Is change on the horizon for yet another version of Space Mountain? A latest development at one Disney park seems to suggest so.
Space Mountain has taken many forms since debuting at Walt Disney World in 1975. Disneyland’s version in California frequently transforms into Hyperspace Mountain, overlaying the classic coaster with Star Wars visuals, sound effects, and projections. It’s a fan-favorite twist that blends nostalgic thrills with blockbuster appeal—often featured during seasonal events like Season of the Force.
Hong Kong Disneyland offers a similar overlay, but here Hyperspace Mountain became a permanent fixture after the 2016 “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover.” The ride keeps its original layout but adds synchronized audio, lighting effects, and a full-scale X-wing in the queue. It’s a seamless blend of the original experience and modern IP, tailored to regional audiences and growing Star Wars fandom.
In contrast, Tokyo Disneyland’s version closed in 2024 and is being fully rebuilt to debut in 2027. Meanwhile, Disneyland Paris continues to run the most intense version, with inversions and a steampunk aesthetic powering its permanent Hyperspace Mountain, which has been rumored to return to its former, non-Star Wars state at some point in the near future.
Are More Changes on the Horizon for Space Mountain?
Some fans are convinced that another version of Space Mountain is set to change in the near future.
A recent post from Hong Kong Disneyland showed the park’s ambassadors in front of the X-wing from Star Wars that came with the attraction’s transformation to Hyperspace Mountain. The caption stated that the ship will “soon depart for a new mission.”
HKDLアンバサダーSNSが「X-Wingはもうすぐ新ミッションへ出発！」という投稿😳
「ハイパースペース・マウンテン」何か起こる？？？🤔#HKDL pic.twitter.com/kVXC3mHZu3
— Emporium HKDL情報🏰✨ (@hk_emporium) May 4, 2025
Some have taken this to mean that the ride may soon lose its Star Wars theming. While that’s just a theory for now, it’s worth noting that there are plenty of changes ahead for Tomorrowland at Hong Kong Disneyland – some of which could, theoretically, eventually involve Space Mountain.
Changes in Tomorrowland
Back in 2017, the park started transforming part of Tomorrowland into Stark Expo. This is technically Disney’s first Marvel-themed land (sorry, Avengers Campus), complete with two rides: Iron Man Experience and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
More developments are expected with the addition of a Spider-Man attraction in the near future. With a similar ride system to Tower of Terror, this will replace the former site of Autopia, which itself was previously closed to make way for a since-canceled Avengers ride.
If Hyperspace Mountain is indeed set to lose its Star Wars overlay, it would mark a major shift in Hong Kong Disneyland’s attraction strategy. The ride has anchored Tomorrowland for nearly two decades, and its transformation into a permanent Star Wars experience was once seen as a long-term bet on the franchise’s staying power in the region.
The possible retheming could signal a move toward tighter Marvel integration, aligning with the park’s broader pivot. With Stark Expo continuing to grow and new characters entering the MCU each year, Disney may be looking to double down on its only Marvel land in Asia. Let’s be real: A Marvel-themed Space Mountain isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
At the same time, it’s also possible that Space Mountain could return to its original, non-IP form, something many longtime fans would likely welcome. There’s every chance that these X-Wing updates could mean nothing – but, at the same time, we wouldn’t rule it out in the future regardless.
Would you like to see Disney update other versions of Space Mountain?
