"We astronauts are here today to salute all those who made our trip into space possible. They have permitted us to see the Earth as a precious blue jewel in the blackness of space. Now all of us may enjoy this sense of wonder because of Walt Disney."
With those words 50 years ago today (Jan. 15), Apollo 15 moonwalker Jim Irwin opened Space Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida. Later to be reproduced at other Disney theme parks, this was the original — the first roller coaster intended to give the public the same feeling that only astronauts had experienced up until then.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53803 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-15-2025 09:58 AM
Disney Parks video
Join Walt Disney World Ambassadors Shannon Conrad-Smith and Serena Arvizu, Astronaut Donald, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and some surprise stars for a special celebration of Space Mountain honoring 50 years exploring galaxies and all the thrills along the way!
The grand opening at Magic Kingdom Park took place on January 15, 1975, and the iconic attraction sparked a galactic trend, inspiring versions at Disney Parks around the world—each with its own unique twist. While no two Space Mountains are the same, they all share that timeless mix of wonder, adventure, and out-of-this-world thrills that started it all at Walt Disney World.
MOL Member
Posts: 208 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Oct 2004
posted 01-15-2025 08:32 PM
I have this photo in my collection. It shows Jim Irwin, Scott Carpenter and Gordon Cooper together with the rover.
Hard to believe it was 50 years ago!
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3795 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 01-16-2025 01:37 PM
I have just enjoyed reading the story about the 50th anniversary of Disney World's "Space Mountain."
I never knew the first person [apart from Disney "test pilots"?] to ride on Space Mountain was Apollo 15 LMP Jim Irwin. I had to wait a further six months until my July, 1975 visit to Florida, timed to witness the Apollo-Soyuz launch.
Oddly enough, although my memory of almost all of that visit to Florida is still very vivid, I really don't remember my ride on Space Mountain. I do remember a long queue to get to the starting point, and vague memories of darkness and flashing lights, but that's it. Almost as if the vivid memories, several days later, of the last Apollo thundering skywards erased the memory of a mere roller-coaster ride.
Can anyone else who experienced Space Mountain in its first year tell me what it was actually like?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53803 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-16-2025 05:00 PM
I cannot tell you what it was like to ride back then (a) because I was still a year off from being born, and (b) I don't ride roller coasters, but with regards to Irwin, I believe Disney refers to him as being the first passenger, as opposed to being the first person to ride Space Mountain.
In 1975, "Welcome to the World" aired a special that included footage from the grand opening:
p51 Member
Posts: 1790 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 01-16-2025 05:38 PM
I assume they still do this, but a lot of high schools on the east coast had their senior trip to 'Grad Night' at Disney World. It was an all-night event for high school seniors. I went in 1987 and my friends and I rode Space Mountain.
I fell dead asleep on the thing and was told I was snoring as it pulled back into the station at the end. I came to hearing laughter of other teens who realized I wasn't playing around.
Every time I hear about it, I tell people what happened then.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53803 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-16-2025 07:16 PM
That makes sense; Gordon Cooper said the ride comes close to the feeling of launching into space. Part of that experience, at least based on Cooper's own history, is falling asleep on the launch pad...
posted 01-15-2025 09:47 AM
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