Tokyo Disney Breaks Ground on Space Mountain Rebuild

May 16, 2023, 5:40 PM · The Tokyo Disney Resort today broke ground on its US$400-million-plus project to rebuild Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland.

The ¥56 billion project will completely transform Tomorrowland's Space Mountain indoor roller coaster and its surrounding area. As part of the transformation, Space Mountain will close next year, with plans to reopen in 2027.

Oriental Land Co. President and COO, Kenji Yoshid
Oriental Land Co. President and COO, Kenji Yoshid breaks ground for the Space Mountain project. Photo courtesy Oriental Land Co.

The new Space Mountain will feature a new look on the outside as well as "enhanced performance and immersive special effects" on the inside, according to the resort's press release.

New Space Mountain concept art
Concept art courtesy Oriental Land Co.

In addition, "the new Tomorrowland plaza will express the connection between Earth and the universe, representing an image of a future where humans are in harmony with nature," the release said.

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Replies (18)

May 16, 2023 at 5:59 PM

Why is it that Tokyo Disneyland wants to update their Tomorrowland but the other castle parks are letting it to rot?

May 16, 2023 at 6:27 PM

@AgustinMacias, Tokyo Disneyland is the best Disney resort in the world. It’s the cream of the crop. They’re always looking for ways to expand, and make their parks even better.

May 16, 2023 at 7:15 PM

@Timbo23 Yup! It’s the only Disney resort that practices the “Disneyland will never be complete” mantra.

May 16, 2023 at 7:32 PM

Damn, I wonder if we here in FL can trade them Tron for this?

Although Tron is gorgeous, and I admittedly haven’t had the chance to ride it yet. But this looks amazing

May 16, 2023 at 7:35 PM

@AgustinMacias, 100%

May 16, 2023 at 9:15 PM

@AgustinMacias because Disney doesn’t own the Tokyo Disney resort unlike the other theme park resorts. The Oriental Land company lets imagineers do their best.

May 16, 2023 at 11:08 PM

Orlando, however, will be getting a cupcake of this same design. /s

May 17, 2023 at 7:46 AM

I appreciate they are updating things (and lets be real, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland at TDL were way outdated for decades up until recently), I don't think this looks better than the classic Space Mountain which is an iconic structure known to millions all around the world. If they did this at MK or DL a lot of people would be angry.

May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM

This looks amazing and can't wait to one day hopefully see it in person. Tomorrowland should in my opinion look futuristic so this upgrade will help for sure. I don't agree with the building remaining the same because its "iconic". Of all the lands Tomorrowland should always strive to look futuristic so re-building rides like this is a great idea.

May 17, 2023 at 11:01 AM

Pretty slick! Do we have info about the inside?

May 17, 2023 at 11:19 AM

If they did ANYTHING to Tomorrowland at Disneyland, I'd be stoked. Right now it looks like a dilapidated shopping mall from the 70s. There's nothing futuristic or inspiring about it--the best thing it has going is the background music. If they bombed the entire land and started over, I'd cheer.

Buzz Lightyear's half-assed Midway Mania? No thanks.
Star Tours, aka Millennium Falcon without controls? Snooze, the ride makes the same half-dozen moves over and over again.
Autopia Fumes in your Nosia? Why is this still here??
The biggest, worst pizza restaurant on earth? I'd rather go hungry.
That giant building there, and that one over there, and the stuff overhead that serves no purpose? Have they all been abandoned? Bomb them.
And then my poor Space Mountain, which at DL has to be the worst of the bunch, not a thing futuristic about it.

May 17, 2023 at 12:42 PM

@thecolonel YES!!! To everything you just said :)

May 17, 2023 at 2:34 PM

@ Robert, lol...nice attempt at trying to level the playing field.

@the_man, lol. You do have a point. As much as theme parks fans want updates & changes...many get upset with ANY changes to a beloved attractions (Twilight Zone to Guardians, now the Splash Mountain makeover)

In an ideal situation, I think people want new attractions built in a new area...but realistically space issues exist, so updates are often made to existing attractions.

May 17, 2023 at 2:41 PM

I definitely agree about DL's Tomorrowland being outdated but Space Mountain is the one good thing in it.

MK's Space Mountain needs major work, like something similar to what DLR did in 2005 where they take out all the track/supports and rebuilt it to modern standards. But there is no need in either case to re-do the exterior.

May 17, 2023 at 2:45 PM

I’d honestly settle for this beautiful looking retheme of the open spaces surrounding the ride. It looks almost new-Epcotish. Tomorrowland has long had a cold, concrete soulless feel to it. Definitely lacking the charm and place making of the other lands in MK IMO

May 17, 2023 at 5:29 PM

@the_man I actually like this updated SM look, at least with this rendering as a perspective. (Maybe it's the lighting effects) Let's be honest, Disney could change the park benches in DW and the fans would be angry. With my recent trip at DL in Cali a few weeks ago, I recall thinking as we stood in line for SM, this looks like what the future would look like in an old Saved By the Bell episode.

May 17, 2023 at 8:39 PM

“Beloved attractions “ haw ha ha

May 22, 2023 at 10:08 PM

It looks amazing, eye-catching but also extremely luxurious. I want to come and admire Tomorrowland plaza.

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