The other day I sat on a bench in Magic Kingdom’s
Tomorrowland looking over the vacant area surrounding Space Mountain’s building. For some time now Space Mountain has been undergoing a major refurbishment project. I have heard that tons of trash and debris have been removed from the interior of the attractions building and large trash bins lined the street behind the popular attraction.
While sitting there I could not help but wonder, “What are they really doing in there?” Disney has not been saying much as to what is going to happen during the seven-month project. The only thing the company has confirmed is that it will get a new track (keeping the same layout of course), a new queue enclosure and a new ceiling.
Disney has never really explained what exactly the new queue enclosure will include as to what they are going to do. Then I remembered what Sentinel Staff writers Jason Garcia and Sara K. Clarke reported back on June 8. They stated in their report that Disney had applied for a construction permit calling for “the installation of an interactive queue and audio-visual upgrades.” The reporters stated that this could be similar to the queue area located in Soarin’ in Epcot.
That idea could be interesting, however, as with Soarin’ if you get a Fast Pass you miss the entire interactive queue area. So it got me thinking again. In order to experience the entire interactive adventure of the new Space Mountain are you going to have to skip using a Fast Pass, at least once, just to be able to experience the new queue area? Or will you still be able to see it using the Fast Pass line. Then again, it would not be Fast Pass if there were stops to see the new queue in detail. Hmm. I am going to have to think over that one a bit longer.
Reedy Creek Improvement District, the government that runs Lake Buena Vista where Walt Disney World is located, has estimated the refurbishment project at a total of $12.3 million.
While Space Mountain has been closed the area in Tomorrowland where it sits seems quiet and desolate. Only a sole Cast Member can be found walking back and forth, waiting for a guest to approach and ask a question.
Space Mountain is scheduled to re-pen on Nov. 11, 2009. Just in time for the holiday season.
Author: Heather Leigh Carroll-Landon
http://www.examiner.com/x-1712-Walt-...ravel-Examiner