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| image=SpaceoutsideSpaceoutside3.jpg| caption='''The exterior of Space Mountain. Photo: Disney'''

Fed Ex (1994-2003)|custom_label_2= Disney Genie +|custom_value_2= No (Lightning Lane Exclusive)}}Space Mountain is an attraction located in [[Tomorrowland]].

The idea Concept art for the attraction was created by Hench, Clem Hall, George Mcginnis and Herb Ryman. Early on, the attraction's name was changed to "Space Venture", as ideas for it continued to be refined <ref name="mouseplanet_space"> http://www.mouseplanet.com/7135/WDWs_Space_Mountain</ref>. To help make the attraction a reality, WED partnered with the Arrow Development Company, who had helped to design the Matterhorn track. In June of 1966 WED employees voted, and decided to change the name once again, this time to Space Mountain came from . Plans for Space Mountain were put on hold indefinably however, in 1966, when Walt Disney himselfdied. After Walt’s passing, a new company wide focus was put on completing Walt Disney World. This, combined with the successes spatial and technological limitations of Disneyland, made the Matterhorn attraction construction of Space Mountain unfeasible for the time being. Although the Space Mountain idea was dead in Disneyland, Walt was convinced that "thrill-rides" had a place it soon found life in his the newly constructed Walt Disney World. The popularity of the new parksurpassed even Disney's expectations, and Disney World proved to be especially popular with teenagers and young adults. In 1964Almost as soon as the park opened, With this in mind, Walt approached designer plans were made for a new thrill ride <ref name="mouseplanet_space" />. [[Image:SpaceMountainConcept.jpg|400px|thumb|Space Mountain concept art by John Hench with an idea |alt= Space Mountain concept art John Hench]]Disney’s first choice for a new Tomorrowland attractionthrill ride was to construct and east coast version of the Matterhorn. It soon became apparent however that Walt called Disney World’s Fantasyland was not big enough to house the idea iconic attraction. Instead, Disney decided to revisit the "tabled Space Port"Mountain idea, a roller coaster as Disney World’s Tomorrowland had more than enough space for expansion <ref> http://disneylandreport.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-history-of-space-mountain.html.</ref> With the new location in mind, Imagineers got back to work on the dark development of the coaster. One early decision that Disney made was to develop the track for Space Mountain “in house” as opposed to using the Arrow Development Company. WED Engineers further decided to make the coaster a "pure gravity" ride, meaning that Space Mountain would feature lighting and other special effectsno boosters or retarders <ref name="mouseplanet_space" />.

Concept art for One of the attraction was created by Henchnext decisions that Disney had to make involved sponsorship. Like many of the early Walt Disney World attractions, Clem Hall, George Mcginnis and Herb Rymansponsorship money was an intricate part of Space Mountain’s creation. Early on Accepting Disney’s offer of sponsorship, RCA agreed to give 10 million dollars towards the attraction's name was changed construction of the coaster <ref> http://www.mouseplanet.com/10533/Remembering_the_Magic_Space_Mountain </ref>. Due to "Space Voyage"this agreement, Space Mountain’s original queue and ideas for it continued post show were designed to be refinedfeature RCA products <ref name="mouseplanet_space" />. To help make Although the basic concept of the attraction a realitywas agreed upon, WED partnered with the Arrow Development Company, who had helped design the Matterhorn track. In June final designs of 1966 WED employees voted, and decided to change the name once againinterior structure, this time to queue and post show all changed various times before Space Mountainwas finally built. Plans for The shape of Space Mountain were put on hold indefinably however, in 1966. After Walt was also a topic of debate amongst Disney's deathImagineers. Some wanted Space Mountain to look like a dome, while others wanted to use a new company wide focus was put on completing Walt Disney World"cone" shape. ThisThe cone shape idea eventually won out, combined with the spatial and technological limitations of Disneyland made the construction of on January 15, 1975 Space Mountain unfeasibleofficially opened.

