Space Mountain — Attraction in Anaheim

Space Mountain was my all-time favorite ride at Disneyland as it was the most thrilling, or so I thought as a youngster. The older I got, I realized that the visual effects are what made it more thrilling than it actually was. Opened in 1977, it's the second iteration of the ride that resides in five of Disney's parks. This version is a little smaller than the original one in the Magic Kingdom which features dual tracks.

EXPERIENCE: Being a product of the 70's, the look today is retro, but it only adds to the charm and brings back fond childhood memories. After a long and seemingly endless queue, you finally make it inside the "mountain" where you can see the loading platform and riders blasting off. Wait, OMG, the line is still going!? Yup, you still need to circle the perimeter of the building before boarding. Grr! This by far is the worst queue line as you can see so far ahead of you, unlike Splash Mountain which messes with your visuals.

So how does a rollercoaster without any inversions and a top speed of 35 mph stay popular? Because it's indoors and in the dark! It's a mix of darkness, special lighting effects, and music that makes this juvenile-class coaster fun, even for adults. Spinning and motion-style lighting effects in the tunnels ups the speed factor, visually. Also, not being able to see where you're going makes things a lot more fun and unnerving. You really do feel like you're in outer space with the cool a/c blowing through your hair and the stars all around you whizzing by in your peripherals. The drops aren't real high but are still fun, along with jarring, side-to-side banking. Every now and then, you can faintly make out a section of coaster above you which makes you flinch in fear of smacking your noggin against it. Ride time is an average two minutes or so.

I was very disappointed as the last time we were here, Space Mountain just closed down for a multi-year renovation. But, that's when I discovered Splash Mountain which easily became my favorite ride in the park!

TIP: Go on YouTube and type in "Space Mountain with lights on" and you'll see what I mean about the darkness fun factor.

OVERALL: Another Disney classic...

This ride is very misleading. Do not take your young children on this ride. Disney presents it as safe for kids 7 and up (and younger accompanied by a 14 year old). I have a mildly autistic 7 year old and thought the ride would be fine for her. This ride was absolutely horrifying and traumatizing, both to me and my daughter. It’s pitch black, extremely fast, and ridiculously intense.

Not only is the ride misrepresented, but the crew members run this ride irresponsibly. They don’t check the bars to make sure they’re down in the cars before they rush forward, and they don’t give you any time to put your bags or belongings away in the safety net before the car rushes forward into complete darkness. To my horror, my daughter was screaming in terror as I gripped her hands as tightly as I could, assuring her she was safe during the violent whips, drops, and turns. Honestly, I did not feel safe on this ride at all. I felt like I would fall out at any moment. I held my daughter down in a hunched over position the whole time to keep us as safe as I could. The powerlessness I felt is indescribable. My daughter actually “shut down” mentally during the ride, and the second it was finally over, she burst uncontrollable tears of fear as I carried her out of the ride and to the exit. I also collapsed on the ground from PTSD after the ride once we had exited.

Please do not take your young children on this ride. Also, if you have had any traumatic experiences in your life, you will be traumatized by this ride, so don’t go on it. It’s way too intense. I actually found out about several RECENT permanent injuries and NDE people have sustained from this specific ride, which Disney has covered up and it isn’t talked about openly. Shame on Disney for misrepresenting what this ride actually is to visitors, and shame on them for keeping it open after it’s caused NDE.

I’m glad my daughter and I are safe, but it almost totally ruined Disneyland for us, and now my daughter is terrified of every ride. Quite honestly - so am I. Don’t go on this unless you’re into extreme thrill rides. And please, do not take your little kids on this. Be careful...

We went to disneyland on feb 7th we were on space mountain we put our stuff in the black bag the provide. Well unfortunately i left my hat (Donald duck hat purchased at park that day)when i got out the ride i tried to get it back since i was still inside loading and exit zone and did not exit i yell my hat my hat my unfortunately they cant stop ride when that cart got back they check and the other people claimed it wasn't there. Bummer yes i know but thats impossible when we just got out and i was still there and those other people got in ride. They rush u out so fast and literally dont have much time to do anything.. the guy told me to file a lost and found form which was online not even in person. When we got out the exit zone i spoke to the cast members outside the cart zone and they called there manager Justin he came out and we went back to the cart zone to check if anything was left or returned. Like i said unfortunately they said no one found anything i wasnt even fully out when i tried to grab my hat but i couldn't and like i said cast member said once ride comes back we will get it but they didnt even question them nor nothing nor even checked correctly the hat was there theres no way the hat went missing when i was just there a few seconds ago. Justin advise me to go back to store i got it from to see if i can get another one or to see what i can do i went back to that store with receipt and they advised me i couldnt get another one unless they gave me a form. Unfortunately i got no where and i kept going back and fourth.. i think its so unfair that they cant stop the ride not even 30 seconds since i just got out and i couldnt even check when i was still there. They should allow u to get your items before the next rider since people are shaddy and will keep your items. People dont care and want free things.. We paid for that item and still have receipt unfortunately no one will ever give it back. And now my son is with out his hat since they couldnt stop the ride a few seconds and we couldnt get it back...