"Space Mountain opened in 1977, invigorating a decade-old Tomorrowland as Disneyland's second roller coaster." - Wikipedia
For those of you who haven't been to Disneyland, I'll be providing videos to give you a little context. For this one, I recommend you find "Space Mountain 2006!" by xapplimatic on YouTube. The coaster itself is entirely dark, usually has the longest line in the park (with the rare exception of Roger Rabbit), and is totally worth the wait. Enjoy the drabble!
They'd been told by another visitor that a long line meant an attraction was popular and therefore good.
They'd been told by an employee - cast members, she'd heard them called - that the line for this particular ride was abnormally short and they'd better hurry before it got long again.
Nobody had told them that the ride itself was pitch black.
"It's just like traveling the Lanes Between, right?" Ven, seated in front of her, asked nervously. The video had said this was a "turbulent, high speed ride with sudden drops and stops," but that hadn't really told them anything.
"Not really." Next to Ven, Terra tested his lap bar. "In the Lanes Between, I'm in control of my ride. This..." Not so much.
"Calm down, you two," Aqua interjected. "I'm sure it'll be fine." The music of the ride shifted, the voiceover counting down numbers.
Ten...nine...eight...
"Hey," Ven said thoughtfully, "you think that countdown's accurate?"
Two...one...liftoff.
Aqua didn't have time to answer - she (and both the boys, although they'd deny their shock later - at least until the ride pictures provided undeniable proof) was too busy screaming in surprise and then delight at the coaster's first drop and subsequent twists and turns.
Turned out the countdown had been accurate after all.