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Guests at Disneyland Resort got more than they bargained for when Space Mountain, one of the park’s most iconic roller coasters, abruptly stopped operations mid-ride. While technical issues occasionally disrupt attractions, the sudden closure led to an evacuation with riders descending emergency stairs, giving them a rare, lights-on glimpse of the beloved 44-year-old coaster.
A Legendary Attraction Comes to a Halt
Credit: Disney
Space Mountain, a cornerstone of Disneyland Park’s Tomorrowland since its debut in 1977, has long been a fan favorite for its high-speed thrills and out-of-this-world theme. Over the years, the intergalactic ride has undergone various enhancements, including its popular Star Wars overlay, Hyperspace Mountain.
This time, however, riders had an unexpected experience: the roller coaster stopped, the lights turned on, and Disney cast members stepped in to guide them to safety. TikToker @polderexpress shared a video of their evacuation, captioned, “POV: the lights turn on and you’re stuck on Space Mountain so you have to JUMP off the ride.”
@polderexpress The walk of shame down Space Mountain tunnel 😔 @Disney @Disney Parks #spacemountain #lightson #spacemountainlightson #disneylandsecrets #disneylandspacemountain #inshowexit #disney #disneyland #disneyparks #disneylandattractions #disneylandadventures #themepark #themeparks #california #socal #disneyholidays #disneychristmas #disneylandrides #disneyholiday
In the clip, Disney Park guests laughed and waved to other stranded riders while waiting for assistance. One guest joked, “This was not on my bingo card.”
An Unforgettable Space Mountain Evacuation
As the video shows, Disney cast members arrived to unlock ride restraints and help guests descend emergency stairs, providing clear instructions to ensure their safety. Riders even got to walk through Space Mountain’s iconic “blue tunnel.”
“Woah, we get to go down the blue tunnel?!” one guest asked.
Credit: Disney
The TikToker later reflected on the experience: “The secret exit was awesome… I can’t believe my dream came true.”
Other Disney Parks fans were jealous of their impromptu behind-the-scenes moment:
“You got the secret exits,” @heyiam.brittany wrote. “My goal is to get stuck on a ride to get the exit.”
Credit: Ed Aguila, Disney Tips
“Core memory for sure,” added @hehe_its_miriam.
Disneyland Resort has not released a statement about the evacuation or the reason behind Space Mountain’s sudden closure. However, the ride was operating normally by the time of this article’s finalization.
Have you ever gotten stuck on a Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort roller coaster? Let Disney Tips know in the comments!
We got stuck in Thunder Mtn Railroad ride at Ca Disneyland at least 28 yrs ago (based on my kids ages) while our “train” was located on FIRST HILL CLIMB Outside Of ride. After sitting on blazing heat about 15 min we were directed to “follow directions of attendants coming to assist” and we were walked out of ride via a series of narrow walkways and staircases leading backway out. It wouldnt have been any issue of not with a 3 and 13 yr old! Plus im arthritic so…it was not fun but employees were great! Oh well shit happens
We got stuck on Space mountain at Disneyland once years ago. All the lights came on, but they had us wait in our cars. After about a 15 minute wait, a worker came over and actually gave our train a push because we were close enough to the end where we would coast the rest of the way out. I don’t know if they did that for everybody.
Not to be rude but, if the ride was built in 1977 would that not make it 47 years old?
I mean, I was born in 1978 and I’m 46…sooo….
In the early 80’s my cousin and I were stranded quite awhile on Space Mountain! We were at the very end of the coaster. They turned on the lights and you could see everything! Very 😎. Also all the things people lost in the nets and the floor! I remember being upset because we begged my grandfather to let us ride it one last time before we left! He probably sat outside waiting for us to come back out for about an hour and half! The line wasn’t long so I was afraid he would be mad waiting so long ! I wasn’t sure if he new we got stuck! I figured he would think we were playing around and would get in trouble!
I have gotten stuck on Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Mickey and Minnies Runaaay Railway, and a few more. Seeing Space Mountain with the lights on was super cool, and was actually kinda scary seeing what you were actually riding. Some of them were disappointing because I had to wait in long lines, just to be escorted off, but nothing to be mad about. Accidents happen! It was really cool though!
We got stuck there in the 80s.it was awesome to see all the tracks twisted in the light. They announced to keep calm and it would start back in a few minutes. They were well prepared and kept everyone calm.
I worked on space mountain in the 90s. This would happen pretty much every shift. Sometimes multiple times a shift. Nothing wrong with the coaster, just safety precautions. It was always fun to run the track with the lights on after closing to pick up stray hats, etc. So many fun memories!
Same thing happened to me. Stopped right on steep incline before falls. Got helped out went down stairs and out the interior of mountain. Kind of cool
An emergency stop and inspection most likely. It is a proactive safety measure whenever the ride system recognizes an error. You would be surprised it is quite common.
We were stopped once when someone threw up all over the exit platform. And another time we had to wait to get on until they found a man’s false teeth!
We got stuck on a coaster in Animal Kingdom a few years ago. We had to exit climbing down a very high ladder,our grandkids were actually above us in another car, they removed them first. We scored passes for the inconvenience
This just happened to me last month but at Epcot! It was our first ride of the day inside of the Epcot Globe. A ride I have never been on before. The ride stopped they asked us to remain in our seats after about 5 minutes they turned the lights on and said a worker would be by to assist us off of the ride. It was so awesome to see the inside of the ride from, how the lights were hung to create the elusion while on the ride, to the nets and all of the stuff people had dropped out of their pockets. We walked almost all the way around the inside of the globe on the path until the end where there are steps down to get you to the outside. Was definitely a very cool experience and memories that will last forever, especially after having to wait in line for over an hour to get on originally. To get the inside scoop was worth all the wait, something most people will never be able to experience.
I rode Space Mountain in 1976. That is more than 44 years ago.
Hahaha,
I’ve never been stuck on a roller coaster but one night, very late, I got stuck on the monorail. I was a chaperone for a high school band trip. Before turning the kids loose in the park, the director and the chaperones gave them a stern warning about getting back to the buses on time at the end of the night and what would happen to them if they didn’t. So, wouldn’t you know, the director and his wife, and my husband and I were trapped on the monorail until after closing and the four of us had to walk onto the buses while the entire high School band waited for us. Haha. It was great!.
Someone needs to go back to school and learn math. I was born in 1977 and I’m 47 years old.
Yes I got that experience on Space Moutain about three/four years ago. The lights came on, never seen that area in the light. Cast members were helpful BUT I didn’t get to walk out in the tunnel…lucky yous 🙂
So nice reading positive actions after a mishap.