Space Mountain - WDW Radio

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Space Mountain

• Attraction facts:
  • Grand opening: January 15, 1975
  • Maunfacturer: WED Enterprises
  • Building height: 183 ft (56 m)
  • Building diameter: 300 ft
  • Track height: 90 ft
  • Steepest drop: 39 degrees
  • Height requirement: 44 in
• Believe it or not, but Space Mountain only travels at a maximum speed of about 28 miler per hour. While many people believe it is still the fastest ride in Walt Disney World, it isn’t even the fastest in the Magic Kingdom! In fact, the average speed of Big Thunder Mountain is 30 MPH, with a maximum speed of 33 MPH, which is faster than Space Mountain. Even Splash Mountain’s 87-foot drop takes you up to speeds of 40 MPH! With Epcot’s Test Tracks reaching speeds of up to 65 MPH, Space Mountain isn’t even close! In fact, Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain is the slowest of all the Space Mountains in the Disney theme parks, with Anaheim and Tokyo’s reaching 30.5 MPH and the Space Mountain in Disneyland Paris topping out at about 43.5 MPH And although this classic ride still has some of the longest lines in the entire park, the entire trip only lasts about 2 minutes, 47 seconds (But it’s worth it!).
• Alpha, the left track, is 3,196 feet while the right track, Omega, is 3,186 feet. The Alpha track is longer since it crosses over the Omega track at one point.
• Originally planned to be called Space Port, Space Mountain was originally designed for Disneyland but was built at Walt Disney World first.
• Space Mountain was the first roller coaster to open in Walt Disney World, when it opened on January 15, 1975.
• The first computer-controlled thrill ride, the side-by-side tracks were one of the first to be created using computer-aided designs.
• Space Mountain originated in the early 1960’s when Walt Disney conceived the idea of a high-speed thrill attraction based on the imaginative thrust and excitement of the Space Age.
• RCA was the first official sponsor of Space Mountain from 1975 until 1993, at which time Federal Express became the official sponsor. Today, the attraction remains withour a sponsor, since FedEx pulled its support in late 2003.
• Space Mountain took 10 years to develop and more than two years to actually construct.
• Current Sponsor: None
• Former Sponsors:
  • RCA (1975-1985)
  • FedEx (1996-2004)

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Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice of law to pursue his passion for Disney. He began as one of the earliest podcasters back in 2005, and is the founder and host of WDW Radio (WDWRadio.com), named Best Travel Podcast for 9 consecutive years). Founded in 2004, WDW Radio also includes live video, blog, community, products, tours, and events dedicated to celebrating the magic of Walt Disney World, the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars. He is also the author of numerous books about Disney, and a series of virtual Audio Tours of the parks, all created in an effort to help enhance guests' enjoyment and appreciation of the theme parks, shows, and films, and the people who make the magic happen. Lou is also the founder of the Dream Team Project (DreamTeamProject.org), which sends children with life-threatening illnesses to Walt Disney World, and has raised more than $550,000.00 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. In addition to creating content around the Disney brands, Lou is also an author, coach, keynote speaker, and founder of the Momentum series of events and workshops for those looking to build their business and brand. Learn more at LouMongello.com. All Posts by This Author

• September 16, 2007

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About Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…

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