The Tweet That Broke the Fandom: Is a Multi-Year Space Mountain Closure Actually Happening?

In the world of theme park enthusiasts, few things trigger a mix of excitement and anxiety quite like the word “refurbishment.” When that word is attached to a flagship E-Ticket attraction, the community goes into overdrive. This week, the digital corridors of the Disney fandom have been set ablaze by a startling new possibility: a multi-year closure of the most unique and intense version of Space Mountain ever built.

According to a flurry of recent social media chatter and a viral post from prominent insider circles, whispers are growing louder that the iconic steampunk-inspired coaster at Disneyland Paris is preparing for a massive, two-year hiatus. While the resort has remained tight-lipped, the sheer volume of speculation has left fans wondering if the moon is about to move out of reach for a very long time.

A Rumor Gaining Momentum

It is important to state from the outset: this is currently a rumor. As of January 2026, The Walt Disney Company has not officially announced a long-term closure for the Discoveryland icon. However, the source of the speculation—a trending thread on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting potential internal scheduling shifts—has hit a nerve.

The rumor suggests that starting as early as late 2026, the attraction could close its doors, not reopening until the resort’s 35th Anniversary in 2027 or even early 2028. For a park that relies heavily on its “Big Five” thrill rides, losing a headliner for twenty-four months would be a seismic shift in guest operations.

Why Two Years? The Need for a Deep Overhaul

If the rumors prove true, the question on every guest’s mind is why? Most refurbishments last a few weeks or perhaps a few months. A two-year window suggests something much more significant than a fresh coat of paint or a lighting upgrade.

Disneyland Paris is home to a version of Space Mountain that is fundamentally different from its cousins in Florida or California. Built with a specialized Vekoma track system that includes a high-speed incline launch and three inversions, the ride is a mechanical beast. Since its opening in 1995 as De la Terre à la Lune, the coaster has undergone several identity shifts and currently operates under the Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain overlay.

Insiders suggest that a two-year closure would likely involve a “back-to-the-studs” renovation. This could include:

• Total Track Replacement: After 30 years of high-G launches and inversions, the steel structure may require a complete overhaul to ensure another 30 years of operation.
• Technological Modernization: The ride’s braking systems, launch cable, and train chassis are aging. Replacing these with modern magnetic technology could make the ride smoother and more reliable.
• A Thematic Reset: This is perhaps the most debated point in the comments sections. Many fans are hoping an extended closure signals the end of the Star Wars era and a return to the glorious, Jules Verne-inspired aesthetic that defined the ride’s early years.

Fan Sentiment: A House Divided

The reaction to the viral tweet has been a microcosm of the modern Disney fan experience. In the comments, the divide is clear. On one side, there is a sense of mourning. “Two years without the best launch in Europe? That’s a huge chunk of time for annual pass holders,” one user lamented. Others pointed out that Discoveryland already feels “empty” without a consistently operating Star Tours or Orbitron, and losing the mountain would leave a “black hole” in the park’s capacity.

On the other side of the coin, there is a sense of desperate hope. Fans of the original Mission 1 soundtrack and the “Earth to the Moon” storyline see this potential closure as the only way to “fix” what they believe has been lost. “Take three years if you have to,” another fan replied, “just bring back the Baltimore Gun Club and the original score. Give us back our masterpiece.”

The 35th Anniversary Connection

One of the strongest arguments for the rumor’s validity is its timing. Disneyland Paris will celebrate its 35th Anniversary in 2027. Historically, Disney has used these major milestones to debut massive “gifts” for guests. Reopening a reimagined or fully restored Space Mountain—potentially with new train designs or a brand-new internal show—would be the perfect centerpiece for an anniversary marketing campaign.

Furthermore, with the recent expansion of the Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be Disney Adventure World), the resort may finally feel it has enough “cushion” in terms of ride capacity to take a major attraction at the original park offline for an extended period.

What Should Guests Do?

Because this remains speculative, travelers planning a trip for late 2026 or 2027 should not panic just yet. However, it is always wise to keep an eye on the official Disneyland Paris refurbishment calendar, which typically updates a few months in advance.

If the “Two-Year Refurb” does move from rumor to reality, it will be a bittersweet pill for the community to swallow. It would mean the loss of a legend for an extended period, but it would also promise the rebirth of an icon. For now, we wait for the “Columbiad” cannon to fire or for Disney to break the silence.

Until then, the mountain remains a mystery, shrouded in stardust and social media whispers. Stay tuned for the latest updates as we continue to track the movement of the stars in Discoveryland.