Space Mountain Ride to Close Through 2027

The upcoming closure of the Space Mountain attraction extends through 2027–more than three years from now–but the end result will be well worth the wait, as the ride’s complete overhaul will also extend to the Tomorrowland Plaza.

In 2022, Disney Parks first announced the planned closure and reimagining of the Space Mountain attraction at one of Disney’s international parks.

Having opened in 1983 with the debut of Disney’s very first Japanese theme park resort, the Space Mountain coaster at Tokyo Disneyland has been a fan favorite for more than 40 years. In light of that, however, Disney has announced a complete redo of the guest-favorite experience–one that will begin in July 2024, will last well into 2027, and will encompass a new take on the Tomorrowland Plaza as well.

tokyo disney space mountain

Tokyo Disneyland broke ground on the new Space Mountain earlier this year. The 41-year-old experience will reportedly be reimagined to offer “enhanced performance,” and the new experience will feature “immersive special effects.”

The overhaul will cost an estimated $408 million USD and will include a revamping of the Tomorrowland Plaza so that it incorporates a representation of a future “where humans are in harmony with nature.” The attraction will have a completely new look during the daytime, and after the sun goes down, the new area will transform into a “spectacular world of light and soundscapes.”

In early February 2024, Tokyo Disney Resort announced an exciting special event, created to celebrate the original version of the Space Mountain attraction, before guests bid farewell to the experience forever.

The event, Celebrating Space Mountain: The Final Ignition!, will be hosted by Tokyo Disney Resort from April 9 to July 31, 2024.

Once completed, the new Space Mountain experience at Tokyo Disney Resort might even rival a once-planned Jules-Verne inspired attraction that would have served as the centerpiece of a brand-new land, also inspired by author Jules Verne.

According to researcher Kevin Perjurer, the centerpiece of the Jules Verne-inspired land centerpiece was to be a giant copper and steel pavilion that housed a replica of The Mysterious Island, the home port of Captain Nemo from Verne’s 1872 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

20000 leagues under the sea

Per LithHub:

Docked in a giant pool would be Nemo’s golden submarine, the Nautilus, which was to be its own walk-through attraction and feature an underwater restaurant. There was going to be a giant free-fall ride, paying homage to Verne’s 1864 novel, “A Journey to the Center of the Earth,” and an ornate, Paris-Expo-esque matching train station to service the park’s perimetric railroad system. And there was to be a giant Space Mountain-inspired roller-coaster, designed after Verne’s 1865 novel “From the Earth to the Moon: A Direct Route in 97 Hours, 20 Minutes.”

But the area, as it was planned, was never built. EuroDisney, which opened in 1992, faced terrible financial troubles that halted the Jules Verne project. Eventually, construction was green-lit, but only for the creation of the From the Earth to the Moon-themed roller-coaster, which was to be a cousin of Disneyland and Disney World’s dark, indoor coaster Space Mountain.

Even with the design retraction and financial constraints, lead imagineer Tim Delaney oversaw the building of a masterpiece. Inside, and out, the ride was a sight to behold. The aesthetic of the whole area was beaux-arts steampunk, both ornate and mechanical: the exterior was shiny copper and steel, with glistening gears.

jules verne-inspired attraction at disneyland paris

Once the newly-reimagined Space Mountain attraction opens in 2027, it will be a completely rebuilt experience that keeps the original concept of an exciting indoor coaster and an experience that includes a journey through space at high speeds.

But according to Disney Parks Blog, the new attraction will include an enhanced performance and special effects that will serve to afford guests a more immersive journey that sees a greater connection between our universe and our planet.

tokyo disney space mountain

“I’m thrilled to introduce this attraction to guests,” said Walt Disney Imagineering producer Kathleen Davis. “It’s not only a whole new ride experience, but the story also has so much emotion. Through the queue and then on the ride, we see our connection to our planet and gain a new perspective for how special it is in all the universe. It’s a roller coaster with both thrill and heart.”

“With the overarching story of appreciating our home (Planet Earth), we are making this change to spread awareness of caring for our Earth and what she’s gifted us throughout time as we know it,” said Owen Yoshino, Senior Creative Director for Walt Disney Imagineering.

The year 2027 sounds really far away, but it looks like the all-new experience will be well worth the long wait.

