 Source: Reddit
Summer 1977 – January 1996
LOCATION
Tomorrowland – Space Place was one of the most hidden restaurants at the resort. To find this spot, diners had to go into Space Mountain‘s building, down the long hallway, and up the rear ramp. This massive restaurant space is used today as Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port, the fast pass distribution area for Space Mountain, and the queue split for standby and fast pass return.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Service Type – quick service
- Seating – indoor seating
- Entertainment – none
Hungry space explorers often found themselves at the aptly named Space Place in between flights. This quick service restaurant sold fast meals like hot dogs, pizza, and salads, with large tables and booths that made this a popular family meet-up spot.
CLOSURE
Despite its convenient location, ample seating, and standard theme park menu, this restaurant never drew much interest. More often than not, the vast majority of tables were empty, and the quiet food court sharply contrasted the excitement of the new coaster above it. By the 90s, this area just became wasted space. And with the release of Pixar’s Toy Story, Disneyland had the opportunity to build a temporary attraction with a new franchise instead.
The Toy Story Funhouse lasted just a few months, and the space once again became a restaurant. But with some re-theming, a better menu, and a shuffling of the ordering/food pickup area, the Pizza Port performed much, much better than its predecessor.
TRIVIA
Space Place was the only restaurant in Disneyland to serve both Coke and Pepsi, before Coca-Cola became Disneyland’s exclusive soda vendor in 1990.
This restaurant had one of the largest seating areas at the resort, with enough room for 676 guests.