Hi there, i have been reading about how the disneyland paris space mountain ride is very bumpy and throws you around a lot. i am very used to, and love, space mountain at disneyland but i *hated* SM at WDW when we visited in January and did not ride it again - I felt like I was in serious danger of ending up with neck damage - it reminded me of what SM disneyland was like in 1991.

SO, my question is - what are the backs of the seats like at SM DLP? Do they come up high and provide support for your neck like at DL, or do they stop mid back like at WDW?

I have looked for a picture with no avail.

thanks
Emma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzkJ4oXPP0s

try this you tube video go about 5 minutes 50 seconds in and you can see the train before that is all que. They look high backed like DL.

The restraints are over-the-head type restraints like on Rock 'n' Rollercoaster. I found the ride very rough, and my head bounced back and forth a lot hitting the restraint. It was a fun ride, but my ears hurt afterward.

thanks steph, i am a bit conflicted about whether to ride or not. comments have said that the theming is way cool and DL SM is one of my favorite rides, but i seriously hated the WDW version (just as I hated the DL version the one time I rode it in 1991) - I just closed my eyes and prayed until we got to the end! So .... still no closer to a decision but thanks for the info!!

Well, seeing as how you seem a little timid of coasters I'll let you know a spoiler:

There is a loop in the DLP Space Mountain. You go upside down. That's why there are overhead restraints.

oh no, i *love* coasters (having said that, disney coasters are the biggest ones i have been on) - I just hated the feeling on WDW SM that my head could detach from my spine at any moment. I don't mind the jerkiness of matterhorn or BTMRR, but I love the smooth of RnRC ...

Ok, then ride in the first car... the bumpiness is horrible in the back... and I mean it!

thanks - that is a good tip. is it like SM at DL where there are a couple of cars strung together, so I ask for the very front, or will the front of any car do?

thanks - that is a good tip. is it like SM at DL where there are a couple of cars strung together, so I ask for the very front, or will the front of any car do?No, it's like a standard roller coaster train.

I would have to say DL Paris Space Mountain is much more like Rock n Roll Roller coaster at Hollywood Studios than any other Space Mountain. I had a chance to ride it in June when I added a few days to my Adventures by Disney trip to France. Rock n Roll Roller at the Walt Disney Studios next door is different than the one in Hollywood Studios but same type of ride.
I was at Disneyland in September and I would have to say that is my favorite Space Mountain. I was at Disney World a couple of weeks ago and sat in the very last car on Space Mountain and at one point I thought my neck might snap.
They had to shut down the Fast Passes while I was at DL Paris. Due to a strike by the RER workers the cast members could not all get to work so they shut the Fast Passes down. In Paris - The longest line of both parks was actually at Crush’s Coaster. That looked like a lot of fun but the line was at 70 minutes so we did not have time to fit it in. They also ran short of maps in English while I was there. They were allowing one per family and later in the day they were out.
I had a chance to go to three Disney Parks this year. I had a lot of fun comparing them. They are all beautiful and unique.

I have looked for a picture with no avail.Here's a ride photo that at least shows the restraints (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stuart.poore/Theme_Parks/Pictures/SM_02-Sep-2002.jpg). The actual vehicle body is concealed under the cartoon.

The Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris is a lot more 'aggressive' than any of the US Space Mountains, I think. You don't get banged around as much as you do on the Disneyland Paris' version of Indiana Jones, but the over-the-head restraints are there for VERY good reason.

My speculation about why you get banged around so much on Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris is that the ride is REALLY REALLY dark, so you have no idea what's coming or how to brace in anticipation.

All that said, I absolutely LOVED that Space Mountain, particularly because it was so different from the US versions. My family's reactions to it were mixed, however. The themeing is fabulous and I just adored being shot into space!

thanks so much for the picture Steph; I feel much better about it now. and thanks for all the info everyone - really helpful!