Did you know these Space Mountain Facts, or are you in the dark?

Of all the mountains in the Magic Kingdom, the one that elicits the most wonder, nostalgia and possibly even terror is Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. Fearless tykes can’t wait to reach the 44-inch height requirement for takeoff!

Whether you enjoy this attraction or it makes your tummy flip and you’d rather just snuggle to the Star Tunnel music on the TTA (like yours truly), Disney aficionados everywhere can agree—there is something truly special about Space Mountain.

From the conception to opening day, here are a few things you may not have known about one of Disney’s original and most beloved attractions. 

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1. Space Mountain; Slower Than You Think…

While the near darkness, out of this world theming and a few unforeseen drops may have you feeling as though you’re traveling at the speed of light, Space Mountain is one of the slowest coasters in the Magic Kingdom. 

The Entrance to Space Mountain. Photo By Cliff Wang

Each rocket ship reaches top speeds of 28 miles per hour; to put it in perspective, Splash Mountain, reaches 40 miles per hour upon decent, while Barnstormer, a kiddie coaster, moves only slightly slower at 25 miles per hour. 

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2. Help from Astronauts

During the conception of Space Mountain, Imagineers recruited the voice of experience to aide in this vision of the future: Astronaut Gordon Cooper. 

Space Mountain is an out-of-this-world thrill! Photo by Wayne Wood

Having been to space, Cooper was able to provide top-notch insight into the authenticity of this attraction. Given its continued popularity, that has proven to be a choice well made. 

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3. Space Mountain Was Ahead of its Time

While Space Mountain was not an opening day attraction, it has good reason not to be– the technology needed to create this coaster was over a decade ahead of its time. 

Space Mountain looms in front of a lightning strike. Photo by Mike Billick

Conceptualized and initially designed in the 60s, the technology for the dips, twists and intergalactic space travel just wasn’t available until 1975, when the ride officially opened. 

4. Strict Height Restrictions

It may be your favorite attraction from the inside out, but Space Mountain was built at a height of ninety feet to ensure it didn’t overshadow Cinderella Castle, which towers over the Magic Kingdom at one hundred and eighty-three feet.

Destinations ahead in the Space Mountain queue. Photo by Leah Sikes

While Space Mountain is widely known as the focal point of Tomorrowland, Cinderella Castle is the icon for the entire park and can be seen from numerous lands. 

5. Ground-Breaking Science!

Photo by Mike Billick

True to Tomorrowland style,  this innovative land created the world’s first computer-operated coaster. Computers were not only used to create the path tracks, but also to control the actual ride. In a time when technology like this was just starting to grow, those Imagineers really did think of everything!

Tomorrowland is a journey through the past and into the present with impressive attractions like Carousel of Progress and informative, relaxing ride-throughs like the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

Space Mountain Facts

But when I think of this innovative land of the future, Space Mountain is the first ride that comes to mind. Whether it’s the first ride you eagerly skip to during a visit to the Magic Kingdom, or the last ride on your bucket list, Space Mountain is a work of Imagineering genius and truly a vision of Disney past, present, and future. 

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