Although the ===Building Structure and Track Details===When Space Mountain idea was dead in Disneylandconstructed, it soon found life was seen by many as a technological marvel. The attraction was the first indoor roller coaster, the first roller coaster to take place completely in the newly constructed dark, and the first coaster to be operated by computers. Space Mountain also has the distinction of being the second highest building in Walt Disney World. At 183 feet tall, Space Mountain is just 6 feet shorter than Cinderella Castle. The popularity supports for Space Mountain are also unique, in that they are located on the outside of the new park surpassed even Disney's expectationsbuilding instead of the inside. This was done so that the inside roof would be flat, and Disney World proved projections of space would be able to be especially popular with teenagers and young adults. Almost as soon as the park opened, plans were made for a new thrill rideshown on it.

Although Disney's first choice was a version To create the illusion of stars above the Matterhornriders, Walt Disney World's Fantasyland was not big enough to house the attraction20 mirrored balls are hit with a spotlight. It was decided however, that Disney World's Tomorrowland would be big enough to construct When the tabled Space Mountain idea. With this in mindlight which reflects off the balls hits the roof, Imagineers back to work on it gives the development illusion of stars. Other projections include the coaster"shooting stars" which are created by a moving spotlight, and the asteroids and galaxies which are emitted from dimmed down projectors. It was decided that instead of using In total the Arrow Development Company construction of Space Mountain required 4,000 pieces of steel, and their track ideas12, Disney Imagineers would design the track themselves000 feet of electrical wire. The idea they came up with was Since every piece of steel had to make be accessible by stairs, the coaster a "pure gravity" ride. This meant that inside of Space Mountain features no boosters or retardersresembles a metallic maze.

One of the major contributing factors to the creation of Space Mountain was sponsorship. Disney gave RCA the opportunity to sponsor the attraction, which they chose to do. RCA paid 10 million dollars to help construct Space Mountain, and because of this sponsorship the queue and post show were designed to feature RCA products. The final designs of the interior structure, queue and post show all changed various times before Space Mountain was built. The shape of Space Mountain was also a topic of debate amongst Disney Imagineers. Some, wanted Space Mountain to look like a dome, while others wanted to use a "cone" shape. The cone shape idea eventually won out, and on January 15, 1975 Space Mountain officially opened.==Building Structure and Track Details== When Space Mountain was constructed, it was seen by many as a technological marvel. The attraction was the first indoor roller coaster, the first roller coaster to take place completely in the dark, and the first coaster to be operated by computers.  Space Mountain has the distinction of being the second highest building in Walt Disney World. At 183 feet tall, Space Mountain is just 6 feet shorter than Cinderella's Castle. The supports for Space Mountain are also unique, in that they are located on the outside of the building instead of the inside. This was done so that the inside roof would be flat, and projections of space, would be able to be shown on it.  To create the illusion of stars above the riders, 20 mirrored balls are hit with a spotlight. When the light reflects off the balls hits the roof, it gives the allusion of stars. Other projections include The "shooting stars" which are created by a moving spotlight, and the asteroids and galaxies which are emitted from dimmed down projectors. In total the construction of Space Mountain required 4,000 pieces of steel, and 12,000 feet of electrical wire. Since every piece of steel had to be accessible by stairs, the inside of Space Mountain resembles a metallic maze. == Original Attraction Plot Attraction Plot== Space Mountain is a roller coaster that allows guests to travel through space.

From 1973 until 1994 Space Mountain was sponsored by RCA. Guests entered Space Mountain through an entrance building located in Tomorrowland which featured three large RCA logos , as well as a an original "four seat" ride vehicle, encased in a clear case. Inside the vehicle sat a family consisting of a father, mother and two children. Before guests entered the "entrance portal", they would pass a large quote on the wall which read: {{Quotation|"ONE GIANT STEP... Dedicated to the men and women whose skills, sacrifice, courage and teamwork opened the door to the exploration of man's exciting new frontier...outer space. Because they dared to reach for the stars and the planets, man's knowledge of his universe, earth and himself has been greatly enriched. Presented by missile, space and range pioneers. January 15, 1975."}}

