Walt Disney World Celebrates Space Mountain 50th Anniversary with Private Ceremony & Fireworks Launch

Shannen Ace

A group of costumed characters poses energetically in front of Space Mountain, with a dazzling fireworks launch celebrating the 50th anniversary lighting up the night sky behind them at Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World Celebrates Space Mountain 50th Anniversary with Private Ceremony & Fireworks Launch

Walt Disney World marked 50 years of Space Mountain on January 15, 2025, with a private ceremony, fireworks launch, and celebrity memories.

Space Mountain 50th Anniversary

A group poses in front of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World, celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Among them are costumed characters and two people joyfully pressing a button labeled "Space Mountain 50.

In the video shared below, Mickey and his pals joined Walt Disney World Ambassadors Serena Arvizu and Shannon Smith-Conrad outside the original Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom. They introduced clips of various celebrities and Walt Disney World executives, including Disney Legend Josh Gad and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle, sharing their favorite Space Mountain celebrities.

A group of costumed characters poses energetically in front of Space Mountain, with a dazzling fireworks launch celebrating the 50th anniversary lighting up the night sky behind them at Walt Disney World.

Donald Duck joined his friends at Space Mountain to launch fireworks from the iconic attraction. The video features a logo for the 50th anniversary with the tagline “50 Years & Beyond.”

Watch the video below.

Black and white image of a 1974 theme park featuring futuristic rides, a rocket structure, and a domed building, surrounded by palm trees. The scene evokes the early days of Space Mountain, capturing the spirit of innovation that now celebrates Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary.

Space Mountain opened in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on January 15, 1975. Arrow Dynamics manufactured the innovative indoor coaster, which features two tracks, dubbed Alpha and Omega. The white conical building is an icon of Disney Parks.

The success of the Florida coaster led to its construction at most other Disney castle parks: Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. The exception is Shanghai Disneyland, which built TRON Lightcycle Power Run instead. Each version has slight differences but still rockets guests through the darkness of space.

A large, uniquely designed ride with a cannon-like structure extending from the side, reminiscent of Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris, set against a blue sky with white clouds. The area has a water feature and is bordered by a wooden and metal fence.

The Disneyland Paris version of the attraction was originally De la Terre à la Lune, based on Jules Verne’s “From the Earth to the Moon.” It later “temporarily” switched to Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain but the overlay has remained since 2017. The overlay also became permanent at Hong Kong Disneyland. Space Mountain at Disneyland in California switches to the overlay during “Star Wars” celebrations.

The Tokyo Disneyland version of Space Mountain closed permanently this summer to be demolished and replaced by a brand new Space Mountain. The new version, rumored to be named Space Mountain Earthrise, will open in 2027. The Oriental Land Company is spending approximately ¥56 billion ($437 million) on the ride.

Walt Disney World released pins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Space Mountain. A Space Mountain movie is in development.

January 15 also marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom. The attraction originally debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. It moved to Disneyland in 1967 and then to Magic Kingdom on January 15, 1975.

Night view of a futuristic building with spires, labeled "Promising Tomorrows," evoking the magic of Disney Imagineers, featuring colorful silhouettes of people and a roller coaster graphic in the sky.

WDWNT is celebrating 50 years of Space Mountain and 30 years of “New” Tomorrowland with our “Promising Tomorrows” event. Current and former Disney Imagineers, including some who worked on Space Mountain, will be speaking and signing at the event this weekend. Find the full list of participants, schedule, and ticketing information at SpaceMountain50.com.

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