Space Mountain is a favorite ride for many Walt Disney World guests, but the attraction as riders know it today might be changing. If true, the project would be the latest of many major changes to classic Disney World rides, including Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
A massive overhaul of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is rumored to be announced soon. Below, we gauge the plausibility of potential changes, what may be coming, and when Disney might announce it. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including 9 overlooked perks at Disney World hotels and wedding dresses inspired by Disney Princesses.
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Space Mountain Changes Rumored for Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain first blasted off at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in 1975, even before Disneyland‘s version opened in California in 1977. For over 50 years, guests have enjoyed this rollicking indoor roller coaster through the stars. Now, Disney might be changing the original with major updates.
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Rumors are circulating about a sweeping overhaul of Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain. Potential changes would reportedly go beyond a standard refurbishment, requiring the ride to be closed for an extended period to undergo significant work.
Importantly, though, Disney has not officially announced any Space Mountain refurbishment at the time of this writing.
The recent major reimagining of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad may provide a template for the kinds of changes to expect from a possible Space Mountain refurbishment. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was closed for 16 months, during which Disney and its manufacturing partners replaced the entire track, upgraded backend safety systems, and installed new special effects.
A prime opportunity to announce a Space Mountain overhaul is coming up at Disney’s official convention, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, happening from August 14 to 16 in Anaheim, California. During the Disney Experiences Showcase, known among fans as the “parks panel,” on August 15, Imagineers and executives will share details about in-progress coming attractions for Disney theme parks globally.
Then again, Disney may be cautious about revealing major changes to a beloved ride in front of an arena full of passionate Disney fans. We’ll have more to say about our D23 predictions in future coverage. Subscribe to the free Mickey Visit newsletter to never miss an update.
Numerous possibilities come to mind for potential Space Mountain changes in Florida. Disneyland’s version of the ride has onboard audio, which definitely intensifies the mood. The proximity of ride infrastructure and set elements to riders may also pose a problem to the current Space Mountain when judged against modern roller coaster safety standards.
The most recent large-scale refurbishment of Space Mountain was in 2009, when the roller coaster was closed for seven months. Some of the work during that period included retracking some parts of the track, introducing new queue interactive elements, and installing the low ceiling over the load station, blocking the open view into the mountain.
WDW Magic reported the possibility of a Space Mountain overhaul, citing undisclosed sources.
They reported that it is currently unclear if Disney is considering a change in layout of the track or a if the rebuild will follow the same existing layout. They also reported that Disney could be considering a shift from a single-row vehicle to a side-by-side vehicle in the style of the Disneyland Space Mountain. This is all unconfirmed and rumored based on various sources.
Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain closed in 2024 and won’t reopen until 2027. In that case, Disney built an entirely new coaster and demolished the original, including the exterior mountain building, pictured in concept art above.
Reinvesting in classic Walt Disney World attractions is a priority for Walt Disney Imagineering at the moment. We spoke with Imagineers about how their efforts to relaunch Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in recent months are all part of a wider initiative to prepare older attractions for a new generation of guests while simultaneously “leaving it better than they found it.”
This same principle is currently being put to the test with the closure of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, a classic Tomorrowland ride that opened on the exact same day as Space Mountain in 1975. Carousel of Progress closed in July 2026 and will reopen in 2027 with an Audio-Animatronics figure depicting Walt Disney, as well as changes to every scene in the ride.
We could hear news about this coaster at D23 or even earlier. Stay tuned to Mickey Visit for an update on the rumored overhaul of the attraction.
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