{{Quotation|"ONE GIANT STEP... Dedicated to the men and women whose skills, sacrifice, courage and teamwork opened the door to the exploration of man's exciting new frontier...outer space. Because they dared to reach for the stars and the planets, man's knowledge of his universe, earth and himself has been greatly enriched. Presented by missile, space and range pioneers. January 15, 1975."<ref name="omniluxe"> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/sm.htm </ref>}}[[Image:Blue.jpg|400px|thumb|The blue "launch" tunnel|alt= Space Mountain launch tunnel]]Just after entering the building, guests boarded a descending, moving ramp. On the right side of the ramp, guests could see RCA's mascot, Nipper the Fox Terrier and a phonograph machine inside a flying saucer. At this point in the attraction, RCA's Space Mountain theme song- "Here's To the Future and You" would begin to play. Further down the ramp guests could look out convex windows and see the Star Corridors, a series of different space themed displays. One display for example, showed an astronaut riding his moon buggy in space. On the left hand side of the decention descending ramp, a series of RCA products were displayed. The reason for the rampthat guests had to be lowered, was to take guests because the queue ran underneath the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] to the lot where Space Mountain is actually located. After guests finished descending, they reached the "zig -zag corridor". Here windows allowed guests to see out into space. Things that could be seen out these windows included:

*And finally, a family riding the Space Mountain ride vehicle in space.<ref name="omniluxe" />

After passing through the Zig Zag Corridorzig-zag corridor, guests finally reached the loading area. Here they watched a safety video featuring Astronaut Gordon Cooper and then boarded , before boarding their ride vehicles on either the Alpha or Omega track. The (the two tracks were identical except for the fact that Alpha track was ten feet longer).

Space Mountain begins with guests boarding their "rockets". The rockets then take off passing the Space Port queue and the Mission Control booth. The jets the go up a lift hill and down a small slope. This leads to a circular tunnel lined with blue lights. Here energy can be heard building up, and eventually propelling guests to the other end of the dome. The rockets then do a 180 degree turn and go up another lift hill. A mirror positioned at the end of the track, gives riders the illusion that they are about to collide with another rocket. If riders look up, they are able to see projections of Earth, stars, comets, meteors, and asteroids above them. This adds to the feeling that the rockets are indeed flying through space. As the rockets continue continued on, they would go down a quick dip and then a series of twists and turns. At this point in the attraction, the ride is taking place in almost complete darkness. In the dark, guests then fall fell down a 38 degree drop, (the steepest in the attraction. Space Mountain ends with guests ) before passing through a red, swirling, wormhole before and finally reaching the unloading area.[[Image:Blue.jpg|thumb|The blue "launch" tunnel.]]

From 1973 until about 1985 Space's Mountains post show was known as The next room that guests saw in the RCA Home of Future Livingwas the nursery. After unloading from their ride vehicles. Guests would board another moving ramp which took them up. On Here, while a baby stood in her crib, a clown with a camera was broadcasting her to the right side rest of the ramp guests would begin to see scenes of how future homes would lookhouse. The first scene depicted a father wearing a blue jumpsuit and lounging This allowed her family to keep an eye on her even though they were not in his hairthe same room. In front of him was a TV Continuing on, guests passed the size of a briefcase which showed a family room, where an unidentified female business associatecould be seen taking a pottery lesson over her TV. The man She was able to conduct his business meeting while in talk and communicate with her professor who was being displayed on the comfort of his own homeTV. Continuing on The next scene guests saw showed a model boy named Billy who was wearing an orange jumpsuit. He was standing outside of the his housewith a frog and a dog. All of Billy would talk into a camera mounted next the houses were shaped door saying "Don't you like hexagons, frogs Mrs. Brown?” and each room was connected by stairwayshis mother would then tell Billy that he would have to stay outside with his pets.

