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Parks & Travel

The Complete Guide to Space Mountain

Updated

Outside the spaceport windows, stars shine against the pitch black of deep space. Excitement builds as you climb into your high-speed rocket at Space Mountain and prepare to journey into the unknown. Then you’re cleared for takeoff, and your transport blasts off into the darkness. Who knows what awaits, but one thing’s for sure: It’s going to be a thrilling ride!

Space Mountain is one of Disney’s most iconic attractions, and this year, the long-time favorite at Walt Disney World® Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary since its original opening in 1975. You can experience the classic attraction in both Tomorrowland at the Walt Disney World® Resort’s Magic Kingdom® Park and Tomorrowland in Disneyland® Park at the Disneyland® Resort—just don’t think that if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them both! While the attractions share the same name and theme, the rides and details are different, making each a unique experience. Read on to find out everything you need to know about both Space Mountain attractions, and don’t forget that when you’re planning your journey into the cosmos, Disney® Visa® Cardmembers can get special vacation financing on select Disney vacation packages.1 Following the success of the attraction at Magic Kingdom® Park, Space Mountain has inspired international iterations at Disney parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris.

What to expect at Space Mountain at the Disney parks

  • Description: Space Mountain is a thrill ride that takes place in the dark to simulate the experience of flying through outer space. Drops and sharp turns add to the excitement.

  • Height requirements: To ride Walt Disney World® Resort’s Space Mountain, Guests must be 44 inches (112 centimeters) or taller. At the Disneyland® Resort, Space Mountain’s height requirement is 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller.

  • Recommended ages: Kids, Tweens, Teens and Adults

  • How to experience: Guests can join the regular standby queue or purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Premier Pass to access the Lightning Lane queue.  

What You’ll Experience on Space Mountain

As you enter Space Mountain, Tomorrowland’s Spaceport Terminal, you leave Earth behind and enter a futuristic realm among the stars. Dimly lit corridors guide you toward Mission Control, while portholes reveal hundreds of stars set against the infinite blackness of outer space. Adventure awaits if you’re brave enough to explore. Board your high-speed rocket and make your way to the launchpad to be cleared for takeoff. Then it’s 3…2…1…blastoff! Hold tight as your rocket roars into the unknown zooming past stars and pinwheel galaxies and dodging streaking comets and meteors. Navigate your way through the galaxy and back to the Spaceport Terminal for a truly out-of-this-world ride!

Space Mountain at Walt Disney World® Resort

Rider experience

The Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World® Resort is designed for riders to sit in a single file line, with each rocket sled accommodating three Guests. As a dual track ride, Guests will either experience the Alpha or the Omega track, providing the perfect excuse to ride this attraction more than once! While both ride tracks are almost exact mirror images of each other, a fun fact is that the Alpha track is ten feet longer than the Omega.

History of Space Mountain attraction

While reimagining the Disneyland® Resort’s Tomorrowland in the 1960s, Walt Disney had an idea for a high-speed journey through outer space. Problem was, his futuristic vision was a bit too futuristic. The technology to pull it off wouldn’t be ready for a few years. With advances in computerization, construction of Space Mountain finally began at Walt Disney World® Resort in 1972, and when the groundbreaking attraction debuted on January 15, 1975, it was the first roller coaster to be fully computer-operated. Its opening was celebrated with fireworks, a 2,000-piece marching band and even a special visit by three NASA astronauts!

How to secure Lighting Lane entry at Space Mountain

If you’d like to shorten your countdown to takeoff at Space Mountain, consider purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which lets you skip the standby line and join the expedited Lightning Lane queue. To purchase, use the My Disney Experience app to select a date, select the Multi Pass option and the Magic Kingdom® Park as the park you wish to visit. Next, choose Space Mountain as one of your three Lightning Lane Multi Pass experiences and select your arrival window for the attraction. Finally, complete your purchase, which Cardmembers can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward.2 Then all that’s left to do is to arrive at Space Mountain at the appropriate time and join the Lightning Lane queue for warp-speed boarding!

Guests inside of Space Mountain

Places to dine and shop near Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom® Park

Planning your Magic Kingdom® Park visit around Space Mountain? Here are some great dining and shopping spots to check out near the attraction!

  • Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
    Cool off at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies, where space-inspired sweets take center stage. Summer offerings include two cosmic soft-serve creations inspired by Stitch, everyone’s favorite blue troublemaker, and a galactic flavor themed to Pixar’s newest space adventure, Elio.

