The Oriental Land Company has announced that the classic Space Mountain attraction at Tokyo Disneyland is to be replaced with an entirely new version of the attraction, set to open in 2027. With this, Space Mountain as we know it will close permanently at some point in 2024, following the park’s 40th Anniversary celebrations.
The announcement came with a single piece of concept art, showing the new plaza to be built around the new attraction in Tomorrowland. The iconic attraction and its building, which was cloned from the Disneyland version and opened with the park on April 15, 1983, are presumably to be demolished or heavily modified for this new version. The Oriental Land Company said the following about the project:
“Space Mountain, an exhilarating, indoor roller coaster that takes guests on a high-speed joy ride through space, has been a favorite of guests since the Grand Opening of Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. This entirely new attraction will maintain its original concept as an indoor roller coaster, but will have enhanced performance and immersive special effects that will give guests even more thrills on this exciting rocket ride.
The new Tomorrowland plaza will express the connection between Earth and the universe, representing an image of a future where humans are in harmony with nature. Guests will be able to enjoy moments of rest and relaxation in this plaza where various icons and other design elements create a sense of hope for the future. After dark, the area will draw guests into a spectacular world of light and soundscapes.”
The new attraction building design seems to take inspiration from Shanghai Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, with a large ramp leading up to the attraction similar to Tron Lightcycle Power Run.
Approximately ¥56 billion ($437 million) will be spent on this project, with the Space Mountain name and theme to be retained as well as Coca-Cola’s sponsorship. The new version will open in 2027.
What do you think about this project? Let us know in the comments below!
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Perhaps….perhaps….once the Tron coaster opens at Walt Disney World, Disney can construct a clone in FL. It would be a smart move. Let OLC pay for the initial design and development costs, and slap the copy in at the Magic Kingdom. Space mountain in FL is now officially the most in need of an upgrade. This would be an easy way to do that. The Tron coaster could keep that area of Tomorrowland busy while demolition and construction takes place. One can dream, I guess.
With current Disney management, I’d keep dreaming.
Amen!
I’ll have to agree with you. ‘Cause the FL version of Space Mountain (with the roller coaster similar to Matterhorn Bobsleds) and everything else at MK looks old-fashioned. They’ll need to modernize the Florida MK park and make a duplicate of the future Tokyo version pictured above. In other words, they’d better future-ize WDW’s Tomorrowland with character theming and replace Carousel of Progress with The Happy Ride with Baymax.
This is really thrilling to see Space Mountain get a more futuristic makeover as Japan seems to have more advanced technology. Hmm, I wonder if the US versions will get this Tokyo makeover too so they’ll all be on par.
holy cow, is this for real?! a new version of Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain in 2027?! :D that’s so cool!
No better Space Mountain than the one at Disneyland Paris !
I always heard the Tokyo Park was nostalgic – even to the point of taking attractions from the U.S. if they closed? Suprised at this pivot on a classic attraction.
Wow, I wish the Oriental Land Company would take over the Florida property!
Possibly. But WDW will still be fully owned by the Walt Disney Company. It’s gonna be like a reverse of the ownership and licensing of Tokyo Disney Resort.
This concept art actually looks cool. I hope the new version lives up to the original.