The Lost Lore of Space Mountain

[@mitchelljakubka]

I'm friends with the original lighting designer for Space Mountain (and one of the first female Imagineers!), and she told me a wild fun fact about lighting that ride. The ride's lighting is set to a timecode, so that cues trigger based off where you are in the ride time. But when they originally lit it, the lighting console couldn't fast forward/rewind the time code, only play it from the start. So every time you wanted to check or adjust timing on a lighting cue, they'd have to ride the ENTIRE ride from the start, and note how much they needed to adjust the time for that one cue. Meaning every adjustment meant a FULL ride of the ride in its entirety, and if you missed it, you had to go back through again. She says she's easily ridden Space Mountain over 1000 times.

[@zzyzx13]

which version of SM did she work on?

[@AnonAmbientLight]

"Shucks! Missed the cue time. Gonna have to go back through, boss."

[@mitchelljakubka]

@@AnonAmbientLight hahaha she did pull that a few times! But eventually got sick of the ride.

[@mitchelljakubka]

@@zzyzx13 if I’m remembering correctly, the original one in Florida. But may have been the premiere at Disneyland.

[@kor-cv9uz]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5nRnYiZmbiEa9E

[@Waffle519]

A little additional context to the Tokyo Disney reference, "ashita" is Japanese for "tomorrow," referring to, of course, Tomorrowland!

[@ThemeSnark]

"Lore hole" is a term all fandoms should adopt in general! Now I feel like a lore hole...

[@chericrabbypelley]

Your Lore-hole videos are some of my favorites

[@toddhensley880]

They should be called lorey-hole videos, but that might be a bit risky to search for.

[@andrewtaylor940]

I really wish you could have experienced the original 1975 WDW Space Mountain. Back before they threw it all into darkness. As originally opened the inside of the dome was projected on like a Planetarium, with huge swirling asteroids and a distinct starfield. Not unlike the asteroid field section of the Empire Strikes back. And there were holes in the ceiling of the queue. As you waited you could look up and see the stars. And these strange little green things zipping around. It wasn't until you got deeper in that you realized that the strange green things were the green lighted panels on the side of the original Mark I "Nutbuster" ride vehicles. So as you waited you were staring up at the operating ride, but didn't realize it at first. The Peoplemover was also awesome. You would occasionally get lucky and would come through Space Mountain just as both sides of the ride were almost synched. So you would be passed on both sides. It was all very effective and immersive. I don't know why they decided it was better in the hot sweaty darkness?

[@chloewildner167]

That sounds amazing! I love the idea of being able to see the ride from the queue!

[@fredleggett923]

I (vaguely) remember that iteration. It gave the attraction a somewhat dangerous aura, like you were about to ride something that could kill or maim. And there were a LOT of rumors flying around places like junior high and high schools about people losing fingers and outright deaths on the ride. To this day, I'm more than a little scared to put my arm out for fear my hand will get chopped-off, as it's a very cramped, wild-mouse style layout. I distinctly recall those Mark I vehicles. They were great, especially for the dating scene.

[@pault5557]

“Nutbuster” 🤪 so accurate!!!

[@lawrenceschaub3529]

I remember that I was there for the opening of space.Mountain as a 6 year old boy

[@jacksonwellons]

We were at Disney today, and the lines for space mountain were actually really great. We were able to ride it probably 4 times without genie plus, easily with just downtime. Also finally got to ride tron!!

[@flux2flow]

nobody does it like offhand disney!!!!!! i have been a sub for like 6 years, his passion for the parks is so infectious and the humor and great editing are what make him one of my fav youtubers still all these years later

[@jestermark8186]

My party got evacuated from Space Mountain 8 days ago. I had never felt anxious about being locked in a roller coaster before, had to take a deep breath and OM.

