Originally themed around Jules Verne's classic 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon, the attraction first opened on June 1, 1995,[1] three years after the park's debut in an attempt to draw more guests to the financially unstable European resort.

The Victorian-inspired design of Space Mountain (initially named Discovery Mountain before its name change), with its huge Columbiad cannon, and containing the only indoor roller coaster, was decided upon as the best choice for the financially unstable resort, as well as a nearby walk-through recreation of the Nautilus, entitled Les Mystères du Nautilus.

[2] An extravagant version of Space Mountain had been planned since the inception of the Euro Disney Resort but was reserved for a revival of public interest.

The $89.7 million attraction features a 1.3G uphill catapult launch from 0 to 44 mph (71 km/h) in 1.8s, and three inversions (sidewinder, corkscrew, and a cutback).

A music loop was used to create the proper Victorian atmosphere which featured themes from movies such as Krull, The Rocketeer, Always or Christopher Columbus: The Discovery.

They then boarded the ride vehicles, called "moontrains", made out of copper and bronze, in a Victorian themed station with hanging patriotic red, white and blue flags and barrels of gunpowder laid out on the sides of the embarcation platforms.

Guests entered the mountain on its side and were ushered into a futuristic and dimly lit corridor featuring photos of several cosmic phenomenon that replaced the former Stellar Way.

They then proceeded into the Victorian lounges of the Baltimore Gun Club which featured plans and drawings of the Columbiad Cannon and the journey to a supernova.

In order to reach Earth, the trains passed through a "hypergate", a red vortex-like wormhole which represented a shortcut through the universe.

Along with new Star Wars projections, permanent, blue, Victorian-styled Vekoma trains with shoulder vests were added.

After entering the dome, guests are ushered into a long black corridor with pictures of X-Wings, TIE-Fighters and other spaceships.

The device depicted is the columbiad, a fictional cannon designed to launch spacecraft into hyperspace at lightning speed.

Guests then enter the loading station, where they board blue, Victorian-style rocket trains designed by Vekoma, and prepare to be catapulted deep into space.

The trains move into a tunnel as the iconic Star Wars theme music plays before entering the cannon.

Upon arrival at Jakku, a group of TIES quickly ambushes the train, as it bobs and weaves its way through the dogfight as laser fire is volleyed between spaceships.

When it first opened in 1995, the ride was well received with French guests who had been criticizing Disneyland Paris for not respecting their culture.

The rollercoaster's cutting-edge effects, architecture, storytelling and intense ride layout was praised by guests.

Additionally, the ride's success allowed Disneyland Paris to see its first profits, after the financial troubles the company had run through shortly after opening the park.