While touring colleges I’m considering applying to, I came across something fascinating at the University of Central Florida (UCF). In the atrium of the Engineering 2 Building, there’s a track and train system display with a Mickey Mouse plaque. This plaque highlights how UCF faculty and students collaborated with Walt Disney World through partnerships and even senior class projects. The track is similar to that of Space Mountain. Intrigued, I decided to dig deeper into their involvement.

It turns out, UCF played a significant role in the ride’s development. They didn’t just help with the main ride system, they were also instrumental in designing the start and stop controls and the T-bar safety system. Their expertise extended to the track layout and steel design, ensuring the ride’s structural integrity.

But that’s not all. UCF also contributed to the technical aspects of the ride’s show elements. Remember those mesmerizing light tunnels at the beginning and end of the ride? You can thank UCF for those too. UCF students also played a role in the engineering of Splash Mountain, Test Track, and Expedition Everest, but that’s another story.

So, the next time you find yourself on Space Mountain, take a moment to appreciate the incredible collaboration between Disney and UCF that brought this iconic ride to life. It’s a testament to the magic that happens when creativity and engineering come together.