[@dc_mischief]

I like the time-travel theory! Worth noting that the new effects on the Disneyland space mountain is very similar to the time travel effects found in Dinosaur... swirling stars encircling you and rushing towards you, arrays of straight red lights surrounding you (making you feel like you're inside a toaster), a galaxy-like light which you hurtle towards at the start of your journey, and bright flashing strobe lights to mark your return. I'm not saying that this is CONFIRMATION that there's time travel on Space Mountain... but there are undeniable thematic similarities.

[@tufab3494]

I was anxiously waiting for this video since the Big Thunder Mountain one. Heck, I even rewatched the old Space Mountain one from 5 years ago like 2 times since that 😅 Great video as always. Much love from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@Kuroth_]

I am HYPE for Space Mountain 2: The Return of Space. I just hope they don't ruin it with a direct to DVD Space Mountain 3 cash grab.

[@GBkites]

You could say your... Hype-rspace mountain

[@Kuroth_]

@@GBkites I'm so mad I didn't think of that first 😡

[@Dazzling_Dxisy]

Dallin never fails to make an amazing video on a random Disney thing, I love it. Every video is something I never knew I wanted to learn about but end up enjoying so much!

[@jenniferwismeier110]

I'll be the first one to renark on it, I don't care. The hair is getting good, don't give up! Signed- A fellow long-haired Coloradan.

[@davidalan6701]

These lore videos are my absolute favorite, so I’d be perfectly happy if this was your whole channel. I think starport is interstellar whereas spaceport would be within the solar system. Kind of like hub airports that can go international vs smaller airports that can only go within the states. And a space station should be independent of a planet, either orbiting a planet or in an independent orbit around the sun.

[@briannakadlecik4304]

I love this deep dive into Space Mountain! Disney World's is still my favorite. I wish that I could have visited France's original Space Mountain because the Jules Verne theme made it look so unique.

[@OfficiallyOfficiallyUnofficial]

I'll always be a fan of the Dick Dale surf rock cover of Aquarium they used to use.

[@cameron.t]

It's been a few years since I've been to Disneyland. You have given me the brilliant idea of listening to the original ride soundtrack while riding, wish me luck!!

[@OfficiallyOfficiallyUnofficial]

@@cameron.t Dew it!

[@Henshingod]

IIRC, when FedEx sponsored the WDW version way back when, they DID have a post show where you used a FedEx transporter to get you back to the park. It was a fun detail!

[@wdwnutjm]

and they had really funny commercials featuring Charles Fleischer (AKA Roger Rabbit's voice)

[@TheSEAempire]

Hell yeah, another Space Mountain lore vid 😎

[@rickwebster5738]

Disneyland Paris is my favorite Space Mountain. Just love the whole vibe of Tomorrowland, Jules Verne, etc. I’m a Disneylander for many many years, and I enjoy our Space Mountain here including overlays when they used to happen. But WDW Space Mountain will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first ride in Space Mountain in 1976 on my first trip to WDW, and I got to ride it with my Dad which made it so very special to me. ☺️

[@jusadude7162]

This ride always reminds me of my dad who has passed. It was in the 70s when the cars were designed so that two people sat in one space. I was terrified. But I was safe with my dad right behind me.

[@Laramsdodgerslakerskings]

I had just seen a picture of the Disneyland sign and how it still shows “Rockit Mountain” and wondered if you’d do a video on the ride’s lore/history!

[@DaemionGeorge-Cox-zc9td]

I am obsessed with your channel atm. You get so into the concepts and world building. The passion is contagious. Paris’ Space Mountain, in its original form (De la Terre a la Lune) is by far the best one. It’s also the only Space Mountain to feature an inversion. The ride queue still features the original lobby of the Baltimore Gun Club, proudly stating their slogan “Ad Luna in Flama Gloria”, (To the moon in a blaze of glory)…

[@daydragoon331]

To add on to Ghost Galaxy since the ghost follows us into the station we see accidentally trap it in the station and that’s how we get those dome projections (BRING BACK GHOST GALAXY)

[@Pixis1]

The Ghost Galaxy follows you back to the space station? Does that mean it's a Hitchhiking Ghost?!

