PHOTOS: Foundation Work Begins on New Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

Shannen Ace

Updated on:

PHOTOS: Foundation Work Begins on New Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

Shannen Ace

Updated on:

PHOTOS: Foundation Work Begins on New Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

We now know that the current version of Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland will close permanently on July 31, 2024, after a months-long celebration of the attraction. A new version of Space Mountain, already under construction, will open in 2027. Work is underway behind the current attraction on the new ride, which Disney and Oriental Land Company announced in April 2022.

Space Mountain Construction

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4073

Construction is visible from the Disney Resort Line Monorail.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4074

A large swath of land has been set aside behind the current Space Mountain and between Cast Member parking lots. Site clearing began in the fall of 2022 and a groundbreaking ceremony took place in May 2023.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4076

Since our last construction update, two large mounds of dirt have risen on either side of a backstage road.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4077

Closer to the current ride, three tall cranes tower over the construction site.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4130

A closer look reveals the beginnings of a structure. Steel frames stick out of concrete and surround wood walls.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4131

Diggers are moving more dirt in the area.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4133
tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4135

Concept art (below) indicates the new attraction building and plaza will draw inspiration from both the iconic Space Mountain structure and Shanghai Disneyland’s Tomorrowland.

SpaceMountainTokyoDisneylandConceptArt1

The building curves, ramp, and blue lights are similar to TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland and TRON Lightcycle / Run Magic Kingdom.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4078

Oriental Land Co. is spending approximately ¥56 billion ($437 million) on the new ride. The Space Mountain name and theme will be retained as well as Coca-Cola’s sponsorship.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4079

The coaster will be the first new thrill attraction at Tokyo Disney Resort since Tower of Terror opened in 2006.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4080

Space Mountain is in Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland but is not far from Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, which will open next year.

tokyo disney space mountain construction dec 2023 4137

We caught a bird surveying the new land and Space Mountain.

History of Space Mountain

image 1 2

The original version of Space Mountain opened in 1975 at Magic Kingdom. It proved so popular that Disney constructed other versions at Disneyland Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. Shanghai Disneyland is the only Disney “castle park” with no Space Mountain, instead opting to build TRON Lightcycle Power Run.

Each version of Space Mountain is slightly different, but they all take guests on a high-speed adventure through the iconic pyramid-like building.

The Disneyland Paris rendition of the ride was originally De la Terre à la Lune, inspired by “From the Earth to the Moon” by Jules Verne. Both the Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland versions later received the “Star Wars” Hyperspace Mountain overlay. The overlay was supposed to be temporary but ultimately became permanent. This overlay also sometimes comes to the Disneyland version of the ride.

This year, Disney added new projection mapping and projection effects to Space Mountain in Disneyland.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.