Walt Disney wanted to build Space Mountain at Disneyland a decade before the indoor roller coaster forever altered the skyline of the Magic Kingdom a few years after the debut of the Florida theme park.

Space Mountain in Walt Disney World celebrates 50 years of operation. Initially opening on January 15, 1975, Space Mountain, an indoor steel rollercoaster themed to space travel, has been a staple of Tomorrowland, the area of the Magic Kingdom park where the ride resides.

A cultural touchstone, the dark ride opened to the public on Jan. 15, 1975, three years and three months after the Magic Kingdom’s debut.