[@thegood9]

My favorite ride. This ...THIS one ride, and Tomorrowland in general but to a bit lesser degree, is the reason I wanted to go to Disney world as a kid. And my parents finally took us when I was 6 years old (i think it was 75 or 76). I love it, and I try to ride it at least once every time we go. It brings me closer to my departed parents, and it is STILL a fun ride after all these years. Love it!

[@NordicDan]

90s Disneyland was its pinnacle (and I would argue the 90s was the Disney company's pinnacle overall). Starcade, Peoplemover, Skyway (until late '94 anyway), original Star Tours,Tom Sawyer's Island with Injun Joe's Cave & Fort Wilderness, the burning cabin, the original Electrical Parade, Splash Mountain was still new, maintenance and overall park cleanliness still top notch, far more affordable to visit, and the style of the Disneyland Hotel and its marina were so much more enjoyable; not to mention the Dancing Waters shows and the koi ponds.

[@phoenix7896]

Having ridden both Disneyland and world, I do agree with you on land being the better ride but world being the better queue and having better theming.

[@angeluvv1608]

bro i absolutely love your channel thank you

[@juliemcmahon7004]

Really miss the giant chocolate chip cookie (aka asteroid) at Disneyland’s Space Mountain. You could even see it from the Peoplemover!

[@RobertHarrisonBlake]

And "Clavius 2K1" is a reference to "2001: A Space Odyssey."

[@earlgrey3461]

So is Tycho! The monolith was found at Tycho crater, and called TMA-1 (Tycho moon anomaly 1).

[@BigHotGarbage]

Wait that’s so sick!!!

[@ec1628]

@@earlgrey3461Astromomer Tycho Brahe which the crater is named after.

[@MattMcIrvin]

I always figured that you start at Starport 75 and travel to Tomorrowland Station MK-1, which is some kind of different place. btw, Tokyo Disneyland's existing and soon-to-be-demolished Space Mountain, while it is only Anaheim-sized, is positioned such that you can actually see it not just from the monorail, but from the train coming into Maihama Station where the monorail departs. Also, the monorail tickets were promoting getting in your last rides on Space Mountain classic "before the future begins". But we only went to DisneySea, so I didn't experience it.

[@DarkDoge]

Ghost Galaxy is one thes best, and only best, overlays period! It really sets the mood during Halloween, especially with the Star tunnel being completely black with the creepy soundtrack filling the empty room, it was amazing! Disney needs to bring it back, enough Hyperspace, while be it, HyperSpace is cool, it is not Ghost Galaxy cool. Not even close!

[@liamhancock7061]

I’ve been on four of the five space mountains (all but Hong Kong) and although the permanent Star Wars theme does upset me, I can’t not deny that the Paris ride is not the best one. The ride is easily the most enjoyable of them all and although the theming has been kinda trashed the building is still absolutely stunning and the part where you are launched out the canon is untouchable.

[@kikibleu2302]

I loved the original exit - back in the day shopping on tv, laser discs, video doorbells, etc seemed so cool!

[@ctermaat]

I love how you’re channeling your Sagan voice!

[@theUselessProfessor]

The second you mentioned the Starcade pictures I was anticipating the Peoplemover mention. Did not disappoint

[@adamgriffiths1703]

I'm kinda excited about the potential of the new Tokyo Space Mountain. I've heard nothing about what they might do, but the theming opportunity is limitless. Looking at what they've done in their new fantasy area, and with the seemingly endless bucket of cash there is for that park, it could be way beyond anything we've seen before.

[@ericpeek3876]

Disneyland Paris is by far the best. Haven't seen the Star Wars overlay. Happy I got to ride Version 2.

[@uskatpai]

I do have my absolute favorite picture from any ride ever from WDW Space Mountain. I rode with my sister and her at-the-time boyfriend, she was in the front, he was in the middle, and I'm in the back seat. In the picture she's terrified, he just looks bewildered and I'm having the time of my life lmao

[@madichilds829]

WDW queue is amazing. But DL’s actual ride is definitely smoother, faster and more fun!

