Walt Disney World Resort has quietly confirmed a lasting update to Space Mountain, the legendary Tomorrowland roller coaster that just turned 50. While the anniversary celebration came and went with little fanfare, eagle-eyed guests have noticed a significant change to the ride experience—and it appears to be here to stay.
A New Era for Space Mountain
Debuting on January 15, 1975, Space Mountain has been a staple of Magic Kingdom Park‘s skyline for five decades. It remains one of Disney’s most iconic roller coasters, paving the way for versions at Disneyland Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Over the years, some international parks have dramatically transformed their versions—Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland now feature Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, while Tokyo Disneyland is currently reconstructing the ride from the ground up.
Last month, Walt Disney World Resort celebrated Space Mountain’s milestone with a special fireworks moment and a social media tribute, as shared by @ScottGustin on X (formerly Twitter):
Walt Disney World shared video of a golden fireworks celebration moment for the 50th anniversary of Space Mountain. The ride opened on Jan. 15, 1975.
Walt Disney World shared video of a golden fireworks celebration moment for the 50th anniversary of Space Mountain. The ride opened on Jan. 15, 1975. pic.twitter.com/aPk9KsWS6q
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) January 15, 2025
However, guests riding the Tomorrowland attraction soon noticed something different: a drastic increase in volume on the ride’s onboard audio system.
Space Mountain’s Soundtrack Gets a Boost
Frequent Space Mountain riders are reporting that the music and sound effects have been significantly amplified.
Reddit user u/randomseeker1346 first raised the topic, writing:
“Has Space Mountain noticeably turned up the music since the 50th anniversary? …For many years now, Starry-O-Phonic Sound has been nearly silent inside of Space Mountain…However, after the 50th anniversary event, I noticed they turned up the music all the way—like when Starry-O-Phonic Sound first launched in 2010.”
Other Disney Park guests chimed in, confirming the volume increase.
“Now that you mention it, I did notice the music last time (albeit a year ago),” u/DingGratz commented.
One guest even claimed that a Disney cast member confirmed the change: “We were there for Halloween and Christmas and just assumed it was for the theming, but a CM confirmed that’s the normal volume now.”
Disney’s Quiet Confirmation
While Walt Disney World Resort has yet to make an official announcement, cast members have reportedly verified that the boosted audio levels are a permanent adjustment. It is unclear whether this update is part of a larger refresh for the attraction or simply an effort to improve ambiance, but one thing is certain—after 50 years, Space Mountain is evolving.
Should Walt Disney World Resort make changes to any of its other attractions? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments.