  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
    Conveniently located in Tomorrowland, this restaurant offers a whole slew of menu items sure to please anyone in this galaxy. Enjoy the musical entertainment offered by Sonny Eclipse as you dine on classic fare like bacon cheeseburgers or crispy chicken strips.

  • Star Traders
    Get your fill of space-themed Disney merchandise at this shop, which carries some stellar apparel, toys and more. Plus, Cardmembers can use their Disney Visa Card at checkout to get 10% off select purchases.34

  • The Plaza Restaurant
    Stroll on over to Main Street, U.S.A.® to the Plaza Restaurant for a great dining option where you’ll get 10% off your bill by paying with your Disney Visa Card. Enjoy delicious salads and sandwiches amid the eatery’s elegant turn-of-the-century style, and refresh with an artisanal shake or specialty cocktail. Then celebrate your successful reentry to Earth with some strawberry shortcake or a chocolate pecan brownie!

Space Mountain at the Disneyland® Resort

Rider experience

The Space Mountain attraction at the Disneyland® Resort is designed for two riders to sit side-by-side, with each train accommodating 12 Guests total. As a single track ride, all Guests will have the same experience on this attraction.

History of Space Mountain attraction

Although Walt Disney first envisioned Space Mountain for the Disneyland® Resort, the attraction didn’t open in Disneyland® Park until 1977, two years after the Walt Disney World® Resort version debuted. It wasn’t just a copy of its Florida cousin, though. The new Space Mountain at the Disneyland® Resort had rocket sleds that sat two Guests side by side, making it perfect for riding with a friend. Time-warp to 2005, and the Disneyland® Resort Space Mountain was updated with a major refurbishment and a new musical score.

How to secure Lightning Lane entry at Space Mountain

Just like at Walt Disney World® Resort, you can gain faster access to Space Mountain at the Disneyland® Resort by taking advantage of the Lightning Lane service. When you purchase your park tickets, select Lightning Lane Multi Pass as an add-on, or simply buy a pass through the Disneyland app when you enter the park. On the day of your visit, use the app’s Tip Board to select Space Mountain and book an available time to experience the attraction. Arrive at Space Mountain at your selected time and join the Lightning Lane queue for a cosmically quick trip to Mission Control. And remember that Disney Visa Cardmembers can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward the purchase of Lightning Lane passes!2 Guests can also experience Space Mountain via the Lightning Lane with the purchase of Lightning Lane Premier Pass.

Group of friends

Places to dine and shop near Space Mountain at Disneyland® Park

There’s all sorts of Earthly fun to be had before and after your outer space expedition! Shop for some Disney gear or catch your breath and a (delicious) bite at a nearby location.

  • Alien Pizza Planet
    If you want to maximize your time visiting attractions, pop into this restaurant directly beneath Space Mountain for a quick slice. Save some room for breadsticks and salad for a full Italian meal. And, if available, try the out-of-this-world alien-shaped macarons, a seasonal offering. Or, satisfy your sweet tooth year-round with a Nestle Mickey’s Ice Cream Bar!

  • The Star Trader
    Shop for some Jedi essentials at this Tomorrowland store that features Star Wars merchandise as well as space-themed Disney gear! Make sure to use your Disney Visa Card at checkout to get 10% off select purchases.34

  • Tomorrowlanding
    From galactic gear like collectible pins to must-have souvenirs, this shop brings the future straight to your hands—no time machine required. Get all your pins and pin trading accessory needs taken care of here!

Star Trader at Disneyland

  • Carnation Café
    Keep your energy up between adventures with a visit to this divine restaurant, where Cardmembers can get 10% off when they use their Disney Visa Card.39 Carnation Café is just a short 10 to 15 minute walk from Space Mountain, located on Main Street, U.S.A. Grab a table in the Victorian-style dining room and enjoy comfort food classics like braised short rib or a chili cheese omelet, Walt Disney’s personal favorite!

  • Galactic Grill
    Also in Tomorrowland, the Galactic Grill is another great spot to catch your breath and a (delicious) bite. Choose from their variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack choices and fuel up for your next stop.

No visit to Walt Disney World® Resort or the Disneyland® Resort is complete without a ride on the iconic Space Mountain, and we hope this article has given you all you need to make your next outer space adventure happen. Don’t forget that Disney Visa Cardmembers can make their vacation goals a reality by using special vacation financing to book their getaway and by taking advantage of the Disney Rewards Dollars they’ve earned.12 To learn about the best ways to maximize your Disney Rewards Dollars, visit our pages on how to redeem them on your next Walt Disney World® Resort vacation and at the Disneyland® Resort.

