Iconic Space Mountain Set To Close at Disney Park Amid Operational Changes
Space Mountain, one of Disney’s most recognizable attractions, is preparing for another period of transition — this time at Hong Kong Disneyland.
The closure arrives amid broader operational changes and expansion plans at the resort, as the park balances legacy attractions with a growing slate of new experiences.
Legacy Ride in Flux
Since 1975, Space Mountain has served as a cornerstone of Disney park attractions, debuting at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World as a pioneering indoor roller coaster. Combining darkness, starfield effects, and space-age theming, it redefined thrill rides within family-oriented theme parks.
The attraction expanded globally with versions at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. Each iteration features distinct layouts, onboard audio, and thematic framing.
Some versions leaned into higher intensity, while others emphasized smoother motion and broader accessibility. Those differences reflected both regional guest expectations and the evolution of coaster engineering over several decades.
Change has become a defining feature of the attraction’s modern era. At Disneyland Paris, Space Mountain operates full-time as Hyperspace Mountain, incorporating Star Wars imagery and story elements. The original Jules Verne–inspired De la Terre à la Lune concept has not returned.
At Tokyo Disneyland, the original Space Mountain has already been demolished. Construction is underway on a completely new version of the ride, described as more technologically advanced, marking the most significant reinvention of the attraction to date.
That context makes developments in Hong Kong difficult to ignore.
Operational Adjustments at Hong Kong Disneyland
At Hong Kong Disneyland, Space Mountain — currently operating as Hyperspace Mountain — is scheduled to close later this month. The park has confirmed the attraction will shut down from February 24 through late April 2026.
According to the park, the closure is for “operational adjustments.” No additional details have been provided regarding the scope of work or whether changes will be visible to guests upon reopening.
The lack of specificity has fueled renewed speculation among regular visitors. In recent years, some have suggested the park could eventually remove the Star Wars overlay and restore a non-IP version of the attraction.
Those rumors gained traction in 2025, when the X-wing previously displayed outside Hyperspace Mountain’s entrance was quietly removed. The park did not publicly comment on the change.
As of now, Hong Kong Disneyland continues to market the attraction using its existing Star Wars storyline.
“The adventure begins as Admiral Ackbar briefs you on your mission: the Rebel Alliance needs your help flying a reconnaissance vessel to survey an Imperial Star Destroyer spotted near Jakku—a desert planet featured in the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. An elite X-wing squadron escorts you into hyperspace. You arrive at your destination to find the Star Destroyer waiting for you, surrounded by a swarm of TIE fighters. It’s a trap!”
Hyperspace Mountain has appeared intermittently at Disneyland Resort during events such as Season of the Force and Star Wars Nite. The California park has never adopted the overlay full time, a decision many fans have praised when comparing the two experiences.
The timing of the closure also coincides with wider changes underway across the resort.
Broader Changes Across the Park
Hong Kong Disneyland is currently in the midst of its 20th-anniversary celebration, branded as “The Most Magical Party of All.” New entertainment, parades, and seasonal offerings are scheduled to continue through summer 2026.
Expansion remains focused on Tomorrowland. The area is slated to receive a new Spider-Man attraction in its Stark Expo area, described as a Tower of Terror–style experience using Marvel intellectual property.
Additional development is planned near Toy Story Land and World of Frozen, where an exclusive Pixar Entertainment Experience is expected to debut. The park has not announced a specific opening timeline.
Entertainment additions are also ongoing. A walk-around Olaf audio-animatronic is scheduled to arrive in World of Frozen in March, expanding character interactions in the land.
Do you prefer Hyperspace Mountain or Space Mountain?