The next room that Going back inside the house, guests saw could see the recreation room, which was located above the nurseryfamily room. Here, while a baby stood teenage boy could be seen taking a ski lesson from the SelctaVision. His younger brother, who was also in her cribthe room, a clown with a camera was broadcasting her shown building a model rocket using instructions from the television. Next to the rest recreation room was the kitchen where the mother of the houseand a neighbor (possibly Mrs. This allowed her family to keep an eye on her even though they were not Brown) sat in front of a large TV, shopping. In the same roomcorner of her screen, Billy could be seen, still pleading to bring his pets inside. Continuing Moving on, guests passed would come across the family teenage daughter's room. Here an unidentified female could be seen taking a pottery lesson over her TVteenager was watching a classic SelctaVision disc (usually featuring Elvis, Kurt Russell, or Blondie). She While she was able to talk and communicate with her professor who watching, she was being displayed on the TV. The next scenephone with Judy, showed a boy named Billy who was wearing an orange jumpsuitshe would tell to come over. He was standing outside The final room of his the house with was the entertainment room, which housed the biggest TV in the post show, which was being watched by a frog young girl and a dogboy. Billy would talk into a camera mounted next the door saying <ref name="Don't you like frogs Mrsyoutube"> https://www. Brownyoutube.com/watch?” The mother would then tell Billy that he would have to stay outside with his pets. v=femFW0HfahM </ref>

Going back inside the house, guests could then see the recreation room, which was located above the family room. Here a teenage boy could be seen taking a ski lesson from the SelctaVision. His younger brother who was also in the room, would be building a model rocket using instructions from the television. Next, to the recreation room was the kitchen. Here, the mother of the house and a neighbor sat in front of a large TV. In this room, the mother was shopping for dishes directly on the television. In the corner of her screen, Billy could be seen, still pleading to bring his pets inside. Moving on, guests would come across the teenage daughter's room. Here a teenager was watching a classic SelctaVision disc (usually featuring Elvis, Kurt Russel, or Blondie). While she was watching, she was on the phone with Judy, who she would always tell to come over. The final room of the house, was the entertainment room. This room housed the biggest TV in the post-show, which was being watched by a young girl and boy. [[Image:Daughter.jpg|thumb|The daughter in the Home of the RCA Home of Future Living. Seen here talking on her phone.]] After viewing the home of the future, guests would see various RCA products as the attractions attraction's theme song again played again. Before finally exiting the attraction however, they would also get one final encounter with Billy, who was now holding a video camera and (pointing it at them). A monitor about above would show the allow guests to see themselves, on TV (this was considered one of the highlights of the attraction). Finally, guests would arrive back in Tomorrowland having completed their journey into space.<ref name="youtube" />

In 1985 RCA replaced the "Home of Future Living” with a new post show that allowed guests to see what it would be like to live on a space colony. One of the most notable changes was that Billy and his dog) (who once recorded gusts guests and put them on TV) were replaced with a robot boy and a robot dog. Furthermore, the TV monitors that used to advertise RCA products were changed to show astronauts in space. Although the story of the post-show changed, its main purpose was once still to show and advertise RCA televisions<ref name="omniluxe" />. [[Image:spacemountianride.jpg|thumb|400px| The Space Mountain ride vehicle. Photo Disney| alt= Space Mountain ride vehicle]]

After entering the queue for the attraction , following the refurbishment, guests would notice more changes had taken place. Inside the entrance lobby, a large mural was of the Milky Way was added, and the general color scheme of the area was changed to orange and brown (the colors of Fed Ex). In 1998, the original flooring in this room was removed, and a staircase was added to the right hand side.

Further on in the queue, the windows that guests could previously look out to see various scenes from space were removed, and were left empty for a number of years. The flying saucer which held the RCA dog and a phonograph machine was also taken out (for obvious reasons). Although Space Mountain went through a series of changes during its refurbishment in 1994, the attraction itself was not changed in any significant ways.

Finally, although Fed Ex did not change many of the post show's props (although "space packages" were added) it did change the story they told. Instead of focusing on a space colony and the technology that could be used there, the new post show focused on the future of package delivery, and gave guests the idea that one day packages could be sent over spatial distances. Following the 1994 refurbishment, Space Mountain’s exit building was removed, and the attraction now dumps guests into the Tomorrowland ArcadePower and Light Company<ref name="omniluxe" />.  In 2004 Federal Express chose not to renew their sponsorship, leaving Space Mountain sponsorless.

