Disneyland’s Space Mountain Re-Imagineered

Classic
Disneyland Attraction Transformed for 50th Anniversary

ANAHEIM,
Calif., May 5, 2004 – On May 27, 1977, the U.S. Mercury Astronauts
(the first men in space) took the first official flight on "Space
Mountain" during its grand opening festivities. Almost instantly
the state-of-the-art thrill attraction garnered a reputation for fun and
excitement thus becoming one of the most perennially popular attractions
at Disneyland park.

Now as Disneyland
prepares to commemorate its milestone 50th anniversary with "The
Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration, the landmark Tomorrowland
attraction and icon will undergo a major transformation, ensuring that
it remains one of the most famous, exciting and cutting-edge Disney theme
park adventures of all-time. Already the exterior futuristic spires and
slopes of “ Space Mountain ” have been restored to their familiar
gleaming white color while the attraction's interior is being completely
revamped.

"We're
preserving the underlying storyline and visual style of the attraction
to stay true to the many loyal fans of Space Mountain,'" said Barry
Braverman, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering. "Additionally
we're adding a new generation of special effects, state-of-the-art show
elements, new rocket vehicles and an upgraded sound system to take it
to a whole new level."

The boarding
area will feature a new hi-tech launch port and an updated vehicle probe.
Guests will feel as if they have a first-hand look into space, as a space
station rotates around the earth. After launching through a disorienting
tunnel, riders will have a close encounter with a large meteorite. "We
call it our 'surprise in the sky,'"added Braverman.

The remainder
of the pulse-racing adventure will be filled with billions of stars racing
by and an all-new edgy, heart-pounding instrumental sound track before
guests experience an entirely new finale featuring a longer re-entry tunnel
filled with spectacular lighting effects.

"The
attraction will still be fast, dark and unpredictable," said Braverman.
"It will be a thoroughly re-Imagineered Space Mountain for the 21st
century."

The initial
concept for Space Mountain originated with Walt Disney himself back in
the early 1960s and was known simply as "Space Port." The concept
became a reality in 1975 when the first incarnation of Space Mountain
premiered in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
After 12 years of planning and over one million man-hours in design and
construction, Space Mountain made its Southern California premiere in
Tomorrowland at Disneyland in 1977 to eager would-be space travelers.

Premiering
on May 5, 2005 "The Happiest Homecoming on Earth," an extraordinary
celebration of the golden 50th anniversary of Disneyland, will pay tribute
to the millions of guests and Cast Members who have contributed to the
rich legacy of “The Happiest Place on Earth” over the past five
decades. The 18-month long occasion represents the biggest celebration
in the history of Disney theme parks and is the first truly global Disney
event (with commemorative events planned at each of the Disney theme parks
around the world in salute to Disneyland).