Magic Kingdom Attractions: Exploring the Magic of Space Mountain

Space Mountain, an iconic attraction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, has been captivating visitors for decades with its interstellar theme and exhilarating experience. As one of the park’s most beloved and enduring attractions, Space Mountain invites guests on a thrilling journey through the cosmos. Let’s embark on an exploration of this timeless ride and discover why it continues to be a fan favorite.

Space Mountain is a space-themed roller coaster that whisks riders away on a thrilling adventure through the galaxy. Located in Tomorrowland, the attraction’s distinctive white, futuristic exterior is an unmistakable landmark within the park. As guests enter the queue and make their way to the loading area, they are transported into a spaceport, immersing them in the intergalactic setting.

Once aboard the sleek spacecraft, riders are propelled into the darkness of space, with twists, turns, and sudden drops creating an exhilarating and unpredictable ride. The innovative design of Space Mountain ensures that the coaster’s twists and turns are shrouded in darkness, adding an element of surprise and heightening the sensation of speed.

The unique sensory experience of Space Mountain is enhanced by the synchronized soundtrack that accompanies the ride. The futuristic music and sound effects immerse riders in the atmosphere of deep space, amplifying the sense of adventure and adding an extra layer of excitement to the journey.

Space Mountain remains a beloved and timeless attraction at Walt Disney World. Its blend of immersive theming, thrilling coaster elements, and cosmic atmosphere continues to captivate visitors of all ages. Whether it’s the excitement of hurtling through the darkened void, the stunning starry visuals, or the adrenaline rush of unexpected twists and turns, Space Mountain delivers an unforgettable experience that keeps guests returning for more.

As Disney’s commitment to innovation and storytelling evolves, Space Mountain remains a testament to the park’s ability to transport visitors to extraordinary worlds. So, next time you find yourself at Walt Disney World, make sure to embark on this cosmic adventure, buckle up, and prepare to soar through the stars on Space Mountain—an attraction that has truly stood the test of time.

Disney Guests Go Missing Inside Ride

A popular Disneyland Resort attraction was shut down after Guests reportedly went missing.

Disneyland Resort is an immersive experience that transports visitors to a world of magic and wonder. Whether you’re a longtime Disney fan or just looking for a fun day out, it’s a must-visit destination that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime. Disneyland is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Being the happiest place, Guests expect no errors, short wait times, and magical moments that will last a lifetime.

Disneyland Resort has two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Each Disney Park includes something for Guests of all ages and sizes to experience. Disneyland Park is home to iconic attractions such as “it’s a small world,” Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Space Mountain, and many more attractions.

Guests heading to Disneyland from May 1, 2023 until June 4th, 2023, will get to experience Space Mountain turned into Hyperspace Mountain. Guest will hurtle through the hyperspace while dodging furious dogfights during this high-speed Star Wars adventure.

In a social media post, Guests shared that they broke down on the first day of Hyperspace Mountain, but you’d be surprised by what happened next.

While errors and delays are expected occasionally at Disneyland, this attraction was stopped for half an hour, and the lights came on. While Guests were waiting for this attraction to start back up, other Disneyland Guests decided it was their stop and escaped from restraints and walked towards the exit.

“We were going along and came to an abrupt stop most of the way through. All the lights came on and we had to sit for a half hour. Well not all of us. A group of 3 somehow escaped their restraints and just walked out towards the exit. So cast members and security had to clear the ride before letting any of us out since we were missing people.”

When error or delays happen while at a Disney attraction, Guests should remain seated and remain calm. Disney Cast Members will be with them shortly. Never remove yourself from an attraction. This is dangerous and can result in a permanent ban from the theme parks.

In a TikTok, Guests caught them escaping off Hyperspace Mountain, and leaving. This is very dangerous and Guests should not try this.

@heartandsaultravel

This was the craziest 💩 I’ve ever seen at Disney, like what?? 👀 faces blocked for obvious privacy and video credit Brian 😂. #disneyfail #shocking #scary #distok #disneyland #disneyworld #disneyfail #disneylandfail disney park fail #disneyparks #disneyland #disneyparkstiktok

♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound

Hyperspace Mountain is now operating as normal again.

Disneyland describes Hyperspace Mountain like this:

“Fend off cross fire from swarms of New Republic X-wing starfighters and Imperial TIE fighters amidst a galactic onslaught!

