There is a new place to get a great look at the trains while they are underway.

As part of the renovation of the Space Mountain entrance area, a section of the shrubbery has been replaced on the right side of the track just past the Space Mountain entrance/arcade building. There is an open area of concrete surrounded by a concrete 'bench' that is just behind the Tomorrowland restrooms (access between the restrooms and the Space Mountain entrance). It looks like it is intended to be a 'smoking area', but few people were using it for that when we visited last week.

However, for now at least, the only thing between the 'bench' and the tracks is a planter with new (and so far, very small) bushes. If you stand on the 'bench' you get an excellent, and very close, view of the trains pulling up the hill to Main Street.

Not really "new"; that place has been there for *years*, ever since Space Mountain opened and that area was expanded behind the Skyway building. It's not a smoking area; the closest smoking area is between the Stitch stage and CoP (Carousel of Progress). It's just been cleaned up

Well, I guess the reason I never noticed it was that the hedge along the planter was high enough that you couldn't get a clear view of the area from the trains.

I've looked at some YouTube videos of that section (taken by passengers) and you can get a glimpse of it through the bushes, but nothing like as open as it is right now. So, maybe they will let the new hedge grow as high as the old one and the current clear view of the track will end, but for now it gives a great chance for an up-close look at the trains. And, when I say up-close, you are closer to the track than you are on the sidewalk behind the Indy Speedway!

I didn't take any still images, but as soon as I figure out the best way to upload some video I shot of the Roy O. Disney passing by, I'll post a link.

I tried to take a picture of the trains there several years ago, before the Tomorrowland/Mickey's Toontown Fair walkway opened, and all I got was some bushes with a train behind it. I'll have to check it out again on our next trip!

OK, here is a picture of the Walter E. Disney passing by the replanted hedge just past Space Mountain. We'll have to hope that they keep the bushes trimmed or this 'window' will close again. As it is, I had to stand on the edge of the planter to get this shot!

[IMG:804:534]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee124/DisneySteamFan/WDW%20Railroad/WalterEDisney_12-09.jpg[/img]

Very cool shot with Space Mountain in the background!

I agree! I like the composition.