In this post we give an overview of Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World. We cover the basics of the ride, how to ride it, and our thoughts on the experience before closing with an FAQ. Read on to learn more!
Related Posts
This post is a quick guide to Space Mountain, but we have related content that dives deeper into topics. Our Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lane post covers Lightning Lane strategy in deep. The Magic Kingdom Rides and Entertainment Guide gives brief introductions to all the park’s offerings. For putting together your day at the park, we have a One Day Plan for Magic Kingdom.
Space Mountain Basics
Space Mountain is a ride at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The ride
offers rider switch
has a Lightning Lane that is a part of Genie+
does not have a single rider line
is a part of Early Entry at Magic Kingdom
is about 3 minutes long
Disney warns that expectant mothers and persons not in good health should not ride. I’d also add that the ride is quite dark (not completely pitch black, but you won’t be able to see where you’re headed), so be aware of that.
Where is Space Mountain located?
Space Mountain is located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World.
Entering the park, you’ll head to the hub and take a right, crossing the bridge into Tomorrowland. Space Mountain is at the back of the land. You might not immediately see it, but go around Astor Orbiter / the Lunching Pad and Space Mountain is unmissable.
If you’re riding it first at rope drop, you’ll wait with the group on the bridge into Tomorrowland. Most everyone in that group is heading to Space Mountain. Since the ride is a part of Early Entry you need to be staying at a Disney hotel or select partner hotel to rope drop it.
How to Ride Space Mountain
If you have Genie+, we consider Space Mountain a high priority ride. If you don’t have Early Entry, it’s worth considering it for your first pick (Peter Pan’s Flight is a good first pick in this case, too). If you have Early Entry, we typically recommend Jungle Cruise as your first Genie+ pick, but Space Mountain is worth considering early in the day in any case.
Without Genie+, the first question is whether you want to ride it as part of Early Entry (if you have Early Entry, that is). If you have an Individual Lightning Lane for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, you’ll want to start Early Entry at either Space Mountain or Peter Pan’s Flight. This is mostly a matter of personal preference, but we slightly prefer Space Mountain because rides like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Astro Orbiter, Mad Tea Party, and Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are relatively nearby, giving you the chance to get a second ride in before the part opens to the rest of the guests.
If you don’t have Genie+ or Early Entry, you’ll just need to find a good time during the day to wait in line. The queue is indoors, making it a fine ride in case of heat or bad weather. We don’t recommend starting at Space Mountain if you don’t have Early Entry even if the wait looks relatively short. If you’re at the park when it opens, you’ll get more done on the other side (that isn’t a part of Early Entry).
If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom with small children, you’ll need to mind the rides 44 inch / 113 centimeter height requirement. Astro Orbiter, PeopleMover, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are nearby rides without a height requirement. Tomorrowland Speedway has a 32 inch requirement to ride with a supervising rider at least 54 inch tall.
Space Mountain Ride Experience
Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster in the dark. It isn’t completely black, but you should be prepared for a similar experience (if you use a Lightning Lane on a sunny day, your eyes won’t have time to adjust, for example). The ride is relatively jerky. Personally I’d say opinion on the ride mostly comes down to the “in the dark” component. If that appeals to you, you’ll probably enjoy the ride. If it doesn’t you’ll probably feel like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are easily superior experiences. (Read more about Disney World’s coasters here.)
Space Mountain FAQ
Does Space Mountain go upside down?
The Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom does not go upside down.
How Fast is Space Mountain?
Space Mountain reaches 28 miles per hour, making it the ninth fastest ride at Disney World.
Is Space Mountain Scary?
If not being able to see where you’re going while on a roller coaster in the dark is scary, then yes, Space Mountain is scary. Strictly talking about track design, the ride doesn’t have any notably scary moments.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
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Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Animal Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and Hollywood Studios Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.