What do you know about the simulator ride at CN Tower during the early 1990s?
August 7, 2010 12:03 AM Subscribe
During a weekend trip to Toronto in the early 1990s, I went with a group to the CN Tower. Most of the group went up to the observation deck, while a few of us felt nervous and did the Space Race simulator ride.
Space Race, or whatever it was called, was a virtual reality / space fantasy simulator ride with a few additional components. First, everyone went into an elevator (or an elevator simulator). After that, I believe there was an entry point with something like a facial scanner or a handprint scanner or something, after which everyone would pass through a gate. Then there was some kind of tunnel to walk through, and the simulator theater.
The seats moved and shook in sync with the action in the video. The movie simulated flying in a spaceship, but that's all the detail I have. I remember the environment much more vividly than the story line.
Within the attraction's setting, there was often background music, and voices prompted us with where to go and what to do.
So, what I really want to know is, where can I locate the music that was used for this attraction? This happened so long ago that I probably won't recognize it if I ever hear it again. It sounded like progressive/space rock from the 1970s and 1980s, but I didn't recognize any of it from the radio. I'm primarily interested in learning about the music that was used, but I'm also interested in any stories or photos that may be out there.
Space Race, or whatever it was called, was a virtual reality / space fantasy simulator ride with a few additional components. First, everyone went into an elevator (or an elevator simulator). After that, I believe there was an entry point with something like a facial scanner or a handprint scanner or something, after which everyone would pass through a gate. Then there was some kind of tunnel to walk through, and the simulator theater.
The seats moved and shook in sync with the action in the video. The movie simulated flying in a spaceship, but that's all the detail I have. I remember the environment much more vividly than the story line.
Within the attraction's setting, there was often background music, and voices prompted us with where to go and what to do.
So, what I really want to know is, where can I locate the music that was used for this attraction? This happened so long ago that I probably won't recognize it if I ever hear it again. It sounded like progressive/space rock from the 1970s and 1980s, but I didn't recognize any of it from the radio. I'm primarily interested in learning about the music that was used, but I'm also interested in any stories or photos that may be out there.
Response by poster: Ah, I didn't know about that one, but "dismantled 1990" would mean it was gone before I got there. I should add that I'm fairly certain that my trip was in the fall of 1991 or 1992.
posted by germdisco at 12:20 AM on August 7, 2010
posted by germdisco at 12:20 AM on August 7, 2010
Response by poster: Hmm, there's an imdb listing for "Space Race Ride" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253742/), described as a simulator ride movie, and described as being shown in Toronto. But the year of 1993 doesn't match with my memory of when the trip took place...
posted by germdisco at 12:25 AM on August 7, 2010
posted by germdisco at 12:25 AM on August 7, 2010
Response by poster: Here's a 5-minute Space Race simulator ride video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osLDB23r1TQ
I can't say that this is the same one from the CN Tower attraction, but it's plausible.
posted by germdisco at 12:33 AM on August 7, 2010
I can't say that this is the same one from the CN Tower attraction, but it's plausible.
posted by germdisco at 12:33 AM on August 7, 2010
Best answer: Well, I'm not sure I have much to add, but since I'm in the minuscule minority of MeFites (awesome alliteration) who rode on Space Race back in the day I figured I'd at least pop my head in and say hi.
I went as part of a school trip in grade 6 or 7, which would be sometime around 1991.
I remember seeing two "tours" operating concurrently: the Tour of the Universe mentioned by Go Banana, and the Space Race. I can't even remember if I took the former, but I recall it was a much more sedate ride that provided close-ups of our neighbouring planets, among other things.
Our whole class queued for probably an hour. It was excruciating.
Next was the elevator, as you mention. It was designed quite cleverly with moving/flashing lights to give the impression that it was travelling into the Earth, passing downward through a structure the shape of an inverted CN Tower. Once we "arrived" in the underground version of the observation deck—which was actually a secret spaceport, of course—we were shuttled off (ha!) through probably some sort of airlock with hissing steam and flashing LEDs (very dramatic) and then to the actual theatre.
