Space Mountain can’t seem to keep itself out of the news this week. The other day we reported that a man was seriously injured on Space Mountain after his hands hit the track above him during the biggest drop. You can read that story here. Now Disney has announced Space Mountain Lights will remain on during the ride permanently.
The announcement to keep the lights on inside Space Mountain is controversial and extreme. Disney states that this is being done for “safety reasons”. The decision to keep the lights on during the ride stems from the man who was injured while riding Space Mountain the other day. Disney hopes that keeping the lights on will prevent further injuries like this.
Disney certainly doesn’t want injuries on their rides. They think that keeping the lights on in Space Mountain will help people realize how close they are to the track. This will act as an added safety measure so no more guests lose their hands on Space Mountain. This plan isn’t foolproof, but from a safety standpoint, it seems to solve a problem.
However, we think this decision is a problem. Here is a direct quote from Space Mountain. “Welcome, space travelers. Space Mountain is a thrilling, high speed, turbulent roller-coaster type ride in the dark.” Do you see the problem? Space Mountain advertises itself as a “roller-coaster type ride in the dark”. So turning the lights on would go directly against that statement.
Space Mountain is all about space travel. Guests board a rocket and compete through the cosmos. Given that, it just makes sense that it’s dark inside Space Mountain and guests see shooting stars as they fly down the track. From a theming and practical standpoint, turning the lights on permanently in Space Mountain doesn’t make any sense.
We do however want to mention that Space Mountain with the lights on is a unique and amazing experience. We have never been lucky enough to have the lights on during the ride, but do want to experience it once. In fact, it’s the dream of many guests to ride Space Mountain with the lights on. It’s a great way to see the magic behind the Disney magic.
We don’t however want Space Mountain’s lights on all the time, and it doesn’t appear that anyone does. We did a poll and 95% of people want the lights on for one ride and that’s it. Most people want to experience it just once with the lights on and then never again. They want the classic, out of this world feeling from Space Mountain, not a lame, lights on experience.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel. We reached out to someone with inside information for more on this decision. They said that while the statement was that the lights would remain on permanently, that isn’t necessarily the case. The decision to make that statement was rushed given the PR nightmare they were dealing with regarding the injury. The decision was made out of haste and may be retracted.
Disney is investigating the injury as we speak. Our source mentioned that it’s possible when the investigation wraps up, Disney will turn the lights off again. They suggest the lights on could only last a few days depending on how the investigation goes. However, at this point Disney is too afraid to keep the lights off and risk another serious injury.
Our internal source also mentioned another possible route. Disney may retheme Space Mountain to something else, where it makes sense to have the lights on. Given that the serious injury on the ride happened earlier this week, there are no specific details on what the new ride would be yet. That’s only a starting thought and potential option.
We certainly don’t want to see something replace Space Mountain. There’s just something perfect about that attraction. The combination of the amazing appearance, with the futuristic music is just right. Disney certainly nailed Space Mountain and did it right. Anything replacing it would be a great shame.
What do you think of Space Mountain keeping the lights on permanently? Let us know in the comments below!
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Thank goodness I am never going back to Disney. Space Mountain is all about darkness. So boring with the lights on. If you want a thrill go to Silver Dollar City at night and ride the four coasters, oh boy!
Why is this the ONLY site I can find reporting this? I’ve been googeling and can’t find anyone else reporting it. Is this fake?
From the “About” section of the site. (Scroll to the bottom)
https://mousetrapnews.com/about/
“Mouse Trap News is the world’s best satire site. We write fake stories about Disney Parks stuff.”
Ssssh! Don’t tell!
That’s why there is announcement to keep all hands arms legs in a vehicle all times to prevent this from happening. If he’s stupid enough to raise his hand, then that’s his own damn choice. Siri turn the lights off!
Space mountain with lights on is plain silly. It’s the experience in the dark that makes that ride special. I do not understand why they just don’t light up the areas with low tracks above riders with LED lights or a shine a single flood light at it. You could also look into changing the harness on the ride so you can’t lift your arms straight up in the air (for those that can’t follow directions)
So some idiot that is probably like 6-7 with the wingspan of a condor rides with his hands up. Hits his hand because he’s an idiot. Then the rest of us get the equivalent of a bad carnival rollercoaster with the lights on. C’mon. Just remind leoplemto keep hands and arms in vehicle at all times. Does that warning notncarry any legal weight?
Guessing the guy was doing something that caused the issue otherwise in the many years in operation this would have happened many times when tall riders raise their arms. One solution could be a glow cover over the place where contact was made, it could easily be shielded from other vantage points. Small LED strips would also illuminate the offending track structure
I think keeping the lights on permanently completely detracts from the experience. I would love to ride it ONCE with lights on. But the whole space theme calls for this to be a DARK RIDE!
If this is true, it’s a stupid decision by Disneyland. People who follow the rules — keep arms and hands inside the moving train at all times! — shouldn’t have OUR Space Mountain “in darkness” experience ruined for all future time because someone was an idiot.
Funny, I would think a dude losing his hands would make news other than this site. Fake.
thanks alot of information goodjobs
This is not true. The lights are off. My family was on it last night.
Having the lights off is what makes it so much fun. As any ride keeping your feet and hands inside the vehicle needs to be followed.
I asked a ride attendant about this very issue back in June of this year and was told it wouldn’t be smart to fully extend my arms. I’m 6’4 and have always been concerned about my head clipping the rails and not being able to see how much clearance there actually was, a lost of times I could swear my hands were grazing the rails but thought it was just me psyching myself out. Unsettling
Space Mountain is a dump. There already is light coming in that ride from the holes and cracks in the walls and ceiling. YOU CAN SEE THE TRACK ALREADY. I was just there last month. My son wanted to ride it over and over. You could not even see one star in the dome above. Just ugly close as hell track. That ride has seen it’s glory. I have been on it when it was not a junky erector set and I did not feel as if I was going to die. This past month, I was thinking….holy ****, I feel like I am on some roller skate wheels and rough pavement. I AM GOING TO DIE. Rickety AF. I have however long ago been stuck on the ride and they stopped it. They turned on the lights. Of course we were all crushed that it looked like a dirty ass murder garage. Young stupid me accepted the second ride again after we were stuck. LOL. YOLO. That ride could be so cool again if Disney got their **** together and started to update and revitalize these nostalgic rides. Space Mountain used to be the ****. Now it’s a piece of ****.