Disney fans went into D23 expecting plenty of surprises, but one of the most interesting developments may have been something Disney didn’t announce.
For weeks, rumors have circulated about the future of Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. Those rumors have suggested that the 51-year-old attraction could eventually close for an extended refurbishment, with 2027 repeatedly emerging as a possible timeframe.
Then Disney held its major parks presentation Saturday evening.
Space Mountain came up. In fact, Disney announced significant changes involving two different versions of the attraction around the world.
Magic Kingdom wasn’t one of them.
Disney Reveals Big Space Mountain Changes
Disney used its D23 presentation to reveal plans for Space Mountain attractions at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland.
At Disneyland Paris, Hyperspace Mountain will become Space Mountain De la Terre à la Lune. The coaster will move away from its current Star Wars theme and return to the Jules Verne-inspired concept associated with its original version. A new soundtrack is also coming with the transformation.
Meanwhile, Disney has much bigger plans underway at Tokyo Disneyland.
The current attraction is being replaced as Disney reimagines Tomorrowland, with the new coaster officially named Space Mountain Earth Rise. Disney has positioned the new Space Mountain as the centerpiece of the updated area.
Naturally, all of that Space Mountain news created another question.
What about Walt Disney World?
Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain Was Missing
Disney didn’t announce a refurbishment, overhaul or closure for Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom during the presentation.
That’s particularly interesting considering the rumors surrounding the attraction since July.
Space Mountain opened at Magic Kingdom in 1975, making the attraction more than 51 years old. While it has received work over the decades, rumors have suggested a much more substantial project could eventually be coming.
Some speculation has pointed toward 2027 for an extended closure.
D23 appeared to provide the perfect opportunity for Disney to confirm those plans. Instead, the presentation came and went without an announcement.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the rumored refurbishment is dead.
Disney could announce something later this year or even sometime in 2027. Internal timelines can change, and not every refurbishment needs to be revealed during a major fan event.
There’s also the possibility Disney simply didn’t want to announce an extended closure for a beloved Magic Kingdom attraction during a presentation centered largely around exciting additions.
Still, the silence matters.
What Happens Next?
If Disney were preparing for a massive Space Mountain project in the immediate future, the company had an obvious opportunity to start preparing guests for it.
Instead, Disney talked about the future of Space Mountain elsewhere while leaving Magic Kingdom completely out of the conversation.
For now, guests shouldn’t treat a 2027 closure as confirmed.
The attraction remains open, and Disney has not publicly announced an extended refurbishment.
Could that announcement eventually arrive? Absolutely.
But D23 seemingly changes the temperature around the rumors. What once looked like a project that might be approaching an official announcement could still be months away from confirmation, if Disney moves forward with it at all.
After 51 years, Space Mountain will almost certainly need continued attention to remain one of Magic Kingdom’s signature attractions.
For now, though, Disney World fans are still waiting.
And after Disney specifically announced the future of two other Space Mountain attractions at D23, Magic Kingdom’s absence from that conversation may be the biggest update we’ve received yet.
