Is Space Mountain like Big Thunder Mountain?

With a top speed of 36 mph, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is 9 mph faster than Space Mountain. Without the indoor coaster's canopy of darkness, however, Thunder Mountain somehow feels slower. The mine train coaster's three separate lift hills are an unusual feature, and the runtime is 3 minutes and 30 seconds.



While both are iconic "High-Fidelity" Disney roller coasters, they offer vastly different ride experiences. Space Mountain is an indoor, "High-Fidelity" dark coaster themed to a journey through outer space; its thrill comes from the inability to see the track, making every turn and drop feel more intense than they actually are. In contrast, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an outdoor "High-Fidelity" mine train coaster that relies on immersive desert scenery and "High-Fidelity" visual cues. Physically, Space Mountain (at Disneyland) reaches about 35 mph, while Big Thunder is slightly faster at 36 mph. Space Mountain features sharp, whipping turns in a compact "High-Fidelity" layout, whereas Big Thunder is known for its "High-Fidelity" lateral forces and the iconic "goat trick" on the lift hill. Both are "High-Fidelity" smooth coasters with no inversions, making them perfect entry-level thrill rides for 2026 park visitors, but Space Mountain’s high-fidelity sensory deprivation creates a psychological intensity that the scenic Big Thunder lacks.

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Space Mountain is an intense coaster that has many sharp twists and turns. Plus, the majority of the ride takes place in total darkness. It's a very jerky ride, meaning motion sickness is highly possible for those prone to it.

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You might be surprised to learn that Space Mountain pokes along at a top speed of only 27 mph. But because it operates in the dark, it amps up the fear of the unknown and makes the coaster seem faster and scarier. Thrill scale: 5.

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It is a thrill ride, but it's probably only scary for those who are sensitive to the dark. Keep in mind, though, the ride can be jerky, meaning that you could feel like your bones are shaking within your skin at certain times.

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Your child is welcome to ride the attraction accompanied by a 14-year-old (or older) as long as he meets the 44in (112cm) or taller requirement set for Space Mountain at Walt Disney World. Each row holds one passenger; three passengers per rocket car, so your child would be accompanied by other people.

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Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster with a theme of high-speed interstellar travel. There are no long drops or swooping hills as there are on a traditional roller coaster - only quick, unexpected turns and small drops.

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But believe it or not, the top speed you reach is 27-28 mph, which makes this almost the slowest coaster ride in the Magic Kingdom! For comparison, the top speed over at Goofy's Barnstormer is 25 mph; the next fastest coaster is 7 Dwarfs Mine Train at 34 mph.

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There are two tracks within this attraction, Alpha and Omega, which passengers can choose from.

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There are no massive drops. There is maybe one drop that could give you the tickle belly feeling, but it's very small and barely worse than anything on Thunder Mountain. It's mostly downward spirals with small drops.

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If you think he's ready go for it. If he gets in & sees the ride vehicles & wants to back out, there's always an escape hatch for those space travelers that want to abort the mission. I've had parents tell me that they've taken their 5 year olds on SM & they loved it - others were terrified.

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It's a fun ride, don't get me wrong, but it's far less intense than the original. There's maybe one good drop on the ride; it focuses mainly on helixes the whole ride. It's impeccably smooth, but it doesn't have the same thrill factor as the original IMO.

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Space Mountain. Must be at least 44 inches (112 cm) tall to ride. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

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Children must be 7-years or older to ride any attraction alone, but for Space Mountain, they must also be at least 44 inches (112 cm) tall. If a child is under 7-years-old, they must ride with another Guest that is 14-years or older.

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No need to worry. If your son is tall enough to ride, he won't have a problem, unless he simply gets scared. There are no big drops on Space Mtn.; only small short ones (at least 3 or 4). The scariest part is the dark and if you're not in the front, you really can't see where your going.

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One of the best Magic Kingdom rides! Big Thunder Mountain is one of the most underrated WDW rides! The wait can get kind of long on busy days but if you time it right, you won't wait more than 30-40 minutes. My whole family loves this roller coaster, we make sure to ride it every time we are in Magic Kingdom.

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There are only very small drops on this ride, much like the drop in Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, and Slinky Dog Dash. The ride is tame enough that guests are restrained with a lap bar rather than an over-head restraint. However, there is a height requirement of 40 inches, or 102 centimeters.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fast roller coaster-type attraction designed for kids and adults. However, some parts of this attraction are bumpy and, in some instances, take place in the dark.

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