- Mar 13, 2024
- 1,517
- 35
I have to confess something that might shock Disney enthusiasts: Space Mountain, once my ultimate favorite ride at Disney World, now makes me feel like I've been tossed around in a washing machine filled with bricks.
Riding Space Mountain comes with a certain nostalgia from childhood, but my adult body is now less forgiving. I recall the excitement of my first Space Mountain ride—finally tall enough to join the big kids and feeling triumphant as I zoomed through simulated space.
However, as the years have passed, my back now protests and my neck seems to have resigned. Yet, something kept drawing me back, hoping I'd rediscover the magic. Space Mountain is iconic—a dark indoor roller coaster that, for many, was their first "grown-up" ride. Confessing this may seem heretical to fellow Disney adults, but I suspect some of you share the same sentiment.
Let's be real: riding Space Mountain feels more like enduring a series of jerky motions that could make a chiropractor cringe. Built in 1975, it hasn’t kept pace with modern coaster technology or comfort, as the lack of shock absorption and sparse padding painfully remind us.
Interestingly, more modern coasters manage fiercer thrills with far less discomfort. Compare it to the TRON Lightcycle Run in the same park, or other smoother Space Mountain versions like in Disneyland or Paris. These rides prove the theme isn't the problem—it’s the outdated execution at Magic Kingdom.
For many, the ride goes from thrilling to potentially painful with age. The awkward seating and jolts can leave us needing a chiropractor's touch. Fortunately, plenty of modern alternatives offer thrills without spinal distress. Universal's Velocicoaster, SeaWorld's Manta, or Disney’s own Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind deliver excitement with a smoother experience.
So, I've officially ended my relationship with Space Mountain, and my spine is grateful. This isn't about rejecting Disney traditions but finding joy that doesn't come at a physical cost. Disney shines in evoking wonder and stories, not ibuprofen and chiropractor bills.
Disney has shown a willingness to evolve. With renovations happening in places like Tokyo's Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there’s a glimmer of hope that Space Mountain may get a much-needed update.
So, which Disney classic would you admit isn’t worth it any longer? Is it the cramped submarine voyage? The dizzying teacups? Join the conversation—sometimes moving on from nostalgia is truly magical.
Riding Space Mountain comes with a certain nostalgia from childhood, but my adult body is now less forgiving. I recall the excitement of my first Space Mountain ride—finally tall enough to join the big kids and feeling triumphant as I zoomed through simulated space.
However, as the years have passed, my back now protests and my neck seems to have resigned. Yet, something kept drawing me back, hoping I'd rediscover the magic. Space Mountain is iconic—a dark indoor roller coaster that, for many, was their first "grown-up" ride. Confessing this may seem heretical to fellow Disney adults, but I suspect some of you share the same sentiment.
Let's be real: riding Space Mountain feels more like enduring a series of jerky motions that could make a chiropractor cringe. Built in 1975, it hasn’t kept pace with modern coaster technology or comfort, as the lack of shock absorption and sparse padding painfully remind us.
Interestingly, more modern coasters manage fiercer thrills with far less discomfort. Compare it to the TRON Lightcycle Run in the same park, or other smoother Space Mountain versions like in Disneyland or Paris. These rides prove the theme isn't the problem—it’s the outdated execution at Magic Kingdom.
For many, the ride goes from thrilling to potentially painful with age. The awkward seating and jolts can leave us needing a chiropractor's touch. Fortunately, plenty of modern alternatives offer thrills without spinal distress. Universal's Velocicoaster, SeaWorld's Manta, or Disney’s own Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind deliver excitement with a smoother experience.
So, I've officially ended my relationship with Space Mountain, and my spine is grateful. This isn't about rejecting Disney traditions but finding joy that doesn't come at a physical cost. Disney shines in evoking wonder and stories, not ibuprofen and chiropractor bills.
Disney has shown a willingness to evolve. With renovations happening in places like Tokyo's Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there’s a glimmer of hope that Space Mountain may get a much-needed update.
So, which Disney classic would you admit isn’t worth it any longer? Is it the cramped submarine voyage? The dizzying teacups? Join the conversation—sometimes moving on from nostalgia is truly magical.
