing. I haven’t been on Space Mountain since it reopened, and its’ been 10 years since I’ve been on Space Mountain at Disneyland. I have heard a Space Mountain soundtrack that is a rock version of Saint Sëan’s Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals. That selection would increase the excitement level of the attraction. The next time I’m at MK, I’ll have to make a point of checking out the “refurbishment.”
Thanks for your insight. This is one of my family’s favorite rides in all of WDW, and I was really excited after reading how there was a new sound system placed especially since we are going to the World next week. However, my problem is we will probably not hear the sounds as we whiz by because we will all be laughing and screaming with delight. Oh well, Space Mountain will always be one of our favorite rides in Disney….regardless 🙂
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to riding the mountain again.
My niece and I have a disagreement though…
Does Space Mountain have a corkscrew on it. I said yes you go upside down, she disagrees.
Thanks for the help. I think I will win.
Liz
Jack’s Answer:
Sorry. You lose. The only Space Mountain that goes upside down is in Paris. You must be thinking of the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Thanks for the report. That’s really disappointing, since the in-car speakers are one of the (many, IMO) ways that the Disneyland incarnation of the ride trumps the world. I particularly enjoyed it a few years back when they subbed out the regular Space Mountain music for some Red Hot Chili Peppers. A rollicking good time. 🙂