After years of planning and multiple design iterations, WED Enterprises added Space Mountain to Magic Kingdom as part of the first Tomorrowland expansion. The indoor coaster officially opened on January 15, 1975, becoming the first computer-operated roller coaster and a landmark in Disney innovation.
Sponsored by RCA, the attraction featured their mascot Nipper in a flying saucer and the theme song “Here’s to the Future and You.” Guests passed through the Star Corridor, viewing convex-window displays of space scenes and RCA products. The queue transitioned into animated space exhibits with narration, culminating in a warning video featuring astronaut Gordon Cooper.
Riders boarded one of two mirrored tracks—Alpha and Omega—with Alpha being 10 feet longer to accommodate the crossover. After the ride, guests entered RCA’s Home of Future Living, a moving walkway showcasing futuristic tech like wall-mounted TVs and early laptop concepts.
Over the years, Space Mountain underwent several refurbishments:
1989: Cosmetic updates and new 3-seat ride vehicles
1992: Exit rerouted through a gift shop and arcade
1994: FedEx sponsorship began; new signage, warning video, and post-show updates
1998: Queue made wheelchair accessible; FastPass added
2009: $12M refurbishment with updated queue, ride vehicles, signage, loading gates, and a ride photo camera. The post-show added tributes to Horizons and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Though the ride system remains largely unchanged, Space Mountain continues to evolve—serving as both a nostalgic icon and a beacon of Tomorrowland’s ever-shifting vision of the future.
Crowds gather near Space Mountain under a sleek Tomorrowland pavilion and red Mickey balloons.
A busy Tomorrowland walkway sits beside Space Mountain, with a white futuristic pavilion, tall spires, and red Mickey balloons above crowds of visitors.
Space Mountain is not currently launching, with flights set to resume in winter 2009.
A blue Space Mountain sign states that it is not currently launching and says flights will resume in winter 2009. Gold lettering stands out against the framed notice.
Skyway gondolas pass over the resort grounds as construction continues below.
A Skyway gondola hangs from the overhead cable above a broad construction area, with concrete supports, track work, and open grass stretching toward a large resort building in the distance.
Space Mountain and the Contemporary Resort rise above the Disney skyline.
Space Mountain stands beyond the treetops near the Contemporary Resort, while monorail tracks and low buildings stretch across the Disney property under a bright, hazy sky.
Space Mountain train rolls past the launch control room as riders face the glowing display.
A Space Mountain coaster train ascends the track beside the launch control window, with riders seated in the back car and a bright display glowing behind the glass.
A smiling rider leans forward as Space Mountain glows red above the dark track.
A roller coaster car carries smiling riders through the dark interior of Space Mountain while red lighting washes over the overhead rocket-shaped structure and track.
Space Mountain and the RCA sign anchor Tomorrowland, with Skyway cars overhead.
Space Mountain dominates the Tomorrowland skyline as red RCA lettering sits atop the structure. Skyway gondolas pass across the frame while guests stand below near the entrance area.
Space Mountain rises over Tomorrowland with its iconic futuristic dome.
Space Mountain’s white geodesic dome dominates the skyline, with pointed spires on top and the entrance area below. Guests walk past shaded seating in front of the attraction.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress shows a metallic robot figure beside a smaller companion in Tomorrowland.
A metallic green animatronic figure with raised arms stands beside a smaller robot on a white platform in a dark Tomorrowland setting from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
Space Mountain rises above the entrance, with a red ride vehicle overhead.
The white dome of Space Mountain fills the frame as guests stand near the entrance below. A red ride vehicle hangs overhead, and the classic Disney attraction sign sits at the lower left.
Pink-haired rider on Space Mountain with a handset in a dark futuristic setting.
A pink-haired rider lies across a patterned Space Mountain vehicle, holding a white handset to her ear inside a dark futuristic set. Blue lighting and geometric panels frame the scene.
A Space Mountain rider relaxes in a dark car while blue monitors glow nearby.
A passenger in a blue-and-white space suit leans back inside a dark Space Mountain ride vehicle, holding a booklet as small blue monitors glow in the distance.
A Space Mountain figure in a yellow suit moves through a neon-lit show setting.
A yellow-suited figure stands on a suspended platform in a dark Space Mountain show room, framed by diagonal blue light patterns and a glowing screen that curves along the right side.
Space Mountain glows in a dark futuristic ride setting.
A rider in a red costume sits on a rocky platform beside a brown container inside Space Mountain. Blue-lit panels glow in the dark background, creating a moody futuristic attraction scene.
Space Mountain WDW - Martins 1975-2020 Ultimate Tribute
