Daily Photo Tour - We Are Go For Launch

The Space Mountain queue is something that I've been wanting to photograph for a long time. I love it in there. It's a challenge but what's life without a few hurdles to jump, mountains to climb or obscure theme park pictures to take?

Daily Photo Tour - Leaving Station 77

Station 77, otherwise known as Space Mountain, is a fantastic place to transport yourself, leaving the baggage that often accompanies everyday life lightyears behind you. Call me crazy, but one of my favorite things about this E-ticket attraction is its exit.

Daily Photo Tour - Ghosts in Space

Disneyland doesn't seem to advertise much for Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. Maybe they just know that once you're in the Park and night falls, you're going to find out about it one way or another. Chances are that way will be by seeing and hearing the stunning effects that take place on the iconic out of this world mountain. One thing is for certain - there are definitely ghosts in space.

Daily Photo Tour - Space Mountain: A Rite of Passage

I can't imagine Disneyland without Space Mountain. It's always been that one ride that dominates the skyline. At night it becomes even more of a spectacle with its futuristic glow. I've always noticed that this ride seems to be some sort of rite of passage for many. It probably could take the title as most intimidating ride at Disneyland. Riding pitch black through space in a rocket ship is quite a feat, I can't think of any reasons why Space Mountain isn't so intimidating.

I have several memories of trips to Disneyland, and friends chickening out to ride. I do remember a specific trip that almost my whole family went on. The day was pretty much a marathon of rides, with the exception of Space Mountain. By sun down, the group had split up, and I headed through the park with my two uncles, and my cousin. It wasn't until the very end of the night they decided to take my cousin and I on Space Mountain. Now this definitely wasn't my first ride on Space Mountain, but it was for my cousin. He tried every single excuse in the book, but this time it was just us guys, and one mountain to conquer. We eventually talked him into it, and when he got off, he couldn't be happier. Watching him go through the process of pure fear, to complete joy and excitement was definitely inspiring. And pretty darn hilarious.

Daily Photo Tour - Space Mountain Sunset

Coming around the corner into Tomorrowland and seeing Space Mountain lit up in oranges and yellows always makes me happy. It means there is only a little bit left of daylight until Tomorrowland comes alive for the night!

Daily Photo Tour - Sunset Over Space

As the sun sets on Summer, it also sets over Space Mountain, which is about to undergo its Halloween transformation into Ghost Galaxy. It won't be long now before our beloved space coaster is haunted by an extraterrestrial apparition. As if barreling through space with epic music in tow wasn't thrilling enough. I really do enjoy Disney's holiday ride makeovers. They not only serve to keep things fresh, they help you to appreciate the originals. With that in mind, I keep hoping they will do a retro phase with Dick Dale's original Space Mountain soundtrack.

Daily Photo Tour - Illuminating Space Mountain

In the grand scheme of things I still don't understand why Disney changed the color of Space Mountain to the golden hue it once was during the 1990's. I do know that when I heard it was going back to its original white, I was ecstatic! Space Mountain has always been one of my favorite rides in Disneyland. I find that for me, the best time to ride is in the afternoon. I like the effect that the difference in light plays on my eyes. During the day, your eyes are adjusted to daylight, when you finally get on the ride, your eyes are still not adjusted to the dark ambiance. That my friends gives you quite a unique ride in space! Although the ride during the day may be more thrill, nothing beats the glow and illumination of Space Mountain at night.

Daily Photo Tour - The Observatron Takes Aim

This futuristic structure taking aim at Space Mountain is the Observatron. If you were wondering, I did have to look that up. It's one of those things at Disneyland that you see and think, "That's cool... What is it?" If you stare at it long enough, pondering its identity, it will put on a show for you, with sound effects and all. I was pretty excited to find this perspective of it on the Monorail platform. I'm told it gets pretty good reception.

Daily Photo Tour - Clear for Take Off

Space Mountain is just one of those rides you can't find anywhere else. My favorite time to ride is during the day. Your eyes have to adjust to the darkness, and for me, they never find time to. It makes for a much more interesting ride when all you can see is stars and galaxies. It really feels like you are flying through space.

Daily Photo Tour - Ghost Galaxy

The Ghost is back! I'm sure you've all heard this a million times already, but I'm going to say it anyways. It's October already!? This summer has seemed to fly by so fast. Usually this time of the year I start to get sad that the long days and cool nights are over. But...Something is different this year. I am excited for fall. And you should be too! During October, Space Mountain is turned into Ghost Galaxy, literally from the inside out. I don't want to give away too many of the cool effects, but lets just say that the ride has a lot more character then usual. If you're wondering why Space Mountain isn't its usual white/blue glow, it's because the outside is literally transformed into several different facades. That is all the information I will disclose! Go to the park and check it out!

Daily Photo Tour - Space Mountain Daytime

There is no basketball court inside Space Mountain. There is, however, a pretty awesome roller coaster chock full of right turns. As a boy, I had no affinity for roller coasters. They simply scared me. It wasn't until high school that I really rode them, and then it was love at first ride. My first experience on Space Mountain came in 2005, while I was at the park with my mom. We had thought the ride was still closed for its big refurbishment, but were told by a cast member in a Tomorrowland shop that they had just started its soft opening that day. I looked at my mom with a bursting excitement and enthusiasm in a plea to ride. My mom, definitely not a fan of roller coasters, agreed without noticeable hesitation. Great moms do that sort of thing. I had a blast, flying through banked turns and drops underneath the stars, and my mom survived. I think of that first time, every time I ride Space Mountain or walk by that shop in Tomorrowland. Thanks mom.