astro orbitor central structure returns to Disneyland with planet and base added

PHOTOS: More Pieces Return to Astro Orbitor in Disneyland as Refurbishment Nears Completion

Toni Ferrigno

More pieces of the Astro Orbitor have returned to Disneyland Park after being completely removed for the attraction’s refurbishment.

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The central structure of the ride returned earlier this week with a refreshed paint job in the same colors the attraction was before the refurbishment.

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Though the very top portion of the structure and some additional planets have not been reinstalled yet, a small planet on an arm has returned. The attraction is set to reopen in less than a month on March 22.

dlr dl astro orbitor construction February 2024 IMG 8806

Moving downward, the golden base cover that was not there on our previous visit has returned. This section is where the arms of the attraction are attached to. The gold plating acts as coverage of the area where the arms extend out.

dlr dl astro orbitor construction February 2024 IMG 8804

The section of tarp and scaffolding covers a large planet that was not removed during the refurbishment. It is getting repainted on-site, and the tarp is there to protect it during the painting process.

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We’ve not yet seen this planet on the opposite side get covered, though it will likely receive some touchups as well.

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Here’s a look at what the attraction looked like at the start of the refurbishment back in November of 2023, before the central structure was removed.

The first iteration of the attraction in Disneyland, called Astro Jets, opened in 1956. It was renamed Tomorrowland Jets in 1964 but remained as such for just two years when the attraction was closed in 1966. It returned in a new form in 1967 under the name Rocket Jets, which closed in 1997. It reopened as Astro Orbitor in 1998.

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