[@onbearfeet]

"Tycho Metro Port" is probably a reference to the astronomer Tycho Brahe. Similarly, "Copernicus Lab Complex" is likely a reference to the astronomer Nicholas Copernicus. "Aitken" is Robert Grant Aitken, an American astronomer who has a crater on the Moon named after his.

[@kayangstrom4692]

I have never wanted to stand in the queue of WDW's Space Mountain more than I do right now. Also really looking forward to watching your hair slowly grow down to your toes. It will be the one fun thing related to our dearly departed People Mover.

[@EEvtg]

Braden you totally MISSED the extensive (and obvious!) lore from Tokyo's queue!! There is art showing that you are leaving the space port to collect something, you bring it back which provides energy for the ship docked there! This is what I gathered at least with minimal research... it's hard to miss the cocacola art showing this, or the pre-ride video‼ ‼

[@papuchongo]

Keep the hair long even after the People Mover is restored

[@Sleepyhead080808]

Loving the hair, don't cut it!

[@rudolph_ci]

I live for this type of Disney content. Thank you, Dallin. 🙏🏼 Btw the hair is looking great!

[@thecoolestdad]

Dude I liked your video. My home Space Mountain is at Magic Kingdom in Florida. Never been to any other Disney park. I have to say for Space Mountain I would say that sitting one by one is best. It gives you the feeling of actually being on your own rocket through space. Other coasters can do the two by two but Space Mountain needs to stay unique and stay with one by one.

[@stormtrooperclock1077]

This gives me something to ramble about in line for Space Mountain.

[@ConnorCampbell-ch5mk]

I am one of the very rare people who think that the Disney World space mountain track isn’t that bad all things considered. Could it use a new track? Yea, but overall it’s still a great ride

[@Henshingod]

As Ric Flair would say describing himself as Space Mountain, it's the oldest and the roughest ride, but it still has the longest lines! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[@ConnorCampbell-ch5mk]

@@Henshingod that’s a great way to put it

[@SFANNNBCUSofA]

I think it has the more exciting layout. DLR’s track is boring but has better show elements

[@anasophia7]

I HAVE A THEORY about Ghost Galaxy. 😮 Much like the Indiana Jones scene were everyone’s face gets melted off. I think the scary figure is an angel, or God or something of a higher power scaring us in order to not time travel anymore. That’s not what man kind was made for. Angels are terrifying in appearance apparently. I believe ghost galaxy was our final mission during the astraeus project. The angels just wanted to scare us, that thing could have easily killed us. Also, after rewatching the POV of ghost galaxy, notice how on the second lift hill, the galaxy suddenly appears as you hear a light switch go on. Like the “let there be light” kind of power God has. It’s interesting ..

[@Space_Traveler77]

A SPACE MOUNTAIN VIDEO YESSSSSSSSSS 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@philrabe910]

I was 15 opening year, and we lived in the tampa area, so... Back in the good old days when the park always seemed empty- even though it felt packed to us back then... I was back for the "end of the world on 12/21/12 and Alpha track stopped with me up on top... Was fun walking out through the steel.

[@lerkscore]

Will the deleted video ever come back, or will it become lost media?

[@kyle5555]

What deleted video?

[@kyusshead]

​@@kyle5555it was about deaths in the parks. I would be interested to know why, but I have my conspiracy theories.

[@palmickey420]

I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I prefer WDW’s to DL’s. DL’s is great, and I will totally ride it every time I visit. However the track really is a figure and so it’s very predictable and less thrilling than it’s older brother which has so many different twists and turns, it’s just more thrilling IMO

[@MattMcIrvin]

I find that Disney fans tend to prefer Anaheim's Space Mountain because it's smoother and has a slicker show, but roller-coaster enthusiasts tend to prefer Orlando's, because it is more intense.

