Rumoured Space Mountain (WDW) rehab Jun 2008?

[MKadmin]

It is being rumoured on Screamscape.com that Space Mountain *may* be closing for a short rehab in January 2008.
Only minor changes being mooted at this point, including the addition of loading gates and improved wheelchair accessibility/loading areas.
It has long been suggested that WDW's Space Mountain would eventually be closed for a significant rehab that would see it come into line with the Disneyland and Disneyland Paris versions, however its not thought this latest rehab (if true) will form part of a proposed major overhaul.

[Tinkerbell]

I'm not familiar with the other versions. Are they very different from the one in WDW?

[MKadmin]

It looks like this one will be a goer folks, the rumours seem to be gathering pace that next up for a bit of TLC will indeed be Space Mountain (following on from the current Haunted Mansion refurb). Jan '08 is still set aside for this rehab, with a rumoured downtime of 3-4 months. Watch this space for an official confirmation however...

[MKadmin]

Well, with Splash Mountain now officially scheduled for a Jan/Feb rehab, its now being runoured that Space Mountain will close later in the year (Jun is a possibility)
Screamscape (http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_magic_kingdom.htm) are reporting there may be some substantial downtime for this rehab, around 10-12 months.
Until something is made official however, this is still very much at the 'rumour' stage.

[SportsMickey]

I think SM is due for a rehab - it's been a long time since it got a good facelift IMHO

[SorcererMickey]

They are very different...

DL's was just rehabbed about three years ago and looks incredible, the theming is a SpacePort, blue and red lights everywhere, above the loading area there is a giant futuristic SpaceStation, very cool.

DLP's is themed after Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and it starts similar to Rock 'N' Roller Coaster where you are accelerated from the ground, in this case it's a cannon outside the attraction. They recreate lots of scenes from the silent movie, the traveler floating inside the capsule with the dog and chicken floating, the rocket stuck in the eye of the 'face on the moon', also very cool.

WDW's was the first one built and desperately needs a facelift as SportsMickey said.

[Magical Storm]

Space Mountain definitely needs a change . Although, after riding it this past trip down , I don't think I would ride it again . We glided down a hill and rounded a curve . My neck snapped back so hard that it scared me as I get bad headaches . Luckily , I did not , but I told my husband, I didn't like it any longer . No, he does not ride SM because of it jerking him around . :(

[SportsMickey]

The track is quite rough and that's an age thing. I'd assume that a long rehab (a year?!?!?) would rectify those problems

[SorcererMickey]

Matterhorn at DL suffers from the same "age rough ride", but it's still fun.

The rehab at SM at DL included an entire new track, it is extremely smooth, definitely helps with the traveling thru space theme. Hopefully SM at WDW will get the same treatment.

[SportsMickey]

That would be awesome! I know a lot of people will be disappointed that it'll be closed for so long, but it's so worth it in the end!