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. Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Space Mountain on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

When the ride opened on Jan. 15, 1975, an Apollo moonwalker was its first passenger, NASA's insignia was on display and Space Mountain was dedicated to opening the new frontier.

Space Mountain is one of the most recognizable theme park attractions around the world, but here’s what you may not know about the beloved ride.