[@palmickey420]

@@MattMcIrvin I would definitely consider myself more Disney fan than coaster enthusiast, I just think the WDW’s is overall better with ride experience and story

[@Roddan96]

I think an interesting thing to look at, if you ever tackle this topic again, is to look at the Disney Ride Boardgames. Currently there is Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Small World. In particular, the Space Mountain boardgame look at all the different ports and stations. Just a suggestion. Also, the boardgames may be another source of video content. Can use this suggestion on the house. ;P

[@jamesl1130]

Ghost Galaxy was incredible

[@MannyEmm]

This was amazing! Thank you for all the insight, information, education, and fun tidbits ! I will definitely look at my home Space Mountain SpaceStation 77 in Disneyland in a much more clearer,motored insightful light. I love the Hyperspace overlay!

[@kojinaoftheinvertedeye810]

Somewhere in space, 25,739, amidst the glitz and glitter of bustling young galaxy...

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

8:51 THAT'S AWSOME!

[@kriskuhl7453]

I wish Offhand would tell us about the Crazy Larry commercials for used spacecraft that aired in the queue at Disneyland before the retheme in late 90’s.

[@kaynicole6564]

as someone who LOVES history and Disney specific history also enjoys learning about lore this was so good! Unsure if you've done tower of terror but would love a TOT lore video! I have not been on any other space mountain than the WDW one but all I can say is that I can feel my whole spine rearranging on that one and it's not a "do every trip" kind of ride for me... Maybe every once and a while but otherwise I like to keep my spine in place!

[@FyreKatz]

Ghost Galaxy was pretty cool!

[@richguggenheim]

Space Mountain at DLR is a much better ride experience, but I agree. The queue at MK is vastly better. The star tunnel music is itself an easter egg of the song We've Come So Far, written for the opening of the attraction, and which used to play in the exit of the attraction. DLP's version used to be unique in that you were also launched into space, which I think is one possibility as to why you only see three space mountains launching into space on the mural a DLR. DLP is already in space (hence you're launched into it), and so is DLT as mentioned in the video.

[@MoonlitLycan]

I do love that Space Mountain's whole "space tourism" idea was popular enough that it produced one of the worst and most blatant ripe offs ever built: Cedar Point's Disaster Transport, aka "Welcome to Alaska!", which was a slow speed and very unfondly remembered bobsled coaster encased in a building with cheap themeing and a "plot" that makes no sense.

[@marxdesign]

Ready for some great rumors, finally.... that Star Wars Hotel... think of an E-ride extension to Galaxys Edge. 😎 Far more creative than you can imagine. It's really close, fingers crossed it is not corporate blocked. Full IP which I think is good in this case. 🧐

[@Rizzler420-uh4yd]

I’m 6’5” and I was too big to ride the (old) Tokyo space mountain. They took me downstairs to the maintenance area for a fit check though, that was sweet. We saw a mechanic changing wheels on a ride vehicle.

[@toddhensley880]

17:08 don’t forget SuperStation WTBS, which showed professional wrestling featuring Ric Flair, who was always talking about giving the ladies a ride on Space Mountain. That can’t be a coincidence.

[@JoshMannon]

"Offhand Segan" had me rolling 😂

[@boxofficemitmarko9127]

Hi I ride Paris, WDW, Disneyland und Disneyland Tokyo. In Paris I ride all Version I think the best ist the First with the cannon effect in Paris. Great Video. affectionate regards from Germany Marko

[@sherrydonahue1952]

Same here and I agree Paris is the best.

[@boi2803]

Wait is there a chronological way to ride the rides at Disney??

[@FleshGolem420]

The intro is very Dan Aykroyd.

[@marskristin]

OH whoa pausing midway to absorb that we're literally blueshifted light (going one way) and redshifted light (going the other) inside the telescope 20:07 -- awesome !!

