Where Dreams Come True

Original Sleds.

Happy Anniversary Space Mountain! Tuesday, 15 JAN 13 marks the 38^th anniversary of the opening of Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. I took my first ride in the last months of my senior year at Milton High School. All Beta Club Officers and several club members attended the National Beta Club Convention in Orlando, FL during APR 1979. It was my first visit to the Park and my first ride on Space Mountain. The excitement for the visit was indescribable: I grew up watching The Wonderful World of Disney on NBC on a small black and white TV every Sunday evening. (Years later, we got a color TV and to me, it was beautiful—especially the fireworks and the Castle and Tinker Bell with her magic wand. It was Magical.) To me, Disney represented a way to escape the problems of “real life” and mentally check out. To make the ride more memorable, I rode it with a special person. A young, beautiful girl that I am lucky to still have in my life: Kim Watson. Kim hates roller coasters, yet she rode Space Mountain. One extra benefit of that first ride was the type of “sled” used. The larger person sat down with their back against the vertical portion of the seat and then spread their legs. The smaller person then sat between the legs of the first passenger on the extended horizontal seat that was shared by both riders. A single lap belt strapped both riders together and safely in the sled. What man would not want to ride with her? I wish (1) pictures were taken of the riders like is done now and (2) Disney still used the original sleds. Regardless, if a redneck, country boy like me, could ride this ride with a beautiful girl, the place was truly "where dreams come true".

For those that have been lucky enough to ride Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom or at other Disney parks (Space Mountain, Disneyland—California, Space Mount: Mission 2, Disneyland—Paris, Space Mountain, Disney Resort—Tokyo, Space Mountain, Disneyland—Hong Kong), you know how your anticipation grows with each step you take along the queue. Pictured on the walls are the now familiar scenes of life in Space. Self-sufficient outposts, where families live in condos growing hydroponic vegetables. It appears so real; so life-like, that you begin to believe the fantasy. It is simply magical. If this is possible in the future, what other magical things exist? Walt Disney did not create his theme parks for children. No, he created them for the child in all of us. Children already believe in fantasy; and magic. Adults need a little help. Peter Pan had to believe before he could fly. Remember?

Queue scenes.

The Queue (Pre-Launch). After you enter the building, you are now in the queue that leads to the Boarding Zone. You notice the floor is sloping downward. On either side are scenes of humans living in space in the near future. The lights begin to dim and at times you can hear the sound of screams. Soon, you must choose to go either to the Left or to the Right. To the Left is “Alpha” and to the Right is “Omega”. These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

The Ride (Blast-Off). Once you are seated in your Rocket Ship, and your safety harness is checked, you are then launched downward and into a long straight tunnel. You feel your speed begin to accelerate. While in the tunnel strobe lights flash and blue lights rotate simulating your launch into outer space. Out of the tunnel, you begin to climb the 180-foot lift hill and hear that familiar “clack, clack, clack” associated with all roller coasters. At the top of the lift hill, you dodge incoming “space cookies” (meteors) and zoom into the inky black expanse of space. With Starry-O-Phonic sound, using over 60 speakers, you hear the meteors speeding by, and the sound of other space conversations. (I know, in the vastness of space there is no sound, but let’s not ruin our flight.) About 2 minutes later, you enter the explosion tunnel, then return to complete darkness. After you slow down, you enter the arriving zone, where you disembark. Afterward, you are on a moving sidewalk that is on an incline (remember you were walking down a sloping floor entering); we all remember the TV screens—don’t forget to smile.

Fun Facts and Trivia

Ø  Oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Florida

Ø  Mercury 9 and Gemini 5 astronaut Gordon Cooper was part of the creative team

Ø  First roller coaster ride to perpetual darkness

Ø  Two tracks, Alpha and Omega. Alpha is 10 feet longer at 3,196 feet.

Ø  Ride starts out 15 feet underground

Ø  Original name was Space Port and planned for Disneyland

Ø  Maximum Speed is 28 MPH in the morning (while grease is cold) and 31 MPH in the afternoon

Ø  Ride time: 2 minutes, 47 seconds

Ø  Originally was an “E” ride.

Ø  One of several rides to test “Fast Pass”

Ø  First official rider: Colonel James Irwin, pilot of the Lunar Module on Apollo XV

Ø  Space Mountain rides are in all Disney Theme Parks around the world

Ø  Capacity: 1250 per lane, 2500 total (based on 6 riders per rocket)

Ø  Height requirement: 44 inches

Trivial Engineering Info

Space Mountain Design.

Disney Imagineers are always “imagining” concepts that force design and structural engineers and architects to seek new technologies, design, and construction materials. Space Mountain was no exception. The designers wanted a smooth internal surface so they could project stars and other space objects. This meant no internal supports. Therefore the building has a distinctive roof line and superstructure. If you ride the Peoplemover, it takes you through Space Mountain. If you are lucky enough to be riding during a time of maintenance or unplanned interruption, you can see the track with the lights on.

While special effects have changed dramatically in the last 30-plus years, the effects used in Space Mountain were cutting-edge in the mid-70s. The stars are simply reflected light off of a mirrored spheroid ball. The ride has 20+ balls. The shooting stars are spotlights mounted on a system that allows for 160-degree movement, thus giving the illusion of movement across the sky.

