Space Mountain WDW - Martins 1975-2020 Ultimate Tribute

In honour of its 45th anniversary here is a huge tribute to Orlandos Space Mountain.
Trace the origins back to the mid 60s, see versions that weren’t built, and follow their evolution to the final product. Take a detailed look at the design and layout of the final version, see how it was built, and then the grand opening.
Each major version, and smaller changes, are covered in detail with plenty of archive footage and new audio mixes. Eras covered in detail include:
the original 1975 RCA theme including the preshow area, load, the ride and RCAs Home of Future Living.
Updates in 1985 including the preshow area, queue, load and RYCA-1 Dream of a New World
The FedEx era from 1994 including the preshow and queues, load, SMTV, ride, postshow and the video arcade
The 2009 refurb changes, outside and inside
The chicken exit and the 2010 audio additions
And then we come to the present with a look at the exit speedramp removal, the exit diversion around the rear of the mountain, and a full tour of the Mountain as it is today, from outside, the queue, preshows, load, the ride in amazing low light quality with a source audio mix, and the post show and exit as it is minus the speedramp.
I’ve used as much archive material, both audio and visual, as possible to hopefully make this 90 minute long video a true tribute to the original Magic Kingdom thrill ride.

[@bluedragon9925]

Only someone like Martin Smith can make a 90 minute long video about a 2 minute long ride and manage to keep me interested throughout the entire thing. Fantastic work as always!

[@Space_Traveler77]

Only someone like me can watch it twice every week without getting bored.

[@EM-ec4jo]

Honestly, as a kid, the post-ride walk through of all the cool planetary locations really jumpstarted my imagination. Definitely one of the defining factors of my love for sci-fi.

[@ajs41]

I agree. I can't understand who would want to waste their precious time in DIsney World playing arcade games though? Could never understand that.

[@speedracer1945]

@@ajs41 some people are hooked on those games and soon as they see then they spend a hundred dollars and the place loves it .

[@ropedropdisney1700]

Maritn you are a pillar in the Disney Community. Thank you for these extensively researched videos.

[@ajs41]

Can't believe he only has 18.7K subs.

[@katrinaoconnor3479]

@@ajs41 ya but now 20.3k subscribers

[@dejonckheere100]

You have no idea how much i enjoyed this incredible well made and super interesting tribute. I rode this ride with my parents and sis when i was only 12 years old,.. and i still hear my father holler and scream in the darkness. Such fond memories. Thank you so much.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The Star Tunnel music is one of the best loops at the parks

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah, I loved how the attraction music in the 80s version morphs from a jazzy tune to almost totally abstract electronic ambiance.

[@runswithbeer]

That and If You had Wings!!! My favorites

[@jasonblalock4429]

Anyone happen to know a source for a clean version of the 80s music?

[@RTCMAHL]

Im so glad I got to record it years ago! The park was closing so we were one of the last ones through so I could record the music with out all the talking and yelling.

[@_P_M_]

@@jasonblalock4429 I remember that as well. I went though it in 1982 at 15. I didn't even know it was a roller coaster, I thought it would be a future expo. The morphing jazzy-ambiant music, along with the cool 3d star displays was like being in a dream state. Kind of like walking though time. I've never forgotten that experience.

[@brianolson6366]

I can, and have watched this particular video over and over. I first went on space mountain in 1977 at age 9 with my Dad, such vivid memories, we both loved it so much. I miss my Dad and old Space Mountain.

[@clif_creates]

I really appreciate the detail in this, its always difficult to find this level of background information not just on the ride, but also the pre & post shows. Great work.

[@roberthouston3809]

Since there is no more FAST PASS...I ain't waiting 2.5 hours for this

[@joannestealey4482]

Space mountain had the best music I hope it never changes

[@Aeyrie1]

Each video, I watch carefully to see if any of the footage was filmed on a day I happen to be in the park. No luck so far. Still, love each video.

[@SamsonSilvo]

25:58 If you've seen Technology Connections' multi-part series on the particular product shown here, you'd know why this bit is absolutely brilliant! 🤣 All in all, this is easily the best documentary I've seen anyone do on WDW's version of SM! Fantastic work as always from ya, Martin!

