Space Mountain is a moderately-thrilling indoor roller coaster that sends you on a cosmic ride full of twists, turns, and sudden drops. As Disney World’s first roller coaster, this ride has a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first “big” roller coasters I ever went on, and sitting down in one of the rockets going through the blue lightspeed tunnel gives me a rush of nostalgia.

But it’s also Disney World’s oldest thrill ride, and it shows its age. It’s not the smoothest or most thrilling ride in the park.

Should you go on Space Mountain when you go to Disney World?

Attraction Stats

Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom

Type: Roller Coaster

Length: 2.5 Minutes

Height Requirement: 44"

Audience: Kids, Teens, Adults

Open Since January 15, 1975

4 Stars Out of 5 Rating

A Great Attraction, Worth A Moderate-to-Long Wait

Genie+ Lightning Lane Available Genie+ Lightning Lane Available

Rider Swap Available Icon Rider Swap Available

Where to find Space Mountain

Space Mountain is located deep in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, between Carousel of Progress and Tron Lightcycle Run. If you are walking from the hub, enter Tomorrowland and keep walking in a straight line. After you pass The Lunching Pad, you should see the iconic shape of Space Mountain.

Average Wait Time at Space Mountain

In 2023, Space Mountain has had an average wait time of 56 minutes.

Here’s the average wait time for previous years:

2022: 52 minutes
2021: 42 minutes
2020: 51 minutes
2019: 75 minutes
2018: 75 minutes
2017: 81 minutes
2016: 67 minutes
2015: 60 minutes
2014: 48 minutes

Data via Thrill-Data.com

When to ride Space Mountain

Space Mountain can have some of the longest lines at Magic Kingdom, with lines peaking in the afternoon sometime between 2-3 pm. Our favorite times to go on Space Mountain are right in the morning and at night after the fireworks.

If you are rope dropping Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain can be a great option for your first stop. You could also choose to hit up Seven Dwarfs Mine Train first and then make your way to Space Mountain, as it is not too long of a walk between the two attractions.

Lightning Lane Priority

Space Mountain is one of our top priorities for Genie+ Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom. With such long lines, a Lightning Lane here can save you a significant amount of time – sometimes over an hour.

This ride also has a high Lightning Lane demand, usually running out of availability by the afternoon.

If Space Mountain is a must-ride for you, I’d recommend making it one of your first three Lightning Lane selections.

How thrilling is Space Mountain?

Space Mountain isn’t that fast, with a top speed of only 27 mph. In comparison to its neighbor, that’s less than half as fast as Tron Lightcycle Run. In fact, the biggest drop here is only 26 feet.

However, everything is enhanced by the fact that you are in the dark. You don’t know where the next twist, turn, or drop is going to occur, and the ride actually feels faster because of the darkness.

Comprised of two mirroring coaster tracks, Space Mountain’s defining feature is that takes place in the dark.

The track itself is mild by modern coaster standards with the biggest drop of 26 feet, top speed of 27 mph.

While not as big a thrill as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, this is a tried and true classic Disney World attraction.

Where to sit on Space Mountain

If you’re looking to maximize thrills: Our favorite spot to sit on Space Mountain is the very front seat. Without anyone in front of you,

However, be warned that the front row can freak some people out. I’ve gotten many comments on TikTok and Instagram from a few people who found the front row to be absolutely terrifying. If plummeting through the dark without knowing which way you’ll turn next sounds scarier than Alien, don’t sit in the front.

If you want to see where you’re going: Sit in one of the 5 back seats, especially the fourth seat (the first seat in the second rocket). Space Mountain is completely in the dark, and seeing where you are going can be a challenge. If you aren’t in the first seat, you’ll at least have the passengers in front of you to orient yourself. Having no sense of where you’re going can increase motion sickness, so sitting in the second rocket can help a bit.

Discover more of the best places to sit on WDW’s best rides here.

Who should go on Space Mountain?

Space Mountain is a fantastic roller coaster for kids who are just starting out their coaster careers. With a height requirement of 44 inches, this ride feels like a “big kid” ride. I remember feeling so proud after I conquered Space Mountain the first time as a kid. Because it’s in the dark, the moderate thrills feel much larger and it feels like a big accomplishment. Between family and friends, I know several kids who rank this as their favorite coaster.

This is also a great ride for anyone who has been to Disney World in the past and wants a dose of nostalgia.

What if you’re a coaster enthusiast? Space Mountain is not going to give you the biggest thrills. Newer coasters like Guardians or Tron run circles around this in the thrills department.

Guide2WDW’s Rating: Ride It or Skip It?

While Space Mountain is low on our ranking of the best roller coasters at Disney World, I still consider it to be a must-ride. From the moment you walk into the line, the vibes are immaculate with some of the best music in Disney World. It’s a quintessential, classic Disney World experience.

However, the track is not nearly as smooth as newer coasters. If you have a bad back or knees, this trip into space could be rough on you. And if you have a fear of the dark, you should skip this ride.

Space Mountain is featured in:

Tips and Trivia

  • Guests sit one by one toboggan style. If you are tall or have long legs, request the front seat, which has more leg room.
  • Disney World’s Space Mountain was the first Space Mountain built out of all the Disney Parks. There is a version of this ride in every Magic Kingdom-style park around the world, exept for Shanghai Disneyland.
  • Want a new perspective of Space Mountain? Go on the People Mover, which goes through Space Mountain. Riders will get a unique vantage point of Space Mountain’s first lift.
  • While it is rare to ever see Space Mountain with the lights on, it is sometimes possible if Space Mountain is down for repair and People Mover is running. This happened to me once while I was riding the People Mover, and it is fascinating to see. Be warned: Some people consider seeing Space Mountain with the lights on to “spoil the magic.” If you’re sensitive to something like that, avoid the People Mover when Space Mountain is down.

Space Mountain Images