Smash Mountain

One of Disneyland’s most popular attractions
was out of commission for the start of the Labor Day weekend
after a rear-ending on Space Mountain.

On Thursday, August 29 at about 4:30 p.m., the attraction triggered a
standard “cascade ride stop,” which is supposed to stop the
rockets, one at a time, as they enter the next brake zone. Unfortunately,
one rocket shot through one of the last brake zones without stopping —
and smashed into the rear of a rocket that had been stopped just before
the station.

“We had the usual cascade, but one of the brakes didn’t brake a
rocket when it should have, and a collision happened in the (reentry)
tunnel,” confirms a ride operator. “Brakes not braking just
doesn’t happen. It’s very bizarre.”

The State of California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)
described the cause only as a “malfunction.” A cast member said
Facilities suspected a faulty sensor was to blame.

According to DOSH spokesman Dean Fryer, seven passengers suffered injuries, all minor. “Four (guests) were taken to area hospitals as a precautionary measure, looked at, and released to return to the park,” he said. “Three others sought medical attention a day later.”

Space Mountain remained closed for repairs and testing for two days. Fryer said Disneyland called DOSH Saturday morning, so investigators could test repairs made to the ride. Soon after noon, DOSH declared the attraction safe to reopen.

The ride reopened… but at a slightly reduced capacity. A ride operator explained: “Two rockets were damaged and now Space will be down to 10 rockets available until near the Christmas season — meaning Friday/Saturday lines even during slow season will monstrous.”

He doesn’t expect the repairs to take too long. The vehicles, he said, “were in nice shape for what happened. Some plastic panels were kind of broken off and such, but the bumper on the back took a lot of the force as well. Are they reusable? Yes, I’d think after checking the main body for damage and replacing the panels, they’d be fine to use again.”

A previous display of the Space
Mountain track model in the Disney Gallery. Photo by Kevin Yee

Ironically, days before the incident, Disneyland canceled an extensive 12-week rehab of Space Mountain that had been planned for the spring. By postponing the work, changes such as the addition of station gates could be folded into the complete 50th Anniversary overhaul a year later.

A ride operator says, “The official construction on Space Mountain will begin January 2004 and last for eight months, which pretty much goes with the 18-month 50th Birthday celebration that I’ve been hearing about. The construction involves adding station gates, a totally new station layout, and the possibility of increased capacity past what Space has right now (1,700 people an hour).”

He has heard that the track layout will remain the same, but doubts it. “I don’t believe it because I heard that they are tearing out the current track and replacing it. So, why not change it? I’m almost positive that there is a new track involved. Also, the new rockets look like they won’t show up until the ‘new’ Space Mountain is done in September 2004…. two years away… cry.”

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