Related Posts

NEW + EXCLUSIVE

For New Disney® Inspire Visa® Cardmembers

$600 OFFER

A $300 Disney Gift Card eGift upon approval + earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.12

Learn more
NEW + EXCLUSIVE

For New Disney® Inspire Visa® Cardmembers

$600 OFFER

A $300 Disney Gift Card eGift upon approval + earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.12

Learn more
NEW + EXCLUSIVE

For New Disney® Inspire Visa® Cardmembers

$600 OFFER

A $300 Disney Gift Card eGift upon approval + earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.12

Learn more

1Special Vacation Financing

Get special vacation financing on select Disney Resort packages, all Adventures by Disney® packages, National Geographic Expeditions, all AULANI, A Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i vacation packages, and all Disney Cruise Line packages (collectively, Disney Vacation Packages). Disney Vacation Packages must be booked by you through the Walt Disney Travel Company, Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc., online at Disney sites or through other eligible travel agents or sites, and charged to your Disney Visa Credit Card prior to commencement of your vacation. Other restrictions and exclusions apply. New Applicants: Please refer to the applicable Pricing & Terms for pricing details: Disney Inspire Visa Card pricing↗; Disney Premier Visa Card pricing↗; Disney Visa Card pricing↗. If you received an offer in the mail, please refer to the Pricing & Terms included with that offer. You will receive complete terms and conditions for this offer once you become a cardmember. Existing Cardmembers: For complete details please refer to your Cardmember Agreement.

2Disney Rewards Dollars

Disney Rewards Dollars are subject to the Disney Rewards Dollars Terms and Conditions for Disney Visa Credit Cards available at DisneyRewards.com/Terms.

3Disney Theme Park & Resort Perks

Offers and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase to receive special offers. Merchandise discount may not be available for certain items and at certain locations including Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort. To receive a merchandise discount, you must mention the specific offer. For entry into the Disney, Heroic Encounter or Star Wars Cardmember Photo Opportunities, you must present your valid Disney Visa Card. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase. Minimum purchase and/or separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Offers are for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of these Disney Theme Park and Resort perks.

4Merchandise Savings at Disney Theme Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures, and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase and mention this offer. Discount is not valid on previous purchases or on purchases of the following: ticket media, Disney Gift Cards, Theme Park admission, arcades, tobacco, alcohol, outdoor vending (e.g., in-Park balloon vendors, glow vendors), Add-a-Dollar (Disney Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECVs), personalization, Lightning Lane Single Pass, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Disney PhotoPass® purchases (e.g., purchases through any application, website or onsite sales location), Disney PhotoPass+, Disney PhotoPass+ One Day and Disney PhotoPass+ One Week, Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day, Capture Your Moment and other photo sessions requiring reservations, select print packages, original or consignment art, select limited editions, select collectibles, select specialized toys, select specialty items (including, without limitation, one-of-a-kind art, Disney-branded original art, celebrity memorabilia, framed Disney Dollars, Artist Sketch Program, framed Disney Gift Cards, framed ticket media, Walt Disney Classics Collection, handmade products (physically touched by an artist/vendor) and artist-signed Vinylmation), purchase-with-purchase offers, select reusable shopping bags, newspapers/periodicals, books, sundries, pantry/prepared foods, kitchen products, digital/video/disposable cameras, consumer electronics (including, without limitation, DVDs, CDs, and software media), Guerlain treatments and cosmetics, Lladró®, Swarovski® Crystal, Tiffany & Co.® Jewelry, Bvlgari®, handmade items, special orders, live auction artwork, select product launches, select premium branded items, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (at Walt Disney World® Resort and onboard Disney Cruise Line), Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, and Droid Depot packages, phone, internet, email or mail order purchases, shipping or taxes. Discount is not available at the following locations at the Disneyland® Resort: Games of Pixar Pier, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, face painting locations, letter brush art locations, any other locations that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort except for Arribas Brothers Crystal Shops (Crystal Arts and Cristal d’Orleans), or at any Downtown Disney® District location other than Curl Surf, World of Disney® Store, Disney Home, WonderGround Gallery, Marceline’s Confectionery, Disney’s Pin Traders, The Disney Dress Shop, Avengers Reserve, Disney Storyland Boutique, Disney Wonderful World of Sweets and Star Wars™ Trading Post. Discount is not available at the following locations at Walt Disney World® Resort: games, Cast Connection, Disney’s Character Premiere, Disney’s Character Warehouse or Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort, except for ALOHA Collection, Arribas Brothers locations (Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Crystal Arts stores and kiosks), Balocoloc Venetian Masks at La Gemma Elegante, Basin®, Basin White®, The Boathouse, Chapel Hats, Columbia Sportswear Company, Crown & Crest, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, Frontera Cucina, Joffrey’s coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s, Just Fun Socks, Levi’s®, Luxury of Time, M&M Store, Sanuk, Shop for Ireland at Raglan Road™, Sperry, Stance, and Sugarboo & Co. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise.

