Everyone calls it legendary. I call it overrated. Here’s why I think Space Mountain is one Disney World ride that doesn’t deserve its hype.

I know I’m about to commit Disney heresy, but it has to be said: Disney World’s Space Mountain just isn’t that great.

Every time I hear someone gush about it being an iconic ride, I can’t help but wonder if we’re even talking about the same roller coaster. Because when I climb aboard one of the 1970s rock-style ride vehicles and take that rickety plunge into the dark, what I get is less “thrill ride of the century” and more Matterhorn Bobsleds (or everyone’s favorite Disney Parks chiropractor).

Yes, Space Mountain has history, and yes, it’s undeniably an iconic ride. But let’s be honest: Iconic doesn’t always equal great. The track is rough, the thrills are minimal, and the only real “magic” is nostalgia, which has convinced generations of fans to keep pretending this coaster is incredible. Well, I’m done pretending.

Space Mountain Hasn’t Changed Much Since the 1970s (and It’s Obvious)

I’ll admit that it’s pretty impressive that Space Mountain still operates smoothly at Disney World after 50 years in action with very few changes. That’s a long time for a ride to run, and as one of Magic Kingdom’s most popular rides, it’s always got a steady flow of guests in its queue.

Sure, it’s received some upgrades and updates over the years, including new ride trains and an upgraded computer system that meets today’s much-improved technology standards.

But many of the most significant changes have been cosmetic ones. The entry, queue, and post-show components of Space Mountain have all changed while the ride itself remains just as slow and rough as it was originally. The track, speed, and overall roughness of the ride haven’t gotten upgrades, despite numerous long refurbishment periods.

Disney World’s Space Mountain Is Far Worse Than Disneyland’s Listen, I know I’m biased. As a Disneyland local for over 35 years, I’ve ridden the West Coast’s version of Space Mountain far more times than the original at Disney World. And I absolutely come into every ride well aware of how much more I prefer my “home” version.

But if you’ve ever ridden both the Disney World and Disneyland versions and had a chance to compare them, odds are the better coaster was obvious. The two are almost completely different rides. Disney World’s is the original, and when Disneyland’s opened, the blueprint was improved upon in a number of ways.

The result? Disneyland’s Space Mountain is smoother, sleeker, and feels far faster than Disney World’s. The Magic Kingdom iteration of the ride is both rougher and slower, and the lack of any musical score really makes it feel like a let-down. In fact, the first time I rode the original, I was shocked at just how slow it felt.

That’s why I think Space Mountain at Disney World is a terrible ride… but I’ll gladly rope drop Disneyland’s version any time. It’s simply the superior coaster, despite its similar age.

There Are Plenty of Far Better Coasters at Disney World

Lastly, Space Mountain was a great coaster even a revolutionary one for its time. But now, more than 50 years since it debuted at Magic Kingdom, it’s been surpassed by more modern additions at Disney Parks worldwide. In fact, some far better coasters are located right in Magic Kingdom, just steps away from Space Mountain (yes, I’m talking about TRON Lightcycle/Run).

Obviously, a 50-year-old coaster simply can’t live up to the many, many advances in ride and computer technology that have happened. But it does mean that Space Mountain winds up feeling quite dated if you experience newer coasters right alongside classics like this one.