Disney Is Spending a Jaw-Dropping Amount on This One Attraction
Oriental Land Company revealed that Tokyo Disneyland’s new Space Mountain, opening in 2027, now costs approximately 70.5 billion yen, making it the most expensive attraction Walt Disney Imagineering has ever built. The budget increased from the originally announced 56 billion yen, driven by inflation in Japan that peaked in January 2023 at a 41-year high.
Using current exchange rates, the investment translates to approximately $460 million USD. When localized to account for construction costs in Japan rather than simple currency conversion, this establishes Space Mountain as the biggest-budget attraction in Disney Parks history.
Why the Budget Increased
The project was announced in April 2022, the same month inflation in Japan surpassed the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the first time in years. Inflation continued rising until January 2023 before gradually declining throughout 2024 and 2025. While Japan’s inflation rate has slowed to 2.1% as of December 2025, much of the higher labor and materials costs have already been incurred during peak inflation.
The same pressures affecting Space Mountain also impacted the new Wreck-It Ralph attraction opening alongside it, which now carries an approximately 29.5 billion yen budget, roughly $200 million USD. That’s a staggering sum for what was believed to be a ride reimagining using existing infrastructure.
Most Expensive Disney Attraction
The new Space Mountain will likely hold the title of most expensive Disney attraction when it opens in 2027. Other candidates that could cost more include Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, but we only have rumored costs for American attractions rather than official budgets.
Oriental Land Company releases investment amounts in quarterly reports, whereas The Walt Disney Company does not. OLC releases final budgets for expansions as a whole, but not individual attractions within those projects.
A Temporary Record
Space Mountain probably won’t hold the most expensive title for long. The Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will likely cost over $500 million USD. Higher labor costs in the United States compared to Japan mean upcoming projects, including Pandora at Disney California Adventure and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, will likely surpass this investment.
Disney Construction Details
OLC held a groundbreaking ceremony in May 2023. The original Space Mountain didn’t close until July 31, 2024, because the new version is being built entirely behind the original location. There was an eight-month stretch when two Space Mountains existed simultaneously, one under construction and the other being demolished.
The roller coaster track was installed first, then the building was constructed around it. Enthusiasts identified the track as manufactured by Intamin, including drop track sections. This means Space Mountain is an original concept rather than using the same system as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which was manufactured by Vekoma.
The Reimagined Tomorrowland
According to OLC, the new Tomorrowland plaza will express the connection between Earth and the universe, representing a future where humans are in harmony with nature. The new Space Mountain maintains its original concept as an indoor roller coaster but features enhanced performance and immersive special effects.
The placement farther back from the original location opens up a large entrance plaza with a flyover walkway leading to the attraction.
Disney Timeline and Global Impact
The construction pace suggests the 2027 opening is conservative. Expectations point toward Space Mountain and Wreck-It Ralph both opening on April 15, 2027, Tokyo Disneyland’s anniversary.
Tokyo’s Tomorrowland reimagining could serve as a blueprint for domestic Disney parks. Magic Kingdom and Disneyland both have aging Space Mountains that will eventually require comprehensive refurbishment or replacement. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom is currently undergoing extensive updates, and Space Mountain is rumored to be next.
Space Mountain’s Legacy
The indoor roller coaster originally opened at Magic Kingdom in 1975, followed by Disneyland in 1977. It became an opening day attraction at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005, and Disneyland Paris in 1995. Shanghai Disneyland is the only Disney park without Space Mountain.
The 70.5 billion yen investment represents not just the most expensive Disney attraction ever built but also Oriental Land Company’s commitment to maintaining Tokyo Disney Resort’s reputation for having some of the highest-quality Disney park experiences in the world.
