Rockin' Space Mountain, a musical expedition through the universe featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from January 3 through April 26, 2007

Shortly before Space Mountain re-opened in July 2005 after a 27-month closure to replace its track, rumors swirled about the possible introduction of a new version of the attraction that would feature a more "traditional" ride during the day and a "Rock It" version with different music and special effects in the evening hours. A newly installed sign that showed both "Space Mountain" and "Rock It Mountain" were presented as evidence of the transformation. But the idea never really came to fruition. An after-hours experiment was launched at Grad Nite in 2006 with a soundtrack featuring Hoobastank. But the actuality of a Rockin' Space Mountain wasn't made available to regular park guests until January 3 of this year.

As part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion, the Disneyland Resort created a marketing campaign where guests could "rock both parks" with Space Mountain receiving a soundtrack by the Red Hot Chili Peppers with new projections and lighting inside the mountain's dome. (Disney's California Adventure saw its California Screamin' roller coaster receive a soundtrack overlay by the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well.) From January 3 to April 26, 2007, guests could ride the two premier Disneyland roller coasters while listening to "Higher Ground" on Space Mountain and "Around the World" on California Screamin'.

Reaction to the overlays have been mixed at best. Disneyland has dropped its advertising of the Red Hot Chili Peppers from its commercials and billboards, which has been rumored to be a result of the band not giving the theme parks the OK to include them in their ads or the possibility of the band's not-so-family-oriented background being cause for concern.

I was particularly interested in checking out the Space Mountain version to see what changes were made. Space Mountain has long been my favorite roller coaster and I had heard that the lighting from this overlay really showed what the usually darkened attraction's guts looked like. I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers well enough and have enjoyed their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" since I first heard it on the soundtrack for the movie Center Stage. So when I had the chance to ride it on March 3, I looked forward to the adventure.

After getting into our rocket, we are set to launch. The on-board speakers feature some music with a voiceover by L.A. DJ "Uncle Joe" Benson (who has also voiced the DJ on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at the Disney-MGM Studios) "broadcasting live across the universe." He announces that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have taken to the Space Stage. While climbing the lift hill, a sound check is being performed and the lighting along the ceiling and sides makes you feel like you are in the middle of one of Windows Media Player's Vizualization modes. After cresting, you can see some laser light projections on the inside of the mountain that I've read are supposed to be "dancing rock fans." The song begins and you take off through the mountain.

The lighting was much less illuminating than I had been led to believe. Yes, you can see portions of the track. But it wasn't like riding through the building with the lights up. It was neat to be able to look down on the track from above as well as see the occasional other rocket coming towards you from another part of the ride. Most of the lighting were flood style bulbs pulsing to the beat of the soundtrack. The music worked for me, especially as it cut to the guitar and drum rift as you entered the final turns at the base of the ride.

I thought the Rockin' ride through Space Mountain was a lot of fun. Would I want it to be set in this version all the time? I don't know. Probably not. But it was a nice alternative to the latest soundtrack introduced when the ride re-opened (I still miss the Dick Dale version myself). I'd be interested in taking another ride on this before it disappears in April.

I guess what is most intriguing about this overlay is the fact that Disney can alter its attractions in new and inventive ways without really needing to completely gut a ride's infrastructure. I always thought that Star Tours would have received an update by now but instead Rex is still "making his first flight" and "ours too" after 20 years. Other film-based attractions, such as Honey, I Shrunk the Audience and Muppet Vision 3-D also seem a little tired. Isn't it fairly easy and somewhat inexpensive to shoot a new film and have a brand new attraction to promote? Why is it that visitors to Epcot have to go Soarin' over California? I'd love to see Disney really invest in upgrading its attractions with little tweaks or whole new experiences such as this overlay with Rockin' Space Mountain. I think it is a fun little way to still be able to enjoy old favorites while offering repeat visitors with something they haven't partaken in before. Disneyland has experienced positive reactions to additions made to Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. With a "new" Submarine Voyage and pirate overlay to Tom Sawyer's Island, the park seems to be taking advantage of limited space while trying to keep the place fresh. Let's hope that any tempered response for the Rockin' overlay doesn't stop the enthusiasm in making sure that Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world.

Check out a YouTube video of Rockin' Space Mountain below ...

-Photo and Review by Matthew Walker; Video by KritterHC via YouTube

Posted March 6, 2007

E-mail Matt at matt@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this article in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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