Space Mountain reopened last fall after an extended refurbishment that brought an interactive queue, updated aesthetic and new special effects to this Magic Kingdom classic. The effort also resulted in the introduction of several examples of Hidden Disney.
Space Mountain's role in the story of Tomorrowland has always been the space port, where passengers and cargo are constantly coming and going. Now, this space port has a name: Starport Seven-Five, a reference to the 1975 opening date of the attraction.
A board just inside the entrance identifies some of the connecting systems and star gates accessible from Starport Seven-Five. Look closely at the Active Earth Stations. They're nods to the five Space Mountains in Disney Parks around the world.
TOMORROWLAND STATION MK-1
Magic Kingdom (the first Space Mountain)
TL SPACE STATION 77
Disneyland (opened in 1977)
DISCOVERY LANDING STATION - PARIS
Disneyland Paris (located in Discoveryland)
ASHITA BASE - TOKYO
Tokyo Disneyland ("ashita" is Japanese for "tomorrow")
HK SPACEPORT E-TKT
Hong Kong Disneyland (with a reference to the "E" Ticket)
Heading deeper into the Starport, you'll pass several images of star charts, maps and constellations. Most of the landmarks identified are genuine, adding to the reality of the experience. Then there's this:
The reference is completely fictional, but fits in its own way. The name Hyperion recalls the address of one of Walt Disney's early studios. It also happens to be the name of one of the moons of Saturn. Of course, if you're hoping for a "Planet View" room, you'll need to give them a ring well in advance. I hear they book up quickly!
After pitching in to help clear the runway of asteroid debris, we pass the airlocks and are on our way to the boarding station for a trip through the stars. Once we touch down, we find ourselves at Tomorrowland Station MK-1.
Just past the Command Center is Baggage Claim. From the looks of things, our fellow travelers have been getting around. Stickers on the luggage mark trips to the dwarf planets of Ceres and Pluto, as well as destinations like Luna Port and Titania.
Some people have apparently also been time traveling back to visit some extinct Disney attractions. Mesa Verde was the desert community featured on Horizons at Epcot (where they were growing those great smelling oranges), and Space Station X-1 was an opening day attraction at Disneyland that offered Guests a satellite view of America (in the form of a painting seen from a rotating viewing platform).
Again, another stellar post. Normally, I walk right by the items at the end. Thanks Shawn!
ReplyDeleteHere's the DIS boards thread I was telling you about last week. It's in its third inception!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37559205#post37559205
I like the enhancements that were made to Space Mountain during last year's rehab, but I do agree that there should've been an attempt made to install the onboard audio like at DL's SM.
ReplyDeleteThere actually was an attempt made at the audio, but it was determined to require a much lengthier downtime for the attraction. Never say never, though. Those Imagineers may surprise us yet!
ReplyDeleteRiders that keep their eyes open can find yet another reference to Space Station X-1. When the ride vheicle is going up for the first drop past the astronauts and space ship aftert the blue light tunnle, if they look to their right (depends on side: Alpha is right, not sure about Omega) on the space ship the can spot a large black X-1 painted on the side of it. Also now on the people mover once inside Space Mountian a better view of the coaster tracks is now visable, pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteShawn i love our blog i read the new posts every morning, Thanks!