Space Mountain to get major update at Tokyo Disneyland, inside and out
The Oriental Land Co., Ltd., owners of Tokyo Disneyland Resort, have announced Space Mountain and its surrounding area in Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland Park will undergo a major renovation. This newly developed plaza will create a reimagined area of Tomorrowland and is expected to open in 2027.
Space Mountain, the famous 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. It’s a clone of the ride at Disneyland Park in California, but now it will be made into an entirely new attraction. While it will maintain its original concept as an indoor roller coaster, will have an enhanced ride and immersive special effects for even more thrills.
“I’m thrilled to introduce this attraction to guests. It’s not only a whole new ride experience, but the story also has so much emotion,” said Walt Disney Imagineering Producer Kathleen Davis. “Through the queue and then on the ride, we see our connection to our planet and gain a new perspective for how special it is in all the universe. It’s a roller coaster with both thrill and heart.”
The new Tomorrowland plaza is said to enhance the connection between Earth and the universe, and will represent an image of a future where humans are in harmony with nature. Guests will be able to rest in the 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.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
“With the overarching story of appreciating our home (Planet Earth), we are making this change to spread awareness of caring for our Earth and what she’s gifted us throughout time as we know it,” said Owen Yoshino, senior creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Of course, this means the park will be without a Space Mountain ride while the renovations are done. But construction isn’t planned to start for a couple of years. So Space Mountain will remain open until sometime in 2024. The project is expected to cost about 56 billion JPY ($436,200,000) and to reopen in 2027.