[@Tomcat721]

Thank you so much for this tribute!! It is hard to explain (to the youngsters) the Pre/Post show experience of the past including my peers that were just too eager to jump on the ride and not take in the point of "Home of the Future". This awesome video highlights those "missing links" lost due to the many Mountain Mods. Also, I enjoy seeing the warning/informational signs in the "70s COMPUTER font". In those days, once you got to the end of the Star Tunnel, you would start hear the bursting sound of the then pneumatic ride conveyor system reminding you that you're closer to blast off! Space Mountain was an E Ticket ride because you literally gave them your E Ticket and you were presented the option of Alpha or Omega track. Not anymore. Thanks again for the time and research of this very important attraction!!!!

[@runswithbeer]

My favorite part of the ride was in the 80s postshow showing all the things in the future home, and all that stuff came true! I love these memories!!!

[@BrownsburgKevin]

This is excellent! My first ride on Space Mountain was in December 1975. This bought back so many great memories. Thank you.

[@villanuevalogistics782]

BrownsburgKevin so you got on in opening year right

[@merriemisfit8406]

Same for my family. I don't remember the exact date, but it was VERY cold that day, and I was wearing little navy blue mittens that prevented me from keeping a grip on the grab railing or whatever was in front of me in the Space Mountain bobsled-style "rocket" vehicle. (See 18:06 in the video -- I was sitting in my brother's lap like the kid in the front seat there.) I kept popping up out of the seat, hoping the seatbelt was enough to keep me from flying out. How cold was it? At closing time, we got snowed on steadily on the tram ride back to the parking lot.

[@BrownsburgKevin]

@@merriemisfit8406 We arrived the day after Christmas but stayed off site the first few days. Then checked into The Golf Resort (now Shades Of Green). We were there through new years and rang in 1976 at the Magic Kingdom. It was really cold and my mom only packed me light clothes, so I froze my rear end off. I remember I could see my breath and shivering at night.

[@merriemisfit8406]

We were there a few days before Christmas. It was our third and final visit to Walt Disney World. After our day at the park we drove to Fort Pierce for a few days, and spent Christmas Day (after splashing around in the ocean for a while) cruising the Atlantic coast southbound in search of a restaurant that was open for dinner. We ended up at a diner all the way down in Miami.

[@colleenflattery4755]

HAPPY 50TH SPACESHIP MONTAIN!!!!

[@RTCMAHL]

You're channel puts the imagineering show on Disney+ to shame! I love all these vids!

[@macmahon_matt]

Fun Fact Lucille Ball's Daughter Lucie Arnaz narrated, sang, and was at the grand opening of SPACE MOUNTAIN!

[@TheWASHINGMACHINEBOY]

it's impressive that the two rollercoaster tracks, the queue, the exit cooridoor and the peoplemover track are able to fit inside the mountain which acts as the facade of the attraction

[@SamsonSilvo]

Shows just how ambitious Imagineering's designs were back then. If SM was designed today, they more than likely would have just had a neat looking facade holding just the queue with the actual attraction being in a big box like with Tron, Cosmic Rewind, Rock n' RollerCoaster, etc.

[@TheWASHINGMACHINEBOY]

@@SamsonSilvo true, although i believe disneyland's space mountain is inside a box since the facade is much smaller than the one in disney world

[@SamsonSilvo]

@@TheWASHINGMACHINEBOY Actually, it isn't! Disneyland's version is able to get away with fitting in a smaller dome because it uses one track instead of two and uses double wide rockets to make up for capacity.

[@TheWASHINGMACHINEBOY]

@@SamsonSilvo oh cool

[@yumyumfish]

Superb, exhaustive work. As always. Thank you.

[@laurireid6761]

I went on this ride for the first time actually at magic kingdom 2 months ago, and I’ll tell you what I actually went back to Disney world for the first time since the 2009 and I have been waiting patiently for 14 years to go back.

[@JorgeRafaelNogueras]

This video is like a love letter to Space Mountain, and it brought back so many great memories. Thank you for the care you put into these videos, and please keep them coming! 😃

[@mickeymouse1921]

Love it ! never take the video down. Thanks! Joyful moment.

[@mattbrewster8051]

Terrific job, Mr. Smith, as usual!

[@seanpatrickcain2]

Happy 45th Space Mountain!

[@Inverse_to_Chaos]

Anybody else here in 2025? Happy 50th, Starport!

