When I visited Disneyland for the first time, one of my questions was how the parks and rides were different from each other. I wrote up a blog post about the general differences between the two parks, but now I want to take a closer look at the attractions that are on both coasts. Up first today is a popular one – Space Mountain!
The Ride
Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster located in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom (WDW) and Disneyland Park (DL). As far as roller coasters go the track itself is relatively tame, but the excitement is that the lights are off inside with only the “stars” out, making it look like you are riding through outerspace.
Main Differences
- Seating. You’ll notice right when you get on that the cars are different – in Disney World you sit single file. In Disneyland there are two seats per row so you sit next to someone else.
- Music. Disneyland’s version has a really cool soundtrack with good music playing while you ride.
- Beginning of the ride. In Disneyland it felt like we were going through a really cool tunnel that was almost spinning with the effects that they used. There is a red tunnel in Disney World as well, but it doesn’t have the same effect.
- The tracks. They aren’t too different, but the one in Disney World felt like you get more “airtime” and sudden drops, whereas Disneyland seemed to have more sudden sharp turns and not really drops. Also, Disney World has two different tracks to accommodate more riders while Disneyland only has one.
- After the ride. In Disney World there is a moving escalator that takes you through some cool “scenes” of space and the future. This doesn’t exist in Disneyland.
My Winner
For me, Disneyland has the better version of Space Mountain. It was close, because I enjoy the sudden drops of the ride in Disney World. But I really loved what the music added to the ride in Disneyland. It was also a little smoother there and I liked that I could sit next to my husband instead of in front of or behind him.
Have you been on both, one of them, or none? What do you think of Space Mountain?
I’ve never been on Space Mountain because I’m terrified of Roller coasters. Well, at least the big drops. If there aren’t any on the Disneyland one, I could maybe handle it. I do like the mining one (my head cold is not letting me remember it’s name.)
I feel like track-wise it’s probably about the same intensity level as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (I believe that’s the one you’re thinking of!) – but because Space Mountain is in the dark you don’t know what is coming, so it feels more intense. So I’m not sure what you would think of it!
I’ve never been to either theme park, but they both look amazing! P.S. You got great shots!
Thank you! If you get the chance to go to either park it’s a great ride no matter what coast you’re on!
I love seeing the contrast in the facial expressions of you and Jason. You are totally into the ride and having a blast. Jason looks like he’s trying to analyze how the acceleration and g-forces are affecting his emotional state.
Haha! I showed the post to Jason before I published it and he was like, “You should put in captions about my faces.” And I told him, “No, I’m just going to wait for someone in the comments to point it out” 😉
I love space mountain at Disney world! It’s such a fun and different roller coaster experience. I’ve never been to Disneyland though so I have nothing to compare it to haha I’ll have to add Disneyland to my bucket list.
Yes, Space Mountain is one I enjoy at Disney World but it’s not really in my top 5 – but I’d say it was one of my absolute favorite rides at Disneyland!
I have been to both and prefer Disneyland. Thanks for the great comparison.
You’re welcome Deanna!
I haven’t been on the one at Disneyland, but I loved the ride at Disneyworld. I did ride it at Hong Kong Disneyland, too, but my memories of any differences are not very clear, although I know they didn’t have the moving escalator walk at the end of the ride at HK Disney.
That’s so cool that you got to try it at Hong Kong as well! I’m trying to write a lot of these “Disney World vs. Disneyland” posts quickly now because a lot of my memories of the differences are fading now, haha.
I’ve tried both, and they were absolutely dreadful! I am such a chicken when it comes to rides in the dark, and thought they were the scariest things ever! The Disneyland one even left me nauseous, haha!
Haha they are definitely thrill rides! My sister hates Space Mountain because my dad forced her to go on it when she was 4 or 5 years old and she was terrified – it’s one of those things that we still joke about!
This is shocking to hear! I cannot remember DisneyWorld AT ALL, and I doubt when I went, at the age of like 2 (or so my parents say, lol) I went on Space Mountain! Ha. I am going to Disneyland again on Oct 31 😉
Haha yeah you probably didn’t go when you were 2 lol! Have fun at Disneyland!
The last time I was at Disneyland they had changed Space Mountain to Hyperspace Mountain and it was Star Wars themed music and decorations…very COOL!
I did it once when it was Hyperspace Mountain and it was amazing! I think they should keep it that way all the time honestly.