When Space Mountain reopened 2009 following a lengthy refurbishment, the queue and preshow had been changed in fairly drastic ways. As part of the “next generation” of Disney World queues, 43 video games were added to Space Mountain’s stand-by queue, in an attempted to make the ride wait more manageable. Furthermore, the original color scheme of the attraction was returned (replacing the brown and orange scheme that was added during Federal Express’ tenure). Another noticeable change to the queue was the fact that the windows which had once showed scenes from space, now allowed guests to look out directly into space itself. Finally, a large mural which reads, "Starport 75: Your Gatewa to the Galaxy" was added (the 75 being and obvious reference to the year that Space Mountain opened). In general, the entire queue hints at the fact that Space Mountain is now actually a starport.  [[Image:port.jpg|thumb|The new mural with the name Starport 75 on it.]]After making their way through the queue, guests are divided up into lines for either the Alpha or Omega track. Currently the Alpha track is used primarily for standby guests, while the Omega Track is used for FastPass + guests (although if the line is short, it is possible to for standby guests to ride the Omega track). After dividing up, guests enter the loading area, where guests they can look out into space before getting into their ride vehicles.

Although the ride is similar to its original incarnation, there have been some changes. The ride still begins with the rockets leaving the loading area, instantly making a 180 degree turn. After taking the turn, the rockets come to a stop in a purple tunnel, which is located just in front of the a lift hill. After climbing up the hill , the vehicles fall down a slope into the blue strobe tunnel where the rockets build up “energy”. The tunnel itself is similar to the original attraction, however the lights now flash with increasing speed, as the energy builds up. Also of note, an on-ride photo camera has been added to the tunnel, allowing guests to purchase their on ride photo after they exit the attraction.

Continuing on, the vehicles head on towards a blue orb at the end of the tunnel and for a moment, the blue lights shut off, allowing guests to see the stars all around them. After exiting the tunnel, the rockets go up another large lift hill from which they are able to see other rockets, as well as riders on the [[Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover]]. After reaching the top of the hill, riders go down a steep drop followed by a series of twists and turns during which they are able to see various space objects projected above the track. The vehicles then go down the attraction's biggest drop (still at 38 degrees) and enter the red wormhole, before hitting the final brake run and reaching the unloading area.

After passing by the three worlds, guests come upon a futuristic kitchen. The kitchen features a circular round booth and a robot who is serving drinks. Continuing on, guests see the outside of a futuristic town, with only blue light emitting from it. Both of these scenes seem to show "The future that never was", which is the general concept of [[Tomorrowland]].

*The robot in the current postshow resembles the robot that formally resided in Horizons<ref> http://www. lostepcot.com/horizons.html </ref>. [[Image:SpaceMountain.jpg|300px|thumb|Space Mountain's Grand Opening| alt= Space Mountain Grand Opening]]

*Due to the lubricant used on the ride vehicles, Space Mountain is actually faster at night then it is in the morning (the lubricant solidifies when cooled and is more jelled in the morning)<ref> http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/Disneyland/Secrets/Tomorrow/SpaceMountain.html </ref>.

* Space Mountain is the oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Florida<ref name="orlandosentinel"> http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-82542866/ </ref>.

* Astronauts Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper and Jim Irwin took the first ride on Space Mountain<ref name="orlandosentinel"/>.

* Space Mountain's exit tunnel features "Space Tug Dispatch". Abbreviations on this screen reference both newly opened and closed Magic Kingdom attractions. Those under the "Open Sector" include references to: [[Magic Carpets of Aladdin]], [[Mickey's PhilharMagic]], [[Splash Mountain]], [[The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]], [[Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin]] and [[Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor]] <ref name==References=="Yee"/>.

http* Attractions referenced in the "Closed Sectors" list include://wwwMr.wdwmagic.com/AttractionsToad's Wild Ride, Skyway to Fantasyland, the Swan Boats, the Mickey Mouse Revue, Mission to Mars, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea <ref name= "Yee"/space-mountain>.htm

http:* At Space Mountain's Grand Opening, following RCA Chairman Robert Sarnoff's introduction of the attraction, 50,000 balloons were released into the air <ref name= "realityland"//disneyworld>.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/space-mountain/

http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_space.htm http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/sm.htm==References==