Pardon the Pixie Dust
Opened in 1975, is the much beloved iconic attraction Space Mountain. With a major presence through-out the world, guest have come to recognize it as a legacy of the Magic Kingdom . Over the last 30 years, the attraction has been subject to a host of repairs and face-lifts while trying to maintain the original concept of the ride.As many of you already know, Space Mountain will be closed between Apr 19 - Nov 21, 2009. The closure after Easter, will provide Space Mountain with a much needed face-lift in order to restore the vibrancy of the attraction.
If we take a walk down memory lane, recall that the immense success of Magic Kingdom in the 60's combined with unexpected popularity bolstered by teens and young adults alike prompted Walt Disney World to design the attraction after it's opening in October 1971.
As history records, a new Matterhorn Bobsleds ride had been considered, but Fantasyland in Florida could not accommodate it's immense size. It seemed apparent that designers would return to the Space Mountain concept because Tomorrowland did have available land to accommodate the project. In addition, computer enhanced design had come a long ways since the initial design phases.
Another hurdle included the cost of development and construction phases of Space Mountain. Fortunately, history records, that Card Walker, CEO of Walt Disney Productions convinced RCA's CEO Robert Sarnoff to sponsor the new project.
As a partner, RCA would be contracted by Disney to design a communication system for Walt Disney Resort. The contract stipulated that Disney should present an attraction of interest then RCA would invest $10 million to jump start it.
The rest is history ..
Since then, park guests have been fascinated with the iconic attraction making it one of the biggests success stories of the Magic Kingdom. As one park guest describes her experience: she writes "I climbed aboard the ship with adrenaline pumping. As the safety bar locked, the ride moved slowly into the launching chamber. Flashing vertical lights darted over her head similar to Star Trek's hyper-drive. I stopped momentarily shooting out of the launch bay. Followed by a series of twists, declines, inclines, and turns, I was transported me back to days-gone-by when I tested this ride as a little girl. Enveloped in darkness throughout ride, the mind races to perceive what events will present themselves just moments later. I'll tell you, my senses were stressed to the limit as a transitioned into sensory overload."
As a partner, RCA would be contracted by Disney to design a communication system for Walt Disney Resort. The contract stipulated that Disney should present an attraction of interest then RCA would invest $10 million to jump start it.
The rest is history ..
Since then, park guests have been fascinated with the iconic attraction making it one of the biggests success stories of the Magic Kingdom. As one park guest describes her experience: she writes "I climbed aboard the ship with adrenaline pumping. As the safety bar locked, the ride moved slowly into the launching chamber. Flashing vertical lights darted over her head similar to Star Trek's hyper-drive. I stopped momentarily shooting out of the launch bay. Followed by a series of twists, declines, inclines, and turns, I was transported me back to days-gone-by when I tested this ride as a little girl. Enveloped in darkness throughout ride, the mind races to perceive what events will present themselves just moments later. I'll tell you, my senses were stressed to the limit as a transitioned into sensory overload."
Since then sweeping changes have been made to the Space Mountain attraction in Disneyland Anaheim California. Although the changes in Orlando will be modest on the original Space Mountain ride, Disney plans on overhauling both the queue and the ceiling in the ride.
Enjoyed by generations, Disney wants to maintain many of the old classic elements that gave Space Mountain a rite to passage at the Magic Kingdom theme park
posted by michael at
2:32 PM