5Dining Savings at Disney Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible food and beverages, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures, and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Offer excludes alcoholic beverages, select new food and beverage offerings, merchandise, tobacco, room service, holiday buffets, tax and gratuity. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at time of purchase for full amount of purchase. Discount valid at the following Walt Disney World® Resort restaurant locations: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas: Boma – Flavors of Africa, Jiko – The Cooking Place (see restrictions), and Sanaa; Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Beaches and Cream and Cape May Cafe; Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas: Flying Fish (see restrictions); Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Sebastian’s Bistro; Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Steakhouse 71; Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Three Bridges Bar & Grill and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood; Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Citricos (see restrictions), Grand Floridian Cafe, and Narcoossee’s (see restrictions); Disney’s Old Key West Resort: Olivia’s Cafe; Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Kona Cafe; Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Boatwrights Dining Hall; Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: The Turf Club Bar and Grill; Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Whispering Canyon Cafe; Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Ale & Compass Restaurant and Yachtsman Steakhouse; Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park: Tiffins; Disney’s Hollywood Studios®: Roundup Rodeo BBQ, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, and The Hollywood Brown Derby (see restrictions); EPCOT®: Biergarten Restaurant (see restrictions), Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Spice Road Table; Magic Kingdom® Park: Crystal Palace, Diamond Horseshoe, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Plaza Restaurant, and Tony's Town Square Restaurant. For locations where it is noted to see restrictions, the discount does not apply to the following dates: 11/27/2025, 12/25/2025, 12/28/2025, 12/29/2025, 12/30/2025, 12/31/2025, 1/1/2026, 1/2/2026, 2/13/2026, 2/14/2026, 2/15/2026, 4/3/2026, 4/4/2026 and 4/5/2026. Discount valid at the following Disneyland® Resort restaurant locations, subject to location availability: Disneyland® Park: Cafe Orleans, Carnation Café, The Golden Horseshoe, Harbour Galley, Plaza Inn, River Belle Terrace, Royal Street Veranda, and Troubadour Tavern; Disney California Adventure® Park: Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Lucky Fortune Cookery, Paradise Garden Grill, Sonoma Terrace, Studio Catering Co., and Wine Country Trattoria; Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa: GCH Craftsman Bar and Storytellers Café; Disneyland® Hotel: Goofy’s Kitchen and Palm Breeze Bar. Discount valid at the following Disney’s Vero Beach Resort restaurant location: Wind & Waves Grill. Subject to restaurant availability, operating hours and closures. Reservations may be required. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold.

6$300 Disney Gift Card eGift with the Disney Inspire Visa Card

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Upon approval of your Disney Inspire Visa Card application, you will be sent your Disney Gift Card eGift via email within hours to any valid email address. The Disney Gift Card eGift can be used at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store locations in the U.S., DisneyStore.com, and Adventures by Disney®. Disney Gift Card eGifts are redeemable for goods and services at participating Disney locations. Disney Gift Card eGifts are not refundable or redeemable for cash unless required by law. Disney Gift Card eGifts are not for resale. Disney Gift Card eGifts are issued by, and represents a legal obligation solely of, Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. Lost, damaged or stolen Disney Gift Card eGifts may be replaced only if original email and complete card number are provided. For Disney Gift Card eGift balance inquiries, call 1-877-650-4327 or visit DisneyGiftCard.com. For complete terms and conditions (including arbitration agreement), visit DisneyGiftCard.com. The value of this offer or program may result in miscellaneous income received from Chase and we may be required to send you, and file with the IRS, a Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Information) or Form 1042-S (Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding) for the year in which you participate and are awarded the benefits of the offer/program. You are responsible for any tax liability related to participating in the offer/program. Please consult your own tax advisor if you have any questions about how this could affect your taxes. Chase is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits and services. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. If your account is not open for at least 6 months, Chase and Disney reserve the right to cancel the Disney Gift Card eGift.

7$300 Statement Credit with the Disney Inspire Visa Card

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Offers may vary and may not be available through all application methods when applying for the Disney Visa Credit Cards. In some instances, an application may require additional time to process. To qualify and receive your $300 statement credit, you must make Purchases totaling $1,000 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. ("Purchases" do not include balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your account, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable.) To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. After qualifying, please allow up to 8 weeks for your credit to appear in your statement.

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