[@mzo707x]

Omg 😲 I have been looking for that frog and boy footage. I remember that one part so clearly. I was looking for that Q and I thought it was somewhere else in Disney like home of the future. But it was the Q at the end of this ride! How cool is that? thank you!!! So glad I finally was able to see it. Thank you

[@mzo707x]

I meant I was looking for this at the carousel of progress. but I'm so glad I found the boy and the 🐸 frog , 👍 I said! Thank you

[@Space_Traveler77]

Watching this video a second time has left me inspired to work on my Space Mountain Recreation. Can't wait to see if there will be a California tribute too!

[@jokar9129]

Was always too scared to go on this. Planning to finally ride this next year

[@SgtTibbsTX]

Thank you so much for all of your videos! I love them so much! I go to bed and drift off to sleep with your videos in a loop. Disney Magic makes for great dream! Thank you again for all of your hard work! It means so much to those of us that are so far away from the parks! I think my favorite would be your Spaceship Earth video. You feel like you’re actually there! Love it!

[@TheBatwave]

I really enjoyed watching this. Thank you

[@MarkerPliyah]

The amount of quality you put into these is amazing. And to have it for free is such a privelege. Keep up the amazing work!

[@slayer6936]

I eat a hit of acid in 79 and went to Disneyland..space mtn was awesome!!! The who,e trip was a completely awesome experience!!!

[@transtremm]

I remember those original seats well. If you were lucky you got an attractive stranger to sit in your lap., pretty cool. Thanks for another fantastic video.

[@ohbogey]

18:35 this part outside...a ride vehicle with 4 suited up people in it,, looked like it was going to plummet into the ground!!

[@riddlesford106]

You sir, are a legend. These videos are so insightful and interesting. I don't even think I've seen more than half of what you have in here before. An amazing insight into Disney's most amazing attraction. Well done!!

[@richardperhai8292]

I was working at Disney next door (Grand Prix) at the time and we got to do the test rides (Effects were not in place yet so it was much darker). The ride was *incredible* rough. The turns weren't banked enough and the rise out of the dips was too sharp causing you to get thrown forward. I remember a bunch of us saying "You're not seriously opening the ride like this?". But they did. And boy, there seemed to be a lot of emergency vehicles going backstage towards the mountain. I wasn't suprised when they finally retracked it

[@docgravenshmit6692]

thank you for the awesome video.

[@dolbyman]

Great video Martin .. I miss the speedramp .. such a nice foot massage from the rollers under the belt .. at least the TTA still has it.. our next trip is in May .. can"t wait

[@ophthodoc]

Do you know why they removed the speed ramp?

[@Elgatovolar]

Great video, brings back many memories.

[@thatblindgamer726]

First video of the new decade! Starting off with a bang Martin!

[@thedizzer3831]

Aspen Karch Okefenokee

[@thatblindgamer726]

@@thedizzer3831 Yes that too. Martin if you read this please do one on Tales of the Okefenokee/Monster Mansion @ Six Flags Over Georgia

[@CarlD08]

Amazing video!!!! My very first rollercoaster ride was on the second RCA version, the first time the entrance star tunnel had it's amazing music score, and those original tandem trains. I rode with my mum, and my younger brother rode with my dad in the seat behind us. I remember being so incredibly scared and holding onto those side handles with my eyes closed!!! It was seeing and hearing those huge asteroid projections fly overhead while in the station that caused me so much alarm, when I heard them during the ride I just screamed! Lol! Shame the station roof was added later. I also got to ride version 3 between RCA and FedEx, with the horseshoe bar trains. Then most recently the latest version before the exit speedramp was removed. It's astonishing that ride is 45 years old, and the building and actual rides are still the same!

[@withthegoodone_WTGO]

Hey guys its space mountain day!! It opened this day 49 YEARS ago

[@redfive1300]

YESSSSSSS!!!!!! AN UPDATED SPACE MOUNTAIN TRIBUTE VIDEO!!!! MARTIN, YOU DONE IT AGAIN!!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@TarotMage]

The illustration at 4:29 was from the front cover of "Disney News" magazine (I think it was from 1974). I had an iron-on transfer made of it and put it on a t-shirt. When I visited the park in the summer of 1975 I wore it. I had people literally come running up to me, asking where I got it...and more importantly, where they could get it. Since it was totally unauthorized, it's pretty much a given that if I did that today I would have been told I couldn't wear it in the park. :P It always mystified me that as iconic as "Space Mountain" is, there just wasn't a lot of merchandising for it at the time. Maybe it was due to RCA's sponsorship of the ride?

