Expo 3000 Space Port Refurbishment: Part 1

If there was one ride at Wonder World that begged for refurbishement, it would be the Space Port attraction. To be honest, the original version was pretty horrible. So it was time to bring the ride inside this iconic building up to the standards of the rest of the park.

Being the very first attraction to greet visitors to the park, this needed to be a AAA attraction. So nearly the entire building was gutted, including the original track layout of the ride. Everything needed to be started from scratch.

Video of the original Space Port ride.

Along with the Space Port, the nearby Arcade was also refurbished.

Due to limited space, and the insistence to keep the in-game version of the arcade, it was a difficult task.

The interior was refurbished to look like a giant space warehouse with a large skylight in the center, offering views of the perpetual night sky.

Unfortunately, there was little room left for the actual game consoles. The final result was better than the original, but did not turn out quite as well as was hoped.

But back to the Space Port. 

Opening day of the new and improved Space Port brought huge crowds to the park.

An elevator was added for handicapped access.

Of course, the Mophead sisters were there, never missing a Wonder World event.

A view of the queue and loading platform from above.

The very retro space "bullets" are ready for launch.

The Inspector was also on hand to personally ride and assess the new attraction.

Another gratuitous picture of the queue.

Just about there...

Finally, we're ready to launch.

 We begin our adventure inside the cargo hold.

Heading past mission control.

Entering the reactor room. Did you bring your radiation suit?

Inside the reactor room.

A work looks on from behind the safety glass.

Back into the cargo room and headed for the launch tube. 

To be continued...