Space Mountain

Own city’s own happiest place on earth is due for opening on September 12. For almost four weeks prior to, a bunch of lab mice—known as Disney staff and families, business partners and contractors—are put on the frontline, to serve and protect, and to determine the antigravity threshold of each age group.

A round on Space Mountain told us that in spite of the 1.02m minimum height requirement, the height of a nine year old is likely to leave his head bumping against the sides of the seat.

The rehearsal also told us just how little the Ocean Park has taught Hong Kongers about amusement park rides. A 79-year-old grandpa's vomitting after a spin on Space Mountain wouldn’t be news worthy in Orlando or Paris where residents are used to that kind of excitement. But here in our tuna-can city where a dim sum breakfast at a nearby restaurant is all the thrill one can have past the age of 55 without pulling a muscle, blinking warning signs should be installed throughout the queue leading up to the pitch-dark tunnel.

With less than a month left to the grand opening, what our city needs most right now is a crash course on the possible effects of amusement park rides on the average less-than-active Hong Konger.

Roller coaster rides are not for the faint-hearted. Aren’t we already put through enough ups and downs? I enjoyed Space Mountain in both Orlando and LA. That was back when I was young and fearless (a.k.a. stupid) and thought it was fun to be on an express track car in a pitch dark tunnel and not know where I was headed. The me in 2005 is definitely faint-hearted. If being on the top means having to feel my heart coming outside of my chest later, I’d rather be on the ground and outside of the tunnel, where I can see where I stand.