[@williambernstein4313]

Those rooms of the future are what we use today!!!

[@crabstick250]

In 1974 when I went as a kid, they were building it!! There waa a skeleton of it there. It would be almost 20 yrs before Id be back to ride it!!

[@andrewtaylor940]

Those old Mark 1 “nut-buster” ride vehicles were great. I used to love the way the green side panels glowed and you could see them way overhead in the dark. The ride is way to dark now.

[@rocketrodlover]

Definitely has lost its charm over the years

[@ophthodoc]

Agree

[@silvereagle2061]

One of only two coaster rides I've ever been on to this day. Rode Space Mountain back in 1980 along with Smoky Mountain Railroad.

[@margaretgarnto6272]

Do you mean Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?

[@silvereagle2061]

@@margaretgarnto6272 Yes, correct.

[@Strazman]

28:54 - 30:17 and again at 55:18 IMO, in its own way, this star tunnel music is right up there with the refurbished Test Track queue music and the energy tunnel runup music right before heading onto the outer track. The immersion is real.

[@christopherleefe7770]

Well done Martin your work has been awesome great job my rating for your page deserves 100%

[@nrdesign1991]

24:49 They were definitely right about large, curved flatscreens being a thing in the near future

[@danalexander6049]

Great footage! I really miss the open air load station and seeing it from the PeopleMover.

[@ophthodoc]

Dan Alexander totally agree. The claustrophobic load platform really sucks. Not a positive upgrade. If you wish to call it that.

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

Now that Mr. Paycheck has been fired; hopefully this version of Space Mountain can get new track work years down the line.

[@lanceflx63]

Great video. I think WDW Space is due for a major upgrade now.

[@marcuscheng2507]

One of my favorite rides at Magic Kingdom!!!

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

Once Tron opens at WDW, they pretty much have an excuse to close Space Mountain up for a while. So they can finally install new track work like what they did for the Disneyland version years back. Also if possible for them; have wider 2x2 seated-ride vehicles (similar to the Disneyland Space mountain ride vehicles) and even give that shop building a cleaner appearance on the outside.

[@nathanblalock7019]

Tidepool Clipper The 2x2 trains on Disneyland’s version are not all that massive. Just widen the areas of the track’s routing and they should fit no problem.

[@camo3444]

I dont really want 2 seat cars tbh I want something from the old space mountain to stick around and I love having a bobsled type ride its just different from all the other rides and u can also have tighter turns so its more fun in my opinion. They most likely wont make any changes in the near future tho because of how much disnye has on their plate right now

[@jimbodeek]

The footage shown on the TVs in the RYCA-1 post-show is from STS-51-A...

[@wickedwood04]

Your videos are fantastic and and historical in the Disney community. Disney should be seeking you out to put your stuff on Disney+

[@macmahon_matt]

This is my mom’s birthday ride 1/15. It opened on my mother’s 6th Birthday

[@wakeywarrior]

Great vid Marni

[@yadlthegamer2852]

When you first walk into the queue and you’re greeted by the star port it gives me horizons vibes

[@nathanblalock7019]

More than a decade later, and it needs the overhaul now more than ever!

[@Therealjanthony]

Absolutely love your videos...Please consider voice over narriation!!!

[@nathanielcardona283]

love your videos man, so i have 2 questions 1) are you going to make a tomorrowland part 4 2) if you are going to do stitches great escape from start to finish i have a few pics and vids i can share, im sure you'll want them

[@ThemeParkLyfeStyle]

back in the day the trains on wdw space mountian use to glow in the dark, well the sides of the train cars. and when u was on the ppl mover u could see them zipping along the coaster tracks

[@ajtopia]

Where did you find the footage at 5:44??? It’s incredible!

[@AroundIndiana]

Excellent video. I remember as a kid when the RCA dog was sitting in the queue.

[@Lawrence-ho9eq]

One of these attractions at Disney World was sponsored by Easter Airlines THE WINGS OF MAN, tough Space Mountain at one time was sponsored by RCA , The Wings Of Man was definitely an attraction at WDW , My Dad liked that ride you would board a vehicle like that of the wee way people mover then as you were moved along the project Ions would simulate the motion of being on a jet plane along with narrative host voicing your journey😮😅😊

[@An1mag1qu3]

One tiny error in the video, it might just be me but I'm pretty sure the Hong Kong music started playing in the post show in 2005. I know that right after FedEx dropped sponsorship that "Music Makers" was quickly switched out. Otherwise a truly fantastic video Martin you've outdone yourself!