[@dindog22]

so were all the space mountains referenced at the first space mountain originally in 1975 or were they added later? also I took the hugest dump of my life at the restroom by the Disneyland Space Mountain

[@RPena98]

Not gonna lie I miss Ghost Galaxy so much, it was so much fun and I always pray they bring it back but idk anymore 🥲

[@wdwexploreandchill]

woo hoo! 🎉

[@MrCamel2humps]

I miss Ghost Galaxy 👻 🌌

[@Bastet674]

I never got to experience ghost galaxy. I want to though. Hopefully they bring it back. I’ve been on both Disney world and Disney land. Been Disney world more. So I’d say Disney world.

[@LilybeeTV]

The little curls are perfect and the people mover protest is the perfect deflection. Let it grow as long as you need 🤭

[@corneliusmcmuffin3256]

19:19 it’s entirely possible that during the sequence we are approaching a galaxy at well over the speed of light, and the galaxy is trillions of light years away, meaning that it takes trillions of years for light to reach our starting position, but since we are going so fast we see the entire life cycle of the galaxy as we travel opposite to the light it produced over its entire existence. This would be blindingly bright to actually look at, so this is purely for visual effect.

[@bmr1591]

But what about the forbidden ball pit?

[@cameron.t]

I would LOVE a Space Mountain based movie.

[@chloewildner167]

I was recently in DLP for the first time and Hyperspace Mountain was super weird. It had all this old theming for whatever it used to be and then the Star Wars stuff tacked on. I heard a rumor that the Star Wars overlay is going away soon. Hope that’s true and we can get a new video about that Space Mountain!

[@ronhertz2377]

Space Mountain in WDW does a halloween version but just music and no lights on

[@Astrolionking]

Why is Space Mountain getting a movie “unfortunate”??? I’m very excited for it.

[@emilybarner3440]

This was phenomenal

[@jerseyforhawks]

Jesus Chr#st. 31 minutes covering 1:02 my favorite Disney attraction by one of the last genuine Disney YTer. I have four Space Mountain tee shirts , one that has never been worn ever. That aside, the People Mover in DL is overdue.

[@jimmyalbin2445]

About the whole being too much to build a “second area” of Tomorrow Land what if it took you to Galaxy’s Edge ala Hogwarts Express takes you park to park. Seems like a perfect fit to use what is already there

[@iowadarkride]

I’ve been on World and Land’s Space Mountains. Disney World’s is just dark Matterhorn. Disneyland’s is great. I agree about your assessment of the queues though.

[@Mumantaii]

So all the Space Mountains can megazord to form the Space Alps?

[@defeatSpace]

GHOST GALAXY, HOW DID I ALMOST FORGET THIS FROM CHILDHOOD???

[@Undrave]

I don't think we're necessarily traveling towards the future... You're forgetting the idea that light takes a long time to get to Earth, so I think what is happening is that we're rapidly approaching that dead galaxy and what you're seeing is us CATCHING UP with the present! We're speeding through the image of that galaxy as we approach it's former location, following its path through space and seeing how it developped.

[@The_Farwall]

I'm glad the hair situation was addressed :P

[@SFANNNBCUSofA]

Surprised you didn’t mention the Barnstormer! Goofy borrowed a barrel of X-1 rocket fuel to fly Delores, the crashed rocket. It’s up in the station by the First Aid and Second Aid boxes

[@maddercat]

Nice remake. I watched your original one a lot.

[@abby_dandy]

obviously here for the space mountain lore but gotta say your hair looks HEALTHY AF!!!!!

[@LCF_85]

Well, I loved this video. Also, your hair looks amazing tied up, keep it growing!

[@AwesomeAJ18]

Where did you get your Haunted Mansion and Pirates signs??

[@avecnayo]

Digging the long hair😊 I know it’s a “hair strike” but a nice line up would really elevate your up dos. Gotta strike in style 😊

[@We_Like_Disney]

What if its called coral after the color and not literal coral

[@defeatSpace]

It's okay, 3:21, I appreciate you Disneyland 😆

[@defeatSpace]

I hope they keep 77 how it is, even if they redo it 😊