Space Mountain is back in business for Disneyland in California, as the ride reopens three weeks after an accident prompted safety evaluations. The ride was closed by state safety officials after a contractor in charge of cleaning the ride's slanted roof fell off, breaking several bones. The same ride at the Florida Disneyworld did not face any such violations.
The contracted company was fined $61,000 for the safety violations. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has proposed that Disney itself receive a nearly $235,000 penalty due to the contractor's injuries. Disney did not appeal the decision before the deadline on Friday. Two other rides were closed in connection to the incident, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Soarin' Over California in Disney's California Adventure, but both have also reopened since.
The first and most popular Space Mountain ride was built in Disney's Florida park in 1975, and since then all five Disney theme parks have their own versions of the ride. Though all five Space Mountains are different, they all have the same distinctive dome structure covering the ride which the contractor fell off of. The Space Mountain in Disneyland opened in 1977 and helped set a Memorial Day Weekend attendance record for the park when it was opened. The California Space Mountain was the first version of the ride to include a soundtrack that accompanies the ride. The ride faced a major renovation project in 2003 due to ride instability.
Space Mountain remains one of the most popular rides in all five Disney locations. The ride combines the thrill of a roller coaster with special effects and music being available due to the ride's indoor location. Surely now that the ride is back in business, Disneyland visitors will be able to explore the stars once again.
Source: ABC News
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