[@Ncman2131]

Great job on this! Would love to see flight of passage next!

[@aaronhilliker7566]

This is awesome, thanks Martin! Any chance of a Disneyland equivalent at some point? (I know you're based in Orlando though...)

[@marni1971]

Funnily enough I’m based in the UK!

Hoo boy... A feature long SM tribute. Popcorn needed.

[@ThomasAnthony1979]

Watching it now. Always a brilliant job Martin 🏰

[@corbindavenport]

Great video!

[@cabooseresurrected5183]

40:13 Why are they showing footage from “Invasion of the Neptune Men”?

[@ophthodoc]

Why they took the motorized ramp out at the end of the ride is beyond me. That was such a cool part of the whole experience. That’s quite a haul, too... a very long walk

[@tylerdinkydooamusementmadn6368]

Love your videos! Will you do one on Rise of the Resistance?

[@disneyscott98]

Amazing as always. I'd love to know where you got the ride music at 0:15 in perfect quality.. I've been looking for it forever

[@finn_4761]

As it turns out, Martin most likely got it from Mike Brasell, the composer. This is why when Mount Bop starts playing near the end, there’s a sudden drop in audio quality.

[@disneyscott98]

@@finn_4761 I actually asked him about it a while back. He told me he got it from a press release that only included that much of the clean audio. I wish Disney would put it out on a soundtrack.

[@MK-ps2jp]

Like many my around my age Space Mountain was my favorite WDW ride as a kid. That being said I'm hoping Disney will do a complete and total refurbishment after Tron opens. I'd love to see the same concept but with modern and high tech effects. Also a completely new track layout and new trains which can seat 2 by 2. Come on Disney, blow us away all over again!

[@aerickmccullough350]

Happy 45th anniversary to WDW's space mountain. Question. How come there isn't a tribute to Disneyland's Space Mountain in Anaheim??

[@ajs41]

I remember the old seating arrangements in 1988. You had to hold on to the person in front of you, or behind.

[@disneyparksstarwarslover7638]

52:48 What was that building with the ramp and waterfall?

[@spicygroggy]

It was the Skyway. Check out 51:50

[@taylorshelton3267]

What Iije about space mountain was that it felt like the rollercoaster was zipping through the dark with little tiny lights that looked like stars in the distance.

[@EpcotCenter1982]

I’m showing my age but I have clear memories of that dog/gramophone in the plastic bubble. This video is very good. Bravo

[@spicygroggy]

1:11:51 I fear that man's hat didn't make it back from Space

[@kellyweingart3692]

lol

[@TonyOneto]

Excellent, as always. Well done!

[@RakoonCD]

You are just great with these videos. Thank you.

[@philrabe910]

Oh it is NOT 45. Because that would mean I'm almost 60. Been riding the mountain for 45 years!

[@Bmanlegoboy]

Could you make an updated video for the Main Street Electrical Parade now that its had new runs in 2017 and 2019 at Disneyland Park?

[@olliveiromcallister6517]

Disney Tomorrowland Universe Age (2023) Scenes: Walt Disney World After Space Mountain Arrived 2020

[@JAKECOT_CENTER]

YES MARTIN I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@speedracer1945]

The space displays had a astronaut looking at a laptop and a lady looking at a large screen TV .

[@tgustafson85]

Why did they remove the Speed Ramp? Or at least not replace it with something more like the moving walkways you find at airports?

[@GenGamesUniverse]

I think it was cos due to people just standing there and not walking.

[@mattjarfie]

Great work as always !

[@teacherjansfavorites]

I love your videos! Please keep them coming for all of us Disney attraction fans!

[@Space_Traveler77]

I'm kind of hoping for a voiceover version so I can listen to it while building.

[@rediscoveryrecords1348]

Anyone know the artist whi made theambient music that starts around 1 hour and 9 min?

[@Haarslevx]

the best job is as a mainteance guy at nightshift at SM

[@ito69692007]

Awesome video, do one for peter pans flight

[@gdawg1585]

4:32 looks like Atari 2600 cartridge box art