Roller Coasters in Florida - Roller Coasters in Orlando, Florida, Roller Coasters in Tampa, Florida, Space Mountain (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 104. Not illustrated. Chapters: Roller Coasters in Orlando, Florida, Roller Coasters in Tampa, Florida, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Dueling Dragons, Expedition Everest, Sheikra, Revenge of the Mummy, Kumba, Gwazi, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, the Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, Montu, Kraken, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, Primeval Whirl, Python, Rhino Rally, Air Grover, Scorpion, Pteranodon Flyers, Cheetah Chase. Excerpt: Space Mountain is a themed indoor roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom, opened on January 15, 1975. It is the original version of the iconic attraction that is included in all five Disneyland-style theme parks worldwide. It is also currently the oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Florida. The Space Mountain concept was a descendant of the first Disney "mountain" attraction, the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, which opened in 1959. The Matterhorn's success had convinced Walt Disney that thrilling rides did have a place in his park. In 1964, Walt first approached designer John Hench with his idea for a new attraction that would be the focal point of a renovated Tomorrowland planned for 1967. His "Space Port" would include a roller-coaster-style ride in the dark, with lighting and other special effects. Originally called "Space Voyage" with concept artwork by John Hench, Clem Hall, George McGinnis, and Herb Ryman.. The attraction concept continued to be refined over the coming years by WED Enterprises, and in June 1966, the "Space Port" attraction was called "Space Mountain" for the first time. WED partnered with Arrow Development Company, the same company that had helped design the Matterhorn's roller coaster systems years before. The initial concept was to have four separate tracks, but the techno...