Inside the “mountain” is an area of 4,508,500 cubic feet. Alongside each track is a walkway to give maintenance access and provide a means of egress in the event of an emergency. The base of the building is 300 feet. The ride is made using tubular steel (the second roller coaster to use this technology, the first was Matterhorn in Disneyland), with the load wheels riding on the “top” of steel, with guide and stop wheels on the “bottom” of the steel. The steel replaced laminated wood, which reduces maintenance, increased lifespan, increases ride capacity, and allows for more dramatic turns (can be bent), and with polyurethane wheels, the ride is quieter. Quite simply, Disney’s design revolutionized roller coaster technology. Without Space Mountain and the Matterhorn, none of the modern rides would have existed. At least, not in the time frame we know.

In my first year of college, I had to write and give a speech of tribute. The instructor suggested individuals such as a coach, Sunday School teacher, or a family member who has had an impact on our lives. I chose Walt Disney. It had only been a few months since my first visit, so I was still reliving all the events. I enjoy public speaking; I have no problem standing in front of a room full of people. I like grabbing their attention and not letting go until they have heard all I have to say. The person I chose to give tribute to was one everyone including the instructor could relate to. I saw their faces change from casually observing to being fully engaged; from showing no emotion to grins and smiles. Walt Disney has that effect on everyone. I still remember some of my speech: "....then in 1955 near Anaheim, CA, Walt Disney created the ultimate escape. A place adults can go to escape the outside world, a place they could smile as only a child...." At the conclusion of my speech, I received a standing ovation. The only one in a class of 30 plus students. I like to think it was my great oratory skills, but I know it was more about the subject and how all adults can relate to the magic of Walt Disney.

Twenty years later while in grad school I wanted to write my thesis on Disney, but had to change to Nike. The purpose of the thesis was to take a Fortune 500 company, report on its profitability, marketing strategy, potential threats, etc, and then suggest what the company could do to increase market share, increase revenues, and increase profits. It would have been more difficult to write that paper because Disney is such a successful company. When it comes to best practices, Disney leads not only the other entertainment companies but is world renowned for its management techniques  The  Disney Institute is a division that trains other company’s management teams. I really wanted to do my last college assignment on the same subject as one of my firsts. Sort of like "first and last", or Alpha and Omega. Perhaps, my college days are not yet complete.

Disney is successful because it hires individuals who have the right attitude and want to make guests' experiences magical. They invest in the cast member and in turn, the cast member buys into Disney's philosophy, vision, and mission. They allow the cast members the freedom to exercise their judgment in an effort to make the guests' experiences magical. Disney listens to their guests (customers), the process, and their cast members (employees). Disney is successful because they pay attention to their customers (guests) and want to provide them the best experience they can possibly imagine. It does not matter if the customer is watching an animated movie on DVD, a sports program on ESPN, or the rides and shows at a Disney theme park. Disney believes a “guest” is not merely entering an amusement park when they walk through the turnstiles, but rather are entering a “magical place” where lifelong memories are made and dreams come true. In a previous blog Tonight, We Are Young,  I describe how the brain “makes” a memory using the five different senses. Every Disney cast member takes part in creating wonderful guest experiences. Walking down Main Street in Magic Kingdom, you cannot help but smell freshly baked Apple pie wafting from the Main Street Bakery, or mouth-watering hot dogs coming from Casey’s Corner. Music from the Dapper Dans (Barbershop Quartet) puts you in a festive mood. If you are on Soarin’ at EPCOT, (a ride that places the guest in a hang glider soaring over the California landscape), Disney installed fans that blow a gentle breeze over your face. When flying over breaking waves, they mix in a little sea spray; flying over orange groves you smell citrus. If visiting the Tower of Terror In Hollywood Studios, you cannot help but feel the musky, damp air that you would expect in an old worn down, haunted hotel from yesteryear. Of course, when you are visiting A Bug’s Life in Animal Kingdom, you cannot forget the distinct odor of a stink bug. Yes, Disney knows how to use the five senses synergistically to not only make the experience more fun while you are there but also make the memories more vivid and easier to recall.

Space Mountain

Since my first ride 34 years ago, I have logged numerous laps on both Alpha and Omega at Disney World and also have ridden Space Mountain at Disneyland (while stationed in California). To me, Space Mountain is a must-ride on each visit. It is far more than a roller coaster ride to me—it is a tangible example of all I thought of as a child watching “Disney” on television. Sadly, I think my days of riding are over. On my last trip to Disney World in 2011, I rode Space Mountain only one time. I am not as young as I used to be and certainly do not have the physical health I once had. My pain level after the ride was too high and lasted much longer than I like to acknowledge. However, I have wonderful memories of this ride and whenever I see the ride’s distinctive superstructure I am immediately drawn back to Disney World Resort, to the Magic Kingdom, to Space Mountain, to my first ride with Kim, and back to those Sunday evenings watching The Wonderful World of Disney with my brothers. You know, I think I have one last ride left in me. I will save that for a trip when I can share it with the person I rode with on my first ride. In a way it is fitting. Kim was there for the first and hopefully will be there for the last. Sort of like, Alpha and Omega. Well, Disney World is the place "where dreams come true".

Update: My youngest daughter Morgan just learned she was accepted into the Disney College Program. She will leave in mid-August and work through the first of JAN 2014. When we were visiting Disney World in 1999, Mo kept noticing the name tags worn by the cast members. Some had a city and state, others had a college. I explained to my six-year-old daughter if she worked hard in school and college, she too could get a job at Walt Disney World. I had tried before explaining the importance of making goals and working towards them. My six-year-old made her first goal or as she called it a 'dream', to work at Disney in college. This past month her 14-year dream came true. (APR 2013)

"Laughter is timeless; imagination has no age, and dreams are forever." --- Walt Disney