The new Space Mountain.

Eh, the DD music didn't work for me. Listening to surf music while I'm suppose to be rocketing through outer space just seemed odd.

That particular song would work much better on California Screamin'. Definitely looking forward to a new more edgier SM soundtrack that will hopefully better match the futuristic theming.

The big question that popped into my head today: How many are going to count this as another credit?

Neuski said:
The big question that popped into my head today: How many are going to count this as another credit?

That is something that I never thought about. I imagine that I will count it as 2 since this is a totally rebuilt attraction with all new effects etc... Old Space Mountain and New Space Mountain. I'm sure that the new SM will be a totally new experience. The question is will it be better? *** Edited 9/8/2004 2:05:52 AM UTC by Trick Track***

I would think it would count as another coaster ridden because of the changes being made. Granted the ride will offer a similar experience but it will not be identical, especially if a launch replaces the traditional lifts. Its like a park replacing a Zyklon with a Galaxie... almost identical rides but not quite.

Everything I have heard previously indicated that the 3 lifts not only are still part of the ride, but were not even removed and replaced with new track like all the other sections were!

So that's quite conflicting info there. Considering that the rest of the layout isn't changing, I'm doubtful that the start of it would be. So I am going to go with my gut instinct..I don't think there will be a launch, just the 3 original lifts.

after watching that video, i realized how boring SM is, and how riding it in the dark makes a world of difference

Only time will tell...maybe they meant "launch" not in the physical sense? I'm just going off of what they had written for the 50th Anniversary thing.

...and such

Oh! Okay. Does the stuff you have say something like "Space Mountain Launching in 2005" by any chance? I think I have seen similar signs out front of the ride itself and never thought to take it literally! But I can see now how it could be taken that way, you're right!

But considering what people have told me about the three lifts, I've thought it more as a reference to when the new version would be open and to give it a space theme they just used the word launch. They should have used the word "re-launching" though, as that would be more accurate. Or call it space mountain 2.0 or something if they just wanted the launch word. I'm really looking forward to seeing the changes they have made, even if it does mean we lose the Dick Dale soundtrack which I liked.

JR Villain said:
Autuan, there's a difference between how Morgan makes a coaster and how Vekoma makes a coaster. Granted, I've rode X-Flight over 20 times and never had a rough ride on it.
But as far as the SLCs and Boomerangs go, no wonder people refer to them as "head-an-bangs." :)

Actually that would be "Hang and Bang" in reference to the SLC. If you're going to insult something, make sure you get it right. By the way, I've ridden X-Flight's twin somewhere around 50 times, and have had more than my fair share of really rough rides. The rash the harness leaves on your shoulders are no fun either.

Coasterbuf said:
Oh! Okay. Does the stuff you have say something like "Space Mountain Launching in 2005" by any chance? I think I have seen similar signs out front of the ride itself and never thought to take it literally! But I can see now how it could be taken that way, you're right!

Actually I dont work at DLR I work at WDW so I didnt see any signs. It was in our cast newspaper when they did the 50th anniversary preview. It had all the new attractions for all the resorts. It specifically said, a launch start...but like I said, no one will really know till it opens.

...and such

JR Villain said:
Autuan, there's a difference between how Morgan makes a coaster and how Vekoma makes a coaster. Granted, I've rode X-Flight over 20 times and never had a rough ride on it.

I was on X-Flight on Friday night, and yes it has the Vekoma shuffle. I noticed the shuffle a little in it's second season, but I have noticed it on all my rides this year. It jerks around on that track because the wheels are not always in contact with the track, not because of the wheels being on the inside. Watch the train when it returns to the station and you will be able to see the wheels under the track spinning for quite a while after the train has stopped.

@ all: As I wrote some month ago, Vekoma is not involved in the Space Mountain Anaheim project - the track segments are totally different from the typical Vekoma style - e.g. screws instead of weld seams for tube fixation.

Amec Dynamic Structures is responsible for the track - read more: http://www.coastersandmore.de/rides/iaapa2004/iaapa1_e.shtml

Amecs website also shows an interesting picture...: http://www.amecds.com/experience/entertainment/index.asp

Morgan Hypers still shuffle more than B&M or Itamin.

Down is the new up.