Germ: The video you posted is most definitely the exact video used for Space Race. I remember the voice; the take-off; the "black hole generator". I haven't seen this in twenty years. Thank you.
I have no photos, I'm afraid. I also don't know anything off-hand about the music used.
I do, however, know a few folks who do, and who used to, work for CN Tower, and I'm only a walk away. I'd be more than happy to look into it for you and post any results here. You've reignited my curiosity about the ride, anyway.
posted by tapesonthefloor at 3:49 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
I went as part of a school trip in grade 6 or 7, which would be sometime around 1991.
I remember seeing two "tours" operating concurrently: the Tour of the Universe mentioned by Go Banana, and the Space Race. I can't even remember if I took the former, but I recall it was a much more sedate ride that provided close-ups of our neighbouring planets, among other things.
Our whole class queued for probably an hour. It was excruciating.
Next was the elevator, as you mention. It was designed quite cleverly with moving/flashing lights to give the impression that it was travelling into the Earth, passing downward through a structure the shape of an inverted CN Tower. Once we "arrived" in the underground version of the observation deck—which was actually a secret spaceport, of course—we were shuttled off (ha!) through probably some sort of airlock with hissing steam and flashing LEDs (very dramatic) and then to the actual theatre.
Germ: The video you posted is most definitely the exact video used for Space Race. I remember the voice; the take-off; the "black hole generator". I haven't seen this in twenty years. Thank you.
I have no photos, I'm afraid. I also don't know anything off-hand about the music used.
I do, however, know a few folks who do, and who used to, work for CN Tower, and I'm only a walk away. I'd be more than happy to look into it for you and post any results here. You've reignited my curiosity about the ride, anyway.
posted by tapesonthefloor at 3:49 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: > The video you posted is most definitely the exact video used for Space Race.
The part about getting a new engine is something that I specifically remember.
> I haven't seen this in twenty years. Thank you.
:)
> I do, however, know a few folks who do, and who used to, work for CN Tower, and I'm only a walk away. I'd be more than happy to look into it for you and post any results here. You've reignited my curiosity about the ride, anyway.
Anything additional you can unearth would make me very happy. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I want to clarify that the music I'm trying to track down was played as part of the Space Race attraction but outside of the simulator ride theater itself.
posted by germdisco at 12:03 AM on August 22, 2010
The part about getting a new engine is something that I specifically remember.
> I haven't seen this in twenty years. Thank you.
:)
> I do, however, know a few folks who do, and who used to, work for CN Tower, and I'm only a walk away. I'd be more than happy to look into it for you and post any results here. You've reignited my curiosity about the ride, anyway.
Anything additional you can unearth would make me very happy. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I want to clarify that the music I'm trying to track down was played as part of the Space Race attraction but outside of the simulator ride theater itself.
posted by germdisco at 12:03 AM on August 22, 2010
oh wow I went on this as a kid. But mine wasnt the space race vid, but something else. I vaguely remember a similar takeoff scene, but we shot out of the CN tower (which was hollow in our simulator). Did some stuff in space. I think there was an accient then we went back. Remember the airlock, and I think our tickets were made of acetate and looked very futuristic. Also, I vaguely remember they faked an alien intruder or biocontamination thing at the airlock.
Must have been in the 80s. Was after a trip to wonderland. Which is another sad memory hole. I only just realized they got rid of zuma fume. for that stupid top gun ride. wtf yall. zuma fume was a classic.
Sucks none of this is available. Get on it google. Archive the 80s and 90s will ya?
posted by Smegoid at 9:48 PM on August 23, 2010
Must have been in the 80s. Was after a trip to wonderland. Which is another sad memory hole. I only just realized they got rid of zuma fume. for that stupid top gun ride. wtf yall. zuma fume was a classic.
Sucks none of this is available. Get on it google. Archive the 80s and 90s will ya?
posted by Smegoid at 9:48 PM on August 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Go Banana at 12:18 AM on August 7, 2010