Your mission begins with a briefing from Admiral Ackbar: the New Republic needs help flying reconnaissance vessels to survey an Imperial Star Destroyer. After being escorted into hyperspace by an elite X-wing squadron, you arrive only to find the Star Destroyer waiting with a swarm of TIE fighters—it’s a trap!

Hyperspace Mountain

As starfighter forces valiantly battle Imperial vessels, you’re caught up in a barrage of cannon fire. Maneuvers become more intense as you join the New Republic squadron for one final, courageous assault on the menacing Star Destroyer. It’s an epic Star Wars combat scene taken straight from the films—but hurry, Hyperspace Mountain is only open for a limited time!”

Cast Member Finds Detached Finger on Space Mountain

Via DisDining.com

When you work at a place like Walt Disney World Resort, there tend to be a lot of wild and wacky things that happen on a day-to-day basis. Whether it is ridiculous Guests or rambunctious children, it can be expected that Cast Members will see something out of the ordinary nearly every day.

However, every once in a while, something truly horrifying and out of the ordinary happens at Walt Disney World Resort. That’s precisely what happened to one Cast Member when a seemingly normal day took a turn for the worst!

cinderellas castle

It’s easy to get so swept up in the fun of Walt Disney World rides and attractions that we often forget about how dangerous these rides can truly be. Over its 50 years in service, Walt Disney World has seen its fair share of injuries. With all of the rides and attractions the Parks have to offer, accidents happen more often than Cast Members would like.

Once a Guest is injured on a ride, they are immediately attended to by paramedics as soon as possible. The side Guests don’t usually see is the horrifying and sometimes disgusting tasks that Cast Members have to do to help out. For some Cast Member’s working at Magic Kingdom Park, that meant searching for a ride for a Guests detached finger.

space mountain

On the Reddit group r/WaltDisneyWorld, one Disney fan asked a simple question, “Who has interesting or wild/crazy stories from WDW?” The answer they received was something truly shocking.

Reddit user @travelingtheworld-1 began his story by explaining that it all went down 25 years ago during Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary. The Cast Member was working at Space Mountain when a Guests finger was “ripped off by the wedding band in the light tube launch.” After the incident occurred, the Cast Member’s working on Space Mountain were instructed to search the ride for the severed finger.

Guests

According to the Cast Member, the finger was found, put on ice, and reattached to the victim at a nearby hospital. If there’s one thing to take away from this horrifying story, it is to make sure to listen to safety demonstrations at the begging of a ride. The poster reminds Guests, “when they say keep your arms inside, just listen.”

Space Mountain Closes at Disney World

The classic attraction was offline earlier in the week

Few roller coasters even compare to the original Space Mountain in Walt Disney World. Does it hurt your back a little? Yes. Is it extremely bumpy? Also yes. But something about it draws us in every time we visit the Parks.

It’s simply a must-do for roller coaster fans. Even though it just barely outpaces Goofy’s Barnstormer in terms of speed, it’s still a thrilling adventure.

With its galactic theming, dark ambiance, and iconic soundtrack, the indoor roller coaster is a must-ride for Guests at Walt Disney World seeking adventure and a wild trip to space. The ride can be found at multiple Disney Parks and Resorts across the world, but the original Magic Kingdom version will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Located in the Tomorrowland section of the Park, Space Mountain takes you on an “out of this world” journey through the stars.

Unfortunately, Space Mountain closed unexpectedly on Monday at the Magic Kingdom.

Space Mountain WDW

.In the photo below, shared by @ParkTwister on Twitter, you can see Cast Members standing around the entrance o the attraction in order to inform Guests of the closure:

If you look a little closer, you can even see a few cornhole boards set up for Guests to play with as they wait. You can also see a photo of the PeopleMover being evacuated:

Whenever Space Mountain encountered an issue, the PeopleMover is typically evacuated and closed as well as the attractions intertwine with one another. While there is no word on when we can expect these two rides to open back up, we hope it’s very soon!

As we said, Space Mountain can be found at a lot of other Disney Parks like Disneyland in California. Over on the west coast, Space Mountain reaches a speed of 35 m.p.h., and was the second Space Mountain attraction built in a Disney Park. Most Disney Guests long for the opportunity to have the unique experience of seeing the ride with the lights on.